Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Stacy Monson shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest release, Dance of Grace. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Nov 7th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Stacy:
Stacy: Hey, Kurt and Vanessa. Thanks for sitting down with me for this interview. I know you’re super busy so we’ll keep this short.
Kurt: That’s good. I don’t have a long attention span.
Vanessa: That’s because your brain is overloaded with new ideas.
(they share a laugh)
Kurt: It’s called ADHD.
Vanessa: I call it creative thinking.
Stacy: So Vanessa, what simple gesture does Kurt do that melts your heart every time?
Vanessa: Oh, wow. There are so many.
Kurt: Seriously?
Vanessa: (punches him lightly) Yes, seriously. I’m pretty much a walking puddle when you’re around. So, let’s see. Early on there were things like putting his hand at my back when we crossed the street, and matching his pace to mine when I was still using the canes. Simple things that made me feel safe, protected. He’s still like that even now. He makes me feel special and cherished.
Stacy: Kurt, what does Vanessa do that makes you feel that way?
Kurt: Are you kidding? Look at her. She’s gorgeous!
(Vanessa hides face against his shoulder.)
Kurt: Really. Just looking at her smile, which took a while in the early days to come out, still makes me wonder how I got so lucky.
Vanessa: See? It’s things like that that turn me into a puddle.
Kurt: And she has always encouraged me. River House never would have launched if not for her. And I wouldn’t be singing now, if she hadn’t pushed me. She’s always looking for what’s good in me (gets a bit misty). That was a new concept when we met because up to that point I was sure there wasn’t anything good in me. Now it’s easier to believe because of her.
Stacy: Okay, you guys are going to make me cry! Vanessa, how soon after meeting Kurt did you know he was the one?
Vanessa: (blushes) Well, I hadn’t dated much when we first met, so it took me a while to realize that all the goofy feelings meant I was falling for him. It was after Razzie told us about Kurt’s music background, and Kurt told me his whole story that I realized how much I liked him. I was jealous of Ashley and hoped he’d fall for me, even though I figured it would never happen.
Stacy: Kurt?
Kurt: Maybe not when I knocked her down that first day, but not too long after that. I really liked being with her and just kept going back to spend time with her. (Turns to smile thoughtfully at her) There was something about her that drew me back time after time.
Vanessa: Even though I wasn’t very nice at first.
Kurt: But I knew you were hurting and I wanted to help.
Vanessa: His persistence wore me down. (laughs) And made me fall in love with him.
Kurt: That was my plan all along. I wasn’t going away so she had to fall for me.
Stacy: And the plan worked! Okay, last question. Kurt, who is more romantic – you or Vanessa?
Kurt: Ah, I’m not very good at that stuff.
Vanessa: Yes, you are! He is definitely more romantic than me. He brings me roses once a week, and he leaves the cutest notes on my desk. He has pictures of us all over the place. He takes me out for ice cream a lot, which is my favorite thing. He even wrote a song for me.
Kurt: (face gets pink) I just love making her smile.
Stacy: You two are just the sweetest couple! Thanks for spending time with me.
About Stacy: An award-winning author, Stacy Monson writes stories that show an extraordinary God at work in ordinary life. A member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), she is the current secretary and past president of MN-NICE, as well as the area coordinator for Minnesota. Residing in the Twin Cities, she is the wife of a juggling, unicycling physical education teacher, mom to two amazing kids and two wonderful in-law kids, and a very proud grandma. You can learn more about Stacy and her books at www.stacymonson.com.
About the book – Dance of Grace:
A former dancer. An ex-con. A house on fire. Grace amidst revenge.
In one tragic moment, dancer Vanessa Jordan lost her family, her career, and her future. She blames God for destroying everything that mattered.
Kurt Wagner, an ex-con with a second chance at life and faith, aches to shed his past and see his dream of helping teens become reality.
The former dancer and the ex-con form an unlikely alliance to build River House, a safe haven for kids on the street. But when Kurt’s past threatens his dreams and his life, Vanessa becomes a target as well.
It will take a stubborn love, the grace of God, and one courageous teen to keep the River House dream alive.
From His Image Publications.
Can’t wait to get your copy?
Purchase Link: Amazon
Question for readers: Can you dance? Whether you can or not, what is your favorite dance?
Come back Oct 30th for Gail Kittleson!
This is so beautiful!
I can’t dance, my movement is really awkward and clumsy. I’m really bad at memorizing dance moves. If I can dance, my favorite dance would probably be slow dance because you can look into your partner’s eyes and hear his heartbeats and probably I won’t trip and embarrass myself 🙂
I love the character interview. It’s obvious they love and adore each other. It’s so cute.
I cannot dance but love the waltz!
Fun interview, Stacy (and Vanessa & Kurt).
Does the Chicken Dance count? How about the Polka? 😉
(Don’t enter me, Shannon. I’ve already got my copy–it’s a fabulous read!)
Loved this!! I really enjoy dancing (even though I’m overweight — Lol.) and the waltz and two-step are my equal favorites.
The character interview was fun, the book blurb sounds enticing — and I love the title!! Look forward to reading it soon.
Thank you for the awesome giveaway opportunity! God’s blessings to you!!
~Kimberly
Love this character interview, Stacy! Makes me want to read this couple’s story. Having written a novel about a former dancer myself, I can really relate to this story and would love to read it! My favorite type of dance is ballet for sure.
Thanks for offering a giveaway!
Evelyn, I totally get the clumsy part. I tend to move too fast and end up falling over my own feet! And memorizing all those steps? That’s why I like fun things like the Electric Slide. 🙂 I can just follow everyone else!
Sheila, isn’t the waltz just amazing to watch? I love the old films where they just float around the ballroom. (especially in those gorgeous dresses)
Brenda, I’m right there with you doing the Chicken Dance. Silly, but it makes people laugh!
Kimberly, I think dancing is wonderful no matter what size we are. I couldn’t dance when I was young and thin, and I can’t now when I’m…never mind. But I still think it’s fun to get out there just having fun!
Jerusha, I took ballet lessons when I was 5. And tap too. Yup, that’s the extent of my dance background. What’s the name of your book?
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by to chat!
I can’t dance. I never learned and I’m not overly coordinated, so it probably wouldn’t go well. I love the waltz. It’s so pretty.
I do think the waltz is beautiful to watch, Shannon. But I have a feeling it wouldn’t be quite so beautiful if I’m the one doing it! 🙂
Stacy, the name of my book is THIS DANCE (published by Write Integrity Press). It’s about a former tango dancer having to overcome the tragedy in her past. I took ballet when I was young, too, but not as young as 5! I was really into it for five years, and I still miss it now.
I’ll have to pick up This Dance! Did you ever learn the tango? I spent a lot of time picking the brains of ballet dancers I know, especially since my ballet dancing years were many decades ago! (Although I actually do remember some of the steps – from a 5-year-old’s perspective. 🙂
No, Stacy, I never did actually learn the tango myself. Ballet is still in my blood and I can still (clumsily) do a lot of the steps, but I’m afraid I’ve lost a lot of the names for them now. 🙂 I’ll look forward to reading your book about a ballet dancer!
I have a winner! Kimberly Perry won the drawing. I appreciate Stacy for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Thank you so much!! I am incredibly excited. The interview with Stacy was great fun to read and was a great introduction to your blog, Shannon! I will be following and enjoying reading all the fun information.
God’s blessings to both of you!
~Kimberly