No Greater Love

I love the title of this blog–No Greater Love. It reminds me of a Bible verse, John 15:13, that by the way, shows us the greatest love of all time–the depth of Jesus’ love for us. But no greater love also has implications for everyday romance. Do you have no greater love, except for God, for your fiance or spouse?

I’m thrilled, today, to introduce my new friend and prolific romance writer, JoAnn Durgin, a USA Today best-selling author. JoAnn has graciously written this post for us. Please enjoy the story of how her love for Jim sparked Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, her 2012 novella.

JoAnn Durgin:

After the release of my 2010 debut novel, Awakening, I had dinner one night with a work friend who observed, “You must have experienced great love in your life to be able to write like you do.” I’d never thought about it that way, but her comment resonated with me. She was right. As an author, I’ve always heard to “write what you know.” The core characters in Awakening are loosely based on my husband, Jim, and me (he’s tall, dark-haired Sam Lewis to my petite, blonde Lexa Clarke). Their love story became the first book in my long-running Lewis Legacy Series. To read more about how the Lord worked in my life for that book to be published, please visit my website at https://joanndurgin.com and see “And the Man Said…“Peaches!” (under the Writing Journey tab).

Only one other book I’ve written is so closely patterned on our life together—my first novella in 2012, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. Jim and I met on a blind date when he was a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. I later discovered he’d gone on a blind date with the first runner-up to Miss Texas the week before (gulp!). Although reluctant to go on another blind date, Jim agreed to meet me in a group date situation. We formed a solid friendship, and then our relationship blossomed into romance a year later. Early on, Jim told me something rather shocking, especially from a handsome guy who had, admittedly, dated a lot—he’d never kissed a woman romantically. As Jim explained, “I’ve always known that when I kiss a woman, she’s the one I’m going to marry.” Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn’t it? Our road to true love had a few roadblocks along the way, but we persevered.

We’ll celebrate 35 years of marriage on Jim’s birthday in September (he hasn’t forgotten his anniversary yet!). We’ve been blessed with three children, one granddaughter, and we’re excited to welcome our second grandbaby by Christmas! As my friend commented more than a decade ago, the Lord has indeed blessed us with love. When God sent His Son to die for my sins, and your sins, that is the greatest love story of all. It’s the reason I write—all for His glory. Blessings to each of you as you look forward to what He has in store for the next chapter in your life.

JoAnn

Matthew 5:16

JOANN DURGIN AUTHOR BIO

JoAnn Durgin is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty books and was named one of the “35 Essential Christian Romance Authors” in 2018 by Family Fiction Magazine. A former estate administration paralegal, she writes contemporary Christian romance full-time. Her popular series include the bestselling Lewis Legacy Series, the Starlight Christmas Series, and several standalone novels. JoAnn also writes a line of Christian romances under the pen name, Julianna Desmond. She loves nothing more than sharing the hope, grace, and mercy to be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. After living in various states across the country, JoAnn lives with her family in her native southern Indiana. Check out her website: joanndurgin.com

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe – Book Description

Jacob Marston, Starlight, Iowa’s hometown hero made a long-ago promise to the Lord: he won’t kiss a woman until he knows she’s “the one.” Now at age twenty-eight, the rugged firefighter questions if it’ll ever happen. Then, he meets his best friend’s sister, and Jake believes he’s found the woman of his dreams. But what will she think when she discovers his vow?

When Julia makes an unexpected confession on Christmas Day, Jake shares his secret with her, and it looks as though happily-ever-after will make a holiday appearance. But somehow, everyone in the tiny town of Starlight learns Jake’s secret, and he’s instantly transformed from town hero to laughingstock. Did Julia reveal his secret? Can Jake forget the humiliation and find his way under the mistletoe to share a forever kiss with Julia?

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe is Book 1 of 4 in the beloved Starlight Christmas Series.

Please visit JoAnn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjoanndurgin

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💗 May God bless your relationship. 💗