Keli Gwyn's Blog, page 15

Happy Easter

Wishing you a blessed celebration of Easter.

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Gwynly and our daughter have both been on spring break this week, so I’ve been enjoying their company. We went on a two-day trip that was a combination of research and fun. I’ll be blogging about it next week.

I’m looking forward to our Good Friday service, where we symbolically nail our sins to the cross, and our Easter celebration followed by an all-church potluck with wonderful fellowship and oodles of food.

How will you be celebrating?

 

 

A Dose of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman

Are you a fan of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman?

Although I caught a few episodes when the show first aired, I missed a lot of them. I’m not sure why, but I’m going to make up for that oversight now.

I happened upon the first two seasons at Walmart this week in their classic TV section. They were a real deal at just $9.99 each, so I grabbed them both.

Since the show is set in the West, as my stories are, and takes during the Victorian era, as my stories do, I figure watching it qualifies as research. At the very least the episodes are sure to provide inspiration.

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Have you watched all the seasons of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman?

If so, which of them did you like best?

Which of the characters is your favorite, and why?

Locking in Your Love

Have you ever seen a Lock Bridge?

I hadn’t even heard about these special bridges until our daughter visited Vienna, Austria on a Summer Abroad program through her university this past summer. While Adri was there, she took a train to Salzburg, where she came across street musicians performing on the city’s famous “Lock Bridge.”

Being a hopeless romantic, I wanted to start this tradition in my town. Gwynly and I frequently walk on our local El Dorado Trail. The renovated century-old railroad trestle bridge on our favorite section with its wire frame fence seemed a fitting spot to hang a lock.

Since Gwynly and I celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary last December, I decided that would be the perfect day to place our lock on the bridge. I had the brass lock engraved ahead of time and pulled it out of my bag when we reached the middle of the bridge, taking Gwynly by surprise as planned.

The tradition is to click the lock onto the bridge and throw away the key, symbolically locking your love. Gwynly and I did just that.

I’d hoped to be the first couple to add a lock to the bridge, but another lock appeared before ours. I decided that was a good thing, since it meant others liked the idea.

Every time I pass the spot, I look at our lock and think about Gwynly. I also check to see if any other locks have been added. This past Valentine’s Day, a third lock appeared, showing that the idea of locking in your love is catching on. That brings a smile to the face of this romantic.

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Questions for You

Have you ever seen a Lock Bridge? If so, where?

If you were to place a lock on a bridge, what bridge would you choose?

What special event might you celebrate by adding a lock to a Lock Bridge?

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Blogging Update

In order to devote more time to my writing, I’m changing my blogging

schedule. I’ll publish one weekly post on Fridays.

My posts will normally relate to romance, reading, or writing,

unless I have something special to share.

A Clearly Romantic Gesture

Are you good about keeping your windshield clean?

I confess I’m not. In my defense, I drive a truck. Since I’m only five foot two, I have to drag out a step stool in order to reach the top half of my SportTrac, making the task of washing the windshield into quite an undertaking.

Gwynly knows how much I dislike a dirty windshield and what a pain it is for me to wash it. Since he’s got a foot on me and doesn’t require a step stool, he’ll often clean my windshield for me as a surprise. Yup. He knows how to make me happy.

Not long ago my guy took his generous gesture to a new level. I awoke to find Buggly on my place mat bearing a note.

The note read, “Buggly says, ‘Please sit in your truck to read your morning note there.’”

I smiled, being fairly certain a clean windshield awaited me.

Sure enough, when I headed downstairs to leave for my Curves workout and climbed into the driver’s seat, I found a note taped to my steering wheel.

The note read:. “Wifely, I cleaned your windshield so you can clearly see, ‘I love you.’ C”

Once again, I smiled. When I removed that note, looked through the sparkly clean glass, and read the unexpected note taped to the storage drawers in front of my truck, I burst out laughing.

