kristaphillips 
When I started on my most recent book, A Side of Love, I struggled a bit.
Love comes in all forms.
Of course, GOD is Love. And I wanted Jesus to be the focal point of ALL my books, so definitely this one too.
And I write romance, obviously it would have romantic love in it. All my books do.
But what could I do to really highlight LOVE as the theme?
As a mom of a teenage girl and a tween, I am just now starting to navigate the fun waters with my children of young love. Girlhood crushes that may or may not turn into something more. So I had fun using the “high school crush” angle in this book.
But even more than that, I wanted to show that love should be sacrificial.
Garrett has returned to Sandwich to care for his aging mother. He left his dream job, chef of a prestigious upscale restaurant in downtown Chicago, to be the chef of the Sandwich Emporium. I mean, I love the Emporium and all. It was created by my own imagination, so I have a special love for it. But—it will never compete or whole the prestige of Garrett’s former position. But it gives him more time off and stability in a small town, and the ability to care for his mother.
And then we can also back up in his life to high school, when he had a crush on his best friend’s sister. His dad convinced him to hold onto his feelings for later. That it would be selfish, as a senior in high school getting ready to move away to college, to entangle the heart of a freshman who had her whole high school “career” ahead of her. So he set aside his own feelings and wants at the time.
I loved these subtle undercurrents of love. Yes, love can be found in the mushy, ooey-gooey feelings of attraction we feel. It is a fun love and important one. But it shouldn’t stop there. Love is so much MORE than that. It’s what I REALLY hope to teach my girls as they start to navigate the boys/dating waters.
Let’s Chat! Do you have any examples of sacrificial love in your own life? Either that you have shown others or others have shown you?
My mom spent the last 2 years of her life (2008-2010)homebound after a neurological event and a fall. During that time, my dad (who is 88 now, so was 80-82 then) basically took TOTAL care of my mom, fixing her food, wheelchairing her to the bathroom, giving her meds, dressing her, etc. He set up her hospital bed in their family room, and every night for those two years, he would sleep on a mattress on the floor of the family room rather than back in his bed in the bedroom. Each morning he would lift up the mattress and slide it into a storage room off the family room, then pull it out again the next night. He wanted to be RIGHT THERE in case she needed him in the night. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in June of 2010, before she passed away in December. When we came up to my dad's house the day after she passed, my husband told my dad, "You have shown us what love is."
Krista, both the books sound yummy, since I am a hopeful romantic! I left my thriving practice to move back home to take care of my father! 2 years later at 53, single and now able to start over I felt lost! My husband long gone some years back. No children due to medical reason and he never wanted to adopt! I found myself staring in the mirror wondering who this tired now graying haired person was! I love God, am thankful for his hand in many of the blessing that came while in and out of the hospital with he and my mother both 76 and high school sweet hearts. Now both well, I was not sure where to start over I got I got an email out of the blue from someone who lost his wife to cancer and got my Facebook page. I was in no mode to ever want to start over had lost my humor, smile and pretty blond curles! But then I realized he had lost his wife, was in the same physical state as I was but still had the ability to make me laugh in a time he was hurting,he has an 12 year old son, and no clue what he's doing at 55 so the prospect of love for both of us is almost comical! Both these books sounds very interesting since I was pushed back to life by my parents and some how heading towards what could be love like a boat heading for rocks be I am on the SS minnow heading for uncharted waters! He's very interested in me and I am like a wild women trying to protect my heart and mind with a fly sweater against a big burly bear who looks scary but has no teeth or claws! I have no read you books yet but I would love the sandwich shop series! So which ever book you send I will use my 25 dollar Amazon gift card I have been to busy for 2 years to use lol to by the others in the series once I know which would entertain me the most! I have wanted to write children's adventure books, love young adult themes and several tries and am to chicken to submit, thank you for your writing I am now going to get back to writing and actually doing something with them! Both free books sound amazing so surprise me! Bonniejak7@yahoo.com for my address! I will be praying for both your girls and continued was to be fear free! Not rust in God with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding (undo concern) in all thy ways acknowledge Him (go to Gods Word His cookie jar for His kids) and He shall direct all paths. (Ways to win in every situation). Prayers and love as I am now moving from Florida to live with friends and pursue a little closer the bear and his cub) ? with blessings from the deer in headlights