Celebrating An Unexpected Gift by Melissa McKay Wardwell
It’s another exciting release from the Suamalie Islands Series—An Unexpected Gift by Melissa McKay Wardwell! Our celebration includes a guest blog by several authors in the series. The topic is chosen by the book’s author, so you’ll read a different perspective in each blog. And there’s a giveaway each day, too!
Melissa asked us to tell you all what we do to relax or decompress after a long day.
That’s a loaded question.
For many years, I believed the lie I was lazy. Not sure where that came from. I don’t think my parents called me that, although they may have said, “Don’t be lazy” when they wanted me to get moving.
I did the chores they expected me to do, although not always happily, I’m sorry to say. (Was it payback when my children responded in kind? Oy.) I studied hard, seldom missing a day of school even when I was sick. Got decent grades, went to college.
My parents never pushed me to get an outside job, but when I was nineteen and took a gap semester or two from college (it turned into 2 ½ years!), I got a job. Not just one job—three jobs! My first day ever as a working person, I worked during the day as a bank teller, evenings at May Co. for the Christmas season, and was a nighttime nanny. As you might expect, that lasted only a week. I cut out the May Co. job.
After graduating from college, I worked crazy hours in newspapers and at tech writing. When I married and had children, I became a stay-at-home mom, started homeschooling my children, and always had a side hustle.
Doesn’t sound lazy, does it? But outward appearances are often deceiving, and I always have had to fight the pull.
So, that brings me to the present. I have finally learned to set boundaries and rest. Sundays are a day of rest, and I don’t work (write) unless I’m required to by the latest marketing campaign. Weekdays and Saturdays, I make sure I’m away from my computer by five o’clock. Unfortunately, as I age and my health deteriorates, I am often forced to quit earlier.
I used to relax by cooking, but that has become a chore, so I try to have food all ready to go so we can have a relaxing dinner.
The real decompression comes from sitting in my favorite chair and reading or watching movies from the golden-age or watching old (I mean old) TV reruns (I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, Murder, She Wrote). Sometimes I read and watch at the same time. Honestly, it only takes half a brain to watch something I’ve probably seen hundreds of times. The exception is if I watch British TV (my other guilty pleasure). I must pay attention to their accents to follow the stories.
Melissa offered us “bonus points” if what we do is uncharacteristic of us. Unfortunately, I’m predictable.
You can call it lazy, but God has called us to rest. And I take that very seriously. LOL!
About the Book
About the BookBook: An Unexpected Gift
Author: Melissa Wardwell
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Something’s up in Suamalie, and it’s looking like love!
When Kiana, Lulu, and Meilani decide it’s time for the islands to have affordable wedding options, Something Suamalie becomes the marriage of skills, friendship, and wedding splendor on the islands.
Cruising around the island on a Moped in a business suit may seem incongruous, but Kiana knows how to blend practicality and professionalism, a strong work ethic and relaxation. With no time for mistakes or changes in plans, she’s also decided to forgo romance (for herself). There just isn’t enough time in the day. That is until the early arrival of one of the groomsmen of Something Suamalie’s first booking throws everything off balance, including her thoughts on long distance dating.
Beau was perfectly content with his job and the growing attraction to a girl back home; however, he hadn’t figured in the sassy and sometimes unprofessional wedding planner. Seeing her world begin to unravel while she and her partners fumble with their first weddings tugs at his heart strings and leaves him second guessing his choices in the romance department.
She’s a study in opposites. He’s attracted. So now what do they do?
Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.
About the Author
About the AuthorMelissa Wardwell resides in Owosso, Michigan with her husband and three teen-aged children.
She doesn’t mind alternating between the world of writing and the reality of being a mother, but she would rather sit with a good book or a good friend and a cup of coffee.
When she isn’t penning works of fiction, she is busy reviewing books for her blog, Back Porch Reads.
Have you read the other posts and entered the giveaway?
Check out the special Facebook readers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/islandsreadergroup
Melissa Wardwell: August 29
Jennifer Pierce: August 30
Heidi Gray McGill: August 31
Chautona Havig: September 1
Amanda Tru: September 3
Link: https://promosimple.com/ps/27d96/an-unexpected-gift-susan
thank you for sharing this