Gwynly took his kindness to a whole new level, playing with words the way I like. Seeing “I love you” in those bright red letters made my day.

I told Gwynly not to expect to see that note disappear anytime soon. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of his romantic gesture and am filled with gratitude for the great guy I have.

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What small gestures does your special someone* perform for you?

How could you turn a simple task you do for your

special someone* into something more?

*Note: If you don’t have a “special someone,” insert “someone special.” We all have those people in our lives.

 

 

Falling in Love with the Romance Genre

Can you remember when you discovered

the wonderful world of romance novels?

My love affair with romance novels began when I was in fourth grade. My mom took us to the library once a week that year. I spent many an afternoon on my bottom bunk transported to other times and places. Long before I knew romance was a genre all its own, I sought and savored stories about couples falling in love.

Like many young girls, I dreamed of having a clever and courageous boyfriend like Ned Nickerson, hero of the Nancy Drew series. I read and reread the Little House books and imagined being loved by a man as patient and as devoted to me as Almanzo Wilder was to Laura. And although he didn’t get the girl I wanted him to have, I had quite a crush on Laurie in Little Women.

During the long, hot California summers while our dad was off fighting forest fires, my sister Karla and I would spend countless hours with our noses buried in books. We discovered Barbara Cartland and read every copy of her books our local library had.

One delightful summer during the mid-1970s, our mom would pile us in the station wagon for the short trip to the used bookstore in our tiny town. The Chicklets-sized cottage, crammed full of floor-to-ceiling shelves, had the musty smell of vintage books that made me feel right at home.

We’d buy Harlequin romances by the armful. They were a bargain at ten for a dollar. Plus, we could trade them in on future purchases. Those squeaky clean stories, most of them written by British authors, were set in Europe and other exotic places. Little did I know then that I’d end up living in Germany years later, traveling throughout Europe, and seeing some of the very cities I’d read about as a teen.

In my twenties, I went browsing in used bookstores once again. I happened up a section of Grace Livingston Hill novels and thought I’d struck the Mother Lode. In one story, I had romance, history, and a Christian element. I blasted through as many of the books as I could find, eager to complete my set.

Fast forward to my mommy days in the 1990s. To my delight, I learned that Harlequin had started an inspirational line. When I read my first Love Inspired title, I felt like I’d come home. Motherhood kept me busy, but on rare occasions, I would treat myself to one of those books, stay up late, and read a story from cover to cover.

Life moved on, our daughter got older, and my reading time increased. When I walked into our local Walmart in 2005, picked up Deeanne Gist’s debut novel, A Bride Most Begrudging, and devoured her excellent story, my love of romance novels intensified. I hadn’t realized the inspirational market had grown so much.

Reading Dee’s book rekindled my dream of writing. I knew just what I wanted to write: the very books I most love to read–inspirational historical romances. Although that’s what I’m privileged to do, I still read as many romances as I have time for, because I’m hopelessly smitten with the romance genre.

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Are you a fan of the romance genre? If so, when did it capture your attention?

Did a certain book spark a desire to read more romances?

Romance: In Sickness and in Health

Coughs. Sniffles. Muscles aches. Many are battling them.

I hope you’ve managed to keep the bugs at bay.

Gwynly succumbed. My poor guy battled a miserable head cold all last week.

Although I know romance was the last thing on his mind, I wanted to show him how much I care. I did my best to offer what comfort I could.

When our daughter was little, she used to make what she called Snuggle Cuddle Nests. I created one for Gwynly each day when he dragged home from school, with a blanket, pillows, a glass of OJ, a box of tissues, the remotes, and–since I’ve heard chocolate has curative powers–a little bowl of M&Ms.

Gwynly appreciated my efforts and is doing much better now, which makes me happy. He’s feeling so much better that he surprised me with a romantic gesture of his own this week, one I’ll be posting about next week.

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What do you do to care for your special someone/someone special who is ill?

How do you like to be treated when you’re sick?

Do you want to be pampered or left alone?

Author Artistry: Lisa Jordan

Lisa Jordan first wowed readers in October 2011 when her debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, was released by Love Inspired. This book went on to win the 2012 ACFW Carol Award for Short Contemporary. I was privileged to be seated at Lisa’s table during the Awards Banquet and was one of the first to congratulate her.

Ever since I embarked on my writing journey, I read books differently than I used to. Sure, I fall in love with the characters and enjoy their stories, but I delve deeper these days. I admire an author’s voice and attempt to figure out what makes it so compelling. I study the techniques the author uses. I note the author’s way with words. I’ve decided to share my findings from time to time in my new Author Artistry posts.

I’ve had Lakeside Reunion on my TBR shelf for some time and was happy to finally have time to savor this moving story. The characters stole my heart from the start. Both Lindsey and Stephen are grieving. Having been torn apart by the results of a past mistake, they have many obstacles to overcome.

The story is rich, the pacing great, and the emotion deep. That alone would make the book a winner, but I kept my eyes open as I read, noting what Lisa did to add to the richness. I’m highlighting six of Lisa’s many areas of mastery, using examples from Lakeside Reunion.

Great Descriptions

Lindsey scanned the room, searching for Granddad’s steel-gray crew cut or Grandma’s cotton-colored curls. (p. 19)

In one sentence, the reader forms a picture of Lindsey’s grandparents, but it goes deeper than that. The fact that her grandfather wears a crew cut shows how traditional he is. “Cotton-colored curls” is a delight for two reasons. Not only do I see the color, but I also get the impression that her hair is fine and soft, like cotton balls. The alliteration is a bonus.

Clever Comparisons

 . . .Lindsey’s thoughts swirled like a shaken snow globe. (p. 25)

This simile made me smile. I can totally relate to that feeling, even though I’ve never thought to describe it that way.

Ty’s laughter seeped through Stephen’s heart like shellac over wood, filling in every gouge and crevice of his heart. ( p. 45)

I love it when authors create similes that are specific to a certain character. In this scene, Stephen has been working in his woodshop, so the reference to shellac is especially meaningful for him. Lisa goes on to use metaphor, comparing the gouges and crevices of Stephen’s heart to those in wood and adding such depth and emotion to the sentence.

Letters floated inside Lindsey’s head like a bowl of alphabet soup. She couldn’t piece them together to form coherent words, let alone sentences. (p. 75)

The writer in me loved this.

Rich Sensory Detail

“Granddad!” She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. The softness of his red-and-black checked flannel shirt caressed her cheek. The faint odor of cow manure and hay settled in the threads of the fabric, whisking Lindsey back to a place where problems were solved with hugs, homemade oatmeal cookies and long walks along the creek. (p. 22)

I love the way Lisa uses sensory details to take Lindsey back in time, allowing Lisa to share some of the backstory without slowing the pacing or telling the reader how idyllic Lindsey’s childhood was.

His voice was as smooth and rich as dark roast. (p. 76)

Lindsey just offered Stephen a cup of coffee, so this simile is well placed. The use of the simile is also a great way to work in sensory details that go beyond sights, sounds, and smells. A reader can feel how deeply hearing Stephen’s voice is affecting Lindsey.

Personification

Lightening flashed, fingering the ground with charged tentacles. (p. 52)

Lisa gave lightening characteristics of a living thing. Often the characteristics given are those of a person, but in this case, Lisa went beyond that, giving lightening the characteristics of a sea creature.

Strong Verbs

The nubby fabric of the cushioned chair embossed the backs of her legs. (p. 34)

Once again, I can totally picture the imprint left on Lindsey’s legs. The use of the word “embossed” imprinted this image on my mind. It also showed me how we can put to use “write what you know.” I happen to know Lisa is a crafty lady who makes cards and does scrapbooking. Since I’ve embraced those hobbies as well, I love how she grabbed the word embossed from them, a technique we rubber stampers and scrapbookers are familiar with.

