The Guy I'm Not Dating and Free Books!

This could be the start of a "they lived happily ever after" love story, if only she hadn't sworn off dating. 

We've had a schedule change for today's interview, so I'm going to feature and give away a signed copy of one of my past novels, The Guy I'm Not Dating (Harvest House Publishers, 2006). But first, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Christmas Cookie Mystery, by Naomi Miller, is:

teamob4@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

Here's the storyline in a nutshell:

Kara Richardson has finally suffered one breakup too many. She's decided to go the no-dating route to romance, although she's not quite sure how that works.

She couldn't have picked a worse time to meet Gabe Paolino. Gorgeous men hardly faze Kara. A personal trainer, she works with hunks every day. But Gabe, the handsome young deli owner in town, proves way too available and way too challenging for Kara's vow of friendship. How will she adhere to her new lifestyle without scaring Gabe away?

Enter matchmaking friends, a strange elderly aunt, three demanding teens, and one hard-to-take vixen with eyes for Gabe. Add an overcrowded road trip and plenty of God's blessings, and Kara may discover that the guy she's not dating is the best boyfriend she's ever had.

And since I usually ask my guests to give us an idea of who they would cast in the movie version of their novels, I'm reposting what I said a few years ago about the hero and heroine of The Guy:

This is Shelby Lynne, a country music singer. I haven't a clue whether or not the girl can act, but this particular picture of her was very much how I pictured Kara (although Kara was less serious looking than this).






And this guy? I have no idea who this person is in real life, but he's how I pictured Gabe. Tall, dark, not too pretty, not too rugged. Juuuuuuuuust right. Okay, maybe he looks a little bit pretty here, but picture him in a white T-shirt and jeans. That's Gabe.

If you'd like to be entered into the drawing for a signed copy of The Guy I'm Not Dating, leave your answer to the following question:

What do you think of the idea that some Christians decide to hold off on "just" dating, waiting until they know someone well enough that marriage is the plan right from Date #1?

I'll randomly draw a name and email address from the comments list and my subscriber list on Monday, January 30. Leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE