I have a new book releasing today called The Christmas Vow. The story, set in the 1890s, is about a man who returns to his hometown to bury his best friend and encounters the woman who broke his heart when they were both eighteen.
Although Adam is determined to stay away from her, he can no more leave her alone than he can stop needing air to breathe.
Tia is a widow with a four-year-old son, Toby, and came back to the town where she grew up to regroup and get a fresh start.
When her former father-in-law threatens to take her son away, Adam vows to keep both Tia and Toby safe. They wed immediately, a marriage of convenience (or so they both try to convince themselves), for Toby's sake.
As I was writing the story, it really got me thinking about vows.
Did they hold more weight back then than they do now? Do vows still mean something to people?
I like to think they do.
What, exactly, is a vow?
There are any number of ways to define it, but in its most simple form, a vow is a solemn promise.
Vows are most often associated with love and marriage.
In the story, Adam takes his vows quite seriously.
The ceremony was simple and
brief, but Adam took each word to heart. He didn’t lightly make a vow to Tia. For
as long as she’d allow, he would cherish and protect her.
After all, a vow was much more
than a promise, far deeper than a commitment. It was a pledge, a troth to
another, and Adam intended to honor every word.
Even if Tia never felt another
ounce of love for him, he would shelter her from life’s storms, encourage her
dreams, and offer her a safe haven in his arms.
One of my favorite vows is from The Vow by Nicholas Sparks.
Married for almost twenty-two years, I recall the vows I exchanged with Captain Cavedweller like it was just yesterday. Humor and love are two threads that have been woven through our relationship from the start.
Which is why this vow is particularly fitting:
What are your thoughts on vows?
The Christmas Vow is the fourth book in the Hardman Holidays sweet Victorian romance series.
Columbia
River Pilot Adam Guthry returns to his hometown of Hardman, Oregon,
after the sudden death of his best friend. Emotions he can’t contain
bubble to the surface the moment he sees the girl who shattered his
heart eleven years ago.
Widow
Tia Devereux escapes her restrictive life in Portland, returning to the
home she knew and adored as a girl in Hardman. She and her
four-year-old son, Toby, settle into the small Eastern Oregon community,
eager for the holiday season. Unfortunately, the only man she’s ever
loved shows up, stirring the embers of a long-dead romance into a
blazing flame. When her former father-in-law, a corrupt judge, decides
he wants to raise Toby, Adam may be the only hope she has of keeping her
son.
You can order your copy today for only $2.99 on Amazon! http://amzn.to/1KQHhvI
Teaser
“I believe that’s exactly the
point.” Adam’s lopsided grin revealed his dimples and made her mouth water for
want of his kiss.
Aggravated with herself, Tia
aimed her fury at Adam. “The point is your recklessness might get you or
someone else horribly injured.” She turned around and strode toward the kitchen
door. “I insist you…”
A snowball caught her square in
the back. Mouth hanging open in surprise, she spun around and glared at him.
Adam worked to form another
snowball, ignoring her scowl.
Incensed, Tia surrendered to the
need to stamp her foot. “How dare you!”
“Just like this.” He grinned and
lobbed another snowball at her, catching her on the shoulder. Bits of snow
sprayed into her face and hair.
“Oh! You are in for it now, Adam
Guthry!” Tia bent down and hastily formed a snowball. With unmistakable precision,
she threw it at Adam, hitting him on the chin.
He spluttered and returned fire,
barely grazing her arm as she twisted away at the last second.
Peals of her laughter filled the
quiet December afternoon and drew Toby outside as she and Adam continued to
throw snow at each other.
“Mama?” The little boy’s lip
quivered. “Did you send me inside so you could play without me?”
Don't miss out on the Hardman Holidays series!
You’re Invited to PARTY!
You’re invited to join in the online Cowboys & Christmas Facebook Party, today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (PST). Drop in anytime during those four hours to enter to win great prizes, chat with guest authors, and more (many of the giveaways will stay open until the following morning)!
Here’s the link to the party: http://tinyurl.com/cowboychristmasparty2
The talented guest authors joining in the celebration include:
10 a.m. - Carmen Peone
10:30 - Kayla Dawn Thomas
11 a.m. - Melanie D. Snitker, Author
11:30 - Julie Cerniglia Lence
Noon - Author CJ Samuels
12:30 - Rachel Rossano
1 p.m. - Author Kristin Holt
1:30 - Dani Harper
Enter to Win Prizes!
To enter the drawing for an Amazon gift card, Wrangler Tote Bag, Rock & Roll Cowgirl T-shirt, autographed books, chocolates, and more fun goodies, fill out this form. Winners will be randomly drawn and announced Nov. 16. http://tinyurl.com/cowboychristmasprizes2
November 1 through December 24, ten percent of the net proceeds from all Shanna Hatfield book sales will be donated to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
The JCCF is a non-profit organization that assists rodeo athletes
who’ve sustained catastrophic injuries and are unable to work for an
extended period. Every book purchased during this promotional period
adds to the donation total. Don't forget to add books to your Christmas
lists!
Ring in the Holidays with a Helping Hand
November 1 through December 24, ten percent of the net proceeds from all Shanna Hatfield book sales will be donated to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
The JCCF is a non-profit organization that assists rodeo athletes
who’ve sustained catastrophic injuries and are unable to work for an
extended period. Every book purchased during this promotional period
adds to the donation total. Don't forget to add books to your Christmas
lists!About Shanna Hatfield
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen, one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with characters that seem incredibly real.
When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
This USA Today bestselling author is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, and Pioneer Hearts.
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Hi Shanna! Love this post! Another favorite quote of mine about love and marriage is ~
ReplyDelete"True love says: Jump. I'll catch you." A fun sense of humor is what has made my own marriage so enjoyable through the years (among other things...)
That's wonderful, Kathryn! And laughter has been such a blessing to my 20+ years of marriage!
DeleteLoved this one. Also you pose some interesting questions. Thanks. Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author
ReplyDeletelovely post, Shanna!
ReplyDelete