Back to School Bash time! Always a great time with great books as giveaways. I’m not in the back to school crowd, though, as our children are grown and have their own children. I do remember those days. They’re very different now with all the social media posts. I do remember taking pictures of my kids on the first day of school, but not sure where some of those photos are. Now we have our “memories” that pop up every year. Oh, growing up kids in the 80’s seems archaic now. Ha!
But to go to school you have to have books and our specialty on this blog is……books! We all share a common love of reading here. What a great way to escape the realities of this world, and dive into a journey where folks, fall in love, fall out of love, (not really, but they think they have,) fall back into love.
Say what you want about the black moment in romance novels, but honestly, it mirrors real life. I think most of us, when faced with situations that will change our lives, take a step or two back. We have to evaluate, we get scared, or nervous about change and what it will bring into our lives. That moment where the hero and heroine are wanting to be together, but something happens, is a pivitol moment.
Just like it is in our lives. Committing to someone or something is for real. It’s life changing. It involves more than your life and your heart, now, someone else is involved. Stakes are high.
In my novel, Rich in Love, my heroine has a past with a mom who chose missions over her. So when the guy she’s falling for is leaving his job to become a missionary, this is challenging for Ann. The black moment in this book has her making a decision that will impact her for the rest of her life. And she has to work through issues that have plagued her for years regarding missionaries and their sacrifice. How can she take on a lifestyle that she’s despised for years? A lifestyle that she feels ruined her life? A lifestyle that is so important to the man she has fallen in love with? (My publisher is going to have the book on sale for .99 cents Sept. 1-15!)
I love the point in romance novels where the characters change, grow, and rest in the love and life that God has for them. I love the challenges that ensue after the commitment, the happiness that resonates from the page, the satisfying ending to an amazing romance.
What about you? Do you love the storm before the rainbow in romance novels? In real life? Share a memorable black moment, fiction or real, in the comments. Each commenter will be in a drawing for the second book, Rich in Hope.
Enjoy our birthday bash and thank you for following Inspy Romance and the authors.
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
I do like the storm before the rainbow in novels but definitely not in my own life.
For some people, it’s a rainbow between two storms. When I see a rainbow, I remember that God is faithful to us and to His promises.
God is faithful to all who love Him. Rough spots, all of those storms in life make us love Him more and more. I expect some storms as we read each book that a special author has written, and those storms make the book even more interesting. Storms in life between the rainbows, that is a different story!
I love all the moments in books! Sometimes, those books help me through my own black moments.
The storm before the rainbow is great in romance novels, if only there was always a rainbow after the storm in real life.
I love the storm before the rainbow in books, it enhances the beauty of the rainbow! I think this mirrors real life. Without the storms we really can’t see the true beauty of the blessings that we have. I enjoy books with true to life lessons and a HEA!
Lifestyle changes are hard, but when you stick with them, the commitment in time, effort, energy and persistence have far reaching benefits. Thanks for the excerpt and the ability to see growing from another perspective. The story looks like an engaging read.
Good morning, I loved reading your post. And yes, I love the storm before the rainbow in books and in real life, well, that is just how it goes alot of times, but that is life. We might not like the storms, but alot of times they make us stronger , especially in our faith. God is Good all of the time and He knows when and what is Best for us, God is Love. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Yes, I love storm before the rainbows in stories, real and fictional.
Lori—Yes. For sure!
Beth—Yes–very insightful. Thank you for sharing.
June–God is faithful. Let’s keep our eyes on Him~
Trudy—So true. :)
Joannie–Sometimes there is—but often there isn’t. :( Thank you for visiting!
Deb—HEA–for the win! Yes, and the good news is only good news when we know the bad news, right?
Sunnymay—Thank you!
Alicia–God is good!! Thank you for visiting Inspy!
Abigail—Yes!
Yes I do but I not sure if I do in real life.
I love the storm before the rainbow in romance novels, particularly when you think it can no way work out – but then it does and there’s the HEA ending. Particularly with the world the way it is at present, it’s good to read something turning out well. I especially like Christian romances in this way, because they remember to give the glory to God and help us remember God’s faithfulness, which is always good.
I don’t think I like them while they’re happening, but the growth they produce/bring forth… yeah, it’s worth it.
Hi, Lindi! What a thoughtful post. I have come to realize over time that I am often a fearful person. I see the storm coming (sickness of a loved one, job loss, running out of money) and I get all white-knuckled. Then the storm passes. God does His thing and shows Himself to be the ever-faithful lover of my soul. Then I get to see some amazing rainbows. Did I get soaked in the storm? You betcha! Did the sudden cracks of thunder make me jump? Absolutely! Did I feel kind of sheepish standing there looking at a beautiful rainbow of God’s provision after I thought all was lost? Without question.
Of course, those are the metaphorical storms. I’m sure that there are worse storms than I have had to weather. Sometimes God’s rainbows don’t come out until heaven. What a sight that will be!
Oddly enough, I rather like actual storms. All the rain and wind make me think of the power of God and of His blessings to me of warmth and shelter. His love is patient and kind. And He is with us in the midst of it all.
No need to put my name in the drawing. I already have books 1 and 2, thanks.
Thanks again for your post and have a great week.
thanks for sharing today. I have seen the rainbow after a storm in both fiction and real life. God never ceases to amaze me.
I do like stories with storms and rainbows. They are my favorite. My heart swells reading about a character helping another see the power and majesty of letting God work in their lives. And seeing the second character come to the relization of His love, mercy, and forgiveness.
I am forever grateful that I am discovering authors who write this kind of story. Thank you. ❤
I grew up in a mixed race family in the 70s in the south so we were often targeted for a lot of hate but we were a very strong family so we never let it tear us apart and stood very tall and strong!
can be interesting
I remember a black moment in Tacos for Two when there were two competing food trucks. I do not want to give the ending away. Before the end is a black moment. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I do love the storm before the rainbow moments in books, but I’m not a huge fan in real life since those moments tend to be painful. My sister and her family are currently going through a storm caused by a literal storm. They live in Texas and the recent storms caused their neighborhood to flood. Since they don’t live in a flood plain, they don’t have flood insurance and are now dealing with that and all that goes along with a flooded house. But, God is with them and has provided so many friends (there isn’t any family nearby) to provide housing, help with demo, and just be there with them during those extra hard moments.
I am one of those readers who likes to get a HEA!
Nooo I’m not big on real life storms but fictional ones that include a rainbow help me with the real life ones. I’d love sunshine, lollipops and rainbows but that’s not why we’re here. ANd though i know this… it’s difficult when i feel adversity is there for me at every turn and I’d like my rainbow please…..do i have blessings, yes but do i have the rainbow yet? I don’t feel that I do, but maybe I do and don’t realize it
I can’t think of a specific book or moment, but I enjoy the part of the book where it all seems lost and ending badly for the couple until one or both of them surrender to God and realize they can’t do it all on their own.
I can’t think of any scene books or real life right now, but I do enjoy reading about the storm before the rainbow moments in books especially when the rainbow is close in hand.
I Love reading about the storm before the rainbow ! Thank you for this amazing post! God is So Great!
Can’t say I like storms in real life but God changed me through those storms, which was good for me.
I do find that I enjoy at last a short storm before the rainbow in stories. It doesn’t have to be super long or intensely dramatic but without it, often the ending isn’t quite as satisfying to me.
Lincoln—Thank you for the thoughtful comment. :) I too love the literal storms–we live at a high point, and the sound of the wind is incredible. It’s one of my favorite things about where I live. Even when it’s just a blustery day, they are my favorite.
Cindi–I remember moving south in 1976–from Ohio. It was somewhat of a different world, culture. I like the weather here, and wouldn’t move back north. Sounds like your family is strong and can weather any storm.
Debra—Sounds intriguing!!
Linda–me, too!
Sabrina—I agree about fiction helping in real life. I bet you’ve had a few rainbows—maybe not all yet, but some. :)
Megan—I love that part–especially when I try and guess how I think it will resolve.
Angeline–Yes!
Jessica–I agree.
Natalya—Great point.
Sarah–All the time!
Melynda—Oh, I’m sorry to hear about your sister’s family. That’s not good in any way—but for God. Will say a prayer and I hope the damage is repairable and that insurance will come through in some way.
Bonnie—Good point about seeing God work through the characters. The change is always transforming. :)
Lori–Me, either!
Priscila– A lot of growing moments for me.
Kendra–I know what you mean.
Ruthie–all true!