Jan Elder is a Christian romance writer with a zeal for telling stories other women can relate to, a book that will strengthen the reader’s faith, while also providing an entertaining and engrossing love story.
Besides writing romance, she enjoys the occasional hazelnut cappuccino while watching Turner Classic Movies. Always an avid reader, she devours books voraciously, both Christian and secular. She was born a cat-lover and her books will, no doubt, feature a feline in some way or another.
Happily married for twelve years to loving (and supportive) husband, Steve, the two live in central Maryland along with Jamie (a tuxedo cat), and Shu-Shu (a tortoiseshell cat). On the weekends, Jan and Steve comb the nearby countryside in search of the perfect ice cream flavor.
Jan is graciously offering a copy of Manila Marriage App to one commenter, a print copy within the US or an e-copy or pdf to international readers.
Here's my review of Manila Marriage App.
Why in the world would a reasonably sane young woman fly halfway across the world to meet a stranger? Especially when that stranger thought she was coming to marry him?
Shay Callahan is on a mission to teach a missionary a lesson—and enjoy a tropical vacation in the exotic city of Manila. The small magazine ad and subsequent letter by Dr. Timothy Flynn had piqued Shay’s feminist ire with its requirements for a “suitable wife.”
And so off she goes, and the adventure begins before the plane even touches down. Manila Marriage App is a fun read with quirky and multi-dimensional characters, lush settings, and some wonderful details that took me to the Philippines along with Shay.
The hesitant relationship between Shay and Dr. Timothy kept me enthralled throughout the twists, turns, and trials they faced.
Manila Marriage App is a wonderful story, and it earns five stars. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Elder. Highly recommended!
Question and Answer Time:
Interview questions:
- What was your inspiration for this story?
Here’s an excerpt from their website at www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ that shows the requirements for their newest series.
PASSPORT TO ROMANCE
Take a trip and fall in love! Passport to Romance™ titles are contemporary romances set in exotic locations around the world. These stories offer the contemporary Christian reader adventure, vivacity, romance, and faith. Passport to Romance™ features chic heroines who are sparkling, confident, open for adventure—and who are a perfect match for a contemporary alpha male who has a zest for life, a thirst for God, and who likes an intelligent woman who can hold her own.
- What is its take-away message?
In Manila Marriage App, what I would like the reader to take away, is that when God speaks, listen up. He loves you to pieces and has your very best in mind. I tried my best to achieve that goal and as the story unfolds, I hope the reader will be pleased and surprised at the character development…and with the way Shay and Timothy discover true love—God’s way.
- Tell us a bit about your writing routine. Do you have set hours? Do you get dressed first? Do you travel for research? Where and when do you do your best work?
My husband is generally watching TV while playing on his computer, and we often converse back and forth about the show he’s watching or an article he’s reading. In between all of that noise, I come up with plot, characters, and dialogue. I’ve tried writing when it’s quiet, but it doesn’t work as well. Weird, huh?
As to research, in 2009, I was finally able to visit my brother in the Philippines—my first trip to a third world country. In writing the book, I rolled back my memories of this amazing country and took off. Having a reliable source of information (my brother) and mental pictures in my mind helped tremendously. I used the seminary where my brother works, as the inspiration for the seminary in MMA. I even somewhat patterned my hero after my brother (except Timothy Flynn is taller—grin.)
- What’s your next writing project?
Next up, I’ve started a full-length novel tentatively titled A Bittersweet Romance set in a chocolate shop. Can you imagine the fun time I’m going to have researching that subject?
Just for fun:
- Coffee or Tea?
- Snacks: Sweet or Salty?
- Dream vacation
- #1 on your Bucket List
Great answers, Jan! I'd love to visit Ireland, too. And a cabin in the woods sounds fantastic--with or without ducks!
Book blurb
It all began as a lark. Shay Callahan’s life was just fine, thank you, but when the seemingly misogynistic missionary, Timothy Flynn, places an advertisement for a wife in a Christian magazine, she decides to give it a whirl and sends in the five-page application. Why not? After all, she’s not currently seeing anyone, and this man truly needs to be taught a lesson.
Finding out she’s Dr. Flynn’s pick of the litter, Shay hops on a plane and flies to The Philippines. The strategy is to jet in, enjoy an exciting two-week vacation, and jet out again, all at his expense. Instead, her plan backfires. The handsome missionary man is not what he seems, and the foreign land has far more to offer than she could imagine.
Embark on a tropical adventure with Shay that challenges everything she believes.
Short excerpt from Manila Marriage App
Being this near to Timothy unsettled me, turning my resolve to mush. I was leaving soon. I didn’t want to fall for this man. Powerless to resist, I reached over and brushed the hair out of his stormy gray eyes.
His arm slipped around my shoulders. Pulling me close, he leaned in for a soft, gentle kiss. If I were the dramatic type, moonlight and romance might have come to mind. Since I wasn’t that sort, I puffed out a modest gasp. The mystifying man had made a move!
I pulled back slightly and touched his check. As delightful as that was—and believe me it was delightful—I really could be contagious.”
“Don’t care.”
My eyes widened as he cupped the back of my neck, wove his fingers in my golden latte hair, and drew me still closer. This time his kiss wasn’t sweet, or shy, or the least bit timid. This time, when his lips met mine, he kissed me with a touch of passion, just enough to let me know he was indeed attracted to me.
I offered him my sweetest smile. “Nice.”
He leaned his head back, his arm still tight around my shoulders. “Yeah. Nice.”
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