Shannon here: Women’s Fiction author, Karla Akins shares insight into her real life and her characters’ romance. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated May 4 – 8 to enter the drawing for winner’s choice of a print or e-book copy of The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots. Deadline: May 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Karla:
Eddie and I were married December 3, 1982. Our idea of romance has changed over the years. Here are some answers to your questions.
1. Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
We both love Mackinac Island or anywhere on Michigan’s Upper Penninsula by the lighthouses. We’ve never been out of the states together other than to Canada. We took our first road trip west last summer to Washington State (from Indiana) but we had our adult twins (age 20) with autism with us and his mother who has Alzheimer’s. At one stop we got a big enough suite to have our very own room. That was very romantic. These alone moments are very few and far between these days so we take what we can. I’d say the most romantic place for us at this time in our lives is anywhere we can truly be alone for more than 30 minutes.
2. How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he/she was the one?
We both knew the first night. We stayed up until 4:00 in the morning talking about the Lord. We both had a call on our lives to serve in the ministry, we were both musicians. In fact, the first time I heard my husband’s name, it was like I’d heard it before and knew it. It was a very strange experience, but I recognized right away that this was someone very special who was going to change my life forever.
3. Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
I’m definitely the more romantic one. Mr. Himself (my pet name for him) is getting better at the romance thing, but I’m usually the one who pulls out the candles, sprinkles the rose petals and plans the romantic dinners and dates. The romantic apart about him is that he is always eager to participate. We have a lot of fun. He can be hilarious.
4. What is the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you?
Being open to adopting our special needs sons and loving them unconditionally. He is an amazing father. I’m so grateful for his leadership and patience. Watching him with the twins melts my heart. We have four sons and one daughter and he loves them all the same. They all adore him. That means more to me than anything.
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Interview between the romantic couple in my book, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots. Opal and Atticus are in their 60s. This is a sunset romance! Opal is answering the questions.
1. Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
Atticus is a trucker and he rides a big Harley. We’re on the road most of the time. The most romantic spot for me is with him everywhere he goes. But I reckon you mean a destination. Probably in the mountains of Kentucky. We’ve got a sweet little cabin there in the Smoky Mountains.
2. How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he/she was the one?
I liked Atticus the first time I met him. He had to rescue me after I blew a tire on a motorcycle trip with my girlfriends. But I thought I was too old to get married, so I ignored my feelings for him and convinced myself he was just a friend. It wasn’t until I rejected his proposal that I realized I couldn’t live without him.
3. Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
Atticus is more romantic. I can’t keep up with him. He’s always coming up with some sweet saying or song or trinket. He’s got great ideas on romantic excursions and locations. He knows the Smoky Mountains a lot better than I do because I’m an Indiana girl. He knows every waterfall and romantic outlook and shares them all with me. I sure am glad I fell for a man with a motorcycle.
4. What is the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you?
Atticus loves me in spite of my wrinkles and insecurities. He’s very patient and kind. When I was too afraid to get married and I turned him down, he forgave me when I asked him to and took me back. I’m grateful for that. I almost threw away the best thing that ever happened to me out of fear. Now I’m more careful to make my decisions based on faith.
Excerpt from The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots:
“It’s silly,” Opal sniffed.
“If something makes you cry, hon, it’s not silly.” Lily patted her hands. “Did he do something bad to you?”
Opal shook her head. “No, it’s nothing like that. It’s quite the opposite.”
“The opposite?” Reba talked with her mouth full.
“He asked me to marry him.” Opal’s voice squeaked.
“Did you just say he asked you to marry him?” Reba nearly shouted and choked on her cookie. Opal nodded, wiping more tears from her face.
I handed her a napkin. “So? What did you say?”
“I said no.”
“Why?” we asked in unison.
“Because… I’m too old to get married. I’ve lived by myself for sixty-five years. I wouldn’t know the first thing about being married. What if I wake up one day, and I don’t like the way he smells or the way he looks?” She put her face in her hands and cried.
“Well, I can guarantee you something.” Reba patted her on the back. “You will wake up one day and not like the way he smells or looks. But, I’ve got a feeling you love him enough for that not to matter.”
Opal looked at us with realization in her eyes. “I do.”
“Then go after him, honey,” Reba said. “What are you waiting for?”
About Karla: Karla Akins’s first novel, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots was published in August, 2013. She also writes interactive, biographical narratives, and content for iPad applications with an on-going contract for her World Explorers Every Child Should Know series. Jacques Cartier, hit #1 on Amazon in its category. Her hobbies are book-hoarding, riding her motorcycle and looking for treasure. She is represented by Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency. You can learn more about Karla at her website at KarlaAkins.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
About the book – The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots: Pastor’s wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl, so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church of Eels Falls. Kirstie loves roaring down a road less traveled by most women over forty, but she’s not just riding her bike for the fun of it. Kirstie has a ministry. However, certain church members have secrets to hide, and when God uses Kirstie’s ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed bikers, those secrets could be exposed…and some will stop at nothing to hide the truth. Join Kirstie and her motorcycle “gang” – two church matrons and a mouthy, gum-smacking non-church member – as they discover that road-toughened bikers are quite capable of ministering to others, and faith is fortified in the most unexpected ways.
Question: Are you adopted? Or do you know anyone who is adopted?
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