June Foster shares insight into her great grandmother and grandfather’s romance. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for reader’s choice of an e-book or print copy of her latest Contemporary Romance, Letting Go. Deadline: Sept 2nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s June:
My Favorite True Romance Story
The story of how my great grandmother and great grandfather met is not a common one. It begins with the unusual fact my great grandfather was a Catholic priest. Yes, you read that correctly. He was born in Austria to a Catholic family. In those days the oldest boy was expected to go into the priesthood and Mathew Frances Halbedl followed in the tradition.
As a young priest, he was transferred to the United States to Louisiana where he served in a parish for several years. Here’s where the story gets a bit crazy. One day during mass, he spotted a young teenage girl, Mary Louise Gross. He tried to deny his feelings but realized he was attracted to her, and he eventually fell in love with her.
To prevent any kind of scandal, he avoided her, realizing if he relented to his feelings, it would be disastrous for him and his career as well as the reputation of the girl. He hid his love away in the back of his heart and determined to wait until she grew up. Then he’d see what happened.
When Mary Louise grew into a young woman, Mathew realized his love for her had grown stronger. He soon discovered she felt the same and had been attracted to him for years. So, long story short, he stepped out of the priesthood and married Mary Louise.
They had five children, one of them was my grandfather, Clifton Halbedl. Clifton and his wife named their daughter, my mother, Mary Louise.
I regret I don’t know the exact details as to all that happened, so I decided since I’m a fiction writer, I’d make up my own. In the next year, I plan to write a fictionalized, contemporary story based on my great grandparents.
But best of all, my daughter, who loves genealogy as well as writing, is planning on penning Mathew and Mary Louise’s story based as closely as possible on the actual facts. I can’t wait to read it one of these days!
In the meantime, ideas for my future story continue to pop into my head. I can’t imagine a more romantic tale than a man relinquishing his chosen career for the woman he loves.
About June: An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June’s book Give Us This Day was a finalist in EPIC’s eBook awards and a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards for best first book. Ryan’s Father was one of three finalists in the published contemporary fiction category of the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest and Awards. Deliver Us was a finalist in COTT’s Laurel Awards.
June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day, As We Forgive, and Deliver Us, and Hometown Fourth of July. Ryan’s Father is published by WhiteFire Publishing. Red and the Wolf, a modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, is available from Amazon.com. The Almond Tree series, For All Eternity, Echoes From the Past, What God Knew, and Almond Street Mission are available at Amazon.com. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word.
Recently June has seen publication of Christmas at Raccoon Creek, Lavender Fields Inn, Misty Hollow, Restoration of the Heart, and Letting Go. Visit June at junefoster.com.
About the book – Letting Go:
Back cover blurb: Pastor Zackary Lawrence lost his wife and unborn child when an embolism took her
life. After questioning God why, Zack couldn’t find the will to continue as pastor at Oak Mountain Bible church in his small town of Oak Mountain, Alabama. But when his parents encouraged him to continue his work, he reluctantly returned to the pulpit. Now, six months later, the congregation has dwindled to less than a handful, and Zack witnesses the closing of the church’s doors. Desperate, he takes a job at the local hardware store and reluctantly moves in with his parents.
Though Ella Russell had secretly been in love with Zack since high school, her hopes were shredded when he returned from seminary, accompanied by a wife. Trying to forget the only guy she’d ever loved, she threw herself into her profession as a high school counselor, working with rebellious youth. When Zack’s wife died, Ella grieved with him. Now as one of the few remaining members of Oak Mountain Bible Church, she tries to encourage Zack yet abandons her dream of a future with him. But when she drops by the church, the worst has happened. She finds a distraught Zack locking the doors for good with the bank’s immanent foreclosure.
Can God resurrect Zack’s life and allow him to finally discover the woman he’s always loved? If Ella entrusts her heart to Zack, will he shatter her hopes once more?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now: http://tinyurl.com/ybqmnc2v
Question for Readers: What sacrifice have you made in your life for someone you love?
Come back Aug 25th for Caryl McAdoo!
I divorced my daughter’s father to protect her and myself from his physical and emotional abuse!
Shelia, thank you for your comment. It was a tough decision, I’m sure, but the best one, no doubt.
Shannon, thanks for allowing me to share my ancestors’ love story on your beautiful blog.
Glad to have you, June. My husband and I have given up higher income in order to have family time with our son. Sometimes, the finances get tight, but he’s worth it.
Shannon, you are giving him a gift no one else can. He will value your sacrifice even more when he gets older.
I was a stay-at-home mom until our children were in college. It was a stretch on a pastor’s salary, but I have never regretted my decision nor the sacrifices we made. This is a new author to me, and I defiant to read her delightful book! 😊
Evangeline, You made the right decision, one you’ll never regret. Once they’re grown, you can’t go back and change things. I congratulate you and your husband on your wisdom.
I have put my career on hold to be a stay-at-home mom to our five children for the last 4 years. It definitely hasn’t been easy at times living on one income, but I know I will never again these years back with my children. The Lord has always provided for our needs and so many of our wants!
This book sounds so very good! As a new author to me, I look forward to reading this book!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Tiffany, I commend you on your wise decision to stay at home with your kids. As you said, when they’re grown, there’s no going back. Think of the amazing memories you’re making now.
After my mom died in 2007, took care of my dad until 2014 when he passed shortly after his 9th birthday! Since 2012 when I was forced to retire , have been caring for my 4 grandkids! Caring for others gives me fulfillment!
Renate, that’s an amazing story. God has given you the desire to be a caretaker. Sometimes a thankless job. Fulfillment is a blessing.
I have a winner! Tiffany Hall won the drawing. I appreciate June for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.