My latest novella collection, The Kissing Tree released this week, and I have to say that I think this is my favorite novella I’ve ever written. I had so much fun with the characters. Phoebe with her dreamy, romantic nature and Barnabas with his stodgy practicality and internal wit. They were both definitely Inn for a Surprise when cupid’s arrow struck.
Before Phoebe built the inn that she and Barnabas are forced to collaborate on, she wrote a column for Lippincott’s literary magazine called Tales from the Kissing Tree. The initials carved in her beloved Kissing Tree served as the inspiration for her successful series. I thought it would be fun to share one of her tales with you.
Click here to read the free prequel short story – The Keepsake.
Facebook Party
If you would like the chance to learn more about The Kissing Tree collection, chat with the authors, play games, and win prizes – I’d love to invite you to join us for a Facebook event tomorrow evening – Friday, October 16. Working with Regina, Amanda, and Nicole was an absolute delight, and we are excited to share some of the fun with you. Click here to RSVP.
Giveaway
I have two copies of The Kissing Tree to give away today.
To enter – Leave a comment about a time you were surprised by a romantic gesture or describe a special keepsake that holds tender memories for you.
Giveaway valid for US addresses only.
UPDATE: We have our winners. Congratulations to Jeanne Doyon and Una Ireland! Be watching your email, ladies, for instructions on how to claim your prize.
What a joy to read everyone’s comments! So many wonderful keepsakes and treasured romantic gestures. I know where to turn the next time I need ideas for my books!
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One evening my hubby called me out to the witch where he had set up our chairs, side tables, and appetizers (cheese, crackers, and red grapes) with wine. There was music playing softly along with the night sounds. We enjoyed that time together as I saw a romantic side of him emerged. He gets more and more thoughtful as we get older. We have been married forty years, but these glimpses make us feel like newlyweds.
*porch – darn auto correct
What a wonderful evening, Jeanne! My husband and I have only been married 28 years, but I have definitely found that his romantic gestures have gotten better with age. 🙂
Well, when I was about 18 or 19 (about 22 yrs ago); someone I had been talking to online for a while (back when it was dial up internet). He lived 2 hrs or so away and he wanted to meet me. Due to some past things and social anxiety; I was terrified to meet him.
Well it ended up we were going to be down in his area. I was going to see someone at the State Hospital in that town. Well, this guy I had been talking to on the internet left a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a card with his picture in it at the reception desk.
Oh how I wish I had, had the guts to meet him. I was touched and freaked out by the amazing gesture. I didn’t realize what a gem I had or that I deserved to be treated that way.
I’ve since tried finding him on Facebook, if for no other reason than to thank him for making me feel so special one moment in time and how sorry I was that my fears got in the way of meeting him and how truly special of a guy he is
.If he’s on Facebook i cannot find him. Bummed me out. But I still have that sweet memory and I might even still have the card, short note, pic and florist card. I kept it for a really long time. But the memory is still there. 🙂
What a sweet story, Sabrina.
The problem is I have too many keepsakes. We recently downsized and unfortunately I have had to part with a lot of keepsakes! I’ve had to shred boxes of cards, ticket stubs and programs, rocks, shells, stuff that was important at the time but the memories have faded. Oh well time for new memories and stuff! I still have lots of treasures and clean closets!
What a great attitude, Linda! Sometimes it’s hard to know what to keep and what to let go. But clean closets and less clutter are certainly a plus. 🙂
I don’t really have any stories about romantic gestures or keepsakes. But I’d really love to win The Kissing Tree. Thanks for the chance!
You’re welcome, Chanel!
Welcome today Karen. Cat wait to read this new book of yours. I have a two keepsake rings of my mom. One-her grandmother was Cherokee. She was a strong and gentle woman. When she met her husband, he took her to a fair where they had a game. Nails standing up in a cut log and the person with the hammer had to hit each nail once striking the nail all the way into the log. My grandmother won and her prize was a gold band. It was passed down to my mom and she took it to a jeweler and he said that yes it was 14 karat gold. I have it now and when I wear it I think about my great grandmother. I will pass it down to my daughter. Second-moms mother gave her a ring when she turned sixteen. Mom took it to a jeweler and he said that that particular stone has not been found for many years, to hang onto it for it is worth a lot of money now. I wear it thinking of both my mom and grandmother. I will also pass this on to my daughter.
