Valerie: Today I’ve got three men visiting Inspy Romance to chat about their experiences. Let’s start out with the obvious: how did you become a single dad?
Ian Tomlinson: My wife was killed in a car accident when our daughter, Sophie, was very young. She’s six now.
Mason Waterman: I wasn’t married — wasn’t a Christian at the time my girlfriend Erin became pregnant with twins. She wasn’t interested in settling down to motherhood, so I stepped up. Taking care of two infants sure changed my life.
Cameron Kraus: Divorced here. My wife left me and our twin sons when they were three.
Valerie: Mason, you mentioned you weren’t a believer at the time. How did you find Jesus?
Mason Waterman
hero of BERRY ON TOP
Mason: A guy from work invited me to church. I didn’t intend to go, but somehow I did. I knew I was in a big mess and needed divine intervention, to say nothing of forgiveness and a new start in life.
Valerie: What about you other men? When did you become Christians?
Cameron: I was raised in a Christian home but I wanted Lisa so much I went over to the wild side for a few years. It wasn’t enough for her, and I wasn’t happy without Jesus in my life. When she left, it was the catalyst that drove me back to faith.
Ian: My parents brought me up in the church as well. I didn’t ever really stray… but I was pretty good at controlling everything. It’s hard to “let go and let God” as the saying goes.
Mason: Preach.
Valerie: What’s been your biggest challenge as a single parent?
Cameron: Childcare, hands down.
Ian: Ditto. Especially when I took a promotion and moved to a different town where I didn’t have a social net.
Mason: Same, only I moved back home so my parents could help with the kids. And I hadn’t held a steady job in a few years — well, ever — so just making ends meet has been a huge challenge. And loneliness.
Cameron: Yeah, that. Loneliness.
Valerie: Tell me about your kids.
Mason: Uh, Christopher is so much like me it scares me sometimes. Avery is desperate for a mom in her life to the point where she soaks up attention from any woman who’ll give it to her. They’re five.
Cameron: This makes me laugh. Not at you, bro, but with you. My boys are not much older and are a bit of a wild pair. Evan and Oliver aren’t identical twins, but that doesn’t keep people from confusing them.
Mason: Obviously mine aren’t identical either. Are yours desperate for a mom?
Cameron: Not as desperate as I am for a wife! Those two are always getting into stuff. Boys will be boys, I guess.
Ian Tomlinson
hero of PINKY PROMISE
Ian: I find it interesting we all have kids about the same age, only I don’t have twins. Unless you count the little girl in Sophie’s new school that shares a birthday with her! They’ve become fast friends, and the girls are convinced we should be one happy family.
Valerie: Are you all looking for a wife?
Cameron and Mason: Oh, yeah!
Valerie: What do you think is your biggest deterrent to finding the right woman to share your life?
Cameron: For me, it’s probably I’ve been brought up to believe divorced people shouldn’t remarry. My parents basically figure it’s adultery.
Valerie: Do you agree?
Cameron: I’ll admit I’ve really struggled with discovering God’s view on the topic. How much of Jesus’ and Paul’s teachings are cultural? It’s a tough question.
Valerie: It is, for sure. How about you, Mason?
Mason: All I can tell you is that God’s in the forgiving business. Sure, I have regrets. Tons of them. But every day, God reminds me of His great love for me and my kids. Even so, I struggle, too. I was full of myself for many years and hurt so many women, starting with the girl who had a crush on me back in high school. Why do I deserve happiness now? I don’t.
Valerie: God is so gracious, isn’t He! He knows the desires of our hearts because He put them in us. Ian, how about you?
Ian: Biggest deterrent? Probably me. I’m a bit of a control freak, and I’m not sure there’s a woman alive who’d put up with me. My late wife didn’t find it easy. Besides, Sophie and I do pretty well on our own, all things considered.
Valerie: So, what if I told you three that there was a special woman for each of you? A woman who loves Jesus and who will love your kids as though she gave birth to them?
Cameron Kraus
hero of ROOTED IN LOVE
Cameron: Bring it!
Mason: I’m with Cameron here.
Ian: I might need a little convincing…
Wesley Ferguson: Hey, I’m a bit late to the party. I’m a single dad, too. Can I join the discussion?
Valerie: Uh… no. Your story is still in progress, and we can’t share it with readers for a few months. Don’t worry, you’ll get your happy ending in Flavors of Forever.
Mason: Our author is gonna put you through a whole lot of anguish before you get there, though.
Cameron: Agree. Won’t be easy, but hang in there. It’s worth it.
Valerie: Enough out of you guys. Wesley has to wait his turn. Maybe I’ll have him on for a chat some other time.
There you have it, readers of Inspy Romance! It’s hard to believe that out of more than twenty stories, I’ve published only three with single dads in them! That’s about to change, though, because my next TWO releases, one of which is already written, feature single dad romances. You might be relieved to know neither of them has twins, though!
Have you read all three of my single dad stories? If so, which was your favorite? If not, have you read a single dad romance from another Inspy Romance author that you enjoyed? Tell us about it!
