Julie Arduini – Romantic Real Life Interview

Shannon here: Julie Arduini shares insight into her real life romance, plus a chance to win her Women’s Fiction title, Building Hearts. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Jan 1 – 13 to enter the drawing for print copy plus 3 other titles in my Jan Book Bundle #1 Giveaway. Deadline: Jan 24th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Julie:

• What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has ever done for you?

I was in a high-risk pregnancy after being an infertility patient. It was a rough pregnancy that included a car accident. One day he arrived after work carrying a bouquet of lilacs. They are my favorite flower. He found a bush on the side of the road, stopped, and picked them. He’s fairly sure it wasn’t on anyone’s land, but to me, it was that I was on his mind and he went out of his way to do something romantic.

• Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?

We’ve been married nearly 30 years and every time we hear When You Say Nothing at All by Allison Kraus and Union Station, we let the other know. The song first appeared in a mixed tape when we were dating and knew immediately it would be our song. It was our first married dance as well.

• How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?

He was new in his relationship with Christ, not even a month. When he asked me to be his girlfriend he made it clear during prayer God made it clear we weren’t going to just date, but that I was going to be his wife. It had to be God because I ran from dates for lesser reasons!

• Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse?

Tom did. We were at a dirt race track with mud specks in my hair, my contacts, it was everywhere.

• How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he/she was the one?

It was pretty fast. Early in our dating life I completely lost my voice. He bought me a chocolate milkshake, my weakness. I guzzled it and promptly burped in Tom’s face. I was mortified. He jokes it blew his hair off, but when he laughed with me and not at me, I knew.

• Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?

We were blessed by my dear college friend and her family to use their at-the-time summer home in the Adirondack Mountains. It is one of my favorite places, so much so I based my first series, Surrendering Time, in fictional Speculator Falls. I returned to the actual Speculator to speak at the library about the series. The guests thought there was an actual Speculator Falls despite being Speculator residents. Tom came with me, helped carry books, and was the biggest cheerleader. He always has been.

Reader Question: Where would your dream honeymoon be if funds weren’t an issue?

Jan Book Bundle #1:

A Texas Bond by Shannon’s Taylor Vannatter, Contemporary Romance, print

Building Hearts by Julie Arduini, Contemporary Romance, print

A Cedar Haven Christmas by Charlene Amsden, Romantic Suspens e-book

Framed with Love by Rebecca Reed, Contemporary Romance, e-book

About Julie: Julie Arduini writes small-town romances featuring Christian surrender themes and chocolate mentions. She’s the author of the series SURRENDERING HEARTS (Anchored Hearts, Repairing Hearts, +four more). Her other romance series is SURRENDERING TIME (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged). She also co-wrote a YA/Women’s Fiction series with her daughter, SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ (You’re Beautiful, You’re Amazing, You’re Brilliant). Her stand-alone romances include MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. In 2025 she joins Leah Atwood, Robin Bayne, JoAnn Durgin, Dawn Kinzer, Lisa Prysock and Lori Soard with the small-town romance series Dogwood Creek Matchmakers. She resides in Ohio with her husband and daughter. Learn more & connect:

Julie’s Website          Julie’s Substack          Julie’s Linktree

About the book – Building Hearts:

Can one reality show rebuild a home and two hearts?

Evan Hart has always felt the odd one out in a family of thriving siblings. When his reality show pitch is greenlit and he’s named co-producer, Evan sees a chance to finally belong within his family and the world watching them. Building with the Harts promises new beginnings and second chances until the network adds a wildcard: Shea Madden, a brooding co-producer with secrets of her own.

Shea Madden walked away from reality TV after a contestant’s public humiliation led to tragedy, and she took the fall. The Renovation Channel offers her a shot at redemption with a show built on authenticity and hope. Working alongside insecure but earnest Evan Hart begins to heal old wounds until Shea’s past resurfaces, threatening her future, the show’s success, and the Hart family.

In this clean and wholesome small-town romance, Book 3 of 6 in the Surrendering Hearts series, featuring the Christian surrender issues of belonging, grief, and forgiveness, discover how faith, trust, and unexpected love can rise from the rubble.

Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win?

Interested in Julie’s other titles? Need extra copies for gifts?

Get your copy/copies now!

Building Hearts            Building Hearts Kindle              Julie’s Books

Building Hearts Audible Coming January 2026

Come back Jan 8th for Charlene Amsden!