What precious treasures, Lori! I love that you know the stories behind them. How wonderful to be able to pass those down along with the rings to the next generation!
Sticking with me for almost 50 years and letting me know how much I am loved everyday is pretty special! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book by 4 of my favorite writers.
Congratulations on 50 years together, Carolyn! What a wonderful testimony to the power of love and godly commitment.
Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book! My husband surprised me on our fifteenth anniversary with a friend playing our song on saxophone during our dinner at a fancy restaurant. He got down on one knee, proposed (because he never officially did) and gave me a ruby, emerald, and diamond anniversary band. 😍
I love that! So romantic and unexpected. I know you treasure that ring because of the beautiful memory of that evening tied to it. Lovely!
Prior to our marriage when my husband and I were engaged, I had mentioned that I was going to a local store to pick up an outfit that I had put on layaway. When I arrived at the store to pay off the outfit and pick it up, I discovered that my fiance had paid off the item for me. I thought that was such a sweet thing for him to do and endeared him to me even more.
How thoughtful and gallant. Love that!
I have a plaque from an anniversary that reads, “ I love you in the morning, and in the afternoon. I love you in the evening and underneath the moon.” ❤️
Oh – that’s so sweet, Margaret. Beautiful.
I worked in the kitchen at our local high school. Quite often on Valentine’s Day my husband would have flowers delivered to me and it was very special! The first time was a total surprise and I felt so loved.
There’s something special about romantic surprises that make a person feel so cherished. Every few years my husband surprises me with something, and I always feel so special knowing all the thought he put into it.
My husband and I met at a club in California which had a huge reception room that had been divided into two smaller ones. I was celebrating my graduation from nursing school in one half, and he was attending a bachelor party in the other half. Each party had a band who knew each other and later in the night the bands asked if the wall could be taken down so they could have a jam session. Of course we all said yes, thus the party of nurses started dancing with the party of bachelors. The next day I was leaving for New York for good, and my future husband, who was in the Navy, would attend the wedding and head back to San Diego. We got to talking and ended up making a deal. I would be his date for the wedding if he would take me to the airport on his way back to base. At the wedding the priest asked if we were married. We both laughed and said we just met the night before. The priest laughed and said I’ll be dancing at your wedding in six months.
This wonderful Navy man called me every day to talk with me. He talked with my Dad who in turn sat me down for a father daughter talk. My Dad convinced me to give him a chance. My future husband offered to pay for a plane ticket to San Diego and back if things didn’t work out. Sure enough exactly six months later we were standing before the priest saying our vows. He gave a toast at our reception, of which the only part my husband and I remember are the words, “I told you I would be dancing at your wedding in six months.”
Adriann – Your love story is better than any romance novel. How fabulous!
My husband is so good to me. He knows I love surprises. A few years ago he had planned a surprise overnight getaway. He called my sister to come be with our kids, got the house cleaned up and everything. I had no idea she was coming or anything until she knocked on the door and he told me I had 30 minutes to pack. It’s a wonderful memory! ❤️
What a fantastic surprise. He truly thought of everything! He’s a keeper for sure. 🙂
Through the 55 years of our marriage my husband has often left me little notes on the kitchen counter when he leaves for the day. They are usually just ordinary messages – like thanks for making my lunch, or I’ll be a little late getting home tonight. But lately he has been writing little comments on tiny pieces of paper and leaving them in unusual places to surprise me. Found one by the toothpaste holder. Another when I opened my laptop. And one in my Bible by my bookmark. Today it is cold outdoors, and he didn’t have time to turn the furnace on for me, but when I walked into my laundry room/office, I noticed that he had left a space heater (even plugged in) for me! An extra surprise of his loving care for me! ♥
The abundance of little things adds up to something very large indeed. What a wonderful, caring husband you have, Grace. 🙂
Who doesn’t love a thoughtful romantic gesture? My husband of 41 years heard me complaining about my watch that kept losing time. I said that I wanted to pick out my next watch, but I was too busy to even start looking. On a particularly tough day, I came home from work to find a box from my hubby. He said he had picked out a watch for me. My initial thought was irritation because, doggone it, I wanted to pick it out, and here was one more thing I didn’t have time for etc. etc. I took a deep breath, gave a quick prayer, and opened the box. It was a watch that I would have picked out and then some! Of course I burst into tears. I knew at that moment that God had been guiding my husband, and so the gift was really from both of them. My husband saying he loved me, and God letting me know that although life was hard right now, He was in control.
