When I was pregnant, nothing went according to plan. I'd really been looking forward to cute maternity clothes and baby clothes shopping. I even wanted to agonize over cloth vs. disposable diapers. I mean, I totally knew I was going the disposable route, but I wanted the chance to at least consider options. I had really wanted a baby, and I was ready to throw myself into enjoying the whole process.
But I didn't get much of a chance!
By month 4, I was on bed rest. By month 6, I was admitted to the hospital, and by month 7, I was delivering a premature baby. And that was my pregnancy. My little boy was born at 31 weeks, and about six weeks after delivery, I was able to bring him home with me. In the meantime, however, I had four different doctors sit me down and say, "Has anyone discussed future pregnancies with you?" Needless to say, we stopped at one child!
But I do wish I could have experienced a healthy pregnancy. There were so many things I was looking forward to. My husband took care of most of the "get ready for baby" things while I was in the hospital. He put together the crib, picked up baby clothes, got everything arranged by himself. It's a little heartbreaking to think about now, but we made it through.
So, in true writerly fashion, I enjoy writing pregnant heroines, because I get the chance to do all those pregnancy things I missed out on--even the pregnant lady waddle! (Seriously, don't take walking down the street for granted. LOL!)
My heroine for my November 2017 release, A BOY'S CHRISTMAS WISH, is pregnant, and she's adorable! She's all tummy, and she likes to do everything herself. But there is one little boy who has decided that she'd made the perfect step mom, and he hasn't given up on his Christmas wish.
A lot has changed—and a lot hasn't
Five years ago, Beth Thomas's engagement to Danny Brockwood ended when his secret child was dropped off on his doorstep. Now eight months pregnant—and about to be a single mother herself—Beth is back in her Alberta hometown, where the rugged mechanic is raising his son.
She wants to hate Danny; discovering he'd hidden his toddler from her was the reason she left. And now Danny's bought out the beloved corner store that had been in Beth's family for generations. But their still-simmering chemistry isn't all they have in common. Can two single parents win back each other's trust with the help of one determined boy?
Five years ago, Beth Thomas's engagement to Danny Brockwood ended when his secret child was dropped off on his doorstep. Now eight months pregnant—and about to be a single mother herself—Beth is back in her Alberta hometown, where the rugged mechanic is raising his son.
She wants to hate Danny; discovering he'd hidden his toddler from her was the reason she left. And now Danny's bought out the beloved corner store that had been in Beth's family for generations. But their still-simmering chemistry isn't all they have in common. Can two single parents win back each other's trust with the help of one determined boy?
MONTANA MISTLETOE BABY is coming out in December 2017, and that heroine is pregnant, too!
A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS?
Barrie Jones needs a Christmas miracle. Five months pregnant, she’s already the talk of Hope, Montana, because she won’t tell anyone who the father is. And now her ex, Curtis Porter, is back in town, throwing her life into chaos.
Curtis is about to retire from bull riding, which means selling the building that houses Barrie’s veterinary practice—essentially putting her out of business—so he’ll have enough money to start over. He’s the bad guy, right? And Barrie should know better than to give him a second chance, but Curtis seems different… He’s talking about settling down, maybe becoming a family man. Has Curtis really changed? And can Barrie change, too, and trust Curtis to do right by her and her baby?
Barrie Jones needs a Christmas miracle. Five months pregnant, she’s already the talk of Hope, Montana, because she won’t tell anyone who the father is. And now her ex, Curtis Porter, is back in town, throwing her life into chaos.
Curtis is about to retire from bull riding, which means selling the building that houses Barrie’s veterinary practice—essentially putting her out of business—so he’ll have enough money to start over. He’s the bad guy, right? And Barrie should know better than to give him a second chance, but Curtis seems different… He’s talking about settling down, maybe becoming a family man. Has Curtis really changed? And can Barrie change, too, and trust Curtis to do right by her and her baby?
So what about you? What things do you like to fantasize about through your fiction? Babies? Pregnancies? Wealth? Perfect weddings?
Your son must be extra precious, Patricia, given your pregnancy challenges. It’s interesting how our life experiences inform not only our life direction but also our writing themes and topics. Your upcoming releases sound wonderful! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice. And you're right--it's amazing the things that creep into our writing!
DeleteI'm glad your challenging pregnancy turned out so well. Congratulations and good luck with the new releases!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! :)
DeleteWhat do I like to fantasize about? I seriously wonder if it's Tim Horton's. The coffee chain is the setting for several scenes in two out of three of my stories. Am I fantasizing about those who eat donuts and don't gain a pound? Who knows? Congratulations on your big-tummy releases, Patricia!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I have a lot of food in my writing, too! :)
DeletePatricia, one of my niece's had the same experience and they feel blessed to have their one beautiful daughter. I have your November Heartwarming next in my reading stack. Now I can't wait. And will look for your December Western.
ReplyDeleteI'm so tickled to hear I'm in your TBR pile! :) Yes, I'm so thankful for the one child I have. I feel lucky to have had him at all.
DeleteMy granddaughter and granddaughter-in-love are both expecting, the one a girl and the other TWINS, a boy and a girl. She definitely has the pregnant waddle. lol. We're praying she can carry to term. Looking forward to reading your releases!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia! :) So many babies on the way--that's so great!
DeleteI can't wait to read your stories. My heroines tend to be atheletic and graceful, and often they can dance. Despite years of childhood dance lessons, I'm a klutz.
ReplyDeleteMy pregnancies went smoothly, but labor was a departure. The small hospital where I delivered my first didn't offer epidurals, but hubby and I trained in a class on the TENS unit. When I went to the maturity ward in labor, already at an eight and in a lot of pain, they kept assuring me they'd go get the TENS, but nobody ever did. My son was born with a big hemotoma; he looked like a conehead baby. But he's quite handsome now and my second labor was much easier.
Childbirth is so traumatic, isn't it? We all get a different story, but it's like a war story. Survival. Maybe even a little PTSD. LOL!
DeleteThanks so much for your story--I like how you lived out your fantasy pregnancy. You must have been so worried about your little one, and I think we're all glad you got your happy ending. Like our books!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Virginia. Yes, I was worried sick about him. It was a really traumatic time. I'm so glad my son made it, but I can't face another pregnancy, myself. I'll just write about healthy, blooming, beautiful pregnancies!
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