Historical romance author, Jillian Kent shares the story of her wedding, plus a chance to win her book, Secrets of the Heart. Every time you comment, your name goes in the drawing. Deadline: Feb 11, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jillian:
Jillian and her mom - wedding day
Jillian and family- 30 years later
THE WEDDING STORY
My husband and I got married on August 8, 1981. It was HOT and the church had no air-conditioning. I was thrilled to have a small wedding, about one hundred guests. We’d decided to get married in Cincinnati, Ohio since that’s where we found our first jobs after graduate school. I had family and friends there from Pennsylvania and Randy had family and friends there from West Virginia. And then we had our new friends in attendance from Cincinnati. It was a fun group.
The minister who married us was a big guy, taller than my six foot two hubby. All the guests were assembled. I had four bridesmaids including the my maid of honor. We each lighted candles with our parents. (I actually found one of me and my mom. My mom gave me away at the wedding because my dad died many years before that time). I haven’t yet been able to get all of my pictures loaded onto the computer and it will take quite a bit of hunting to find some of them.
We were only about five minutes into the ceremony when Randy got the crazy idea that it was time to kiss the bride and HE KISSED ME right in the beginning of the ceremony! The whole place laughed and the minister said, “Not now Randy.” One of those moments we’ll never forget. J He was so nervous he thought it was time to wrap the whole thing up.
Anyway, the wedding and reception were lots of fun. Sometimes I can’t believe it’s been thirty years!
I have a question for all of you that visit this post. My editor for my first book cut my wedding scene stating that it wasn’t necessary. What I’d like to do on my blog at sometime in the future is post the wedding scene for Secrets of the Heart and perhaps other scenes that didn’t make it into the book but that I would still like to share with me readers. Do you think this would be of interest to readers or not? I’d really like your opinion.
Here’s a brief first meeting scene from Secrets of the Heart:
Lord Selby’s raucous laughter roared through the crowd as he muscled his way through with his horse. Another rider crashed into her while trying to get out of Selby’s way, causing Madeline’s mount to lurch sideways into Hally, nearly unseating each of them. Madeline’s breath caught, but she quickly tightened her reins and gained control.
“Easy, Shakespeare. It’s all right, boy.” She stroked the gelding’s neck to calm him and looked to see if the other rider had recovered his balance.
A pair of green eyes, wide with concern, locked on her. The beginning of a smile dimpled the man’s cheeks. A strong chin, straight nose, and clean-shaven face provided him the good looks of a gentleman in a Van Dyck portrait. She felt the heat of a sudden blush, and not trusting her voice held her tongue.
Apology etched his handsome face. “I beg your forgiveness.” He arched a single black brow. “Are either of you hurt?”
Madeline sucked in a deep breath to calm her nerves and brushed her skirt free of imaginary grime. “I am unscathed, sir,” she assured him, pulling her gaze away. “Lady Gilling?”
“No injuries here.” She pushed her purple plumed hat back into place.
Madeline turned back to him. The sudden urge to chuckle surprised her, but instead of laughing, she molded herself into a woman of politeness and poise. “It appears that we have survived the excitement.”
“I’m afraid Lord Selby is already in his cups this fine morning.” The charming stranger maneuvered his mount closer and lowered his voice. “Hippocrates here found Selby’s bellowing objectionable.” His smile radiated genuine warmth. “I must concur with his animal instinct.”
The blare of the hunting horn filled the air. The fine gentleman tipped his hat and disappeared into the crush of riders. A twinge of disappointment tugged at Madeline’s heart.
“Are you certain you are unharmed?” Hally asked, as they trotted their horses out of the gate. “You look a bit pale.”
“I can’t help but think I’ve seen that man somewhere before. Does he look familiar to you?” Madeline searched for him as they rode out.
“No. I don’t believe so. Could it be that you just met a gentleman of importance with no introduction from me at all?”
About Jillian: I’m Jillian Kent. I’m more than enthusiastic about the release of my first book, Secrets of the Heart, The Ravensmoore Chronicles, Book One that hit the shelves on May 3rd, 2011 and now Book Two of the series titled Chameleon debuts on May 15th 2012. I’ve been writing for years and it’s incredible to see my dreams coming true. I’m also a full-time counselor for nursing students and have a masters degree in social work. I’m fascinated with human behavior and how our minds work. Because I work in contemporary society I thought it would be fun and interesting to explore what might have happened in a lunatic asylum in Regency England. I hope you will escape into the past with me and I pray you will a bit of faith for the future along the way. I think you’ll enjoy the journey.
In August of 2011 I started a column for the Christian Fiction Online Magazine. This is a column titled The Well Writer and the topic is a passion of mine. I want to help those of us who write to remember that we need to take care of ourselves. I have a team of other writers that contribute but in February you’ll be able to read the column I wrote for the month called, Heart Rhythms. I hope you’ll check it out and tell your friends about it. Learn more at: http://jilliankent.com , http://jilliankent.blogspot.com/ , http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/ or, http://www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/.
About the book – Secrets of the Heart: Madeline Whittington, daughter of the deceased Earl of Richfield, emerges from English society’s prescribed period of mourning in the winter of 1817.
Madeline believes that she no longer belongs in a world of gossip and gowns after experiencing multiple losses. When she rescues a runaway from Ashcroft Insane Asylum, her life will be forever changed as she discovers the dark secrets within the asylum walls. Because of his elder brother’s unexpected death, Devlin Greyson becomes Earl of Ravensmoore and struggles between two worlds: one of affluence and privilege and one of poverty and disease.
Torn between his desire to become a doctor and the numerous responsibilities of his title, he wrestles with God’s calling for his future.Will he be able to honor this God-given gift and win the woman he falls in love with in a society that does not value gentlemen who work? And will Lady Madeline be able to honor her father’s memory when she is attracted to the man she holds responsible for her father’s death?
Come back Feb 3 for Jillian’s romantic interview.
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE.
Hi Angela,
Happy February! What a great month to win a romance novel! Doesn’t my mom have a smile on her face in that picture that says it all? I think she may have been happy to see me married.:) She’s living with us today and recently turned 87!
I think a kiss at the beginning and the end is quite appropriate. Would love to win and read your book.
Maybe it should be a new trend, Illene. 🙂
How sweet – shows how much he loved you! Thanks for sharing – put a smile on my face 🙂