Stephen Bly – Real Life & Fictional Romantic Interview – Part 2 of 4

Shannon here: Western romance author, Stephen Bly’s romantic interview featuring his real life romance and his characters’ fictional romance. Comment on any post dated May 2 – 6. If each post has at least ten comments, Stephen will give away three copies for three winners of Throw the Devil off the Train. Deadline: May 7, 11:59 PM central time. Here’s Stephen:

      1.    What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has ever done for you?
One time Janet surprised me when she reserved for us a resort-like motel for an over-night Valentine’s stay. She met me at the door with a packed bag,  arranged for someone to watch our youngest son still at home, and whisked me away. I loved her taking this kind of initiative.
     2.     What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your spouse? 
 She seems to enjoy my putting a heart-shaped Post-It® on her bathroom mirror every night with a message for the day. Or tucking them in her wallet or purse or suitcase when she goes on a trip. Sometimes they’re mushy. Other times they’re pithy comments on what’s going on in our lives. She stores them in her Memories Box.
     3.      Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been? 
Besides Paris? Well, there was a balcony in a Quebec hotel several years ago where fireworks shot off in the distance while we talked and snuggled. We think of that scene often.
     4.     Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic restaurant? 
The Shadowbrook Inn at Capitola, California, where we enjoyed ordering  Chateaubriand steak for two. We haven’t been there in years, but we named our husband and wife writing team for our cozy mysteries, The Hidden West Series, Tony and Price Shadowbrook. It seemed a fitting tribute.
     5.     Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
On our wedding night with the top down on our ’55 Chevy convertible, this new that year Perry Como song played on the radio, “I Love You & Don’t You Forget It.” We sang it over and over while on our way to visit my grandmother who was ill with cancer and unable to attend our wedding, then on to the Buckaroo Inn at Three Rivers, California, for dinner. That’s always been one of our special songs ever since.
     6.     How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?
Four months after we started dating, Janet spent Christmas with my family and fell in love with them and the whole traditional relationships that we represented. “I want that,” she said, and ‘that’ included me.
     7.     Where is the most romantic place your hero and heroine have ever been? 
On the platform of a moving train car one night.
     8.     What is your heroine’s favorite romantic vacation destination?
She believes it’s going to be Paradise Springs, California, where Philip, her fiancé, waits for her.
     9.     How soon after meeting the hero did the heroine know he was the one?
After a week of being shoved together because of a holdup, hijack, kidnapping and gold mine swindle.
   10.     Who is most romantic, your hero or your heroine?
They both would argue about this. He would chide her about her ‘throw away heart’ and how he strives for sincerity. She would insist that she really knows what’s a true romantic kiss.
    11.     What is the most caring thing your hero has ever done for your heroine?
He held her for several hours while she sobbed hard in utter grief after she found out what happened to her twin sister.
    12.     If your hero and heroine end up married, where will they go on their honeymoon?
 No doubt about it: Buenos Aires, South America
 Learn more about Stephen: http://BlyBooks.com and http://BlyBooks.blogspot.com.
Come back May 6 for an excerpt from Throw the Devil off the Train.