Romantic Reads: Kiss Me Once Again (book) by Gail Kittleson

Welcome Gail Kittleson to the blog!

She's here to share the story behind the story of her book, Kiss Me Once Again.

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Kiss Me Once Again: The Story Behind the Story

A guest post by Gail Kittleson

When Glenora Carson’s story first came to me, I didn’t anticipate writing a romance. This World War II tale evolved into just that, however.

Romance has never excited me because I like more complicated stories. Girl gets guy—that’s the basic plotline, right? Well, maybe I had a thing or two to learn.

World War II complicated everything. When you’re worried that a brother, sister, or parent may not return from battle, the entire setting burgeons with obstacles.

Egotistical commanders may make haphazard decisions that lead to needless deaths. The enemy may change tactics and surprise a unit. (This occurred in North Africa when Rommel shocked American commanders by reversing his course.)

On the home front, wild things can happen, as well. In Glenora’s case, just when she thought she had most things managed, her father’s health began to decline. Worry about her brother Red’s ship being struck by a typhoon in Nakagusuku Wan, near Okinawa, most likely had something to do with that.

Time has dragged on since then, with no word about Red. Is he still alive? If he ever comes home, will he be able to marry his high school sweetheart and take Glenora’s place at their father’s garage? That was his plan before December 7, 1941, but so much has happened in the interval.

For one thing, Glenora has been filling his spot there...will she have to continue wielding her wrench and pliers for the rest of her life? She’s already sacrificed her college scholarship and dreams of teaching home economics to keep the garage open.

Then, out of the blue, a convalescing soldier named Hank returns to town. With his bent for mechanics, his uncle volunteers him to help out at the garage. Thankful she can now devote her time to organizing the books, Glenora attempts to add more figures to the “paid” column.

Relieved of crawling under broken-down tractors and farm trucks to diagnose and fix problems, Glenora can now pay more attention to her other tasks...housekeeping, gardening, and contributing to the war effort in every way possible. When her mother died a few years ago, all of these responsibilities fell to her—there simply aren’t enough hours in her day.

Hank brings relief with him, but also another complication. Back in 1941 when her beau went down with the Arizona, Glenora buried her dreams of romance and having a family of her own. Hank’s presence in the shop urges those dreams to surface, but he seems bent on his own dream of studying under the G.I. Bill as soon as the war ends.

On top of that, he’s kind, honest, tenderhearted, and a good worker. If that weren’t enough, he also has a way with her dad.

This is where my plot led me...right into the complications of romance! I hope you like this old-fashioned World War II story.

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Author Bio:

Writing has always been Gail’s passion, but building her self-confidence took decades, so she’s a late-bloomer. 

Her addiction to the World War II era guides her plot choices, and her Women of the Heartland is all about honoring the make-do Greatest Generation who sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom.

Gail and her husband live in northern Iowa and enjoy Arizona’s Mogollon Rim Country in the winter. They also enjoy grandchildren and gardening. It’s no secret why Gail calls her website Dare to Bloom, and she loves to encourage other writers through facilitating workshops.

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Book Blurb for Kiss Me Once Again:

No one ever accused Glenora Carson of being a breathtaking beauty. Her tall, gangly figure and angular face are more solid Midwestern stock than Hollywood glamour. But Joe liked her. He even told her, “You’re the one for me.” He gave her a locket with. his picture inside, to remind her of him while he was away, serving his country on the U.S.S. Arizona.

After December 7, 1941, Glenora shelves her dreams of attending college on the scholarship she was offered by Iowa State University, locks her heart away, and focuses on holding down the home front by helping out the family business—Carlson’s Garage. The grease-stained overalls didn’t do much to compliment her female. figure, but they did cover her female heart well enough.

That is, until Hank Anderson, a wounded warrior back from battle, walks into the garage and into Glenora’s life. Is an old maid’s future Glenora’s fate, or will Cupid throw a wrench in her plans?

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Buy Gail's book on Amazon

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Connect with Gail:
Website: http://www.gailkittleson.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GailKittlesonAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/GailGkittleson

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/gailkittleson

Devotionals for the Heart: Devotion

Hopefully devoted
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

When I think of the word “devoted,” my Gram immediately comes to mind.

A child of the Depression, she learned to make do in a tough world. She moved with her entire family to Miami from Brooklyn, New York, when she was thirteen, and by the time she came of age, World War II was in full swing. She met and married her husband, my grandfather, at age nineteen, and raised three kids in the suburbs while working as a bookkeeper and keeping house.

I loved him dearly, but I imagine my Gramps wasn’t an easy man to be married to—and yet my Gram was always there by his side, devoted, in spite of his temper and other quirks best left to time.

When her children grew up and left home, Gram continued to be a devoted wife, but also a woman devoted to many others in her life. Her widowed mom began a battle with Alzheimer’s, and so my great-grandmother moved in with them, and Gram became her full-time caregiver until my great-grandmother’s death. Shortly after her passing, my Great-Aunt Ethel took ill. Again, Gram didn’t hesitate—Aunt Ethel moved right into the vacant spare bedroom, and there she remained, happy and well loved until her death.

Over the years, Gram took in a host of people in need—my cousin Vikki and Vikki’s young son when they fell on hard times; her childhood friend Annie when Annie’s family no longer had enough space; eventually my Gramps himself, between cancer and a long and difficult battle with dementia. Even a litter of alley-kittens (in spite of Gram’s horrible cat allergy!) became her “flock.”

In her care and devotion for others, Gram embodied love. She embodied Jesus.

Gram’s love and devotion brings to mind for me the Apostle Paul’s reminder to the early church to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV).

Devotion is a big word. Essentially, it means “all-in.” It’s a sacrifice of self, a sacrifice much like Jesus made for us on the cross: one that sometimes saps our strength and our pocketbooks, our time and our energy. It means giving relentlessly, radically, fully.

It’s the kind of love embodied by my Gram, who gave of her body, her soul, her time, her heart, her home, her finances—everything she had to care for those under her watch.

Be devoted, as God is, was, and has always been to us—a nonstop, all-in, all-consuming, total love. For in loving others, we love God. And we model God’s love for us.

I pray I can follow in my Gram’s footsteps in my devotion to those in my world—family, friends, neighbors, and those in need.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach.  

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Learn more about her fiction and read her blog at http://jessicabrodie.com/shiningthelight.

Devotionals for the Heart: Restoration

Restoring your soul
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“He restores my soul.” ~Psalm 23:3 (ESV)

Every moment of each day has the potential to be filled with hope or filled with despair. Daily living may include activities which give us joy or bring on stress. Smiles one moment and tears the next moment. From employment worries, financial concerns, health issues, relationship challenges and “to do” lists invading our thoughts and making the heart beat faster and the pulse feel like you're running a never-ending race. We can become consumed with worry.

Have you ever experienced one of those days? A day when everything seemed to be going wrong? A time when the car wouldn’t start, the bills are overdue, the dinner burned on the stove, the laundry machine overflowed onto the floor, the school is calling with news of a bad situation or any other worrisome event.

Pause for a moment. In those seemingly endless situations where you felt like all you could do was fall to the floor and cry, what was your initial reaction? What was your response to everything happening around you? What about things you have no control over? What about things you do have control over and they still went the wrong way?

Did you blame someone? Did you blame God? What were the first words out of your mouth or the first thoughts in your mind? Was your question something like, “Why God? Why do bad things keep happening to me and my family? What is the reason? How can we go on like this? I can’t take this anymore. I don’t know what to do.”

I have experienced those awful days. Times when my heart has broken into pieces and I felt deeply at a loss for a remedy to the situation. Through medical diagnosis of breast cancer and the after-effects of surgery and treatment, to the loss of both of my parents, to job changes and financial concerns and so much more, I have been that person who fell to my knees and asked, “Why? Lord, are you trying to teach me something? What is the purpose in all of this mess?”

The storms of life hit and thankfully, I have a way to find peace and comfort. Yes, I still encounter the storms and stumble through them. But, I am not alone. You are not alone.

Through learning to rely on God and not myself, I found an answer to help me. No, the problems aren’t all “fixed”. Yet, there is one response to my worry that comforts me the most.

You may ask, “What? How can anyone find comfort in the saddest of times?”

My answer is this. Call out to God. Cry to Him. Give Him your joys and your concerns. He knows your heart already. He is waiting for you. Share your thoughts and your pain with Him. Talk with God. He is ready to restore your soul.

Saying His name provides comfort for me. 

Father ... Jesus ... God ... Savior ... Creator ...

Those are just some of His names. Breathe in and say His name. Breathe out and say His name. Concentrate on Him.

Pause...say His name. Call to Him. He is listening. Let Him restore your soul.

Problems and stressful times will come and go. God will always be here for us. Remember that His love is overflowing and never-ending. He loves you.

Have a glorious and blessed day,

Melissa Henderson

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Author Bio:

Melissa Henderson and her husband Alan live in South Carolina.

Married for over 38 years, they have one son (Mike) who is married to daughter-in-love (Christine) and now are blessed by precious grandson (Rowan). 

Melissa was taught the love of reading and writing at an early age from her parents. She is now working on her first inspirational fiction novel.

Her passions are volunteering, Bible Studies and reading and writing. Connect with Melissa online, https://mimionlife.wordpress.com.SaveSave