CAPA Nomination--Relationship Rescue

I’m excited to share that my short Inspirational, Relationship Rescue, has been nominated for a CAPA Award at The Romance Studio. In fact several fellow The Wild Rose Press authors have also been nominated in the Inspirational category. I’m very honored to be among them.

Have you ever wished for a second chance at happiness?

Cindy K. Green has crafted a bittersweet story of failed love and second chances. Sometimes touching, sometimes funny, this short, sweet read will warm your heart. ~ Kara Lynn Russell, author of the Orchard Hill series of Inspirational romances.

Two blind dates: one was stood up and the other one wishes she was. Have they both been set up in more ways than one?

After Mitchell Regan and Robynn Hartley broke off their engagement, they remained friends and continued attending the same church. They’ve attempted to keep their unhappiness a secret from each other and everyone else but they can’t fool their close friends, Marina and Chad Anthony, who decide enough is enough. It’s time for a Relationship Rescue.

Excerpt:

“You know, Robynn, I think we’ve been set-up.”

“Set-up? Yes, I was set-up. It was a blind date, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why Marina and Chad thought I would have gotten along with Norman Clark.”

“That’s my point. Marina and Chad set me up on a blind date that never showed. You had the date from a sitcom episode.”

Robynn sat up straight. “We were set-up!”

Mitch glanced at the counter again. Robynn turned around to look as well, her face close to his, sending his pulse racing. As he glanced down, she turned her eyes up to him and they locked onto each other. The pull to kiss her here and now was intense. “Robynn, I think they were hoping we might bump into each other tonight and talk just like we have.”

Realization entered her eyes. She began to nod her head as she spoke. “I know Marina was terribly disappointed when we didn’t get married.” She swallowed hard on the last word, her eyes glistening again.

“I think there were several people disappointed about that but maybe we don’t have disappoint them tonight.”

“What do you mean?” A stony expression entered her hooded eyes as she deeply assessed him. She didn’t trust him any further than she could throw him and he couldn’t blame her.

After taking her hand firmly into his, they sat back into the couch. It seemed like an eternity since he’d held her hand so intimately. It gave him the courage to go on. “Come take a walk with me…

Now Available at The Wild Rose Press ($1.50).

Best Book of the Week

It's official! I just received word and readers voted Relationship Rescue 'Best Book of the Week' over at LASR! This really is a wonderful story and I'm glad to see another book from The Wild Rose Press win the honor. Even more--because of the contest I sold at least one book. I had a reader write me back and tell me: 'Wonderful touching story. No wonder it's been nominated.' Well, those words were worth it all. Thank you to everyone who voted for Relationship Rescue.




LASR's Review from Black-eyed Susan:
In this wonderful short story Cindy Green gives us a glimpse into a world where neighbors and friends care too much to keep their noses out of someone else's business.

Chad and Marina Anthony are very concerned about their young friends Mitch and Robynn. Mitch and Robynn had been in love and had been engaged. They'd seemed so happy! Then it all fell apart and they broke up. Now they have to deal regularly with the discomfort of living in the same town, having the same friends, and going to the same church. Ms. Green paints a vivid picture of their subsequent unhappiness - an unhappiness that has been duly noted by the Anthonys - an unhappiness that the Anthonys set out to rectify in a sneaky and most satisfying manner.

Will their interference bring peace to Mitch and Robynn, or will it just increase their discomfort? All this reviewer is going to say is fix yourself a nice cup of tea and sit down for a short and pleasant read. You'll be glad you did!

An Excerpt from Relationship Rescue:
Robynn raised her eyes to see a couple walking toward her, pushing a baby in a stroller. She recognized Anna and Nate Stephenson, frequent shoppers at her baby boutique, and their cute-as-a-button six-month-old daughter, Kelsey.

“Oh, hey, Anna,” Robynn replied. She leaned down to the baby. “And how is my favorite customer.” She shook her head from side to side at the little girl with animation. “Hello, Kelsey. It’s nice to see you, Kelsey,” she said in a babyish tone.

The baby’s face broke out into a large toothless grin and then she squealed with delight. “She’s always happy to see you, Robynn,” said Nate.

“When are you finally going to get married and have a baby, Robynn?” asked Anna with a smile.

It was annoying how often she was asked that question and how much it hurt to hear it now. But what did she expect as the owner of a baby shop. It was different when she was with Mitch. They’d made plans for a future—a life, a house, and children with God at the center of it all.

Thankfully, before she had to respond to Anna’s question, Nate asked her another one. “Are you waiting for some friends tonight?”

Robynn only smiled in answer; it was easier than admitting she had no life.

“Nate, look there. Isn’t that Mitchell Regan?” asked Anna.

“Do you know, Mitch?” asked Robynn, a bit taken back. She tried to keep her voice reserved and even.

“Sure,” Nate replied. “He’s been Kelsey’s photographer since she was born.”

“You should have seen the adorable shots he took of her last week,” Anna gushed. “He is so good with babies…well, all the kids. He’ll make a great daddy one day.”

Robynn closed her eyes for a split second as her insides twirled with pain. She loved kids and the one thing she’d always hoped for was a child of her own. Without realizing it, she had raised a hand to her stomach.

“You know, Mitch, too?” said Nate.

“Yes, he’s a…a friend of mine. We attend the same church.”

“Maybe you should make him more than a friend, Robynn,” said Anna. “He’s awfully cute.”

She didn’t need to be told that. Yes, Mitchell Regan was cute, standing six foot two in his bare feet with a natural tan which seemed to make his sandy-blonde hair glow, broad shoulders, a smile to make any girl melt, and those profound brown eyes—the eyes that could charm anyone into anything. Too bad I couldn’t charm him the same way.

Anna and Nate said their goodbyes and entered Gimme a Latte. Robynn knew she should either go on in as she promised Marina or go home. This is what was so difficult—remaining in the same circle as Mitch, pretending to be his friend, made her heart ache and yet she couldn’t imagine severing any and all connection to him.

Oh, Lord, guard my heart. Being friends with him has been harder than I ever imagined.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside. Well, her date this evening had been horrible already. Why not add awkward and embarrassing to the mix. Then it would be a perfect night.



Cindy K. Green has crafted a bittersweet story of failed love and second chances. Sometimes touching, sometimes funny, this short, sweet read will warm your heart. ~ Kara Lynn Russell, author of the Orchard Hill series of Inspirational romances.


Blurb:
Two blind dates: one was stood up and the other one wishes she was. Have they both been set up in more ways than one?

After Mitchell Regan and Robynn Hartley broke off their engagement, they remained friends and continued attending the same church. They've attempted to keep their unhappiness a secret from each other and everyone else but they can't fool their close friends, Marina and Chad Anthony, who decide enough is enough. It's time for a Relationship Rescue.

Now Available at The Wild Rose Press ($1.50).