I have several vinyl texts attached to the walls of my office. One of them (pictured at the bottom of the meme above) says, “Home is where your story begins.” After looking up who the quote was attributed to, I had to wonder who Annie Danielson was. So I did some Googling and discovered the cutest love story.
Annie Danielson and her husband Mark started a home-based business, Danielson Designs, in Trinidad, Colorado back in 1991—custom picture frames, decorative door hooks, and inspirational signs. Their business has become one of the largest private employers in Las Animas County. “Home is where your story begins” is the company’s top-selling item, and also the story of Mark and Annie who had met in college in Colorado Springs.
Mark knew Annie’s family before he knew her. He’d returned home for her brother’s wedding, and while the boys were trying on their tuxes, Annie approached them and asked her father if he was going to take her out to dinner. Her father too busy, turned to Mark and asked what he’d charge to take his daughter out for the evening. Then he promptly paid him. Fancy getting paid to take your future wife out for dinner.
Well, I thought their tale was so sweet, so I wanted to share it with you.
But back to why I was looking up the owner of “Home is where your story begins.”
I recently published Choose Me, Chapel Cove Romances Book 4, and have started working on Book 7 which is due to release in December. With plenty of time to still get that written, I decided on Friday to return “home” and do a bit of work for two or three weeks on the next book in my queue. More than Kisses, the first of five books in my new Rustic Creek Romance series, is set in South Africa in the beautiful Drakensberg mountains, about four hours’ drive from where I live. Close enough for some research trips if needed, don’t you think?
I’m anxious to get started on this book because it must be published IN PRINT by January some time. If I’m to stand any chance of shipped print copies arriving in South Africa in time for the reason I’m writing this book, then I need to get a head start. You see, the couple on the cover is my niece’s son and his fiancée (and FYI, you’re the first to see the cover). They’re getting married on March 14, 2020, and as part of their wedding gift, I desperately want to surprise them with a hard copy of More than Kisses. If I don’t get an order placed timeously for Amazon to send to South Africa, I’ll have to look into having the books printed here, and that’s just an entirely different headache I’ve no desire to create.
But, before I could start writing, I’ve had to choose hero and heroine names for the entire series because the characters will obviously appear in all five books. It’s been fun, but strange, searching for names with a South African flair for these stories—a far cry from the American names used in my Chapel Cove and Potter’s House books. I do hope you’re going to love these characters as much as I already do. Rugby star, Aron Buchanon; Criminology and Forensics student, Esther Kellerman and her twin sister and star jam maker, Bethany; their artistic and creative mom, Rihana Kellerman; restauranteur/chef and part time musician, Jeremy Palmer; food critic blogger, Emma White; eagle sanctuary guy, Joost Aldendorff; primary school teacher, Amelia Thornton; nursery guy (as in flowers)/dog breeder, Gabriel Van Lingen; and lawyer/old car restorer, Louis Verwey.
These special people of Rustic Creek have already found a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to start writing all these stories. It really does feel good to come home for a while.
Do you love stories set close to home? And what about those set in Africa?
USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape.
What a beautiful couple and cover! I just read a book that was set in Africa and the U.S. and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t know Africa had mountains. It looks so pretty.
Hi Marion,
I think it’s always fun to learn where authors are from. I would love to visit Africa.
I believe that’s also the place with the Bed & Breakfast where giraffes eat through the windows. I think that would be so cool to see.
I don’t have a home tale that I can think of.
I love traveling the world through books so anywhere you take me, I’ll follow!
It is a sweet tale. I hope you get your books printed in time.
I’m reading a book right now that is set in Africa. A favourite location of mine to read about.
Hi Marion! Thanks for the informative blog about the quote HOME is where your story begins. Looking forward to your Rustic Creek Romance series set in the beautiful Drakensberg mountains. Nice diversity of characters. Beautiful designed cover. What a thoughtful wedding gift that will be cherished. Crafting a story and having the pieces fall into place on a tight time schedule is orchestrated by the Master designer. I just finished writing and creating a fairy pictorial tale for my granddaughter’s sixth birthday – Oma’s and Opa’s Magic Kingdom. Anxiously awaiting the copies of my book. As an avid reader, I enjoy reading stories with a variety of settings; but home is where the story begins. I like Jackie Castles Madison Creek series with their Michigan settings. I enjoy Aubrey Wynne’s Chicago Christmas series. Also enjoy reading books with a European setting, especially set in Germany; as German historical author Petra Durst Benning’s The Glassblower’s Trilogy. Best wishes on your new series. Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Marion, what a great idea for a wedding gift and what a beautiful cover:) I also enjoy travelling through books- what a great way to ‘see’ the world. I have read some great stories set in Australia, various African countries, Europe and America. I look forward to reading your new series:)
Blessings:)
I haven’t read many stories set in Brazil and those I did are not contemporary romance (most are not romance at all) and definitely not CCR. In Latin America as a whole I don’t think I have an author in mind to even search for contemporary romance stories. That being said, I do enjoy reading stories from all over the world (South Africa included).
