Shannon here: Rebecca Carey Lyles shares the story of her proposal, a romantic excerpt from her latest Romantic Suspense, Crimson Arches (Children of the Light Series Book Two), a yummy recipe for Cole Slaw, plus a chance to win her book. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a free e-book or AI audio copy. Deadline: April 20th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Becky:
The Proposal:
Long, long ago, in a land faraway (Colorado!), I met my future husband, Steve, at the college mailboxes. He likes to say that’s where I “picked up my male.” I know…groan. I cannot say it was love at first sight, but we became friends and soon formed a circle of mutual friends. Those early college days before everyone paired off were fun days for all of us. We were young and carefree, with no worries other than term-paper deadlines, upcoming exams, school bills—and staying awake during seven a.m. classes.
Steve and I dated off and on for six years (no, we were not in college all those years!). After graduation, we found full-time jobs in the same city and apartments in the same complex and saw each other most evenings and weekends. Didn’t take long for me to begin fixing dinner for him every night after work. And then I started making his lunches. And ironing his work shirts. And loaning him my car because his clunker had issues.
I was in love.
One morning, Steve stopped by my apartment on his way to work to grab a freshly ironed shirt, and the question accidently slipped from his lips: “Will you marry me?”
Before I could respond, he snatched up the shirt, dashed out the door, hopped into my car and drove away. (Later, he told me, “I scared myself silly!”)
As you might guess, I had much to ponder during my bus ride to work that morning. One thing was certain—I needed to find out if I had heard Steve correctly.
Back then, he drove a delivery route with stops several blocks from my downtown workplace. The moment I could take a lunch break, I trotted over to where I thought I could find Steve. And sure enough, there was his van. He came around the back, saw me, and did an about-face. So, I did the same, and we met at the front. Neither of us remembers exactly what was said during our brief conversation—he had to stick to his delivery schedule—but the next weekend, we went ring shopping.
After that crazy beginning to our short engagement, our wedding was even more humorous. The three-year-old trainbearer said, “Choo-choo, choo-choo…” as he walked up the aisle behind me. A bridesmaid fainted. The flower girls tossed petals at each other. When the ringbearer was naughty, his mother shook her finger at him from her seat in the audience, and he shook his right back at her.
His brother got a bloody nose. Was it because his little brother slugged him? I don’t remember. Most of the action occurred behind my back, except for the sweat dripping down my temples beneath the veil because someone forgot to turn on the AC. Oh, the memories!
My mother-in-law dubbed our wedding “The Happening.” I’m pleased to report we survived, and here we are, about to celebrate fifty years of marital bliss (well, mostly blissful) this summer. Marriage is not easy. I thank God for keeping us together despite the challenges that arise when two rather dissimilar individuals merge cultures, lifestyles and households to become “one.”
In Crimson Arches, my latest novel, I used my wedding set, which has two small diamonds on each side of a larger diamond, to describe an engagement ring. One of my critique partners said the design is symbolic of a successful marriage: Two people (small diamonds) centered around a much larger diamond (God).
Whether you are married or single, remember that happily ever after comes only when you make God the center of your life.
Excerpt from Crimson Arches by Rebecca Carey Lyles: 
Far ahead on the two-lane highway that divided the flat desert like an endless gray ribbon, a light flashed. Kasenia Clarke squinted but saw nothing unusual, not even a dust devil twirling across the arid plain. Had to be sunlight reflected off a car window or a bumper. She lowered the sun visor to block the bright orb’s merciless glare, and a flicker in the rearview mirror caught her eye.
What was going on?
A siren sounded behind her. This time, she couldn’t miss the frenetic red-and-blue beams coming closer by the second. Heart in her throat, she glanced at the speedometer and steered to the side. She wasn’t speeding, and the kidnapping charges were dropped a year ago. Even so, her stomach clenched at the reminder of her arrest and incarceration, experiences she hoped to never repeat.
A State Trooper’s SUV screamed past, buffeting her car. Kasenia cringed. The ear-piercing sound shook her to her core. The trooper wasn’t after her, thank God, but someone up ahead was injured or in trouble. After a quick check for other cars, she drove onto the blacktop, only to hear another siren. This time, she swerved off the highway mere moments before an ambulance wailed by her window.
When no more emergency vehicles followed, Kasenia checked one more time. With deep breaths to slow her racing pulse, she pulled onto the road again, grateful the sirens hadn’t triggered a panic attack.
She’d traveled several more miles when she topped a rise and saw a string of cars that appeared to be at a standstill two, maybe three miles ahead. Black smoke billowed in the distance.
Tasty Coleslaw Recipe:
- Salad: shredded green cabbage, shredded carrot, dried currants, apple slivers (if desired), toasted walnut or pecan pieces (if desired), thin-sliced celery (if desired)
- Dressing: mayonnaise, honey (or other sweetener) & rice vinegar to taste
- Topping: toasted almond slivers
Question for Readers: Have you ever tried to help someone who didn’t want your help?
About Becky: Becky Lyles lives with her husband, Steve, in Boise, Idaho, where she serves as an editor and as a mentor for aspiring authors. In addition to writing nonfiction, she writes award-winning fiction and has two published series—the Kate Neilson Series and the Prisoners of Hope Series—plus two books in the Children of the Light Series. She also hosts a podcast with Steve called “Let Me Tell You a Story.” Learn about Becky, her books and the podcast at beckylyles.com. Learn more & connect:
Becky’s Email Becky’s Website Becky’s Podcast
Becky’s Facebook Becky’s Twitter
About the book – Crimson Arches:
Although Kasenia Clarke escaped Shadow Ranch a year ago, when Trent Duran asks her to visit Crimson Arches, his ranch that borders Shadow Ranch, she hesitates. She adores Trent and wants to see where he “hangs his hat,” yet she dreads going anywhere near the abusive polygamous cult. Then an unexpected connection with another “plyg” community changes everything, and she jumps in with both feet, unaware of the peril that awaits her down by the border.
maybe
Yes. An elderly gentleman at our church is very independent. Thank you very much!
I have a winner! Lisa Stillman won the drawing. I appreciate Rebecca for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.