Keli Gwyn's Blog, page 17

Romantic Serenade

There’s nothing quite like a song sung just for you, is there?

Music is the universal romance language. It has the power to stir the emotions unlike anything else. When shared with your special someone, it can create a delicious sense of connection.

Such was the case this past week when Gwynly sang to me.

Our first major storm of the season arrived here in the Sierra Foothills, bringing with it buffeting winds and ground-soaking rains.

Gwynly and I took advantage of a break in the storm to hit the hiking trail.

About a mile into our walk, the clouds opened up. We took refuge under our umbrella and reveled in the fact that we had the trail to ourselves.

Being a fun-loving guy, Gwynly broke into song, serenading me with lines from John Denver’s hit “For Baby (For Bobbie)” about walking in the rain beside me and clinging to my tiny, warm hand.

And my heart melted.

❤❤❤

 Has your special someone serenaded you?

Have you serenaded your special someone?

Recommended Read: Unending Devotion

If you like a gripping historical romance that will keep you turning pages,

check out Unending Devotion by bestselling author Jody Hedlund.

About the Book

High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance

In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.

Posing during the day as a photographer’s assistant, Lily can’t understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father’s lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he’s interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters.

Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that’s dominated Harrison for so long.

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My Thoughts

I was privileged to read this book in manuscript form. As I read, I fell hard and fast for Connell. Wow! Talk about a hero that is sigh-worthy. This hunky, hardworking, principled logger earned some serious hero points. The more I got to know him, the better I liked him. I enjoyed watching him deal with Lily as she challenges everything he stands for.

Lily is one feisty heroine. There are times her impulsiveness gets her in trouble, but I admire her determination. In an effort to save her sister, she’s willing to take on anyone, even the vilest of villains. Her major problem is that she doesn’t know how to accept help, which puts her very life in danger at times. Learning to lean on others and follow the Lord’s leading isn’t easy for Lily, but learn her lesson she does–eventually.

The historical romance fan in me loved Jody’s depiction of life in the lumber camps of Michigan. I was there, shivering with those out in the bitter cold, hearing the ring of axes echoing through the forest, and inhaling the fresh scent of recently felled white pine. Jody’s handling of the “white slavery” prevalent in the lumber towns was tasteful and added an authenticity to the story that tugged on my heart.

Jody is known for writing fast-paced, action-packed stories. Unending Devotion is certainly that. The story takes off in the first chapter, and the pace just picks up from there. Readers be warned: you could lose sleep over this one. When I read the story in print form, I had the hardest time putting the book down–even though I knew what was coming next. It’s that good.

If you like gripping tales with strong characters that keep you glued to the pages, then Unending Devotion is a story for you. Note that due to the thematic elements of the story, it might not be appropriate for young teens.

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Questions for You

Do you enjoy reading stories that tackle tough issues?

What issue have you seen handled well in a romance?

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Win a Copy of Jody’s Book!

To enter the drawing, leave a comment by Monday, December 10, answering one of the questions above. Be sure to leave your email address when prompted so I can contact you if you win.

I’ll post the winner’s name here and in a comment.

No purchase necessary.

Offer void where prohibited.

Odds of winning vary due to number of entrants.

Prizes will be mailed to U.S. or Canadian addresses only.

Romance on a Budget: Fast-Food Celebration

You can add romance to your life without spending a ton of money.

A little time and some creativity is all it takes.

When Gwynly and I were younger and our mortage payment was taking a big bite out of our monthly budget, we decided to celebrate our 13th anniversary on the cheap. We couldn’t afford to go to a swanky restaurant, so on Dec. 19, 2000 we headed to In ‘n Out Burger with a few items to spiff up our table.

The staff thought our decorations were great. Some of the customers were impressed, others were amused, and still others looked at us like we were nuts. The important thing was that, despite our financial limitations, we had a blast.

 

A recipe for romance fast-food style.

Pick a date to celebrate.

An anniversary works. So do birthdays.

Choose your favorite fast-food restaurant.

Fill a bag or basket with some table decorations.

Tablecloth, cloth napkins, place mats.

Candlesticks, candles, vase, flowers.

Real plates, utensils, and glasses.

Select a table and decorate.

Order your meal and enjoy.

 ❤ ❤ ❤

What special days have you celebrated at a fast-food restaurant?

How did you make your celebration special?

Recommended Read: A Promise to Love

Do you love marriage of convenience stories?

If so, A Promise to Love is one you’re sure to enjoy.

About the Book

Ingrid Larsen, a young Swedish immigrant, arrives in Michigan in 1871 to search for her brother who has disappeared into the woods to work the dangerous lumber camps. Destitute and barely hanging on to hope, she encounters a newly-widowed farmer who is struggling to raise five children on his own. Marriage would solve both of their problems, and so Ingrid proposes to a man she barely knows. She will fight to protect her new family–but the hardest battle of all will be winning the heart of her new husband.

My Thoughts

I read Serena’s RITA award-winning story, The Measure of Katie Calloway, last year and loved it. When I saw her latest release was a marriage of convenience story, I ordered it right away, sure I would enjoy it, too. I did!

A Promise to Love is an excellent read. Serena B. Miller is a gifted storyteller. Her characters are awesome. I fell in love with Ingrid from the start. She’s real, fun, likable, and has a heart of gold–along with a nice pinch of spice. Joshua is a great hero, although this grieving widower has a few lessons to learn. My heart went out to him as he made some startling discoveries.

The story, set in Michigan in 1871, is rich in historical detail. It moves along nicely. The action-packed ending kept me flipping pages well into the night. I highly recommend A Promise to Love and look forward to reading more of Miller’s work.