Ian Tomlinson’s story is found in Pinky Promise: How can two single parents fall in love for real with a pair of mini-matchmakers pushing from both sides — pinky promises or not?
Mason Waterman’s story is found in Berry on Top: If he has really changed, can she re-open her heart to him… and to the God who could have prevented her decade of heartache?
Cameron Kraus’s story is found in Rooted in Love: A divorcé with a set of rambunctious twins falls for the boys’ daycare administrator, but does he deserve another chance at love?
Interested in reading your choice of Pinky Promise, Berry on Top, or Rooted in Love? I’m offering one reader a copy (e-book only, worldwide). If you’d like to put your name in the hat, please comment before Saturday, June 16. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Edition.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
I love a second time around Romance especially with children! These books sound amazing!
I enjoy these character interviews so much.
I thought the Pinky Promise dialogs of Sophie and her little friend with each other and their mom/dad were hilarious. Loved little Avery in Berry on Top and how she took to Liz.
Hi Valerie, my mum was like Cameron- she and my dad divorced, and she struggled with the idea of remarrying and whether it was adultery or not.
I have read these- it is great to have stories about single dads and their struggles. Pinky Promise was sweet- love the little matchmakers!!
Blessings:)
PS, no need to enter me in the draw:)
Hi Valerie! No need to include me in the drawing, since I have read all three stories and enjoyed them at the time. Definitely a different time from when and where I grew up, post WW 2 amongst German immigrants who had survived the horror of war and some of the ladies alone with children and praying that their husbands would return from war. Or the Vietnam War. Interesting. Blessings to all the fathers in our circles that are juggling the pressures of work and family and living a godly life. No easy task.
These books are awesome. Loved it.
Hey, Valerie! No need to include me, as I have all three books! I found it wonderful to see these three dads interact!!
Of course, you know I cannot chose a favorite…!
Hi. Hate to say I’ve not read any of them , but would love to they all sound great. Blessings to all
I have not read any of these stories but I am sure interested. I have read single dad romances not sure which publishers though. I do love happy endings.
According to my book spreadsheet, I’ve read Pinky Promise but it was over 2 years ago so my brain doesn’t remember it. One good thing about having a poor memory is being able to read books for the 2nd (or 3rd) time and enjoy them just as much as the 1st time! I enjoyed the interviews!
You hooked me! I didn’t realize this was a character interview until the end! I prefer historical romances, but I would like to hear how these guys get a second chance! Well done!
Love this! You have a gift for these interviews. :)
These books look great.
Loved the interviews and definitely want to read their stories.
Thank you!
Thanks! I think Pinky Promise might be about the most fun I’ve ever had while writing!
Thank you so much for reading!!!
Thank you for being a faithful reader. :) Yes, times have definitely changed.
Thanks for your comment, Howard!
:D I’m glad you enjoyed.
Thanks, Brenda — you just might get your chance!
Happy endings restore our hope that, in the end, all will be right with our world. In reality, it doesn’t always happen in THIS world, but it will in the one to come! We have an awesome God.
It is definitely impossible to remember the details of all the stories we’ve read. Pinky Promise released in the spring of 2015, and that is definitely a while back.
Yay! I love contemporary… I guess that’s obvious, huh? ;)
Aw, thank you. :)
Thank you, Kim!
Thanks so much, Robin!
Have all 3, though haven’t read Rooted yet. All great stories. :) Loved the matchmaking little girls in Pinky Promise.
Thanks! Sophie and Elena were too much fun to write!
I am no longer a single parent but I can sure relate to this since I was for 6.5 years! What a fun post!
I haven’t read any of the books but they sound great!
I’ve read two out of the three single dad books. I haves read Cameron’s story yet.
Thank you… and congratulations!
Thank you, Shelia!
Thanks so much, Melynda!
I feel like every author is writing about single parents these days. I’m pretty sure I’ve read in a previous post (can’t remember who wrote about it, some of the Harlequin writers probably) that editors seem to think this is a big seller point, but I’ll tell you it’s not for everyone. I’m pretty sure I’ve read a few from this blog’s authors, but can’t pinpoint them as they are not really my thing. It doesn’t mean I’m not going to read these books, they are just not on top of my list. Sorry!
I really enjoy your books though, and I’ve read Pinky Promise (I enjoyed reading about the little girls but the drama created by the dad is just too much for me). I’m more of a fan of Butterflies on Breezes, Merry Kisses, and the More Than a Tiara–to mention a few.
Thanks for letting me know! It is very true that not all readers love the same things. :)
Halloo Valerie!! what a fun interview!! i remember Mason!! i love the concept of mixing up the characters like that!! cheers my friend!!
Shelia, you definitely should!! Valerie is wonderful at weaving her story worlds and creating such real characters!! you’d really enjoy them
Throw my name in the hat please!!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. :)
Consider it IN!
I did read Pinky promise! I have Berry on Top I need to read. Cute article!
I’m glad you enjoyed the “interview!”
Aw, thanks! :blush: