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Looking Out the Window: Jennifer Slattery Tells Us about Her New Book, When Dawn Breaks, and Discusses Valentine's Gifts. Gives Away a Book.

 
A Warm Welcome to Jennifer Slattery

Jennifer will give away a print copy of When Dawn Breaks. To enter to win leave a comment and an e-mail address below.

Jennifer's Shares Her Thoughts on Valentine's Gifts

February is coming. You know what that means, right? Husbands across the nation stressing and conniving as they try to find that perfect Valentine’s gift. The media doesn’t help, with jewelry commercials depicting Mr. Sensitive surprising his love with a very expensive ring. The kind I’ve lost. On numerous occasions.

Once it was almost shipped to Japan. It isn’t that I don’t find the ring, or any other gift my husband gives me, special. I do. I cherish that glimmering band, but not because of the rock. Rather, I cherish the marriage it represents.

And all the memories that encompasses. Some of my favorites are the simplest. I find it a bit surprising that most of my memories, in fact, involve he and I walking hand-in-hand, talking. About everything and absolutely nothing.

When our daughter was young, we lived in a small apartment in Southern California. Each day, as four o’clock rolled around, I’d tidy the house, peek out the window, watch the door, anxiously awaiting my husband’s return. Then, when he’d arrive, we’d plop our princess in the baby backpack and walk to the corner store where we’d buy a giant fountain soda and a bag of pretzels. Then we’d walk back, munching, sipping, talking. Laughing.

That was almost 17 years ago, and yet, it’s still one of my favorite memories, one of my favorite “dates”. One that cost us maybe $3. Because often it’s those simple, quiet, and peaceful moments that mean the most.

I wonder if my husband knows this. I have a feeling, even if I were to tell him, he’d still stress, plot, and plan, trying to find that perfect Valentine’s Day gift. And that’s fine. So long as, after the gifts are exchanged and our restaurant meal eaten, he twines his fingers in mine and we go for a romantic, leisurely stroll.

What about you? What are some of your most romantic memories? Do you find any of them unexpected? If you could plan your favorite Valentine’s Day, what would you do? Where would you go?



About When Dawn Breaks

As the hurricane forces Jacqueline to evacuate, her need for purpose and restitution propel her north to her estranged and embittered daughter and into the arms of a handsome new friend. However, he’s dealing with a potential conspiracy at work, one that could cost him everything, and Jacqueline isn’t sure if he will be the one she can lean on during the difficult days ahead. Then there are the three orphans to consider, especially Gavin. Must she relinquish her chance at having love again in order to be restored?

Read a free, 36-page excerpt here

You can buy a copy 

On Amazon
On Barnes and Noble
On CBD

Bio
Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her teenage daughter and coffee dates with her handsome railroader husband.

Visit with Jennifer online at Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud

Her debut novel, Beyond I Do, is currently on sale at Amazon for under $4 (print and kindle version)! You can get that here

Comments

June Foster said…
Jennifer, your story about your husband is so sweet... and romantic. You're blessed to have a wonderful marriage. Happy Valentine's Day.
Miss Mae said…
I love your simple memory. :) As the commercial used to say, "simple things are the best". I find that to be so true. To me, nothing is more romantic than simply to sit on the front porch swing with my husband and share the beauty of a sunset across the ridge of the mountains. Best to you in your writing endeavors. :)
Beth Carpenter said…
Awwww. What a lovely memory. Hope you have a wonderful and romantic Valentine's day.
Gina said…
What a wonderful memory, Jennifer. So nice to meet you :) Best wishes with your writing projects.
You're right on, the most genuine memories are the truest treasures. I started seeing my husband-to-be while taking care of my mother at home, and due to her Alzheimer's, every day was different and we simply played things by ear since it was next to impossible to plan anything. Valentine's Day? Not the fancy restaurant he would have preferred. But it was incredibly romantic, dashing out to the local Newport Creamery and sharing a "Love You Sundae". 18 years later, we still go there every February 14th.
Gail, thank you for a beautiful and romantic post.
Sonja said…
Sweet Valentine read! Would love to be the winner. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day. It's a special day! sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com
Laurean Brooks said…
One of my favorite memories is when as newlyweds, my hubby and I visited Reelfoot lake. We strolled hand in hand until we reached the lake. Several ducks swam in and out among the Cypress trees, quacking. My husband picked out a female and began to coax her softly. "Come here, come here." She swam over quacking then swam back to her mate. Hubby called her back time and again, but she always fussed at him then returned to her mate's side. This sweet and silly scene showed me a side of my husband I hadn't seen before. His tender heart.
Laurean Brooks said…
Regina, (forgot to say) thank you for interiewing Jennifer. And...Jennifer, I'd love to have a print copy of your wonderful book. landtbeth@yahoo dot com
Anonymous said…
Thanks, June! It's been a lot of work at times--we almost got a divorced about 14 years ago but chose to stick it out and build our relationship. I'm so glad we did! I'll be sharing our story at a marriage conference on Feb. 7th. Hopefully, others will be encouraged to do the same.

Miss Mae, thanks. Oh, that truly sounds lovely! For the longest time I've had a vision of my husband and I, when both of us are old. We're sitting on a front porch that looks out to a pond, him whittling, me writing. Not sure where that porch and pond would be, but... :)

Beth, thanks. I Hope you have a great Valentine's Day, too! If you're in a special relationship, I hope the two of you do something special, simple, and sweet. If not, I hope you do something special just for you!

Thanks, Gina, it's good to meet you, too. :) What a precious story you have! That sounds so incredibly romantic! I love real life heros, those we ladies can lean hard on when times are tough or crazy. It sounds like you've got one of those! And 18 years???? Awesome!

Hi, Sonja! Thanks so much for stopping by, and thanks for the well wishes. Best of luck in the give-away drawing!

Laureen, that sounds enchanting! Have the two of you had a chance to return to that location? I imagine it would be such a sweet way to relive a precious day. :)

Jennifer what wonderful memories you have. Sorry to get here at the eleventh hour. Sue and I have been married for 52 years. We've had so many memories, many good and also heart breaking ones. Life gets complicated. One of our grandsons, a seven year old, is living with us. Everyone at church and others love him. He's a joy to us. Your writings sound so inspired. Have Gail put my name in the hat if it isn't too late. Thanks Gail for the interview. I'm looking forward to being on your interview soon.
Deanna Stevens said…
Love your romantic story. I'd like to take an unplanned road trip. Eat supper out and spend the night away from home. I love alone time with my husband :)
dkstevensneAToutlookDoTCo M
Happy Valentine's Day ! !

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