Oh Marion, love the cover. This series sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to read it. I love reading stories set in places I’ve never been so I can dream. Also love stories set I’m favorite places I’ve visited like the Chapel Cove series. I love the Oregon coast. Blessings.
Oh my goodness I love this post! What a precious gift you are giving!
I can’t wait for the books to come out- I adore books set in Africa. All parts!
Such a lovely story, I cannot wait to read your new series!❤️
I enjoy books set where I’ve lived , Washington DC suburbs, and also places I’ve never been. It’s always fun to explore a new culture. Beautiful book cover. Lord bless your writing.
What an amazing story Marion, can’t wait to read it. Enjoy your time back “home” to do your research. I know that your niece’s son and his fiancée will absolutely love the cover and the story.
Home is where the story begins so enjoy your research time at home and the beauty of the creation around you.
How neat that you have a couple on the cover that you actually know! Now that I know this little tidbit, the characters in this story are going to feel more “real” when I read this book.
As for locations, anywhere is fine for me. If they are out of my countryland, I do appreciate if the places are real so I can search Google Maps, allowing me to better visualize the area.
Might’ve been my book, The Other You? That was set in South Africa and New York :) And yes, Lori, we have lots of mountain ranges :) The most iconic mountain being Table Mountain in Cape Town.
I immediately knew what place you were talking about, Michelle. That’s Giraffe Manor, an exclusive boutique hotel in Kenya, some 3000 miles north of South Africa. https://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor/
We have many beautiful game lodges in South Africa. One place I visited while seeking a conference venue, was a tented camp and the lions can roam the place, especially a night. LOL, I decided not to choose that one.
And I love taking readers to places in the world :)
LOL, I hope I get it written in time, Mary. So glad that Africa is one of your favorite locations to read about. Which book are your reading? And who is the author?
Thanks so much for sharing, Renate. And oh wow, I’d love to get my hands on a copy of your book. Will it be for sale?
Thanks for sharing. LOL, when I saw those photos of them, I just knew they had to be on a cover of one of my books, and so a new series was born just through that one photoshoot :)
Priscila, for stories in South America, you could try Tessa Stockton (political intrigue)–she also has a romance set in East Africa), Jeanette Windle (probably also more political, also has a book set in Africa).
Having visited Rio, I still would love to write a story set there some day.
Thanks, Cindy. I’m excited to add this series to my writing plans. So glad you’re enjoying our Chapel Cove series.
Yay! So glad you enjoyed my blog today, Dalyn. I can’t wait to write these stories. Have you read Ashley Winter’s Love in Africa series? She’s about to release book 13. My books, The Other You and A Time to Laugh are also set in South Africa, and Orphaned Hearts in Zambia.
Thanks, Paula ❤️
Thank you so much, Diana. Elizabeth Maddrey’s book, Luna Rosa (Book 2 in A Tuscan Legacy series) is set in Washington DC.
Thank you so much, Betty. I’m really excited to be starting this story.
LOL, it’ll be the second book I have a couple I know on the cover. My first published book, Helsinki Sunrise, has my son and his wife on the cover :)
I always write in real places, although Rustic Creek will be a fictional town in a real location, as is Chapel Cove on the Oregon coast :) As a write, Google Maps is my best friend.
These sound really good!!! And, since I probably won’t ever get to travel to South Africa, at least I can through books!! I love the pics you posted!! Africa isn’t just wild animals!! Lol!! Can’t wait to read the books!
Hi Marion,
I think you already know the answer to your first question to me . . . hehe! I love stories set close to home!! I also love stories close to an author’s home because they can bring such flair and new adventures. For me I, I find any other place setting is interesting because while I sit in my house reading I can travel to places I’ve never been and may never go to. OH, what adventures we can have through books!
