Shannon here: Drumroll please! Readers’ favorite post from a whole year of choices is: Historical Romance author, Connie Stevens’ real life romantic interview and recipe for romance. All comments will go in the drawing for JoAnn Durgin’s Second Time Around. Deadline: Oct 1st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Connie:
1. What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has ever done for you?
When you’ve been married for 37 years romance takes on many threads that, all woven together, say “I love you”. To me, a thoughtful and compassionate act that indicates my spouse is putting my needs before his own is the ultimate romantic gesture, because doing so says that he cherishes me. With that explanation, the most romantic thing he does is the little things—like leaving the TV turned off, holding my chair when we sit down at the dinner table, simply touching my hand, and always kissing me goodnight.
2. What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?
I kidnapped him. I secretly made reservations at a hotel, packed a bag and a picnic lunch. I had plotted ahead of time with his boss who gave his permission for me to come and kidnap him from work. It was so much fun to see his reaction and the expression on his face. He loved it.
3. Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
Banff, British Columbia. There is a little inn there with giant evergreens surrounding it and a tumbling creek a few feet from the covered porch.
4. What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
This will sound funny, but the most romantic gift he ever gave me was my laptop. When I first started writing, he was less than supportive. He didn’t understand my passion and drive for wanting to write. But when he saw how much I loved it, how I NEEDED to write, buying me a laptop for Christmas said that he not only supported me, but encouraged me.
5. Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?
Hmm, that’s a tough one, because we have more than one. We love the north Georgia mountains and the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ve also returned to Williamsburg, VA three times. And of course, the Canadian Rockies.
6. What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
He rubs my back.
7. Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
Me. I’m the writer so I’m the romantic in the family. I used to get irritated at his lack of romance until I finally understood that he demonstrates his love in other ways besides candlelight dinners and moonlit strolls.
Recipe for Romance:
JOHN’S FAVORITE HOT CHICKEN SALAD
4 cups hot cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup chopped celery
¼ cup chopped onion (optional)
¼ cup chopped green pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ cup toasted slivered almonds
½ cup mayo
½ cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken (or celery) soup (do not add water)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup crushed potato chips
In large bowl, mix chicken with veggies, lemon juice, seasonings, and almonds. Blend in mayo, sour cream and soup. Spread mixture into a 9 x 13 lightly greased baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 for about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and raise temperature to 400. Sprinkle cheese and crushed potato chips over the top. Return to oven and continue baking for another 10 minutes. Veggies will still be somewhat crunchy.
Options: Use a combination of green, red, and yellow peppers. Add ½ cup of sweet corn and/or peas. Substitute crushed corn chips for crushed potato chips.
About Connie: Connie Stevens lives in north Georgia with her husband of thirty-eight years, John, and one cantankerous kitty, misnamed Sweet Pea. When she isn’t writing, Connie enjoys reading, gardening, sewing, browsing antique shops, and collecting teddy bears. If she is turned loose in an historical museum, she will forget what time it is as well as what century it is. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America are dear to her heart and she makes quilts to send to their ministerial team for distribution to cancer patients. You can find Connie on Facebook or on her website at www.conniestevenswrites.com.
About the book: Everett Behr turns away from people to hide his disfiguring scars. A budding friendship with Tillie O’Dell eases his loneliness, but asking her to endure the humiliation of being with someone like him is out of the question. Tillie sees past Everett’s scars to his heart. His courage and compassion make him a man of character, but how can she convince Everett his scars are beautiful to her?
October Lineup:
Oct 3 – 7 – Jennifer Rogers Spinola
Oct 10 – 14 – Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Oct 17 – 19 – Mary Ellis
Oct 21 – Jennifer Taylor
Oct 24 – Shellie Neumeir
Oct 26 – 28 – D’Ann Mateer
Oct 31 – K Dawn Byrd
And lots of books up for grabs.
What a sweet post, and an even sweeter couple! Congrats to you both! Love it! 🙂