This might sound funny coming from someone who grew up slogging through cold Canadian winters, but I’ve always looked forward to fall more than spring.
There’s just something very energizing about that “back to school” energy. And the siren song of Hallo-Thanks-Christmas always draws me in.
Emily Conrad, author of springtime romance To Belong Together, doesn’t agree with me about preferring fall over spring. She says, “Spring is my own favorite season, because here in Wisconsin, where I live and where To Belong Together is set, we have long winters. To me, spring represents hope and new life, and I enjoyed bringing that out in the story as well.”
Meanwhile, Teresa Tysinger, author of Someone Found, which is also set during spring, explains: “I love writing stories set in the spring because the season brings a sense of renewal, hope, and promise as God’s creation reawakens around us—universal truths we all need reminding of.”
Valerie Comer, whose new book, Her Unlikely Hero, takes place in the leadup to Easter, says she enjoys writing about spring because “there is so much potential to bring in themes of new beginnings!”
Oddly enough, even though I personally prefer fall over spring, I set my first book, Falling for the Innkeeper, in the spring . . . because I, too, was looking to incorporate the themes of hope and new beginnings. Plus, Cape Cod, where my book is set, is really beautiful in the spring. 😊
Here’s a fun excerpt that highlights the lovely springtime setting. The scene takes place shortly after Laura, the heroine, meets the hero, a lawyer who has come to Cape Cod to buy her grandmother’s inn… against her wishes!
“Was it weird?” Chloe asked. “Having him there overnight?”
Laura and Chloe were sitting on the patio at Half Shell, the high-end seafood restaurant Chloe and her brother, Brett, had inherited when their parents died.
Half Shell was located right on the harbor, and although there was still a chill in the air, the sky was dazzlingly clear, the water a slow-churning blue gray. Sailboats and motorboats and even a few commercial fishing boats bobbed in the harbor. Seagulls sculled and screamed overhead.
“Was it weird having a guest at The Sea Glass Inn?” Laura parroted back at Chloe. “Um, you do realize that’s what the inn is for, right? Having people stay over?”
“Yes, but not during the off-season. He could be an ax murderer for all you know!”
Laura shook her head in amusement. “He’s not an ax murderer.”
“That’s what they said about Ted Bundy.”
“Also not an ax murderer, Chlo.”
Chloe plucked at the large vintage brooch on her jacket, her expression earnest and a little bit concerned. “You get what I’m saying, though, right?”
Laura smiled at her friend reassuringly. “I do, but it wasn’t weird—aside from him not knowing what to do with the fact that I’m a Christian and wanting me to fetch him all kinds of documents at the drop of a hat. But otherwise he’s perfectly nice, and great with Emma.”
Chloe gaped at her. “You let him spend time with Emma?”
“I didn’t leave my four-year-old daughter with some random stranger, if that’s what you’re asking. But when he came downstairs to get coffee this morning, he let her sing ‘Yankee Doodle’ to him seventeen times.”
Chloe’s eyes bugged out. “He did?”
Laura took a sip of water to hide her smile. “He did.”
“Wow. He looked so…businesslike last night. I wouldn’t have guessed he liked kids.”
“I know, right?” Laura giggled. He had looked a little helpless and panicky by the end of Emma’s protracted serenade. Laura had finally taken pity on the man and told her daughter that they had to let “Mr. Jonafin” get on with his day.
“You still good with me taking Emma to that movie this afternoon?” Chloe asked.
“Sure. It’ll give me a chance to do as my mother wanted me to do and ‘show our guest around a little.’” Laura put those last few words in air quotes.
Chloe gave her friend a long look.
“What?”
“You like him, don’t you?”
“I don’t dislike him,” Laura said slowly.
“But…?”
Laura pushed a strand of dark hair back from her face. “But he represents a client who wants to tear down the inn. So, forgive me if I’m not exactly jumping for joy that he’s a decent conversationalist.”
“Not bad to look at, either.”
Laura threw her friend the stink eye. “Chloe…”
Her friend laughed and held up her hands. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“Do whatever you want. He’s a workaholic just like my dad and Conrad. He came downstairs this morning in a suit and tie and asked to set up his laptop in the dining room. He’s been sitting there ever since. There’s no way I’d ever get involved with a guy like him.”
Chloe grimaced. “He put on a suit and tie to work remotely from your dining room?”
“Yes! That’s what I’m saying! Workaholic with a capital W.” She took another sip of her water. “Oh, and he does ‘high intensity weight training,’ just like Conrad.” She rolled her eyes.
Chloe laughed. “Well, that does it, then! Weight training? He’s completely off the table.”
“So off the table.”
Chloe sighed. “‘Yankee Doodle,’ though. That’s kind of endearing.”
Laura smirked. “And Ted Bundy just seemed like such a nice young man.”
They both burst out laughing.
For a chance to win an ebook copy of Falling for the Innkeeper, tell me your favorite season in the comments below by midnight Central on 3/27!
Meghann Whistler is a wife, mom, and Christian romance novelist who loves writing sweet, happy stories that WON'T make your grandmother blush! When she's not writing, reading, or jamming out to Christian rock music, you can find her enjoying a relaxing evening with her rocket scientist husband (seriously—he's a real, live rocket scientist!) or playing with her three kids.
