Shannon here: Liana George shares insight into her real-life romance, plus a chance to win a signed copy of her latest Women’s Fiction title, Perfectly Matched, book three in her Hopeful Hearts series, along with a $20 Amazon gift card. I’m sad to see this series end, but I loved each book equally and am so happy I got the chance to discover Liana and edit all three books. Deadline: April 15th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Liana:
I’ll never forget the first date my husband, Clint, and I went on.
August 15, 1988. My 18th birthday.
And all I wanted was for Clint to ask me out (if you read my post here on Shannon’s blog about how we first met, you’d understand what a long shot this was at the time). Here’s your chance if you missed it: https://shannontaylorvannatter.com/liana-george-how-we-met-part-1-of-2/
The naysayers said not to get my hopes up —how could he possibly know that my only wish for such a special occasion was to spend it with him?
However, I refused to listen to the negative Nellies. I kept hope alive and prayed like crazy. And though it was slow in coming, God answered my prayers that day.
Finally, at three o’clock in the afternoon, the call came.
As only my Prince Charming could, he asked me to go with him … to shop for rental furniture!!
“You’re joking, right?” I asked him once I could think clearly.
He wasn’t.
Sidenote: Although it wasn’t quite the romantic proposal I had envisioned, it was a good lesson in understanding that sometimes God gives us the desires of our hearts, just not in the ways we expect them!
After agreeing to his unusual request, I hung up the phone and raced to get ready. What does a girl wear to look at rental furniture anyway? I had no clue. But all these years later, I can still remember choosing olive-green shorts, a white and olive-green matching t-shirt, and my white canvas Keds.
I honestly don’t recall much about our thirty-minute outing. It was overshadowed by the homemade spaghetti dinner he cooked for me later that evening and the movie we went to afterward. That was his saving grace. If all we’d done was gone furniture hunting that day, I’m not sure I would have said yes to the concert he invited me to a few days later when he dropped me off at home!
It’s been over thirty-four years since that night.
Looking back, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. It may not have been the most romantic way for a guy to woo a girl, but it’s our special story. One I’ll cherish and laugh about for a long time.
And while I didn’t replicate it for the official first date Nicki and Ben, the characters in my novel, Perfectly Matched, go on, I think you’ll find their outing equally entertaining!
Question for Readers: What was unique about your first date with someone special?
About Liana: Liana George is a sought-after speaker, blogger, and author. Before pursuing a career in writing, she was
a professional organizer and the former owner of By George Organizing Solutions in Houston. Her first two books in the Hopeful Heart Series, Perfectly Arranged and Perfectly Placed (Scrivenings Press), are based on her experiences as an organizer and her time living abroad in China. The third and final book in the series, Perfectly Matched, will release in April 2023. In addition to penning novels, she is also the Co-founder and Creative Director at The Author’s Write Hand, a marketing/platform building/virtual assistance agency for Christian authors. When she’s not putting things in order or scribbling away, you can find her reading, traveling, or watching tennis. Learn more & connect:
Liana’s Website Liana’s Facebook
About the book – Perfectly Matched:
Nicki Mayfield is getting married! Or is she?
Three days after deciding to marry so she can adopt the young Chinese girl who has captured her heart, Nicki Mayfield heads to Texas to become Mrs. Ben Carrington. However, as the unlikely pair prepares to say, “I do,” a shocking revelation threatens their plans to become a family.
While searching for the answers to the mystery holding her future hostage, Nicki must also keep Ms. O’Connor’s legacy alive at New Hope Orphanage – whose future is at serious risk.
As she and Ben work toward building their unconventional family, they discover that sacrificial parenting requires putting the child first in ways that bring indescribable joy and unexpected heartbreak to everyone involved.
In the end, will Nicki find her happily ever after or will circumstances stop her from being perfectly matched in work, life, and love?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in the rest of the series?
Get your copy/copies now!
Perfectly Matched – Amazon Liana’s Books
Come back April 7th for Donna Schlachter!
I actually liked him the very first time I saw him, our first date went well, we had a drink and we listened to music at a club and we just clicked. We have been married for 45 years and together for 46.
Alicia, how wonderful!! When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be!! Congratulations on a long (and hopefully, happy) marriage!
Fun. It must have been auspicious (and realistic) beginning, because you’re doing great!
Thanks! It was an unusual date, but it’s worked out for the best 🙂
My first date with my now hub was a double date. After a movie, we returned to my house for snacks. The guys really enjoyed pestering my pet parakeet whenever I left the room. They hit the cage with their hankies, and the parakeet was frightened. But the bird was ok, as was our relationship because we married…and still are …65 yrs.
Glad the bird survived, as well as your relationship! 65 years is a huge blessing! Congratulations 🙂
Met my husband-to-be at a Bible Institute in 1982 he was attending at the time studying for the ministry, while my parents and I, as missionaries in Paraguay, South America, were “on furlough” (“deputation”) traveling across the US. After a somewhat long courtship, long-distance, with my fiance in Wyoming, while I was back in Paraguay working with the tribe my parents, and brother and I reached together in 1976, we eventually got married in 1984, and have been in ministry together ever since. Currently, we’ve been ministering as missionaries in Deer Lodge, Montana, for over 26 years, where my husband is a pastor, reaching people for the Lord. . . Thank you for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! As an avid reader of CF, (Christian Fiction), especially Romantic Suspense, would love to win any print copy! To know more about me, or to see my Western art, go to: http://www.facebook.com/LualOKrautter
Sounds like God perfectly arranged your meeting by perfectly placing you two at the same Bible Institute all those years ago! And it seems like he’s perfectly matched you, blessing you with 26 years together!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
My most unique first date was being taken to his house and learning how to milk a goat! I didn’t end up with him but we are still friends.
Okay, that beats going shopping for rental furniture, hands down!! Do you still know how to milk a goat then? Glad you’re still friends 🙂
I actually haven’t tried to milk a goat in years, but I’m pretty sure I could still do it if I needed to! Depending on if the goat was willing to be milked, that is!
I’m enjoying everyone’s stories. Glad to have you here Liana. I only dated 1 guy. For 4 years and we’ve been married 38 years. Our first date was a trip to Sonic Drive In. We were in high school and had little money. But I was obviously hooked. 2 years later, when he proposed, he took me to Sonic where our 1st date took place. It worked for me.
Thanks for having me, Shannon! I’ve enjoyed everyone’s stories as well! Love that he took you back to Sonic when he proposed – so sweet!! Clint and I went to a concert for our second date and a few months later at Christmas, we bought each other the exact same gift – a “tape” of the artist. We laughed about it at the time, but now I look back and know that was a sign that we “got” each other!!
My first date with my hubby was a dinner date. He brought me a bouquet of flowers. I knew from previous conversations that his favorite dessert was cheesecake so I surprised him by telling him we would have Oreo cheesecake I baked for dessert at my brother’s place which was near the restaurant.
I just love the cover of this book! So cute 🥰
I met my hubby on his birthday 😀 so I’m his birthday present lol
nothing unusual
I have a winner! Alicia Haney won the drawing. I appreciate Liana for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.