Shannon here: Susan Tigert shares how she met her husband and how her characters meet in her Historical Romance, Streams in the Wasteland. Comment or answer the question in any post dated June 2nd – 16th to enter the drawing for a print copy plus 3 other titles. Deadline: June 27th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Susan:
How We Met
The year was 1998, fall to be exact, and I had just landed my first teaching job. Life had taken unexpected turns, landing me back in my hometown, living with my parents and raising my one-year-old son all by myself. Acquiring my first teaching job was a bright spot in this dark time. I began to feel worthy again, like I had a purpose after enduring a broken and failed marriage.
Upon returning to my hometown, I found my way back to church. I joined a women’s Bible study and re-dedicated my life to Christ. While these steps didn’t make life easier, they provided the peace of knowing I was headed in the right direction.
In that Bible study, we were encouraged to make a list of qualities we wanted in a future spouse. After my first marriage had revealed itself as a mistake (except for giving me my son), creating this list was daunting. Yet, I knew there was healing in looking forward. So, I prayed, and the list began to take shape.
I first listed qualities, then life habits and goals. This process helped me reflect on my own life and how I was allowing God to work within my mess. After several weeks, I completed the list, folded it, and tucked it into the back of my Bible cover.
Months later, while walking to the front office of my new high school job, I was distracted by essays I needed to grade. As I rounded a corner, I bumped into another teacher. He smiled, and I apologized for not paying attention. And that’s how our story began.
After dating for a while and getting to know each other, he came to me with a heavy heart. He had been offered a job he had long desired, but it was seven hours away. He was conflicted about whether to take it. Without hesitation, I told him he had to. I believed we would be fine—that we were meant to meet, and God would handle the rest. He questioned my confidence, especially after such a short time together, wanting to know how I could be so sure.
I quietly retrieved my Bible and the list, handing it to him. I asked him to point out where he didn’t fit. He frowned in confusion but read the list. A smile then spread across his face. And here we are, celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this June 2nd.
How They Met – Excerpt from Streams in the Wasteland by Susan Tigert:
A voice from behind them startled them both. “Would you like to try some of the jam? It’s delicious.” Sarah and Ella whirled around to face a young man several years older than they were. He had blondish brown hair that was neatly combed to the side and seemed to have a natural wave to it. He had the most beautiful eyes Ella had ever seen. They were green like Ella’s but his caught the sun and reflected small flecks of gold.
“Oh hi, Pastor William. Our apologies if we were blocking your table full of goods. We would love to taste some of your jam,” Sarah spoke to the minister. “And Pastor William, this is Ellison Clark; she is new to Mrs. Watkins’ home. She will be attending the university in a couple of weeks.” Ella was grateful for the introduction as she seemed to not be able to find her voice due to the mesmerizing effect his eyes were having on her.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ellison,” William stated as he began to open one of the jars before him.
“Thank you, sir. The pleasure is all mine. And please, call me Ella,” Ella managed to say.
“Only if you will call me William and not sir,” William playfully remarked back to Ella. He smiled at her and his whole face seemed to shine, especially his eyes. He handed each girl a small sample of the jam on a piece of homemade bread. They each placed the bread in their mouths and consumed the gift. Ella had never tasted anything like it before. There was a mixture of sweet and spicy that played on her tongue. She was guessing maybe a mixture of blackberries and something she could quite identify.
“This jam is delicious!” was the only thing Ella managed to say.
“Why, thank you. It’s my grandmother’s secret recipe. I was very grateful when she agreed to send a batch to help our cause here at the church,” said William. His eyes seemed to lock with Ella’s and there was an awkward moment until Sarah broke the silence.
“Thank you so much for sharing with us Pastor William. It was delightful,” chimed Sarah.
“I would like to buy some, please,” Ella requested.
“Great. I will wrap some for you to take.” William took a piece of burlap and wrapped it around the jar of jam. Then he took a piece of string and tied off the top. He handed it to Ella. “So, what will you be studying?” he asked.
“I’m sorry?” Ella responded a little confused.
“At the university. Sarah said you were here to study at the university,” William reminded her gently.
“Oh, yes that. I will be studying medicine. I want to be a doctor,” Ella replied as she blushed at her inability to focus while speaking to this man. This was definitely new territory for her, for she had very few interactions with young men back in Savannah. There had been boys that she had grown up knowing and friends of her brothers, but none of those had had the effect that this one was having on her at this moment.
“That’s a lofty goal but a noble one. We need more brave women like you to help change our world.” This statement took Ella by surprise. This was not the usual response from people, especially those who didn’t know her. Most scoffed at this endeavor and fully expected Ella to follow in the normal line of compliance: be a housewife and raise children.
“Thank you. I’m very excited for this journey God has put me on. So you’re the pastor here at this church?” Ella wanted the conversation to keep going so she could learn more about him, but she noticed that Sarah kept nervously looking over her shoulder, presumably looking for the infamous Jasper.
Reader question: Some of my favorite characters in novels are the minor ones. Who are your favorite minor characters and why?
June Book Bundle #1
Winning Over the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter, Contemporary Romance, print
Streams in the Wasteland by Susan Tigert, Historical Romance, print
Dangerous Shadows by Gail Pallotta, Romantic Suspense, digital
Beach House Rescue by Hope Toler Dougherty, Contemporary Fiction, print
About Susan: Susan Tigert is a passionate storyteller dedicated to exploring the complexities of the human experience. With a background in English literature, she draws inspiration from the resilience and strength of women navigating life’s challenges. Tigert believes in the power of God providing streams to those who walk through the wastelands of this life. In her debut novel, her characters are fictional; however, they have been created to be a voice of encouragement to those who may need it.
Her second novel is slated to hit the shelves this summer, so also be on the lookout for The Silence of Friends.
When not crafting stories, Tigert enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and her dog, Banjo. She loves traveling and experiencing the world around her and currently resides in Texas. Learn more & connect: Susan’s Facebook
About the book – Streams in the Wasteland:
Ellison (Ella) Clark has an unusual and somewhat scandalofus dream of becoming a doctor. In 1909 this is not widely accepted, but she heads to Macon, Georgia determined to bring her dream to fruition. While living in a boarding house under the care of the strict and formal Mrs. Watkins, Ella finds challenges that she wasn’t prepared for. Swept up in the societal grandeur of gowns and balls, Ella must fight against the confines of the time’s traditional expectations of women.
Quickly, Ella is caught between the egocentric and extremely wealthy Jasper Tillman–who demands her hand in marriage–and the kind and passionate William Thompson, who only wants what makes her happy. Through a series of conspiratorial events, Ella finds herself trapped in the darkness of shame and guilt, and only through the unconditional love of the unexpected can she find streams in the wasteland.
Worried you won’t win? Need extra books for gifts?
Get your copy/copies now!
Come back June 6th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
Leave a Reply