Shannon here: I’m honored to be part of the American Christian Fiction Writers blog tour today. As soon as I heard about the tour focusing on ACFW Conference memories, since my blog is dedicated to real and fictional romance, I thought of the Stockton’s. I’d never heard the full story and figured there were other ACFW members who hadn’t either. So for today’s special post, I’m featuring the real life romance of Marcher Lord Press author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton and Heartsong Presents author, Tiffany Amber Stockton which began at the 2004 ACFW Conference in Denver. Stuart is giving away a copy of his book, Starfire & Tiff is giving away a copy of her book, Liberty’s Promise. Leave a comment on any post this week for a chance to win. Deadline Aug. 28, 8:00 PM Central. Here’s Stuart & Tiff:
Once upon a time a red-haired princess sat alone in her tower gazing out at a distant land. Though she was fair of face and form no prince had come to free her from her isolation. She dreamed of the time when she could escape the tower and live free. Her only relief came through the benevolence of a queen far away who let her attend a gathering of scribes once each year.
‘Twas at the third one of these gatherings that she beheld a strange sight. A great blue-eyed dragon stood before the assembled scribes and spoke in a tongue most strange. Yet something about the dragon captivated the fair lady. Perhaps it was the longing she caught in his face or the quiet manner in which he held his audience of scribes captive. Thus, when once more in her lonely tower, she sought out the dragon through enchanted letters.
Now far away in his lair the great blue eyed dragon found these magical missives quite to his liking. For though he had been enchanted by other fair maidens who had fleed at his presence, and heard many frightful tales of princesses, he found this one to be far from threatening. And so it was that at the fourth gathering of scribes, the sweet maiden and scaly beast formed an unlikely friendship, sharing in jokes and meals together, and piquing the interest of the scheming madames of the land.
Something stirred in the hearts of the princess and the dragon even then. Though the dragon feared some sorcery might be afoot, he found the princess to be quite different from the ones he’d previously encountered.
The princess locked in her tower, sought to break the spells binding he heart through this connection with the dragon. Their messages continued to flow, and their friendship blossomed.
In the year of the fifth gathering of scribes, in the land of the lone star, the Unseen Hand who had been weaving the threads of these lives together quickened the loom. Though the blue-eyed dragon was loath to admit it, the red-haired princess had stolen his heart.
For three long months, the dragon fought against the tug of his love. During this time, the princess fought her own battles. For despite the counsel of several scribes in the far off land, the bond between her and the dragon could not be broken. And so, she continued.
At last, wearied from his struggle, the dragon succumbed to the sweet bliss of the maiden’s charms and flew to her tower. There, with a single kiss, the great dragon was transformed into a handsome blue-eyed prince with the gleam of the dragon still in his eyes. He swept her from her tower and carried her among the stars. From that glimmering sea, he plucked the brightest spark and pledged his undying love.
And thus, let it be proclaimed throughout the kingdom, from scribe to scribe. The fair princess, Tiffany Amber Miller, has given her consent to marry the noble prince, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, on the 28th day of the 7th month of the 2007th year. Festivities and celebrations are planned throughout the kingdom, for this will be the first marriage of two members of the esteemed scribes.
PART TWO
When last we left the fair princess, Tiffany, she had given her consent to marry the noble prince, Stuart Vaughn Stockton. Festivities abounded to celebrate the auspicious event on the 28th day of the 7th month of the 2007th year, both in Tiffany’s home kingdom and in the home kingdom of Prince Stuart. All were present to welcome her to her new castle where she now lives with her prince in jolly bliss.
Months passed as they adjusted to their new shared lives. The spells that bound her heart to that of her prince grew even stronger. The three-fold cord that ties these two together is stronger than any force that might attempt to break them apart.
After a year, the time came for their thoughts to turn toward the flourishing of their new kingdom. After all, a kingdom cannot thrive if it does not grow. Only a few weeks later, the news they had been anxiously awaiting finally arrived.
Do allow us to share that joyous decree with you now:
Prince Stuart and Princess Tiffany would like to announce the coming arrival of a wee bairn some seven months hence.
And thus, let it be proclaimed throughout the kingdom and all neighboring lands, from scribe to scribe. In the early days of the 4th month of the 2009th year, we shall welcome the arrival of the new little princess, and the child shall be christened into the world of the scribes.
PART THREE
It is time yet again to join the fair princess, Tiffany, her beloved Prince Stuart, and the little princess Victoria. When last we met with this beloved family, the wee Victoria had yet to make her presence known to the world. Festivities abounded to welcome the darling to her new home, both in Tiffany’s original kingdom and in the kingdom where the family now resides. All came out to celebrate the much-anticipated event, and the details were recorded in the kingdom registry, to be preserved for all time.
Now, nearly seventeen months aft, the kingdom is seeing yet another addition to the royal family. As is known, a kingdom cannot thrive if it does not grow.
Do allow us to share this second joyous decree with you now:
Prince Stuart and Princess Tiffany would like to announce the coming arrival of a second wee bairn some seven months hence.
And thus, let it be proclaimed throughout the kingdom and all neighboring lands, from scribe to scribe. In the early days of the 4th month of the 2011th year, we shall welcome the arrival of the new little prince or princess, and the child shall follow in the footsteps of the eldest sibling, joining Victoria in the world of the scribes.
About Tiffany: Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author, online marketing specialist, and a freelance web site designer who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a one-year-old daughter and a vivacious Australian shepherd named Roxie. She has sold eleven books to Barbour Publishing with many more stories yet to be told. Three of her novels won annual reader’s choice awards and in 2009, she was voted #1 favorite new author for the Heartsong Presents book club. Other writing credits include over twenty writing articles for various publications, five short stories with Romancing the Christian Heart, and nine contributions to the book, 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage. A born-again Christian since the age of seven, her faith in Christ has often sustained her through difficult experiences. She seeks to share that with others through her writing. Read more about her at her web site: www.amberstockton.com.
About Stuart: Stuart Vaughn Stockton is an award-winning science fiction author. His first novel, Starfire released in 2009, published by Marcher Lord Press. Stuart was born in the small Kansas town of Plainville, and he is fond of saying he’s the strangest thing to ever come out of Plainville. Stuart’s exploration into world creation began in Jr. High, when he drew a dinosaur riding a pogo-stick. From there characters, creatures and languages blossomed into the worlds of Galactic Lore, the mythos in which Stuart’s first novel, Starfire is set. Starfire first gained notoriety when it was featured in suspense author, Brandilyn Collin’s Kanner Lake series. These four books show the character Ted “S-man” Dawson writing Starfire and highlight sections of the plot and snippets of the Saurian language. Starfire released to great critical acclaim and won first place in the 2010 Epic Awards Science Fiction category. Stuart currently lives in Colorado Springs, where he works at a local publishing company during the day, and ventures into alien worlds by night. He also co-owns Eagle Designs, with his wife Tiffany, who is also an author.
To learn more about Shannon Vannattar and her books, please visit her website.