Laura Strickland Shares Romance: In Action
When I was younger, I had definite ideas about what made something “romantic”. I guess all girls do. Young women tend to sit and weave dreams into hopes and expectations. Back then I thought it was all about the sigh-worthy gesture: the long and meaningful gaze, the single red rose, the walk hand-in-hand through the moonlight. If a young man had written me a heart-felt love poem, I probably would have swooned.
The truth is, men don’t particularly want women who go around swooning and life’s not all about red roses. Life’s about loyalty and courage and hard choices. It’s about a kind word when your partner’s exhausted. It’s about sacrificing your comfort for the one you love.
Laura’s Romance
Eventually I met a young man with a romantic heart. How did he express that tendency toward romance? Well, he did give me a dozen red roses after our first date. More important, he was there for me when my life fell apart. And he’s been there every day since for nearly forty years. Having studied the heart of the man, I can share the most romantic thing he does for me: even if he’s feeling tired and beat-up from shoveling the driveway during one of our harsh, Western New York winters, he never leaves for work without cleaning my car off, just so I won’t have to. And every time I walk out the door and see that car, I feel loved. Better than roses, that’s romance in action!
What’s the most romantic thing a man’s ever done for you?
Laura’s Best Author Tip:
And here’s a writing tip (free of charge): include some of the everyday in your romance writing. Encourage your reader to relate to your characters by letting them see the simple romantic gestures in the hero and heroine’s lives. We’re not all millionaires but we all need love… Also, when doing a promotion I like to give away something that reminds your recipient that each day is beautiful—a simple bracelet or nature-themed bag. Beautiful doesn’t have to be expensive!
Laura Strickland’s Latest Release:
Awake On Garland Street
Blurb:
Brendan O’Rourke hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep since he arrived back at the family home in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The famed Celtic fiddler’s being haunted by the ghost of his great-grandfather, Charlie, who’s bent on keeping Brendan from ruining his life with the same selfish choice he made between music and the woman he loved.
Grace Dawe was finished with Brendan O’Rourke eight years ago when he chose music over their relationship. So why can’t she look at him now without going weak in the knees? And why, when he offers everything she’s ever wanted, is she considering his welfare above her own? Not until a beautiful old tune shows them the true meaning of love will they find a way to play their own song.
Buy links:
The Wild Rose Press: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4651-awake-on-garland-street.html
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/awake-on-garland-street-laura-strickland/1124649138?ean=2940157128760
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/awake-on-garland-street
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32183922-awake-on-garland-street?ac=1&from_search=true
Social Media Links:
Author Web site: www.laurastricklandbooks.com
Author Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000002632317
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Your hubby sound like a real romantic hero, Laura. It’s the little things that count. I also thought your suggestion to include those little romantic gestures in our stories was very helpful.
Truth to tell, CB, my husband’s far more romantic than I’ll ever be! Glad you enjoyed the post.
I loved your story, Laura! Thank you for sharing this with us. It warmed my heart. All the best with your latest release, too.
Thank you so much Mary, my friend!
No matter who’s around, my husband doesn’t leave the house without giving me three kisses. He’s more romantic than I am. My daughter-in-law says he’s been a great example to my son. My daughter says he sets the bar high for the guys she dates.
Your advice is spot on.
Good luck with Awake on Garland Street. It sounds terrific.
Sandra, It’s hard living up to a man so romantic, isn’t it? But how lucky are we??? Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful summary of true romance as well as great writing advice. Awake on Garland Street sounds like another triumph–one of many excellent books with your name on them.
Aw, Sorchia, now you’re making me blush. (I love it!) Thanks!
And…I liked your writing tip.It will work for even us historical authors. Best of luck on your latest book. It sounds terrific!
It definitely is the little things that count, Laura. But I do recall a particular day when my husband and I had just started dating that I was feeling terribly down about something–I don’t even remember what. I hadn’t said anything to him about the problem, though, I remember–I didn’t know him well enough yet. We stopped for gasoline at a country convenience store and he came out with one of those artificial red roses–the kind that used to be sold at the cash register in those small stores. He got in the car and gave it to me, saying he noticed I was troubled by something and he hoped this would make me feel better until he could bring the real thing. That thoughtful gesture meant so much–I kept that rose for years until it disappeared during a move.
Oh, Barb–now, that man’s a keeper! Must be the model for all those dreamy heroes you create. Glad you were smart enough to hang on to him. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely message about what is truly romantic. Thanks for sharing!
Claire, Thanks for stopping by!
Really nice post for Valentine’s week. Good reminder that life isn’t about the roses, it’s about the little things that matter. Best of luck with this book, sounds great!
Thanks so much, Katie!
So true, life isn’t always roses and romance. But it is the little things that make life easier that set the man, woman apart. In my case, my hubby always calls on his way home to see if there is anything I need. That often has saved me a trip to the store when I start dinner only to discover I need something. Great post. Thanks for sharing! Loved your excerpt will be adding Awake On Garland Street to my TBR list while summer camping.
Tena, The true beauty of your husband calling home is that it shows he’s thinking of you–it’s the connection that matters. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by!
I’m swooning. Great post. Your promotion tips are spot on too. Beautiful doesn’t have to be expensive.
Charlotte, I think the most touching gifts are the ones the giver really plans and hopes for. Thanks for stopping by!
Laura – you hit the nail on the proverbial head – and right in the romantic heart!!! it’s the everyday things that make love romantic. I don’t go in for the big gestures – jewelry, cars, trips! I love a simple home made card, or my hubby pulling the word jumble from the newspaper and leaving it on the kitchen table for me to do. Those little things that we know about one another and try to do for one another – without ever asking – are the true measures of a romantic heart. Great post!!!
Laura – you hit the nail on the proverbial head – and right in the romantic heart!!! it’s the everyday things that make love romantic. I don’t go in for the big gestures – jewelry, cars, trips! I love a simple home made card, or my hubby pulling the word jumble from the newspaper and leaving it on the kitchen table for me to do. Those little things that we know about one another and try to do for one another – without ever asking – are the true measures of a romantic heart. Great post!!!