What a beautiful story, Katherine. I love it! And how special that watch must be to you.
This may not be considered romantic, but seven months after we were married my husband was sent to Vietnam. Action was becoming fierce and frequent. One day I received a piece of cardboard in the mail with a message scrawled on it from my husband telling me he was okay after a deadly engagement. It was a piece he had torn from his C-ration box and made it all the way to me with no postage or mail markings. It is still special to me.
My husband and I met while I was in college and he was going through officer Basic School at Quantico, Va. We were married shortly after he completed training because we knew he would probably be sent to Vietnam. So our wedding rings were bought at Penny’s for $9.95. Six years later, and five years after the above event, we were stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. On Christmas morning I opened a box containing a beautiful velveteen robe. He told me to look in the pocket, and there was a new wedding ring set – a gold band with a diamond ring connected.
Love that story, Betty. I think there was a bit of a miracle getting that scrap of cardboard to you. Wow! And what a wonderful Christmas surprise later. Lovely!
My favorite romantic gesture was when my husband surprised me for a getaway trip for our 10 year anniversary. We were living in South Florida at the time and he would not tell me where we were headed! Said to pack for a trip and grab our passports! I thought we were headed to Bahamas or somewhere near our home, but did not know our destination until we arrived at Palm Beach International Airport check in! We were headed to NYC for a few days! Complete with Broadway tickets and a trip to Ellis Island. It is still such a special memory I hold dear!
How fun! My husband has surprised me a couple times with trips I had never expected. Turned into some of the best travel memories.
Yes! 😉
When my son was born on my birthday in 1978
So sweet!
I have no surprise or keepsake stories to share but I am blown away by the stories shared today.
I agree! I’m having so much fun reading these stories.
Years ago, my boyfriend took me to get my braces off and then had the biggest tin of popcorn waiting for me once they were removed. May sound ‘corny’ (see what I did there?) but after not eating popcorn for years, it was a sweet and yummy gesture 🙂
LOL! What fun. And I love your corny pun. 🙂
My oldest daughter surprised me on my 65th b-day w/ a mystery trip to the ocean, and a helicopter ride over Destin Beach: both had been on my bucket list!
Wow! That sounds like an amazing birthday surprise, Barb!
I have a box of my grandma’s recipe cards, most of them written in her hand, and many of them for the special dishes she’d make. Just the other day I ran across a slip of paper with her frosting recipes, including the icing she’d use on the angel food cake she’d make for all our birthdays. I love being able to read the recipe and conjure up the memories of her associated with it.
What a treasure, Rachael! I lost my dad when I was a teenager, but I have a recipe for Zucchini Bread that he had written out, and it is one of my dearest treasures.
I have my Daddy’s Bibles. He graduated to Heaven January 2012.
What a precious keepsake, Caryl!
My keepsake story is about a teapot that was my grandma’s. My dad put a shelf up in our kitchen on which I put the teapot and some other things on. My hubby and I were in the basement and we heard a loud crash. We ran up the stairs to see the shelf had fallen off the wall. The teapot was broken into pieces. I cried. I then picked up the pieces and glued it back together. I can’t use it for making tea but I still have it to remind me of my grandma.
Oh no! I love that you took the time and care to put it back together.
