Do you ever wonder why things happen?
About fifteen years ago, my husband and I found out we had a journey ahead of us in trying to get pregnant. That was the same day he also found out there wasn’t a teaching position for him the next school year. Needless to say, the next few years were … HARD.
Fast forward to when he had a teaching job again and I was working full-time, and we were finally ready to face the battle. One problem. We were living in Tyler, Texas, and the closest fertility specialist was in Frisco, Texas. That’s north of Dallas, about two hours from our home. For those who don’t know, when going through fertility treatments, you have to visit multiple times a month, sometimes on back-to-back days.
So, we called on friends and family and crashed on air mattresses when we could. And sometimes, we got to explore Dallas as we waited for people to get home or for appointments.
We didn’t do anything fancy, per se, but we visited a few museums, including the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza–where President Kennedy was shot.
Still wondering where the good comes in?
Well, for one thing, we did end up having two beautiful children. So yay!
But what about the rest of that experience?
Well, some of my infertility struggle and journey ended up on the pages of my book, Faith and Hope, including a few pieces straight off the blog I had at the time. And my book Saving Grace also has a family struggling with infertility. So, I was able to use parts of that part.
But Dallas? I hadn’t spent enough time in Dallas to really have a character live there. What to do, what to do?
Enter my Roadtrip Romances. As I plotted my first one, I had no idea of writing a series. But my friends had been urging me to do something besides stand-alones. And as they brainstormed with me, two more books became clearer in my mind. The first released in June, Destination: Romance. Roadtrip for Two releases on December 13th!
This is Bree and Nathan’s story. And they’re a bit stranded … in Dallas. You see, they were supposed to be going on a honeymoon, but he called off the wedding. Thing is, the tickets were non-refundable. So, when their well-meaning friends talk both of them into going on the trip anyway–without knowing the other is, too–well, things get interesting. But neither one of them paid attention to the weather. And that hurricane puts a damper on their cruise, cancelling flights in the Dallas area, and pouring buckets to boot.
Bree, being the roadtrip lover she is, decides to make the best of her bad situation. She’s going to explore Dallas a few days and then drive home. And Nathan … well, he finds himself tagging along.
Enter some of those places I explored in Dallas all those years ago. I’m taking that bad situation and turning it around to make something good. At least, I hope you enjoy Bree and Nathan’s story. I had a lot of fun putting them through some grief. But also reliving some of the not-so-bad memories from those really hard times.
How do you use something that might not have been great in the past for good in the here and now? Did you know that was possible? Have you ever been stranded by a hurricane, even if you were in a totally different city? (By the way, I really have been stranded at that airport for hours for a similar reason, so there’s another bad situation turned to good.)
The wedding is off, but the honeymoon is still on …
Dallas, Texas wasn’t in the plans when Bree Henley set out to use the nonrefundable honeymoon tickets from her canceled wedding. Nor was running into ex-fiancé Nathan Hart. But their mutual friends and the weather have other ideas. A hurricane cancels their cruise and Bree decides to turn the disaster into a roadtrip for one, never imagining Nathan would object.
Nathan is furious when he uncovers the plot to get him back with Bree. But he can’t just let her go roaming around the big city of Dallas alone. Though he knows calling off their wedding was the right thing to do, he still cares for Bree. And before he knows what hits him, he’s volunteered to tag along. Suddenly, it’s a trip for two.
Spending the week together might remind them of why they fell in love. But is it enough to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of “til death do us part”?
I’m not doing a giveaway with this post, but I AM involved in Celebrate Lit’s multi-author giveaway this week. For a chance at 40 books or a $500 Amazon giftcard, click the picture below for more information.
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
I love the way you use difficult experiences in such a positive way. I like to think there’s always some way we can do that, although sometimes it’s hard!
Your road trip book sounds great, I will add it to my TBR list.
Thank goodness I’ve never had experience of a hurricane, I’ve not travelled much outside Europe so I’ve kept away from them so far.
I so enjoyed your post! Your vulnerability and the way you have used circumstances positively.
When I tried to click on your promo link it didn’t work- please check it.
This story sounds really good!
I’ve never been through an actual hurricane. Just the weather that off-shoots from it. That’s enough for me!
Thanks for your kind words.
Promo link has been fixed. Thanks for letting me know–as well as your own kind words.
Thank you so much!
Wow, your book… I have questions! Which is a great thing, because you’ve definitely piqued my curiosity. I’m so glad to hear there was joy at the end of your infertility journey.
Earlier this year I attended a virtual writers’ conference which challenged us to tap into our hardest life lessons and see how we can use them in our stories. I have to admit there’s some stuff I’m not ready to use yet because it still feels too raw, but I know such vulnerability can lend power to a story, especially as we surrender it to God and allow his truth to flow through us.
Agreed! I find it easier to use just little pieces of the hard stuff instead of all of it at once.
And I am so glad I piqued your curiosity! ;)
This sounds good!! I have been through many hurricanes, including Ian and Nicole this year!! These were my first two to go through totally by myself, and I did well, if I do say so myself! I managed to sleep quite a bit through both!
I think you must be braver than I am! Good for you.
I have been stuck in airports. First was in Honolulu flying from Canada to Australia the layover long enough for some to get off and some to get on (about an hour) turned into about 4 hours due to electrical issues at 1am in the morning.
Another was at Kauia airport I went through security 3 times as first plane delayed and was called to the ticketing office outside the security area to get new ticket. then called agian as the plane was cancelled and onto the other airline. Then that one was delayed. so 4 hours stuck in the airport with the security and of course one time I didn’t have the right ticket info but thankfully they knew me by then.
The last time was in Atlanta the plane had issues so was changed at 7 hour delay but they didn’t tell us what was happening just changed gates. We could have gotten lunch but they just didn’t keep us informed. That was interesting as I was due at the next place to start a tour with a informal meet and greet. Go there for the last 30 mins missing the food. So was quite hungry having missed 2 meals.
Oh my goodness! Airline travel can definitely be crazy. But it gave you some fun stories to tell. ;)
I’m a native Floridian! I usually had family I was with, but since Mom passed, I did these two alone! Well, God was with me, and He was the reason I could sleep! Two of my married friends stayed awake for both of them!
Still… I am impressed. :)
Thank you, Amy. I have had many situations that were bad turn out good. The Lord is faithful. He knows what we need when we need it. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Thank you so much. Agreed. Great is His faithfulness!!
Wrote some story details inspired by something I lived or I heard.
No hurricanes in Europe, but canceled flights in airports and missing connections, yes, I had lived through. And going to the countryside, as a teenager, for 2 days and staying 4, because a heavy rain/ flood made the shuttle bus not come to that village for 2 days. My mother was very worried (no mobile phones in 1987) and in the countryside, phone was only at the post office, on the opposite side of the village… again, in rain, mud, flood.
Oh my goodness! Rain definitely does have the ability to mess things up!
fun cover
Thank you!