Witty Dialogue

“It’s tough, son, I’m sure, but you need to understand seeing you was as much of a shock to her as it was for you. That gal will be around for a while. She won’t up and leave her man in a lurch.”

Stephen frowned. “I doubt she’ll be friending me on Facebook anytime soon.” (p. 47)

Stephen’s witty comeback says so much. I love how Lisa used modern technology to add punch. Can’t you just hear someone saying that?

Just Plain Fun

She crossed the room and shook hands with Granddad, Grandma and Lindsey. “Rachel Warren, attending physician.” (p. 24)

Lisa is a member of My Book Therapy, a mentoring group founded by Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. I like how Lisa paid tribute to them, giving portions of their names to the doctor caring for Lindsey’s mother.

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I was so impressed by Lisa’s writing that I could have cited many more examples. While I loved Lakeside Reunion, what I loved even more was discovering how talented she is. If I see Lisa Jordan’s name on a book’s cover, I’ll know the book is going to be a great read.

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If you read Lakeside Reunion, are there good examples you could add?

Which of the techniques above do you most enjoy seeing in a story?

Romance, Rings, and the Lure of Shiny Things

When you’re reading a romance or watching a romantic movie and the fellow pulls out a tiny velvet-covered box that can only contain one thing, does your heart get all fluttery? Mine sure does.

While Gwynly’s proposal wasn’t accompanied by the appearance of such a box, I have fond memories of picking out my engagement ring. We went to one of those wholesale jewelry places popular in the 80s where you got to help design your ring.

The setting was easy. I wanted a solitaire set in white gold.

Choosing the stone was fun. I had my heart set on a blue sapphire. It’s not my birthstone, but blue has long been my favorite color.

While the saleswoman spread an impressive assortment of stones on her velvet pad, Gwynly wandered off with the two salesmen. Why? My science teacher fiancé wanted to know the index of refraction for a sapphire, or as I like to think of it, the shine factor. For those who are dying to know, it’s 1.76.

I enjoyed wearing my wedding set for just over twenty-five years.

But things have changed. . .

One day this past January as I was working on my story, I stopped to do some of that staring-into-space-waiting-for-just-the-right-word-to-come thing we writers sometimes do. As I often do when I’m thinking, I was spinning my rings on my finger.

I heard a snap and gasped. Right away I knew what had happened, because my ring fit more loosely. As you can see in the picture above, the band had broken away from the setting on one side.

Gwynly and I visited Randolph Jewelers (the oldest jewelry store in the West) to discuss our options. The helpful saleslady told us the ring could be repaired, but my generous guy said it was time for an upgrade.

We picked out a matched wedding set and decided to add a diamond on either side of my sapphire.

This time Gwynly stayed by my side as we made our selection. He made no mention of indices of refraction.

I looked up the index of refraction for a diamond afterward, just for fun. It’s 2.41, giving my wedding set a whole lotta shine.

Randolph Jewelers rushed to have the wedding set ready on Valentine’s Day. They made it, but Gwynly and I were out walking that afternoon when the call came. We didn’t get the message until after the store had closed.

We picked up the rings the next day. As we walked down the street afterward, Gwynly made sure I didn’t run into anyone. That was a good thing, because I was busy staring at my hand and watching those diamonds sparkle.

❤❤❤

Questions for Those Who are Married

Did your guy propose with ring in hand, or did you get yours later?

Is there a special story behind your engagement and/or wedding ring?

Question for Those Dreaming of a Proposal

Would you prefer having your fellow give you a ring when he

pops the question or picking out your ring together?

Recommended Read: Waiting for Spring

Are you a fan of sweet historical romances with a hint of mystery?

If so, Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot is a story worth checking out.

And just look at that cover. Is it beautiful, or what?

