Linda Wood Rondeau – Real Life Romance – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Inspirational author, Linda Wood Rondeau shares insight into her real life romance plus winner’s choice of her Christmas titles if we get ten comments. Answer the question at the end of the post or comment to enter the drawing for A Father’s Prayer or It Really Is a Wonderful Life. Deadline: Oct 18th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Linda:


Gotta love a man who listens.
We don’t have much money, but we’re doing okay in our retirement years. Moving to Florida probably was the smartest of our decisions. Although, we can’t really take credit for thinking about it. Very low on our radar.
When my lungs nearly exploded from another bout with bronchitis and realizing that the Northern New York winters had taken their toll, my husband, who had been adamant Florida was the last place on earth he wanted to live, proclaimed. “You’re not spending another winter here in this tundra.”
So I packed what I could in the car and forged ahead of hubby who had another year before he could retire. We looked forward to those golden years together. When he finally joined me, a month later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. He went from retiree to caregiver.
Nothing like facing cancer to make one start thinking about a bucket list. Fortunately, I’m in complete remission, and my health has gained tremendously over the past two years. Yet, that bucket list continues to be in the back of my mind.
High on the list was horseback riding. I had ridden once or twice as a child, and always loved horses. I’d hoped to be rich enough someday to own a horse or two and live on a ranch. Well, God had other designs on where we would live. And He knows best. However, the yen to ride a horse never left.
Last year, I spent my birthday with family in Washington, D.C. area. Our “when you’re here you’re family” habit is to take our D.C. family members out for pizza. This time the kids paid. Cards and gifts were given, and when I opened my husband’s card, his gift brought tears to my eyes. He’d arranged for a horseback riding session for the both of us on the beach.
What a great date! We moseyed from the ranch to the beach, and I managed not to fall off the horse. Glad I’d lost enough weight that I was within weight limits. My horse seemed to know he had a very inexperienced rider. He’d look back at me every now and again, and I’d swear he had a sympathetic grin as I clung to the saddle horn, praying to stay upright for the hour ride.
Most of all, I’m grateful to a man, who still loves me after thirty-seven years. Loves me enough to listen. Loves me enough to know my heart. Who needs money and a ranch when I’m blessed with a love like this?
About Linda: Cancer survivor, author, sometimes speaker but always a wife and mother, Linda lives in Jacksonville, Florida where she is able to golf year around with her more than patient husband of 37 years. She has won a few awards in life but her best achievements are her three children and grandchildren. Life is never as we planned but with God at the helm, always an adventure. Linda’s books reflect how God transforms our worst pasts into our best futures. She is always available to speak to your groups on God’s surpassing Love. Learn more and connect: https://www.facebook.com/lindarondeau?fref=ts, https://twitter.com/lwrondeau, https://plus.google.com/107687194607537790658/about, https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=Linda+Wood+rondeau, http://www.pinterest.com/lwrondeau/, http://lindarondeau.blogspot.com/
About the book – It Really Is a Wonderful Life:
Midville newcomer and war widow, Dorie Fitzgerald, despises the frigid Adirondack wasteland that has now become her home. After twenty failed job interviews, she questions the wisdom of moving to be near her parents. Desperate to belong, she joins the local Community Theater, in production for It’s a Wonderful Life.
Jamey Sullivan has put his professional life on hold in order to run the family business and to help his ailing father. He signs on for Midville’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life, although he hopes to receive a Broadway casting call any day now.
When these two meet, they are instantly attracted to one another. However, ambition, demanding children, and a romantic rival threaten to squash their growing love for one another.
It Really is a Wonderful Life is set in the beautiful Adirondack mountains, a perfect backdrop for romantic conflict.
About the book – A Father’s Prayer:
Country singer Ethan Jacobs learns he has a twelve-year old, autistic son given up for adoption at birth. He wants to be a father to this child. Since her parents’ death, Alexis Jennings struggles to care for her autistic, adopted brother. Due to his acting out behaviors, Social Services wants to place Gib in a residential treatment center. Alexis only wants what’s best for her brother. Different Christmas prayers for the same child. How will God answer?
Three conflicting prayers. How will God answer?
You can go home again but it will never be the same.
Question: In honor of Linda’s victory over cancer: How many cancer survivors do you know? Tell us about them, if you’d like.

Come back Oct 13th for Jennifer Slattery!