Shannon here: Abingdon/Heartsong Presents author, Myra Johnson gives us a glimpse into the romance of her characters from One Imperfect Christmas. Comment for a chance to win a copy on any post dated Dec 27 – Jan 1. Deadline: Jan 1, midnight Central time. Here’s Myra:
1. What’s the most romantic present your hero ever bought your heroine?
Natalie’s favorite gift from Daniel is the pair of fuzzy “fox” slippers he gave her for Christmas one year. The gift tag read, “To one foxy lady!”
2. Do your hero and heroine have a favorite romantic restaurant?
Natalie and Daniel’s special place is Adamo’s Italian Restaurant. They love the ambience, especially their favorite table by the window, where they can watch the moon rise while they dine. Sipping cappuccinos and lingering over to-die-for tiramisu is always the perfect ending to a perfect evening—at least until they’re home again!
3. What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
Though Natalie didn’t see it that way (they were married but separated at the time), one of Daniel’s most romantic gestures was sending her favorite flowers for her birthday. He’d hoped it would soften her heart so that they could get back together. If Natalie hadn’t been quite so stubborn, it just might have worked.
4. What is your hero and heroine’s favorite romantic vacation destination?
Natalie and Daniel honeymooned at the Brookside Lodge, a charming country inn with exquisitely furnished guest suites and surrounded by lovely scenery. The lodge holds many special memories for them, so when either of them wants to rekindle the romance, it’s the first place they think of going.
5. Who is most romantic, your hero or your heroine?
Daniel, most likely—if a junior high athletics coach would ever consider himself romantic! Natalie likes the idea of romance, but for a while her self-imposed workaholic tendencies stifled her romantic side. Troubled, guilt-ridden, she couldn’t open her heart to receive the love Daniel so wanted to offer. You can find out how their love story unfolds in One Imperfect Christmas.
Excerpt from One Imperct Christmas
Setup: Separated for the past several months, Natalie and Daniel find themselves the victims of their scheming adolescent daughter, Lissa, who’s trying fervently to get them back together. In this scene, Natalie is stuck without an excuse when Lissa prods her dad to take them all out to dinner together.
“Where to?” Daniel asked as Natalie took the front passenger seat. He looked as nervous as she felt.
She chewed her lip. Sitting this close to him, how was she supposed to concentrate on anything except maintaining her equilibrium? She could feel the squeak forming in her voice before she even opened her mouth. “Anything’s fine. You choose.”
Daniel drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “There’s the Saigon Buffet, or we could try that new place in Putnam—Madge’s something-or-other.”
“Madge’s Taste of Home.” Brightly lit. Quick service. Natalie jumped on the idea like a frog on a bug. “I heard it’s pretty good. Let’s go.”
“Hey, wait.” Lissa leaned between the seats. “I feel like Italian, don’t you guys? Let’s go to Adamo’s.”
“But, Liss,” Daniel said, glancing over his shoulder, “you and I just ate there last—”
“Oh, so what? It’s my favorite restaurant. What do you say, Mom?”
Natalie felt the blood drain from her face, while Lissa fairly glowed with anticipation. Adamo’s, a small, family-owned restaurant halfway between Fawn Ridge and Putnam, used to be Natalie and Daniel’s favorite spot . . . and no secret to their scheming daughter.
Daniel faced forward and shrugged. “It’s up to you, Natalie.”
“Well, if Lissa has her heart set on it.”
After all, it was just dinner. Just dinner—that would be her mantra for the rest of the evening.
But sitting so close to Daniel again, she found herself engulfed by memories and had to suppress a shiver. Her glance took in the strong lines of his profile. Her nostrils filled with the achingly familiar smell of his favorite suede jacket. Unwillingly, she let her gaze drift to his sturdy right hand as it rested on the gear shift. How small a reach it would be to touch him, to rest her head against his shoulder, to breathe in the masculine scent of his cologne.
Oh, Daniel . . .
About the book: One Imperfect Christmas, Abingdon Press, September 2009
Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she’s allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves—most of all her husband, Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she’s one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.
Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit’s end. Nothing he’s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa’s adolescent rebellion isn’t helping matters. As Daniel’s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear.
