The Story Behind PROMISE ME FOREVER

The story for Promise Me Forever came after my husband Daniel and I went to a wedding. We sat in the pew for the longest time, everyone glancing at his/her watch and knowing the ceremony was to have begun minutes ago. Finally, about a half hour later, I whispered to Daniel that I was making a run for the ladies room. While in there I overheard a bridesmaid say “The groom hasn’t shown up.” A sinking feeling came over me. The bride was a friend of mine. Back in the pew, I quietly informed Daniel and soon the pastor came forward. He said, “I’m sorry friends. There won’t be a wedding today.” Feeling stunned and heartbroken for my friend, Daniel and I left the church and climbed into our minivan. As we drove a way, onto the freeway, a thought began to form. I turned to Daniel and said, "I know this was devastating for my friend but...it'd make a great novel!"

Promise Me Forever was published by Heartsong Presents and then reprinted by Barbour Publishing in a collection called Wisconsin.

Synopsis:

Julia McGowan once had visions of a happy home filled with children and love, until Mark Henley left her at the altar, brokenhearted and carrying his child. Ashamed, Julia left her small hometown to live with distant relatives-a Christian couple who show her an unconditional love and support she cannot resist. Julia soon rebuilt her broken life with her new son, Jesse. Twelve years later, with a college degree, a successful career, and a happy eleven-year-old son, Julia is faced with her past in the person of Mark Henley. How can she bear to see him again? Should she tell him about their son? How will his presence as a consultant at her company affect her own job?And somebody is stealing money from Julia's firm, using her security codes. Could Mark be behind this, or will he recognize her innocence and fight for her?