Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Paula Mowery shares romantic gestures from her husband and her fictional hero from her latest release, For Our Good. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Sept 28 – Oct 2 to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: Oct 10th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Paula:
Last year was our Twenty-fifth Wedding Anniversary. Unknown to my husband, our church, with my daughter’s help, had created a drop by reception. I figured that would be the extent of our celebrating.
However, my hubby surprised me with a little trip. He located a sweet honeymoon cabin in the Smoky Mountains and whisked me away for three days and two nights. The cabin was nestled in the trees with a view of a pond out the back screened in porch. There was a hot tub outside and a gas fireplace inside to warm up from the cool evenings. We dined out and even picked up a wedding cupcake at a bakery.
We had such a wonderful time. Rarely do we have time for just the two of us. We’ve actually been looking into visiting that little romantic cabin again.
Excerpt from For Our Good – Colton proves he can create a romantic setting and make Charlie swoon:
Now, she could leave for the airport. She pulled into the parking lot and spotted Colton’s car. She entered the lobby. Where was she to go now?
“Are you Charlie?” a woman said.
“Yes.”
“Right this way. Colton is waiting for you.”
She followed the woman out onto the tarmac. Colton stood by the plane, door open. He bowed slightly. “Your chariot awaits.” He extended his hand.
Heat rose to her cheeks. She took his offered hand. “Where are we going?”
“No, no.” He shook his head and held up his finger. “No questions. Just enjoy the ride.” He ushered her onto the plane and into the seat next to him in the cockpit.
She admired him as he taxied the plane and took off.
He pulled the headset on his right ear back on his head and patted her hand. “Are you all right? Do you need anything?”
She shook her head. “No. You could tell me where we’re off to.”
“Um, no.” Colton pointed out her window. “Look at the ridgeline. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“I remember gazing at those ridges when you first flew me here to Tennessee and thinking how I had missed them. I believe I’m more of a mountain girl than a beach girl.”
“I remember that day too, but I wasn’t interested in the scenery.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Heat rushed up her neck and into her cheeks.
They landed in South Carolina near Charleston. When they emerged from the plane, a car awaited them. Charlie stared out the window as they passed through streets lined with historic homes. Spring painted itself in the yards as deep greens and brilliant pastel flowers. The setting sun threw a golden glow across the scenes.
The car stopped and Colton jumped out and offered his hand. “This way.”
They entered a large historic home which had been converted into a restaurant. Soft candlelight illuminated round tables covered in white cloths. A hostess escorted them to a table in a private back corner of a large dining room. The only sounds interrupting the moment were clinking glasses and the murmur of quiet conversations. Unidentifiable aromas wafted through the air, encouraging her mouth to salivate. Charlie eased into her chair. “This is amazing. I feel like a celebrity or something.”
Colton smiled. “You are. You’re the star of the evening.”
You’ll have to read the rest for yourself in For Our Good. I don’t want to give away all of Colton’s secrets here.
Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living. She wrote a section for Join the Insanity by Rhonda Rhea. She has devotionals included in several collaborative books.
Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.
You can follow Paula at www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Mowery/175869562589187. Learn more about Paula at her blog at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com or enjoy her monthly columns on www.christianonlinemagazine.com. You can also check out her blog for Christian writers at www.ccwcu.blogspot.com.
About the book: Charlie Jarvis is haunted by loss that fuels her desire to rid the world of drug traffickers. When her next assignment takes her back to her hometown, she has to confront her painful past. She has no interest in a relationship since God seems to kill everyone she loves.
Colton Thomas appreciates material things and the status of being a corporate pilot. When someone approaches him to deliver a package for a large sum of money that could wipe out his debts, temptation knocks loud on his door even as his partner, Marshall, slams it shut. Meeting Charlie challenges his non-committal stance with women. As he considers who he has become and the kind of man he would want to be for Charlie, he confronts his own shallow lifestyle and the fear that he would never be able to help her heal her wounds.
As Charlie pursues the man causing young boys to die of overdoses, she struggles with the secrets she keeps from Colton. With people around them shining the light of God and encouraging their courtship, both Charlie and Colton have to face hard truths about life, death, love, and faith. And maybe find a fresh start for them both.
Reader question: What kind of romantic gesture has your spouse done for you to make you melt? If you’re not married, has anyone ever given you a nice surprise?
Come back Oct 2nd for Paula’s inspiration for the book!
My husband and I started a tradition when our son(who is now 32) was born. The gesture still gets me teary each year. On each birthday, we leave surprise notes all over the house, telling each other how much we love the person. We leave notes on the toaster, the sink faucet, the phone, our eyeglasses, on the bathroom mirror, on combs, on doorways, in the refrigerator and many other places. Just the thought that we think of each other and tell each other really means a lot to our family. 🙂
Melissa, I love that idea! Last year at a marriage retreat our church sponsors, each couple received a small stuffed bear. That little bear ends up in different places as a reminder that the spouse loves the other. It becomes quite a game, trying to see what creative place for your spouse to find it next. It goes back and forth. I found mine seat-belted into my car one morning as I was leaving for work. Little things like that can mean so much.
My husband is a veteran who suffers from PTSD. From the years 2011 until early 2014, after extraordinarily stressful year, he had three hospital stays (two extended stays) and was over-medicated for the majority of those years. It was an extremely trying time for me while I home-schooled, was a care-taker, and then had my own medical scare.
A year and a half ago, my husband went off his meds cold turkey (not advisable.) Within a short time our disconnected, shell of a husband and father slowly started coming back to us. I now treasure every little thing my husband does for me and our children. I also treasure the Godly man who was lost during that time. My heart melts seeing his relationship with the Lord flourish and then overflow and cover his family.
Out of the clear blue, my husband stopped at a jewelry store, insisted that we get out and he bought me a beautiful watch in honor of our upcoming anniversary.
melback at cebridge dot net