Come back Dec 31 for nonfiction author, Linda Fulkerson’s real life romance and a chance to win her book: The Prodigal Daughter.
I’ve heard a lot about this book. I love second time around stories and with Christmas thrown in, I might just have to go buy it.
One Imperfect Christmas? Sounds like my kind of celebration. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance.
One Imperfect Christmas is such a perfect book.
I’m going to dig mine out a re-read it. I’m glad the post reminded me.
I think I need to up my romance in my marriage.
Maybe just as soon as all the cattle are on stalkfields and the mice are hauled out of the basement on their glue traps and I’ve unclogged the bathroom sink and scrubbed all the snow boot tracks off the kitchen floor…………………………
………………………..it’s no wonder romance takes effort.
Hi Mary,
I’m beyond honored that you stopped by my blog. You are so funny. Oh, the glamorous life of a romance author.
Mary, you crack me up! I’ve told you and told you, buy the Decon traps that make it where you never even have to see or touch the dead mice! And this morning I vacuumed up the muddy sneaker tracks my horde of kids and grandkids left behind yesterday. So far the drains are running okay.
Shannon, thanks so much for letting me visit with you and your blog readers this week!
Hi Myra!
I love this book and I am totally jealous about this cover.
And now I would like directions to Adamos please.
Hi Shannon. I not only stopped in, I’m back.
Glamorous life is RIGHT. I’ve got an acquaintance who will not be named….cleaning his turkey in my basement right now.
And no, ‘cleaning his turkey’ isn’t a euphamism for something dirty.
He’s really cleaning a turkey he shot.
I was embarrassed because my basement is so dreadful, until I realized that if it WASN’T dreadful I’d never let anyone clean a turkey in it, the guy seemed grateful to get out of the sleety, rainy, 20 degree, windy, foggy weather.
Now if he will just not GOSSIP.
Wow, the Seekers are making appearances on my blog. Okay Tina and Mary, when are y’all going to share your real life romances over here?
I love the cover too. It’s one of those that just makes you want to read the book.
One Imperfect Christmas was my first Christmas read this year. Brilliant book. I loved the emotion Myra’s words pulled out of me. And it was a hard read — my stomach was in knots alot of the time because I could so relate to Natalie yet I could identify all the mistakes she was making that she couldn’t see. Does that make sense? I guess you’d say it was an emotional read for me but with a perfect thread of hope running through it. So, obviously don’t enter me in the draw because I have my own copy!!!!
Oh wow, Myra, just reading this interview takes me back to when I read One Imperfect Christmas — I was on vacation at the lake, which was good because I was GLUED to the pages!! This is one of those keeper books that stays on the shelf without dust on it because one needs to take it out every Christmas and read it to gain a fuller appreciation of the season AND to add enjoyment to one’s life!!
Thanks, Myra and Shannon, for a fun interview!!
Hugs,
Julie
Hey, I write fiction, I can come up with something romantic.
Sounds like a good read to me! Would love to win a copy. Thank you!
Wow, sounds great…..would love to win and read it! Thanks!!!
Happy New Year~
Wow, what a supportive group. I want to be an honorary Seeker.
But speaking of supportive, one of my inksters is here. Hey Kav, after your description, now I have to get the book. Jackie, Happy New Year to you too.
Mary, you could do something fictional too, but we want the real story. Mice and all.
Please, do write up and send your story here Mary! I’ve been very curious to know how you and your husband met and fell in love. 🙂
Shannon, we’d be happy to have you as an honorary Seeker! All you have to do to qualify is hang out with us in Seekerville! We are a really, really fun group, I promise!
BTW, I’ve met Mary’s husband, and he’s a keeper! I bet there’s more romance going on in her life than she’s willing to let on. ;>D
Thanks again SO much to everyone for the sweet, sweet comments about my book, and also, Shannon, I deeply appreciate the chance to share a little about my real-life romance and my debut novel on your blot. It’s been a pleasure!
I guess I am an honorary Seeker then. I hang out there daily, but rarely comment. I’ve steered lots of pre-pubbed writers there too.
A very good place to learn. I really enjoyed having you, Myra.