Lena Nelson Dooley – Real Life Romance – Part 1 of 3

Historical romance author, Lena Nelson Dooley shares her real life romance & a chance to a copy of her latest release, Catherine’s Pursuit. Comment on any post dated Feb 25 – Mar 1 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: March 9th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Lena:

James and I met on a blind date in early August 1964. I was in summer school at college, and he came to Brownwood to see me at least twice a week. Then about the middle of August, he and his buddy wanted to take me and the buddy’s girlfriend to Dallas to Six Flags Over Texas. This was the third year of the park’s existence. We had a very good time, then drove back to Brownwood, arriving about 3 am. Back then, students at Christian colleges couldn’t stay out that late. 
I had gotten permission to spend the night at a friend’s apartment. James and I sat out in his car in front of the apartment for over an hour talking and getting to really know each other. Later, James told me that he fell in love with me when we were at Six Flags. I could hardly believe it, because we were hot, dirty, and had been splashed with enough water on some of the rides to completely ruin my makeup and hairstyle. 
By the time summer school was over that year, I had been offered a job teaching school in a small town in West Texas. James helped me move there, and he came to visit me most every weekend. On one of those weekend trips, he asked me to marry him. 
I went to Abilene to visit with his family one weekend in September. James had me take him to work on Saturday so I could keep his car. Then I had to go back and pick him up when he got off at noon. He wanted me to drive him home. Part of the way there, he had me stop and let him out, telling me to circle the block until he came back to that spot. Of course, I was confused by that. After several times around the block, I saw him and picked him up. I was driving and came to a stoplight. 
James said, “Do you want this or not?” 
I glanced over, and he held an open ring box. I thrust my left hand at him, and he slipped the ring on it. I kept looking at the ring, totally oblivious to my surroundings. Finally, he said, “Are you going to go? You’ve sat her through two green lights.” I hadn’t even noticed the honking horns behind us.
About Lena: Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print.
Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with over 20 signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. 
Her 2010 release Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. Mary’s Blessing released in May 2012. It recently appeared on a review site’s Top Five Reads in 2012 list. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in February 2013. 
In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show. 
Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.  
Find her online: www.lenanelsondooley.com, Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com,  http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/, www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley, www.twitter.com/lenandooley,  www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts,  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley, www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley,  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/gate-beautiful-radio-show/, http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/, http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/, http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/
About the book – Catherine’s Pursuit: The search for her sisters will become a spiritual journey for the entire family.
Raised by her father, Catherine McKenna has never lacked for anything, surrounded by people to take care of her every need. On her eighteenth birthday she discovers that not only did her mother die when she was born, but she has two identical sisters. Although her father vowed not to look for his daughters, Catherine made no such promise. Setting out on her own with one clue and her maid in tow, she’s determined to find her sisters. 
Collin Elliott has seen better days. After losing his ship to a violent and unexpected storm, he is trying to recover–physically and emotionally. When Angus McKenna sends him to find, follow, and protect his daughter, he wants nothing more than to finish his task and return home. Can he help her find her sisters? 
And will the discoveries they make along the way teach them both what’s most important in life?  
“A heartwarming tale filled with history, adventure, faith, and love.” –Lisa Wingate, bestselling and award-winning author of Dandelion Summer and Firefly Island 
Purchase Links: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1621360199?ie=UTF8&tag=lenneldoochaw-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1621360199, http://www.christianbook.com/catherines-pursuit-mckennas-daughters/lena-nelson/9781621360193/pd/360193?product_redirect=1&Ntt=360193&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catherines-pursuit-lena-dooley-nelson/1111647814?ean=9781621360193
Come back Feb 27th for more insight into Lena’s romance!