A Romantic Adventure – Laying the Groundwork for My New Novel
Like a lot of men, my husband isn’t always verbal in expressing his emotions. I cherish his words when he says, “I love you,” but sometimes that’s all the assurance I get of his commitment to me. But, he communicates his devotion in other ways—just as romantic as if he’d delivered a ten minute declaration of why he loves me.
My editor at Forget Me Not Press put out a call for novels set in particular states. I’d volunteered for Idaho and decided to write a romantic suspense that took place in a deserted mining town. I described my ideas to my husband but realized I’d need to do a lot of research as I’ve never spent any time in a ghost town.
At the same time, we were parked in Coaldale, Colorado in our RV for a month on the Arkansas River doing some fishing. One morning, my husband announced instead of fishing, we were 
going for a sightseeing trip. He had a specific location picked out—St. Elmo Ghost Town tucked high in the Rocky Mountains about thirty miles from our location. If any are familiar with Colorado, St. Elmo is just south of Tin Cup.
We took off in the car and traveled west from Salida. St. Elmo, a mining town founded in 1880, lies in the heart of the Sawatch Range at 10,000 feet in elevation. As we explored the uninhabited village, my husband said he’d picked this outing because he thought it’d help me with my new book. His way of showing me how much he cared and supported me in this writing venture. Though my story took place in Idaho, the Colorado ghost town would provide the needed information on old mining towns.
I took tons of pictures at St. Elmo’s and lots of notes. Back at the RV, I had plenty of facts about ghosts and now possessed firsthand knowledge.
Even writing this post today, my heart warms at the thought of how my sweet husband shows his love. Taking me to a deserted ghost town is his romantic, thoughtful gesture in helping me with my novel, and I love him for it.
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, and Restoration of the Heart. Visit June at junefoster.com.
About the Book – Restoration of the Heart: Though a Christian, Luke Chamberlain ignored his values and indulged in his beautiful fiancé’s world of alcohol, parties, and nights at her apartment. After rededicating his life to the Lord, he vows never to fall into the lifestyle again. When the state of Idaho’s Tourism Department offers his construction company the contract to renovate Silver Cliff, an 1890’s silver mining ghost town, he accepts.
Janie Littleton studied history in college because life in the past is simpler than the uncomfortable reality of the present. With her extra pounds, eye glasses, and mousy brown hair, no man would find her attractive. When she’s offered the job of project historian at the restoration of Silver Cliff, she accepts. But as Luke Chamberlain shows an interest in her, she doubts his sincerity. To make matters worse, someone claiming to be the miner who founded Silver Cliff in 1890 intimidates her with frightening midnight visits.
Can Luke convince Janie he’s in love with the godly woman she is? Can Janie hold onto her faith as she’s harassed by frightening appearances of old Ezra Barclay who died a hundred years ago?
True beauty isn’t found at the Miss Idaho pageant but in a deserted ghost town in the mountains of Idaho.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now: http://tinyurl.com/zxn3psm
Question for Readers: How has your spouse or loved one shown love through a gesture rather than words?
Come back April 18th for Kimberly Rose Johnson!
Shannon, I love sharing on your blog. Many thanks for having me.
Glad to have you here, June.
To answer to the question, my husband takes me wherever I want to go. Across numerous states to writers conferences. To a certain store I want to go to even if it’s over an hour away. To a flea market or thrift store I find online that I think we must visit. Even when the place turns out to not be worth our while, he’s game the next time. He never says no to my whims.
I’ve shared this before – but back before I was published, I finaled in a writing contest. They were announcing the winner and order of placement at a conference. I wasn’t planning to go. It was six hours away and my husband couldn’t get off work, plus our son was five at the time. My dad insisted I had to go and drove me there. He entertained my five year old while I was at the conference. Once it was over, I told him I won 2nd place. He hadn’t understood that I knew I’d won something. He just took me in case I did. Plus all the way there and all the way home, he told everyone we encountered that his daughter was a writer.
My husband shows his love for me in taking over many of the household duties. I’m not able to do much cleaning and cooking wears me out. I may start a meal and he will finish it.
That is precious, June! Thanks for sharing about the adventure to the ghost town. My husband is a real sweetheart! He’s not shy on words when it comes to lovin’ on me 😉 But he is really super and will often tell me on Saturday mornings to grab my camera, he’ll drive me around so I can take photographs, or tell me he wants to go antiquing. Uh, yeah, right! He knows I love teacups and furniture and a good deal. 🙂
Love your stories June Foster! Love seeing photos of you and your hubby, too, and your great adventures! 🙂
Sounds like a great book! I just love when my kids find flowers in the yard to bring to me. It’s special to them to show their love to me. 🙂
June, your husband sounds like a dear sweetheart. I’m looking forward to reading your book!
I have a winner! Anne Payne won the drawing. I appreciate June for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.