Shannon here: Pearl Ada Pridham shares insight into her real-life romance and her characters romance from her Women’s Fiction title, Something Old and Something New, plus a chance to win a copy of the prequel, Ed’s Hopeful Journey and three other titles in my Sept Book Bundle #2 Giveaway. Comment or answer the question on any post dated Sept 16th – 30th. Deadline: Oct 11th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Pearl:
Real Life Interview:
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic restaurant?
Last summer, we went to Kos Island in Greece for my son’s wedding. We stayed there for two weeks. The days were very hot, but in the cool of the evening, we enjoyed walking along the beach in town and eating by the water. We especially liked one particular restaurant. The food was excellent and the waiters professional and friendly. The waiters were all from Armenia. Ocean breezes wafted gentle music to our ears. Yachts floated by, pedestrians strolled, bicycles, scooters and cars swooshed past. Across the water, the lights of a small town in Turkey glowed as the sun set. Here’s a photo of us there:
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
We were married late in life. I was a widow and he a widower. We were so happy to find kindred spirits in each other. As we got to know each other better, our favorite song was “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”
- Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
My husband is pretty romantic. He takes me to nice restaurants, buys me flowers and gifts. Takes me for walks along the waterfront or in the forest. Takes me on trips to interesting places. Hugs me lots. Sweet kisses. But our favorite thing to do together is reading the Bible every morning and praying for each of our family members. To me, that’s the most romantic and meaningful time spent together.
Hero & Heroine Interview:
- Do your hero and heroine have a favorite romantic restaurant?
I’m not sure if they have a favorite romantic restaurant that they frequent. But early in the story, he catches some trout and cooks dinner for her.
Excerpt from Something Old and Somthing New by Pearl Ada Pridham:
When she arrived home, Bill’s pickup pulled into the driveway alongside the car. Sadie jumped out of the back and ran over to sniff at Jennifer’s shopping bag. Bill came and wrapped his arms around her gently. She leaned into his shoulder, snuggling her face into the warm, flannel plaid shirt, inhaling the scents of the forest.
He peeked into the shopping bag. “Anything for me?”
She smiled. “Not telling if there is.”
“We caught some fish for supper.” Bill retrieved a bucket from the back of the pickup and pulled off the lid to show her three fish, already gutted and beheaded. “I’ll cook tonight.”
“Wonderful! Then I can get started knitting this baby blanket. I hope to have it finished by the time we get over there to visit them.”
Sadie squeezed in through the door ahead of them and trotted to her water bowl.
Bill set his bucket on the table. “I’d like to give them the cradle I made when Jean was born.”
“Perfect! Something old and something new—our first gifts to our great grandchild.”
Jennifer settled on the couch with Sadie at her feet and the kit of yarn on her lap. Aromas of steaming rice, creamed corn, and sizzling trout wafted from the kitchen.
She glanced up from reading the instructions as Bill brought plates and cutlery to the table. “Thank you for cooking, dear. Such a nice treat.” And thank you, God, for giving me such a sweet husband. Her heart warmed with love.
She pulled the called-for size of knitting needles from her basket and started in. Her thoughts drifted to her own teens, comparing her life with that of her granddaughter. Alison got pregnant at fourteen. What was I doing at fourteen? Forty-one years ago. It was 1965.
But now Bill was lighting a candle on the table, and everything was ready to eat, so she’d have to postpone her reflections.
- Do your hero and heroine have a favorite song?
Not together. He’s a country western fan. While it’s not her favorite choice, she’s happy when he’s happy, and therefore she feels content when he’s enjoying it.
Excerpt from Something Old and Something New by Pearl Ada Pridham:
She switched on the radio, trying to find some uplifting music. All the stations sounded scratchy, and she
couldn’t find music that appealed to her.
Bill glanced at her. “Why don’t you play a tape? I think we’ve got a couple of cassettes in the glove compartment.”
She inserted a cassette and Willie Nelson’s nasal voice filled the air with On the Road Again. Not really her favorite, but fitting for a road trip, and Bill was a fan. After all, he was a cowboy. She got out her knitting. “Hopefully I can finish this blanket by the time we get there.”
Bill sang along with Willie, his voice out of tune. Jennifer smiled, infused with comfortable, homey contentment.
Driving through the rolling hills with blue snow-capped mountains in the distance was better than watching a movie. Here and there a homestead stood next to a creek. Orchards bloomed, vineyards sprouted new leaves, and calves cavorted between cows.
Several hours later the panorama gradually gave way to higher hills and more and more evergreens. They headed west. Now the road twisted and turned between walls of forest. Beautiful too, but dark, and no signs of civilization. It seemed the scene didn’t change for hours.
“How about some more music?” Bill raised an eyebrow her way.
Willie Nelson had long since run out. The other cassette was Johnny Cash. Again, not Jennifer’s first choice, but Bill liked it. She stuck the tape in, and Johnny’s deep voice boomed out.
- Who is most romantic, your hero or your heroine?
Sometimes she secretly wishes he were a bit more romantic. But he is kind and loving and that is more important. And when he does something sweet for her, she appreciates it all the more because it’s not every day. It’s those loving gestures that melt her heart. Such as when he catches a few fish and cooks them for dinner or takes her for a walk along the waterfront.
Like my spouse and I, their children and grandchildren are the most important people in their lives. And like us, they pray for them all the time, want the best for them, and feel sad and distressed when things go wrong for them. The prayers and love for their kids draw my hero and heroine closer together and their own love for each other grows.
Reader Question: How many kids or grandkids do you have? Do they live close to you or far away? If none, do you live near your family?
Sept Book Bundle Giveaway #2:
Ed’s Hopeful Journey by Pearl Ada Pridham, PDF document
The Descendant’s Daughter by Patricia Lee US only, print,
The Sister’s Plight by Patricia Lee US only, print
Gone to Texas by Caryl McAdoo, Historical Romance, eBook
About Pearl: Pearl Ada Pridham writes poignant stories with
splashes of humor and threads of romance. She lives in the small city of Nanaimo on scenic Vancouver Island in Canada. Besides writing, she enjoys walking her little dog in one of the many parks or beaches on the island. Reading, dining out, and cooking are also fun. She’s enjoying being at this end of life–looking back over the years of different chapters and finds lots to draw upon to write about. Learn more & connect:
Pearl’s Website Pearl’s Facebook Pearl’s X
About the book – Something Old and Something New: Jennifer, not yet that old grandmother of four, suddenly learns that she is soon to become a great grandmother already. Initially upset that her teenage granddaughter is pregnant, with the support of her husband, she puts things in perspective. As she knits a blanket for the baby, she recalls her own teen years, growing up in the sixties.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Caryl’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
Something Old and Something New Pearl’s Books
Come back Sept 18th for Caryl McAdoo!
I have 3 grandsons. 2 are grown men ages 26 and 19 and a 16 year old that might as well be the smartest level headed man I know! All from my middle child my daughter she just turned 43. Sadly I don’t get to see them much and missed watching my grandchildren grow up.
I’m currently single but I live near family.
I have five! Four + one (my son got married in June).
I have one young daughter.
I have a winner for my Sept Book Bundle 2. Sandie Schrager won the drawing! I appreciate Pearl for being my guest and everyone else who stopped by.