Did you know the second week in August is National Resurrect Romance Week? I like to look for quirky holidays to blog about. When I found this one, I knew it was perfect for a blog that features romance books.
Why the second week in August? The answer: It is six months after Valentine’s Day. Many believe that Valentine’s Day is too commercialized and that love is more than candy, flowers, and cards. So in 1995 Michael Webb, who is considered a romance expert, created this holiday week for celebrating romance. The motto for the holiday is: “Real romance comes from the heart, not the wallet.”
If you’d like romantic ideas of all kinds you can check out his website.
But I’m sure as romance readers and writers we can come up with our own list of romantic things to do and share with the special one we love. Leave your suggestions in the comments, and I will give away a copy of the first book in my Kellersburg series, HOMETOWN PROMISE, to one person who leaves a comment.
Here is an excerpt from the book of a romantic moment that turns not so romantic.
Joy captured Juliane’s heart as she sat in Lukas’s car. The banquet had been everything she’d imagined. She couldn’t remember when she’d had a better time. Lukas gripped the steering wheel, his attention on Ferd, who climbed the steps and unlocked his door. Turning, he waved before going inside.
“I wish he didn’t want so much independence. I always worry that he’ll fall, but he insists he doesn’t need any help.” Sighing, Lukas put the car in gear and pulled into the street.
“He and Dot were so cute tonight.”
“I think he kissed her good night when he walked her to the door.” Lukas chuckled. “I couldn’t tell for sure in the dark.”
“Keeping tabs on your grandfather?”
“Someone has to.”
While they rode in silence, Juliane wondered who was going to keep tabs on her heart. Lukas was winning it over day by day and little by little. She still wasn’t sure that was wise. But one thing she knew for sure—she hoped Lukas followed his grandfather’s example when saying good night.
She was ready for Lukas’s kiss.
Not a drunken kiss, but a kiss that he gave her because he knew her and knew where he was. A kiss given with tenderness and caring. She’d been thinking about it ever since he’d asked her to the banquet. She wanted to experience his kiss, but thinking about it was tying her insides into knots. She should put her mind on something else.
“When did you and Elise cook up that bit with the Sonny and Cher costumes? That wasn’t in the original plan.”
“During those last-minute practices for the Winter Festival. Elise had done a number like that during a cruise show and thought it would be fun.”
“Everyone loved it. You guys did great tonight. I wish I could’ve heard you at the Winter Festival, too.”
“I wish I could’ve sung with you.” He pulled into her drive and shut off his car.
“We’ll have another chance.”
“I hope so.” He reached into the backseat and brought out a small bag decorated with red hearts. “I got you a little gift. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Juliane’s heart fluttered. “But I didn’t get you anything.”
“I didn’t expect anything. Your going to the banquet with me was a gift.”
The intensity in his gaze took her breath away.
She took the bag and opened it. A little wooden house sat nestled in the tissue paper. She lifted it out.
“It’s a German weather house.” Lukas pointed to the figurines standing in the doorways on either side of the thermometer mounted on the front. “When the weather is bad, the man comes out slightly, and when the weather is sunny, the woman comes out.”
“It’s adorable. I love it.” Looking up, she saw relief in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“I have to give Grandpa credit. He suggested it.” Lukas pointed to the thermometer. “The temperature indicates that I should get you out of this cold car.”
“Good idea.” Juliane laughed and put the weather house back in the bag and slipped her arm through the handles.
Walking to her front porch in the cold night air, she snuggled against him as he draped an arm around her shoulders.
They skirted an icy patch in front of the steps. “You should get some deicer for that spot. I wouldn’t want you to fall and break something.”
“You’re right.” She was falling all right—falling for this wonderful man. She hoped it wouldn’t mean a broken heart. When they stepped onto the porch, she turned to face him. Her heart hammered as he smiled. “I had a great time tonight.”
“Me, too.” He stepped closer.
Her pulse raced with anticipation as she raised her head to look into his eyes. She couldn’t miss the caring in them. Every nerve hummed. He gently pulled her into his arms.
He lowered his mouth to hers. But at the last second, as she was about to close her eyes, that old incident raced through her mind in a blinding flash, leaving her shaken. Alarm took over, and she turned away.
A huge lump formed in her throat. All evening she’d waited for this moment, anticipated this kiss. Why had she panicked? She wished the porch would open up and swallow her.
He stepped back, a troubled expression clouding his features as his forehead creased in a frown. He didn’t say anything, just stared at her.
Embarrassed, she quickly turned to the door and fumbled to fit her key into the lock, the gift bag dangling from her arm. “Thanks again. I had a lovely time.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
She hunched her shoulders, afraid to turn and face him. Misery marched in and swept away all the good feelings of the evening. She thought she’d forgiven him, thought she’d put the past behind them. Why had she let that bad memory ruin everything? How was she going to explain?
I will draw the winning name on August 14, 2019, at 9PM MST.
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
Hi Merrillee, thanks for sharing this excerpt:)
Paula Marie had an excellent suggestion on an earlier post- she kept a year long journal of the ‘everyday’ things her husband did for her and gave it to him as a thank you. I LOVE that idea and find it really special.
I also think it is pretty romantic to share a sunrise or sunset with my husband- somewhere outdoors so we can see the sky together.
Blessings:)
Hi Merrillee! Thanks for your delightful blog. I enjoy celebrating quirky holidays, especially with my grandchildren. While I haven’t read your Kellersburg, Ohio series, this German American smiled at the mention of the wood carved German weather house. While we only had a cuckoo clock, some of my parents friends had the weather house. So fitting for your Ohio setting, where so many German immigrants settled.
My list of romantic things to do and share with the special one we love: watching the sunset at the beach, a stroll through a park, preparing his favorite food or dessert. Now as retirees, a back road trip exploring the road less traveled, small town museums, and mom and pop restaurants. Best wishes.
I like the little things. A text just to say they were thinking about you, or just to say good morning or to say I love you, or you are beautiful. Romance doesn’t need to cost money.
Hi, Merrillee! My husband loves playing his guitar(s)! He has a variety from bass to acoustic and more. And our anniversary is in August. So, to celebrate a bit of romance I bought him a men’s necklace that has the symbol of a pick. On it is engraved 31 Anniversary, with our name and this year’s date. It had to be custom made so he is having to wait a couple of extra weeks.
This excerpt really drew me in. Thanks for sharing it. When I think of romantic things to do, I always remember how my husband and I first got together. We worked together and one Saturday I joined him at his house for an afternoon of target shooting. Then we fed the catfish in his pond. Later, as I sat in my car to leave, he leaned in to kiss me. I remember I was very nervous. His baseball cap fell off and we both laughed. It eased the tension and we had our first kiss together. I know feeding fish and shooting pistols aren’t the typical romantic activities, but it worked for us.
I like it when I am surprised by breakfast or dinner. Nice walks together without phones ringing. To me it’s the little things that are romantic and that doesn’t mean spending a bunch of money.
We like to sit in the backyard and watch the birds and butterflies. We have several bird feeding stations for hummingbirds, finches, doves, sparrows, etc. We have a butterfly garden that the butterflies and hummingbird enjoy. It is really peaceful.
I’m not terribly romantic….*gasp*…..but I would like to recreate our trip to Newport, RI and Quebec one day when the kids are grown and out of the house.
Wemble, you’re welcome. Keeping a journal is a lovely idea. Yes, sunrises and sunsets are definitely romantic.
Renate, I love your list of romantic things to do.
Cassandra, you are so right. Letting people know we care is so important.
Michelle, that is so cool. It is nice when gifts are really personal.
Sherri, thanks for sharing that romantic moment. Romance is whatever works for a couple. Shared activities, whatever they may be, can be very romantic.
Lori,
Surprises can be so fun and romantic, and walks can be very romantic.
Diana, yes. Gardens can be so romantic and peaceful.
MJSH, you sound a little romantic to me when you say you’d like to recreate a trip. Memories can be romantic, too.
Love Wemble’s idea of a journal.