Case in point – Your Tuscany series! I’ve always wanted to visit Italy, because of my heritage, but it just isn’t in my future. (Ummm…Yet!) Through your series, I was able to see many sights and dream of many places I’d love to go.
Thank You!
The cover is lovely! I love books set in South Africa!
LOL, nope, Africa isn’t just wild animals, Trudy. In fact, they’re in private reserves and in the Kruger National Park mostly (at least in South Africa). Our country is a mix of small towns, and cosmopolitan cities, has beautiful beaches, mountains, and in neighboring Namibia, a desert :)
It’s absolutely our pleasure to take you to worlds unknown, Marylin :)
Thank you, Ashley. Have you tried Ashley Winter’s Love in South Africa books?
See, I’ll learn all about it by reading your books!!!
Hi little Sister,
I am so proud of how far you have come with your writing! You know of course I am a great fan😊 I absolutely love the cover and cannot wait for this story. It is such an awesome gift for them. Love you to the moon and back.
Sorry I assumed you were in South Africa because of The Other You. But anywhere in Africa would be nice. I think Africa and Latin America are the developing continents whose beauty are only little by little explored. I’ve found one of my favorite Brazilian authors work translated to English in a book sale in the US one day. I was happily surprised. But again, not romance… thanks for your recommend authors.
Interestingly, Tessa Stockton has a recent (july 2019) book about politics in Brazil (sertão or backlands). It’s not romance and it’s part of a series on Latin America that sound way too deep for me, but definitely intriguing
I always enjoy running across books by authors from my home state (Michigan) or my current state (South Carolina). All the better is the books are set there!
I love the way you research Marion
I look forward to a series set in South Africa.
I have read all but one of your books.
Keep up the good work.
Love you too, sis ❤
Sounds great, Patty. Always special to find stories set in one’s own backyard 😊
Aw, thank you, Linda. I’ll have to do something about that one book. Which one is it?
:)
I love the cover, and the family connection is awesome!!! I have enjoyed reading South African stories. Knowing you are writing of home will make this series even more special!!!!
Thank you, Jennifer ❤
I’m looking forward to reading this new series, Marion. I have been to the Drakensberg mountain several times, they are magnicent and beautiful.
Thanks, Ruth. Yes, it’s an amazing part of our country.
Beautiful scenery! Through books we get to travel all over the world. But I do like to read books with locations near me that I have actually visited. Also, one of my favorite books is The Other You.
That is a sweet story of the beginning of a couples love story. I have read several of your books and have enjoyed your writing.
Aw, thanks Judy. Yes, I love it when I can say “I’ve been there!”
Thank you, Tabitha ❤
Love the couple and love the cover sounds like a great book have never been to Africa but I can venture there through your book Thank you Marion for this wonderful post!
Thank you, Sarah :)
Love stories that are set in Africa, I have a nephew and his family in South Africa as well as others I have connected with through family or college friends.
My mother was born, 96 years ago, in Rhodesia then came to the States for college. Long story short, she married, moved to Alabama, raised 5 boys and 1 girl, became a widow and after youngest child (that is me) married in 1975 she sold house and returned to Zimbabw. To take care of her elderly parents that were still spreading the Gospel of Christ. Her story continues from there but sharing this much to let you know my connection with Africa.
Mother wrote autobiography “Eight Score and Counting” by Sybil Bell Short Fudge Dewhirst. At one time it was available online. After my oldest brother passed away 11/97 it was not reprinted. He was the one who had it published and put out for public. Mother had orginally written it for family but so many people asked for copies that he had it out out for sale. He was also an author of Christian material, books, tracks….
I have rambled enough.
Also … I had an Aunt, mother’s sister, that after becoming a young widow, raised her 6 children then moved to Tanzania to work on a mission for several years.
My mother’s family history is rooted in Africa.
Email me if interested in any more information.
I like a lot of variety in my story settings, and I’d love to read these set in South Africa! The only thing I can remember reading that was set there was by James Michener, and was more historical in nature. This new series sounds great, and what a fabulous wedding gift!
AHH-mazing cover! Love it!
I like the quote :) Stories set close to home … I’ve read only one so far and I think you could relate more closely when you are familiar with the places and the setting. But I love to read about other places where I’ve never been too, like Africa! It makes you wonder if you could travel there one day…
I enjoy all the different settings and learning about other places.