Q&A With a Romance Author: Blended Families

by Danica Winters

 

To help spread the world about my latest release, Winter Swans, I have been answering reader questions. I loved the questions I received. Especially when they addressed the issue of blended families. I often write about the modern American family in which there are divorces, several marriages, step children and parents, and all those emotional issues that come along with the quest to find happiness.

I hope you enjoy this Q&A!

 

Q: I come from a blended family and am now thinking about getting married to my long-term boyfriend. My biggest fear is finding myself in a situation like my parents (I.E. having children, getting divorced, and having to face start my life over again). I don’t want to stop from living, but how do I get over my fears?

A: In my books, you may have noticed the presence of blended families. I, like you, have faced the reality that comes with the modern American family. We live in a culture in which happiness is one of our most valued assets (and rightly so). With this quest for happiness, comes the fallout of failed relationships, hurt feelings, and secrets. After facing the darkness, how do we move on?

A running theme in my books is the fact that we must constantly move forward. We can’t look to the past and use the memory of our injuries to shirk from the future. We all have fears and baggage and we should learn from not only our family’s mistakes, but from our own as well.

What can we learn from a failed marriage?

Many things, but first and most importantly is the Need to compromise.  We must learn to put others needs in front of our own. I’m not implying that we need to be doormats, but I am saying we must consider others feelings before we take action. Will your choice hurt the person you love? Will your secret come back to haunt you? Is it better to face the truth?

After compromise comes the need to Never resent the person you love. People make mistakes (and so do the characters in Winter Swans, Montana Mustangs, and The Nymph’s Labyrinth).  Lastly, we Must learn to truly forgive not only our loved ones, but ourselves as well. If you can learn to forgive (you don’t have to forget) those who have caused you pain, you will find it much easier to live your life and love with a heart not weighted by the troubles of your past.

Wishing you the best of luck with your upcoming engagement (I hope)!

-Danica Winters

About Danica Winters: Danica Winters is a bestselling author who is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic. When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing).  She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.

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Winter Swans
Series: The Nymph Series
Book 3
            Book 1: The Nymph’s Labyrinth
            Book 2: Montana Mustangs

Blurb: A curse that forbids her to love…A child that he must accept… And a battle that could get them killed…

After the death of his troubled ex-wife, the professional poker player, Chance Landon, finds out he is the father of a strange girl who carries even stranger secrets.

Swan-shifting nymph, Harper Cygnini, is a driven by the need to succeed in her professional life. When she meets Chance and his daughter, it becomes only too clear that there are things missing in her life—feelings and needs laid dormant after the mistakes of her past.

When Chance makes a choice that puts them all in danger, Harper must choose between her job and her heart. Chance may be the gambler, but should she risk making the same mistakes and pinning her hopes on a future that may cost Chance his life and his daughter—or is that one bet she is unwilling to take?

Purchase Links: ITunes | Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Kobo

New Release:

Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romances of 2013)
Short Story Anthology
Authors: Danica Winters, Jennifer Conner, Sharon Kleve, Casey Dawes

Blurbs:
Christmas Wishes-Danica Winters: For most, Christmas is a time for family, love, life, dreams, and wishes—but not for Lee Llewellyn, a mother who has recently lost her son to an accident and her husband to the resentment it caused.
In a chance encounter, she is given the gift of company on Christmas, but is she ready to move forward and start living again?

Central Bark at Christmas-Jennifer Conner: When Tennyson’s boyfriend left her for her best friend from high-school, all Tennyson received in the break up was her dog. She’s sworn off men and now is rebuilding her life. The only thing Par does is work. He barely has time to do anything he wants for himself other than take his dog to the dog park. When Par and Tennyson find an abandoned dog at the park named Duke. Will they find room in their hearts to take him in?
And can this Christmas season weave some special magic for the two of them?

Halo's Wish-Sharon Kleve: Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.
Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she's ever wanted.Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.
Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both before Christmas?

Christmas Hope-Casey Dawes: Clara Misowski is convinced Sam Richards’ cheese making operation would be a perfect stop for her culinary tour group.
He’s adamantly opposed to anything to do with a group of women on his farm.
Can she convince him to open his heart to company, Christmas, and maybe even her?

Check it out on Amazon!