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Are you a fan of marriage of convenience stories?

If so, what are some of your favorites?

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

You are awesome!

Your visits to my blog make my day.

Your support means the world to me.

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

☙☙☙

This year has been a milestone one for me.

My debut novel’s release was a lifelong dream come true.

Thank you to all my readers. You totally rock!

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Romance and Rough Spots

What are the three most romantic words in the English language?

That’s easy, right? I love you.

What are three more words that can be romantic in their own way?

I forgive you.

OK, I realize that probably isn’t the answer you expected, but I don’t think romance can exist apart from that phrase.

Why?

Because we’re all going to blow it. There will be times we need to say those words and times we hope our special someone will say them to us.

I write a lot of posts about romance and give glimpses of the many good times my guy and I share, but things aren’t always peaches and roses. Like all couples, Gwynly and I experience bumps in the road.

A few days ago, I went through a time when I was being somewhat less than lovable. (Yes, that’s a euphemism for being a real pill.) I was in a bad place and took some of my irritations and frustrations out on Gwynly.

The next day when he got home from school, I was ready with a heartfelt apology. Let me tell you, it felt very good to hear him say, “I forgive you.” At that moment, those three words meant as much to me as “I love you,” because, contrary to that famous line from Love Story, I believe love means saying you’re sorry and extending forgiveness.

Gwynly took his forgiveness to the next level. He realized why I was in a rough spot, and he chose to show me his love and support in a tangible way. He baked me a batch of shortbread, which is one of the few sweets I indulge in. See why I love this guy so much?

 ❤ ❤ ❤

How have you been blessed by someone’s gift of forgiveness?

How have you shown support to a loved one in a bad spot?

 

Name That Bookstore. . .

Bookstores often have clever names.

I attended a signing recently at an awesome store called Face in a Book.

Not only does the store have a great name, but the staff treated me like royalty.

☙☙☙

What bookstore names have caught your attention?

If you were to open a bookstore, what would you name it?

The Most Romantic Instrument Is. . .

What instrument do you think is the most romantic?

Violin or banjo perhaps?

Those are my choices.

When I began doing the research for my debut novel five years ago, I fell in love with the violin, the instrument my heroine plays. As I wrote, I listened to violin music. According to iTunes, I’ve played my favorite piece, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, over 1,000 times. Few selections move me like that one.

I discovered world class violinist Joshua Bell and was privileged to be able to hear him in concert at my daughter’s university–twice. Itzhak Perlman performed at her school as well, and I was there. I sat spellbound through all three of those concerts.

But something was missing.

Gwynly’s company.

He isn’t as big a fan of the violin as I am, sad to say. I attended those concerts by myself. While I enjoyed them, I missed my guy.

Enter the banjo.

A number of years ago, Gwynly decided he wanted to add this instrument to his repertoire, so my daughter and I gave him one for Christmas. The early years when he was first learning to play were a bit of a challenge. Banjo can be somewhat repetitive. Thankfully Gwynly didn’t mind when I would close the door to the bedroom while he was practicing.

Over the years, Gwynly’s banjo-playing skills have increased, and the door remains open when he practices. He’s gotten good enough that he’s willing to perform in public. He played at my book launch party and at some of my book signings. People really enjoy the folk tunes he plays. And so do I.

While banjo might not be on most people’s romantic instrument list, it’s on mine, because my guy plays it for me.

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What instrument do you find the most romantic, and why?

Recommended Read: Christmas Roses

Christmas. Roses. Romance.

A winning combination.

Although Christmas is still several weeks away, Christmas Roses, a novella by Amanda Cabot, is already on the shelves.

About the Novella

Celia Anderson doesn’t need anything for Christmas except a few more boarders, which are hard to come by in this small mining town. She certainly doesn’t have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a wandering carpenter finds lodging at her boarding house, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man–the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle to get roses during a harsh Wyoming winter. But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles. . .

 My Thoughts

Christmas Roses is a story that will warm the heart. The heroine and hero, Celia and Mark, are the kind of people I’d enjoy having as friends. The small Wyoming town is filled with other likable characters as well. While Christmas doesn’t come into play until the end of the novella, it makes a nice conclusion.

I read the novella quickly and gave a satisfied sigh when I reached the end. The hardcover book is beautiful and would make a lovely Christmas gift for anyone on your list who enjoys a sweet historical romance. Or you could treat yourself to a copy.

Question for You

Do you enjoy reading Christmas stories?

What are some you plan to read this season?

Romantic Traditions: Wedding Send-Off

I heard horns honking recently, looked out the front window, and saw a sight that put a smile on this romantic’s face. A string of cars were following a bride and groom’s getaway car, making quite a ruckus.

Upon hearing that noisy sendoff, I was was whisked back to my childhood when that sound used to make me go all mushy inside as I imagined the day I’d be a bride leaving my wedding seated beside my brand new husband.

Dreams don’t always turn out the way we expect.

Sometimes they’re even better.

Such was the case when Gwynly and I wed.

I’m giving a fist pump to the couple who gifted us the ride, expressing my thanks and telling them they outdid themselves.

Instead of a car trailing tin cans and tennis shoes, one of our groomsmen and his wife gifted us a ride in a 1950s Rolls Royce.

Instead of our friends tailing us honking, we walked down a red carpet to the classy car, sipped sparkling cider, and enjoyed a quiet ride in the lap of luxury.

That ride was one of the most romantic I’ve ever experienced!

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If you’re married, what was your wedding sendoff like?

If you’re not married, what’s the most romantic sendoff you’ve seen?