Star Dater: Gail Gaymer Martin!

Please welcome this week’s Literary Star, Gail Gaymer Martin! Post a comment here anytime between now and Tuesday, November 27, and be eligible to win an autographed copy of Gail’s book And Baby Makes Five.

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When Myra asked me to participate in her blog, I immediately thought of my favorite true story of one day in the life of Bob and Gail. . . .

After a short courtship, Bob and I realized we were in love, and since each of us treasured our friends, we wanted them to get to know each other so we invite them to my home for a homemade Chinese dinner. After dinner, a friend announced she’d brought fortune cookies with her, and I was delighted. She distributed the cookies, and each person opened theirs, and read the messages inside.  When I pulled out the narrow slip of paper, it said, “This house will be filled with happiness,” An appropriate message, I thought, surrounded by friends. I broke off a hunk as Bob watched me. I sensed he wanted me to do something or say something, but I was at a loss. Then I remembered the champagne another friend had brought.

Bob loosened the cork, and with loud thwack, the cork flew up and bounced off the ceiling, leaving a small dark indentation in the plaster. We laughed at the incident, but before anyone made a toast, I felt something hard in the corner of my fortune cookie and pulled out a piece of white tissue.

Bob leaned closer. “What is it?”

Fearing something disgusting was inside, I shrugged and didn’t want to open it, but I did. A beautiful solitaire diamond ring fell into my hand. “Someone lost a ring in this cookie.”
   
Everyone talked at once, but Bob laughed and shook his head.
   
Finally I gazed at Bob grinning from ear to ear. “It’s my engagement ring.” Only Bob and Bernice were in on the surprise, she’d been in on the secret all along.    
   
After our marriage, Bob decided to paint the dining room. I looked up at the dark spot still visible on the ceiling and hated to see it gone. Bob tackled the paint job, and a couple days later when I found the courage to look up at the ceiling, my heart did a dance. He’d painted around the dark dent. When I let out a cry, he came into the room to see what had happened.
   
I pointed to the ceiling. “You left the spot.”
   
He only grinned, then drew me into his arms and kissed me.
   
After twenty-two years, the spot is still on the ceiling and happiness still fills this house.

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Multi-award-winning author Gail Gaymer Martin writes for Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Gail has signed forty fiction contracts and has over 1 million books in print. She is a co-founder of American Christian Fiction Writers and a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at conference across the U.S. Look for Writing the Christian Romance from Writers Digest this December. Pre-order now at www.gailmartin.com

. . . Thanks so much for sharing your love story, Gail!

Comments

[Carla]

Thanks, Gail, for a great love story. I just love a sentimental journey! Sounds like you got a keeper in Bob. May your house continue to be filled with happiness.
Good going, Myra, to get all these wonderful romantic tales on your very romantic blog.

[Cheryl Shaw]

What a great story. Not painting over that spot, that is true hero material.

[Marion Kelley Bullock]

I especially enjoyed your personal love story.

Thanks,

Marion

[Kathleen]

Oh my word! This is way too sweet! How precious and romantic!!! I loved Gail's book, The Christmas Kite and would love to win this one. Please, sign me up!

[Peg Phifer]

i love stories like this! Gail, what a special memento in that dented ceiling. Your hubby is a real romantic.

Oh, and signe me up for that book. I'm a big fan of Gail's writinmg.

[Missy Tippens]

What a sweet story! And so romantic! What a guy.

Please enter me in the drawing!

Missy :)

[Mary Connealy]

Gail, such a sweet story. Such a romantic way to propose. Thanks so much for telling us about it.

[Mary Connealy]

Gail, what a great story. What a great way to propose. So romantic. :)

[Julie Lessman]

Now that's "Romance" with a capital "R," Gail!! What a great story!

[Deborah]

What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing it!

Deborah
www.therhythmofwrite.com

[Ruth Dell]

What a super romantic story, Gail! No wonder you're such a successful romance writer.

Thank you for an interesting blog, Myra.

Please enter me for the competition. thank you.

Best wishes

Ruth Dell

[Gail Gaymer Martin]

Thanks everyone. I have been blessed. Bob is a true gem. He also does so much around the house for me so I can write and he's a great cook as well as an excellent proofreader. Can you believe he reads my books?

A quick note to Kathleen. THE CHRISTMAS KIT will be re-released again in November 2008 as a mass market book. I don't have a single copy left. I'll make sure I hang onto tons of them when it comes out again. I love that book too.

So glad you enjoyed reading this little excerpt that appeared in full length in a Chicken Soup book.

[Emma]

What a great love story. Thanks so much for sharing your love story, Gail!I enjoy reading all of your books.

Please enter me in the drawing!