I love summer!! I love the change is routine with school being out, the long days, and I LOVE the hot weather! I’m really not a fan of being cold, so even though I don’t always love being hot, I much prefer summer heat to winter’s cold.
My favorite is fall. I love the pretty colors of the leaves, the cooler nights, hayrides and pumpkins. I also like to wear my sweaters and buy new school supplies.
I love spring! After the cold and damp weather to watch the new leaves unfurl and the azaleas begin to blossom is lovely!
I agree, I love autumn/fall, it always seems like a time of new beginnings with that back to school feeling, and I like the nights drawing in and feeling cosy, getting ready for Christmas!
Forever summer!
Yay for summer! We moved to South Texas a couple years ago, and we get summery weather for pretty much 8-10 months of the year! 🤣
And I’m with you re: the cold! I can’t take it AT ALL anymore, and all of my Canadian relatives laugh at me!!!
I love fall, too, Lori! When I lived in New England, I really enjoyed leaf peeping!
Has spring made its way to where you live, Jeannette, or are you still stuck in winter? 🌸
I love that cozy feeling, too, Ruthie! 🍂🍁
Are there particular summertime activities you look forward to, Laurie? For me, I always looked forward to the two weeks we’d spend on Cape Cod every summer :)
Spring is my favorite time of year. The flowers and trees are blooming. The warmer weather is great for walking.
Nice, Bonnie! 🌼 Where do you like to walk?
My favorite season is summer I enjoy spending time with family and friends swimming going to the beach and doing my cotton candy and snow cone business .
My favorite is winter, because it’s the only time Florida cools off! Unless it’s a year like this year, where we had record breaking highs in the 90’s during February, and it’s looking like we could do that in March, too.
Love summer!!
That all sounds so fun, Kendra!
Ha ha — I hear you on that, Trudy! South Texas is very hot pretty much all year round, too!
Summer is a great season, Kathleen! 🌺🌻🌸
I have a hard time deciding. I live in central California on the coast. We’ve had a very rainy winter, and everyone is really looking forward to spring. My flowers are slow with the cooler than normal temps and so much rain, but it’s fun finally seeing spots of color around. Summer is nice when it’s warm, and when the heat in our central valley pulls in the fog it’s also fun. Autumn is often the nicest temperatures along the coast. So, how do I choose??!!
My favorite season is Spring.
Winter and summer alike I am extreme, autumn and spring I have serious problems knowing what to wear! because it’s not hot at all but it’s not cold either… I hate that even though the flowers are pretty.
In summer I wear dresses, flip flops and tank tops while in winter I have several parkas, colored scarves and berets to wear (I personally think I look pretty pretty in winter too hahaha).
And that dialogue is hilarious!
I like all of the seasons, but my favorites are spring and fall. I like spring for the renewing and hope that was mentioned. The grass is getting green again. Flowers are poking up out of the ground. Summertime birds are returning. And I like fall for the cooler temperatures after a hot summer and all the gorgeous colors of the trees before they loose their leaves for the winter. God provides something special in each season.
Have a great week.
I’m glad you enjoy ALL the seasons, Margaret! 🌷🌞🍁❄️
Yay! Happy Spring! 🌺
LOL — layers, Lilly! Layers! ;)
Seriously, though, I hear you! It IS easier to dress when you have a good sense of what the temperature will be like.
Thanks, Bonnie! Yes, God definitely gives us beautiful thing to appreciate during each season ❤️
I love summer the most. Spring and autumn are ok, but winter is too cold for me…
Spring – when everything is in bloom :)
I’m right there with you, Marina! My Canadian relatives all laugh at how wimpy I’ve become re: cold weather!!!
I loved that excerpt! It sounds so fun! Personally, I love fall too, but in books, I love the chance to experience any season whenever the mood strikes for it. :)
🌷🌹🌺🌸🌼🌻
Thanks, Priscila! And I love that about books, too! Not only can you travel ANYWHERE in the world, you can also travel to any season! 😎
Spring (no entry) as I have the book! Have a Blessed Day
Hope you have a wonderful day, too, Sarah! ❤️
Fall
I love Spring when everything becomes new and fresh. I love to see the flowers in bloom. Lilacs come out on the trees. I love to see the baby Canadian geese when they are just little yellow fluff balls. I love to watch the baby kittens as the learn to walk and play. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I love Summer. Even the hot days cos I like getting up when the sun is up. Right now its Autumn and its dark til 7 (11 more days of it but whos counting!!!!!)
I like that we have Christmas then a bit of a break.
I also like Spring as its warming up and the flowers like tulips, and other bulbs are flowering.
I love the changing colours of leaves but I don’t like the shorter days and it getting colder. And winter well its colder, darker and at times gloomy. (I like sun I need sun). But I do like having a wood fire and a nice hot bubble bath.
🍂🍁🍂🍁
Thank you, Debra! Happy Spring!
Wood fires and bubble baths sound lovely, Jenny! But I hear you on the sun. ☀️ I grew up in Toronto, which is very gray in the winter, and it can be very depressing.
Summer! I love the long days, warm temps, swimming at my neighborhood pool, and changes in routine that it brings.
I would really struggle in the weather in Toronto in winter. here it gets hot but its a fairly dry heat compared to Ontario. We are having some nice days currently 28 today but its cooling down now so the nights are good for sleeping but the days are beautiful.
That sounds wonderful!
Summer is definitely a lot of fun, Jessica!