About the Story

After the loss of her husband and the birth of her baby, Charlotte has had a long, hard year. But when a notorious robber believes she knows the location of a long-lost treasure, she flees to Cheyenne and opens a dressmaker’s shop to lie low and make a living. When wealthy cattle baron and political hopeful Barrett Landry enters the shop to visit her best customer, Charlotte feels drawn to him.

If Barrett is to be a senator of the soon-to-be state of Wyoming, he must make a sensible match, and Miriam has all the right connections. Yet he can’t shake the feeling that Charlotte holds the key to his heart and his future.

Soon the past comes to call, and Barrett’s plans crumble around him. Will Charlotte and Barrett find the courage to look love in the face? Or will their fears blot out any chance for happiness?

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My Thoughts

I met Charlotte while reading Summer of Promise, the first book in Cabot’s Westward Winds series. Charlotte dealt with disappointment, disillusionment, and the death of her husband. A resourceful widow determined to make a new life for her young son, Charlotte has moved to Cheyenne and put her skills to work as a dressmaker, keeping her questionable past a secret. Enter Barrett Landry, a man of integrity being pushed into politics–as well as marriage to a woman his sponsors believe will improve his chances of being elected.

The fun begins when Barrett meets Charlotte. The two form a fast friendship. Duty-bound to marry the woman handpicked for him, Barrett fights his feelings for Charlotte. Knowing her past could destroy his chances of being elected, Charlotte denies her attraction and aides him in his plans to propose to the woman who could further his career. Despite their best efforts, circumstances push Barrett and Charlotte together as they’re forced to deal with her well-kept secret, one that tests their love and could threaten their very lives.

I enjoyed the interplay between Charlotte and Barrett, two well-intentioned, honorable people torn between doing what’s right and following their hearts. Each is willing to sacrifice happiness for the sake of the other. Charlotte exhibits strength, courage, and determination. Barrett is honest, compassionate, and principled–traits that serve him well in life but could spell his ruin in the political realm. Watching these two wrestle with the challenges they face makes for a moving read. Add the element of mystery–and a mysterious stranger–and things get even more exciting.

When I’m in the mood for a sweet story with well-crafted characters I’m sure to like, I know Amanda Cabot will deliver. That’s certainly the case with Waiting for Spring. Although meeting Charlotte in the first book of the series could add to your enjoyment, it’s not necessary to have read it in order to enjoy the second in the series.

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Questions for You

Do you enjoy romances in which a character is

forced to choose between two possible partners?

Does an element of mystery add to your enjoyment?

Valentine’s Day Surprises

Do you enjoy planning Valentine’s Day surprises for your special someone?

I do. I can’t wait until Gwynly sees what I’ve got planned for him. He’s gonna love it. At least I hope he does. But that’s a post for another time.

Gwynly had something special planned for me that I’d hoped to share in this post, but it wasn’t ready in time. Not to worry. I’ll blog about it next week. Believe me, it’s worth the wait.

Because the item wasn’t ready, I didn’t expect anything for Valentine’s Day, so I was surprised to see a pile of presents on my placemat.

I told my frugal guy he doesn’t have fork over big bucks for a fancy card, because I’d be just as happy with a note from him. When I said that, I didn’t expect something like this. . .

Yup. Gwynly put his calligraphy skills to work. Can you say awesome?

The fun didn’t stop there.

I moved the frame and beheld a poem propped against the bright red bag. . .

Who knew my fellow was a poet? I’m mightily impressed.

He totally mushed me out by referencing the hero in my debut novel.

And this was before I’d even opened the gift.

When I did, I saw this. . .

I’m not ashamed to admit it. I squealed. Loudly.

And then I caressed the beautiful teapot and cup.

Talk about a gift that suits me to a tea.

My logical science guy is turning into quite a romantic. Aah!

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What are you doing to celebrate this Valentine’s Day?

Whatever it is, I wish you a great one.