My husband wrote a poem for our 48 th Anniversary. He framed it. It’s in three places in our home. That was 2 years ago! Still going strong!
My mom had a little weather house like that when I was a kid. I wonder whatever happened to it!
I’d never heard of Resurrect Romance week before! As a couple heading toward our 39th anniversary in a couple of weeks, I should be looking for tips. Not that our romance is dead, but couldn’t it always use a little sparking up?
We enjoy watching sunsets together, walking hand-in-hand, spending time in nature (hiking, kayaking, chilling), gourmet dinners out with an occasional glass of wine, and road trips! And he tells me he loves me every single day.
I’d like to know what happens next!! What a teaser!!! I’m not married, never have been, but I can say that one thing for me would be for him to take out the trash!!! I hate doing that!! Also, bringing the cans back up when they’re empty!!
Valerie, that is so cool. When I was writing the book, I wanted the hero to give the heroine something related to his German heritage. I did an internet search and found that. I thought it was perfect for the story. I would love to see one for real.
Paula, how special that he wrote a poem. That takes a special talent.
Valerie, you are so right that every marriage can use a little sparking up of the romance. We like to do walks and hikes, too. And saying “I love you” every day is so important.
Trudy, glad you enjoyed the teaser. Taking care of the trash is special, too. Sometimes it’s just the little things in life that can be very romantic, even if we don’t think so.
Loved the excerpt! My husband and I were lamenting the fact that we haven’t been dating. I said that I had kind of given up on the romance. (With ms it’s just hard to plan much of anything.) The next day he came home with a dozen roses! I like candle-lit dinners at home with music playing softly. I especially like them when my husband brings home the dinner for me to plate!
The most romantic thing for me is a card. :) I love them and I could spend hours in a card shop. If I see a card that would be perfect for someone, I buy it at that time. Even in the birthday or occasion is months away. (But now that I’m getting older I have to put it on a calendar that I already bought the card!)
Thanks, Lisa. How sweet of your husband. I’m all for having dinner delivered, too.
Lindi, I know what you mean about cards. I’ve bought cards ahead of time and have forgotten and bought another one. One year hubby and I both bought the same card for our anniversary.
I love cards, I save them all, and have even put them into my own journals!
Thanks for the mention, Wemble, but like I said then, it was not my original idea, I read it somewhere, lol, go figure!
Paula Marie, it is so wonderful when you find just the right card that expresses what you feel. The people who make the cards are so creative. I have a friend who makes her own cards. They are amazing.
This is a hard one for me being single and never really having a real boyfriend. I can think on things mum did for us growing up especially after dad had passed away when I was 11. I am sure she did it for Dad too when he took his lunch with him. (he was a farm hand and often worked away from the home). I remember a few times she would put a chocolate frog (big in Australia the Freddo Frogs) in my brothers lunch box as a surprise for him. I am sure I got one too I just remember her doing it on April Falls day (not as a joke) and a teacher seeing it and saying you have a Freddo in your lunch. My brother thought she was joking and told the teacher If I have a freddo in my box you can have it. The joke was on him he had to give it to the teacher.
But other small things were on a hot day when we got home she would have a milkshake ready for us in the fridge and things like that.
AusJenny, thanks for sharing those touching things that you mum did for you and your family. That’s why the little things we do for those we love mean so much.
My husband and I have resorted to watching the city skyline with a glass of wine after the baby is sleeping at least once a week on date night (sometimes more). It was really nice (until we got pregnant again… and now it’s sleepy me).
I had no idea such thing exists LOL we have so many “holidays”, let’s make another one.
Romance…hm…so many ideas – I just love a getaways with my hubby to the ocean <3
Thank you for the blog I Loved it and I Love different holidays! My Husband and I use to make cards for each other it was so fun!
Ok I had never heard of National resurrect romance week..is it ok to still want chocolate?
Awww that excerpt makes me saaad. :( Well poop on the past anyways.
I have never heard of Resurrect Romance Week. Interesting concept. Ummm… I have no romantic ideas, really. I have not been romanced and I can’t really think of any ways to romance a guy, sorry!