by Gina Conkle (new author to Sourcebooks)
By nature, I’m 99% calm and contemplative, but,
oh, my impulsive 1%.
Maybe that’s why I write romance? Nothing beats the
vicarious thrills you find on the page…all experienced from the comfort of your
favorite reading spot.
After a dating life that can best be described as a roller coaster, my own true love story began around the ripe old age of 26.
I was ready for real adventure, and my 1% genetic material kicked things up a
notch with a fabulous idea that had nothing to do with love:
Why not leave my comfortable biotech job in southern
California and teach in parts unknown Africa?
My plans stayed a secret, except for telling my mom (who was
not thrilled), but I forged ahead, finding an international school service. They sent an
information packet with jobs in places like Mali, Mozambique, and
Mauritania. So, I started making plans.
That’s when happy hour happened.
I was late…the last one to arrive at a mid-summer gathering
of my co-workers. There was one seat left, and it was by him.
My female peers had been all aflutter over this guy named
Brian. I thought he was too good-looking (what heroine ever thinks that?!).
But, that’s real life for you. Besides, I had more important things on my mind
like adventure, not a man.
Yet, something happened that night.
He did. Pretty soon, one thing led to another. The summer
happy hour turned into Chinese food dinners and running dates and pool, lots
and lots of pool (billiards to some). This was fine. Brian was set on not ever
marrying, and I was set on Africa.
By Christmas, we both knew Africa wasn’t going to happen,
and he wasn’t going to “not ever marry.” In fact, my 1% genetic
material was about to kick in with its biggest shocker yet.
We were playing pool with some friends at a real dive. Some oh-so-romantic heavy metal hair band blasted from the juke box. Brian
was about to call the 8 ball (a difficult double bank shot) when he leaned close and said,
“If I make this shot, we’re going to Vegas. Tonight.”
He made the shot. We left for Vegas at midnight and drove all night. The
next morning, we put our names in at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel for a 9:00
AM wedding, and went pronto to the courthouse. There, three ladies sat at
typewriters, ready to take our information for the wedding license (yes, the era of typewriters…at
least they were electric).
This is us years ago at another wedding. |
We wore the same clothes from the night before, but an hour later, I married Brian, the man who won my heart. In
a pool game. Sort of.
So, what’s your story? I'd love to hear how you fell in love.
And I'm glad to "meet you" here on the blog~
Gina
P.S. I write historical romance with Meet the Earl at Midnight coming soon. If you’re curious for more
take a look here www.ginaconkle,com
What a fun story! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy DH and I met in college when we were singing in the same choir. (The man has a Voice!) I was going with another guy at the time, but found myself singing to my future DH across the room pretty much every day. He asked me out, but of course, I said no. I was not that kind of girl. I"m the faithful sort. He asked me again and again, but it kept getting harder to say no. Then the term ended and he was planning to travel with a team for a year. I knew I'd never see him again if I didn't do something. So I dumped my boyfriend, called and asked HIM out.
My whole life pivoted on that one phone call.
Whoa, Mia! I think you've got a cute premise for a story right there with "My whole life pivoted on that one phone call." The two of you sound super cute. And he still serenades you, right?
DeleteSo nice to meet you here~
Gina
What a fabulous story! Fate decided by pool! I love it Gina...thank you for sharing your story. I can't wait to read about your Earl...he sounds hot :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christy. Love your cover BTW. There's something about military man, no matter the era. :-D
Delete~Gina
Thank you, Gina. Quite a "how we met" story. Somehow I think you and Brian would've headed for the altar even if he'd missed that pool shot. I know it's a cliché, but I gotta say it. Truth is stranger than fiction!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the release of "Meet the Earl at Midnight".
Thanks Mary Anne. You're right, Brian and I were meant to be. And here we are 20 years later with two teens and two dogs...and I still love kissing him. And cliches are welcome because sometimes they hit the mark best! So nice to meet you here, Mary Ann.
Delete~Gina
Wow! That's an awesome story! And my sister worked in Africa for years. From what I hear of bugs and red tape, you didn't miss anything.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shana. You'll have to tell me about your sister's adventures in Africa. We know we're bound there someday, but now's not the time. Have a great day~ Gina
DeleteI love it, Gina and I'm so glad it worked out the way it did. Talk about fate! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Terry, thanks! Our boys are glad their crazy parents settled down, too. Funny how things work out and paths cross when they do.
DeleteNice to meet you~ Gina
So very nice to meet you, Gina. I look forward to reading your book when it makes its debut.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I met online 16 years ago, without really meaning to. I ran across his profile at a penpal site on AOL and just felt drawn to write to him. We wrote back and forth a couple times and then about a month later we happened to be online at the same time and we started instant messaging this was back in the day of dial-up. After a couple months of that we started talking on the phone and there was no free long distance calls. Remember all those numbers you dialed before dialing the actual number you wanted to call? Those 10 cents a minute lines? Of course those ten cents add up when you talk for hours. He was living in Pennsylvania and I was living in Arizona. He flew out here to be my date for my brothers wedding and that was that. After a few months of travelling back and forth and major phone bills I finally said to him that it would just be cheaper if we got married, so he flew out to AZ a month later and proposed. We just celebrated our 15th anniversary last month.
Hi Sarah, Nice to meet you too! I love your story. And yes, I remember dial up, phones with cords, and long distance phone bills. LOL! Congratulations on your 15th wedding anniversary. Isn't it interesting when you hear about people falling in love through phone calls and letters? Your story is so sweet. I love the romantic "get-on-a-plane-to-propose" part. So decisive :-)
DeleteI hope you enjoy Meet the Earl at Midnight and take care-
Gina
Wowza! Don't think I can top that story! Glad it all worked out for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl, pretty crazy, isn't it? I did put the brakes on the Elvis drive-thru wedding. Brian is a great guy and I still love kissing him. It's nice to meet you!
Delete~Gina
Great story, Gina...a case of the truth outdoing fiction! I'm a mail order bride! I think it might be going to work out. We'll give it another 47 years before we make a final decision.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn! It's fate that you had your 'mail order' post and my came soon after with an eloping story. But, you've got corner on longevity with 47 years! And I'll bet the two of you not only love each other, but like each other as well.
DeleteWhat a wonderful story, thanks for sharing, I will look forward to learning more about your book.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Love is one of life's best gifts and Brian's still 'the one' to make me smile. Have a great day-
DeleteGina