Shannon here: Mary Pat Johns shares insight into her latest Contemporary Romance, Lovin’ on Red. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: April 13th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Mary Pat:
- What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
Rory never gave up on Vi. She had a lot of baggage from her childhood and turbulent teen years, which she felt disqualified her from having a happy, functional relationship with a man. Rory took it slow and made plenty of mistakes along the way, but in the end, he won her trust just by being himself.
- What’s the most romantic thing your heroine ever did for your hero?
Rory’s self-esteem plummeted when he was injured in the war and had his foot amputated. He struggled with the way most women viewed him—as less than a whole man. It took time for him to believe it, but his missing foot didn’t matter to Vi. She saw who he was on the inside. Although she helped him physically with her massage skills, he loves that his disability doesn’t matter to her. (That’s both caring and romantic!)
- What is the most caring thing your hero has ever done for your heroine?
Vi’s home and property were vacant long enough for squatters to prowl the premises. When it was dangerous for her to be out there alone, Rory promised to find a solution. Eventually, he gave her a gift that allowed her the freedom to roam her property without fear. Her heart slowly thawed toward Rory because her needs mattered to him.
- Who said, “I love you” first, your hero or your heroine?
Rory is first to tell Vi he loves her, but he does it in a text! For someone who knows how to say all the right things, he’s a hot mess when it comes to communicating with Vi. To his credit, he followed up at the first opportunity and told her in person.
Here’s the excerpt:
Rory scooched the chair closer. His warm, citrusy breath tickled her ear. “Will you look at me?”
And drown in his soft gray eyes? No thanks. Searching for a compromise that wouldn’t completely undo her, she focused on a razor nick on his neck. A powerlifter heaving weight had nothing on her thumping heart.
His fingers nudged her chin upward. “I meant what I said in the text last night. I love you, Red.” He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
His slate eyes riveted her in place. Her gaze drifted back to his throat, and her forefinger touched the nick where a tiny spot of blood had hardened. His large hand covered hers.
- What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?
Vi has a habit of snacking on mandarin oranges and often shares a slice, or small part, with Rory. At a tumultuous point in their relationship, she leaves Valiant to clear the fog in her brain. Rory knows it’s the wrong decision and goes after her, armed with mandarin oranges.
Here’s the excerpt:
Without a word, Rory eased himself onto the bench next to her, his hands buried in the wide front hoodie pocket. He’d worn it on Thanksgiving Day—when she ran from him and fell in a hole.
Moisture filled her eyes. She’d run away again—and he’d come after her.
He pulled a tiny orange from his pocket and offered it to her. Slowly, she took it and peeled the tough outer layer. Cyrus chased a butterfly, his shiny black coat glistening in the sunlight. Birds rustled and flew from a mesquite tree on the lake’s edge. The dog chased after them. The pungent scent of citrus rubbed off on her hands.
She hesitated, then held up a quarter of the orange. Rory accepted it without a word. When she bit into her slice, the sweet juice woke her taste buds. Suddenly ravenous, she quickly ate the rest.
“I brought more,” Rory said dryly. He pulled two more oranges out of his pocket and placed them on the bench between them.
A giggle escaped before Vi could rein it in.
- How soon after meeting the hero did the heroine know he was the one?
It took no small amount of inner healing before Vi could accept that God would forgive her past so completely. She struggled with believing God would give her the desire of her heart because she didn’t feel worthy. That said, she fell in love with Rory slowly and over time. The first domino falls when she trusted his decisions about her house remodel. Then he gave her Cyrus for protection so she could walk around her lake without fear. When she finally opened up enough to share her past with him, his gentle response continued to break down the walls she built around her heart. At the end, when it appeared Rory is not who she thought, she was strong enough to seek her own answers.
Question for Readers: Does the mix of lightheartedness and deeper thematic elements work for you as a reader? Please explain.
About Mary Pat: Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from years of teaching speech and writing. She’s written devotions for an online publication and had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul. She currently writes a weekly faith column for the local newspaper. Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in Sept, and book 2 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red, will release in April. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.
She lives in South Texas with her husband and their two dapple dachshunds. Her grown children and five grandchildren are useful sorts who keep her grounded with her reading/writing obsession. You can find her at the gym, at her computer, or reading a good book. Learn more & connect:
Mary Pat’s Facebook Mary Pat’s Instagram Mary Pat’s Website
About the book – Lovin’ On Red:
He has everything … except what he wants most.
Rory is a wildly successful contractor with all the right connections. He has everything, except the woman who sees past his missing foot. If only the tiny redhead he’s insanely attracted to would go on a date with him, it could work, but Vi refuses.
Licensed massage therapist Vi Summers needs her childhood home remodeled, and Rory Spence is the perfect man for the job. Only he’s the last person she wants to work with. Despite Rory’s reputation as a flirt, his tender attention to getting her house right helps Vi see into his heart. Too bad her past mistakes prevent a future relationship.
Drawn together like magnets, they navigate trouble with illegal squatters, family expectations, and fire. Will they finally be honest with each other, or will their secrets tear them apart?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Mary Pat’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now! Lovin’ on Red Mary Pat’s Books
Come back April 9th for Tonya B. Ashley!
it can if written well
Thank you for responding. That question matters to me, and I think your response echoes my own heart. Writing well is an ongoing project. Always room for improvement!
Hey Mary Pat,
Glad to have you here today. I love deeper issues woven in with lightheartedness. It lets the story sink in deep without depressing the reader. When things get heavy, laughter and always helps.
Thank you! That’s my take too.
Actually, that what draws me in when the lightheartedness is mixed in with the deeper topics. It makes it easier to relate to the characters and makes the story enjoyable.
YES! I will put a book down if the sadness never relents.
I have a winner! Carol James won the drawing. I appreciate Mary Pat for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.