The most valued Christmas keepsake gift I received is a purple grapes necklace my husband gave me many years ago! He always looked for earrings to match, but never found any! After his death, I was watching a jewelry show on tv and saw the earrings to match and ordered! Then I later saw a bracelet! Now I have a matched set and I’m sure my guardian angel is looking down and smiling!
How wonderful, Rebecca! It’s almost as if his gift-giving is continuing.
Something that means a lot to me is my Bible. I got a new one several years ago when I became a Christian and really committed to Jesus Christ. It has notes in the margins and lots of verses underlined. I love it because oftentimes when I read it I’ll have underlined something or made a notation and it just shows me even more how God is at work. Thank you for a chance to win your new book.
Bibles are wonderful spiritual keepsakes. I love seeing notes and underlined sections and being reminded of how God is always at work.
When I was in the 2nd grade, my teacher had us decorate brown lunch bags for Valentine’s Day. The idea was the next day when kids brought Valentines for everyone we’d have a nicely decorated spot to hold all our Valentines. I received exactly 3 items in my bag. Two were basic, store-bought cards signed by the kids’ parents. One was a note that said I look like a clown. My seven-year old heart was shattered. I had made cards for every person in my class and signed them with a note specific to each classmate. Yet I got two measly cards and a note, and the note was mean. While dating, I told my now-husband that story. He was horrified! A few anniversaries ago, I woke up to a used Carl’s Jr. bag on my nightstand. My husband said it was my anniversary gift. I was a little annoyed at the quality until I looked inside. My husband had hand-written dozens and dozens of “Valentines” for me each with a sweet thought or message. His goal was to make-up for that ugly Valentine’s Day all those years ago. To me, this is the sweetest, most romantic gesture I’ve ever received.
What a thoughtful, personal gift, Nicole! A beautiful way to redeem your past and turn it into a precious memory. So similar to how God loves us.
I have an old, fairly large pressed glass compote that was my maternal great-grandmother’s, and it was then used by my grandmother and my mother. It was placed in the center of the dining table, with fruit in it, as I was growing up. Still in good shape with no obvious chips. Always enjoy your books!
What a treasure, Cathy! I love family heirlooms like that. So much history and connection to past generations. If only that dish could talk, what stories it would tell!
I have a keepsake that belonged to my Mother years ago it is a Little Bell my youngest Son had got for her one year and It says My Grandma is the best! Thank you for this amazing giveaway this books sounds like such a great book!
I love those sweet childish gifts that come straight from the heart. They’re the best!
I have my grandmother’s 1914 wedding dress plus a few lacy blouses from around the same time period. They are in remarkably good shape and are special to me.
Wow! What a wonderful treasure, Pam. Have you ever worn them?
My hubby is the best at romantic gestures! Shortly after we were married, I mentioned to him how much I missed my dad‘s chiming clock. That year for Christmas, he got me my very own chiming clock, which has kept time in our home for over 15 years!
That is so sweet, Teri! What a thoughtful man. 🙂
I was surprised by a dozen roses 🌹 on our 12 anniversary. Now we have been married almost 44 years. Wonder will I get 44? Lol. I actually hope not because they just die. I hope to get books. Lol
I agree, Brenda. 🙂 Flowers are a nice surprise, but they can get expensive. I would much rather have a gift that lasts. Especially since I manage to kill plants before their time. My mother-in-law can keep cut flowers alive for weeks. I don’t know how she does it. 🙂
My husband gave me a blue necklace that he purchased during a business trip.to China. I have worn the necklace at 2 of our son’s weddings. I am looking forward to wearing it at our youngest sons wedding one day as well.
I love that you have the “something blue” for their weddings. Especially since it’s such a romantic gift in and of itself. Lovely, Maryann!
I have several rings that belonged to my grandmother who has passed away. One of them is the engagement ring my grandfather gave her. I have a vase from my other grandmother who has also passed away. They are very special items to me. Thanks for a fun giveaway.
I have a bracelet that my sister wore for several years. We would steal the bracelet from each other and wear it. She wanted to give it to me before she passed but I wanted her to have it until the last minute.