The winner of the Kindle Fire is Tammy S!! (chosen by Random.org blind number picker) I will be contacting her by email.
We had 374 entries! Thank you, everyone, for sharing your “accidents” as part of my celebration of the publication of The Accidental Duchess.
–Madeline
The title of The Accidental Duchess refers to a series of situations in the book that throw Lydia and the Duke of Penthurst together, much to Lydia’s dismay. She has a mission to complete and he keeps interfering, unaware of the trouble he is causing her. Finally he interferes at time she really needs help, but they both end up compromised. So Lydia finds herself a duchess essentially by accident. It is an accident that leads to something wonderful, however.
Life is full of accidents— those developments that are unplanned and unforeseen, that can have conclusions least expected. Luck or chance play their roles in everyone’s life. Ideally the accidents are happy ones, and we look back on them fondly. Sometimes they are not fortunate, but as with Lydia’s marriage to Penthurst, they lead to good things in the end.
What about you? Have you experienced accidents that made a difference in your life? Share one here in a comment (or comment in some other way), and be entered into a random drawing for a Kindle Fire (apps for B & N and Kobo can be side-loaded, so it can serve all ereaders’ libraries.) Giveaway ends June 6.
This is to celebrate The Accidental Duchess, coming June 3. If you have not ordered your copy yet, but would like to, links to online vendors can be found in the left margin of this page <—–
JUNE 7 UPDATE: I have turned off the comments because the giveaway is over. Thank you, everyone, who participated! The stories about your accidents that led to good things were amazing. I read them all, and some of the experiences really touched me, or made me laugh, or left me so impressed with how life works its magic. Again, Thank YOU.
The winner will be drawn and posted later today.
When I was seven years old, I wrecked my bicycle and started to cry. A lady heard me and came to help. She took me to my home and became immediate friends with my Mom. Later, I asked her to be my godmother. She said yes and my life was changed.
I don’t know about “accidents” but I read a short column about the author Christine Feehan and tried the first “Dark” book. Previously I read essentially only mysteries and some historical fiction, but the new world of paranormal opened up so many new opportunities to read. I now read paranormal and other genres with great gusto!
I can’t think of an accident in my life, but I do know that your life can be turned upside down in just one moment.
Can’t think of any accidents personally, but I am looking forward to reading Lydia & Penthurst’s story!
My mom’s accidental pregnancy was the best thing that ever happened to me…it resulted in my sister, who is my best friend!!
I’ve always believed in the saying “Everything happens for a reason.” But that doesn’t stop me from wanting/looking forward to happy accidents like meeting people.
We were coming home one Thanksgiving and were we lived there was a mountain we had to go around. It had just started sleeting. Dad hit it wrong and we went off the side. By the grace of God there was a tree there that caught us and held the minivan there. My own belief is that my grandfather who had just passed was our guardian angel that day. We all got out without a scratch. We had to wait a while for someone to come by (before everyone had cellphones) but we made it home
I can’t remember an accident that changed my life, although I am very clumsy so many moments may have occurred in this way. What I have found in life is that you have to let it happen and not try too hard. This has worked both for my jobs through the years and meeting my husband.
By accident – I’m going to assume that you mean not planned….I threw a party at the end of summer college classes and one person was the only one that showed…everyone else went home for the weekend…anyway we spent hours talking and then were together the entire weekend enjoying spending time together – we’ve been married over 26 years now!
After being told I would probably never be able to get pregnant, I had three beautiful children over the span of twelve years. They may not have been planned, but they sure are loved.
My husband and I, before we were dating, were part of a large group of friends that hung out together. One summer night, after midnight, I wake up to the sound of rocks at my window. I look out and see three drunk guys on my parent’s front lawn! My future husband and our two friends were standing on the front lawn. They thought they would stop by! I went outside to talk to them (mortified at what the neighbors would think). I asked my future husband how he got so tan and he replied he went to the beach everyday. I mentioned that I didn’t like to go to the beach by myself and that next time he goes to let me know. He replied that he was going the next day. The rest is history. We will be celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary in June!
My husband and I and our two toddlers were visiting my parents over the Memorial Day weekend. It was pouring rain so we needed to get the kids out of the house so they wouldn’t drive everyone crazy. Since we had no money, we needed free entertainment, so we asked a real estate agent to show us around.
The first house we saw was the one we’ve lived in ever since. Great place to raise kids.
A few years ago just before Christmas while driving home, me and my sister were discussing the purchase of a new car for her. I remember asking her what colour and what type of car she was looking for before making a final decision. I then said perhaps she must ask for it “put it out there” I said and believe it would come. We forgot about the conversation and carried on with life.
I entered this contest to win a car – at first was not going as it required me to send in copy of invoice that I had purchase a DVD – so it was by chance just before closing date I entered and the rest is history – I won and called my sister to say Santa had the perfect car for her its Black and a Toyota. This was a blessing and made a great difference as she didn’t have the means to get a new car! I believe it was our dad looking out for his daughters 🙂
I’m grateful for what Life has given to me, the good and the bad. I fully believe that if one asks sincerely it will come.
No accidents turned blessings… yet! I have waited a long time for the Duke’s story. Chomping at the bit until next Tuesday…
Met the man I married (soul mate) through an accidental acceptance of a job offer! A friend of over 20 yrs accidentally referred me for a job overseas and also accepted the offer as me! When I got the call – I decided to honor the friendship of 20+ yrs (it would have seriously compromised her position in the industry if I didn’t) and packed my suitcase, grabbed my ticket and headed for the airport (2 Day turnaround). Within the first week on the job in Europe – I met my future husband and that was it – eyes met and instant bond! What is even stranger is that my husband also accidentally arrived at the location we met at. He was on his way to another location – got lost and ended up alone looking for his friends and instead he found me! Yea…a real romance story that all started with accidents for us both! We are still happily married some 20+ years later! And the friend who was the catalyst to our destiny – of course, she was in our wedding and we are friends still to this day!
Can’t think of anything to say about life changing accidents, but would love to win.
Can’t think of any accidents but really looking forward to the book.
I was fishing beside my house when I was younger. I slipped and went in the water the next thing I knew some person came and pulled me out. All I knew was his name John. 15 years later I met him again he was walking down beside the water where I was fishing when I was younger. We have been together now for 30 years.
I can’t wait to read this story!
On accidents, I first think back to falling at a playground when I was 12. I needed stitches, it was very bad and gory, almost looked fake with streams of blood down my leg and filling my shoe. No one around helped me, they just stared. My mom was shocked that no one paid attention or asked if I were ok, I just got myself home. It made me realize how sometimes you need to really holler for help or not take help for granted.
When I was a teenager, my family took a vacation to Washington, DC. It was great but we had an 8 hour car ride to look forward to when going home. I was deperate. I wasn’t a big reader then, but I picked up “Shanna” from the Smithsonian bookstore. Yea, it was random, but it started me on my lifelong love of romance novels.
Looking forward to the release of your book and can’t wait to read it!!
Have enjoyed reading your books for many years. Can’t wait for your new one. Contests are always nice even when don’t win. Keep up the good writing.
I can’t think of any at this time. But yes life throws you curveballs. Sometimes they are great and ohter times not so great. I have learned to roll with whatever fate throws at me.
I can not wait to read this new book. I read at night after my 5 kids go to bed…it’s the ONLY me time I get!
Went to see U2 in San Diego back in 1997…that event started all my relationships to come. Each life event has brought me closer to where I have landed. Lots of good and bad memories. I can see my choices and what consequences and events have come to me.
When I was 15, I was in a car wreck that fractured my skull in 3 places. We were coming home from school, the driver lost control due to the rain, and we hit 2 trees and a telephone pole. I’m still unsure how we all got out alive, as the car was crushed. 17 years later and I still have memory loss. Mainly short term. But I’m alive and well and that is all that matters. I learned to not regret anything in life, to try everything at least once, and end each day with a smile on your face, because you’ve made it through another day!
Got an accident last year because i too hurry to get work ontime. Pretty bad,got broken leg. More careful now.
Before there were all of the dating websites, there was Yahoo Personals, of which I was a “member”. I meant to send a message to one person I was interested in, but sent the message to the person below. Well, he responded back to (the “person below”) and we began dating, got married, and are about to celebrate our 10th anniversary. That was the best mistake/accident I’ve ever made!!!
I had just started dating a guy and got pregnant. The condom accidentally broke. We decided to continue dating to see if it was going to work out before jumping into marriage like our parents wanted us to. Those 8 months of “dating with intent to marry” were amazing. 17 years together, 16 married and 4 boys later, it was the best “accident” ever. 🙂 Can’t wait for this book!
I wouldn’t say accident either but you really have to wonder the what if’s – I met my husband in high school. Hew was the new kid in town. What if he hadn’t had to take a PA history course that put him in my class as a senior, what if his military parents hadn’t sent him to live with his grandmother while there were problems in the Congo, etc. etc. Timing is everything lol.
Most of the best things in my life arrived by accident or fate or the powers that be…
Some seem bigger than others like turning up preggers with my 2nd born just 2 days before leaving on our first long weekend from my barely one year old vs. getting involved in drama in high school because my freshman schedule got mixed up and I had all electives -which Theater I decided to keep when getting it corrected- this gave me a whole new set of friends that I still have most of today 25+ yrs later.
😉 There are more, but you get the idea.
My accidental pregnancy at age 22 in the middle of college gave me my son. He’s a handsome, smart, charismatic little guy who’s about to go into Kindergarten now. I haven’t been able to return to college and complete my degree since having him, but if I had the chance I wouldn’t change anything about what brought him to me.
I can’t say I’ve have a particularly good outcome from an accident, however, I know it’s no accident that I am looking forward to reading your new book. I’m a reviewer for the blog, bookworm2bookworm and I would love to read/review and promote this book on our blog.
Congratulations on the upcoming release!
I can’t think of any accidents that have changed my life. Love the cover. Looking forward to reading it 🙂
Love your books! Would like to win a copy of “An Accidental Duchess”!
I have to say, there have not been any accidents that have changed my life. I guess that is a good thing. ..
Oh, Can not wait! Would love the Fire to read the new book on…
I once worked at a country club and had a bar tender run over my foot in the parking lot. He then left for vacation and I had to tend bar in a bright pink cast for two weeks. I had to wear skirts because I couldn’t pull pants up over my cast. During those two weeks, I received the most tips I ever made!
I had an accident, I was at a friends house who lived next door to the handsome guy I had crush on. Well I had on sandles and they got stuck in the mud. I had to pull them out and had mud all over me. One sanel strap was broke and I looked up there he was watching the whole thing laughing. I turned so red, but he walked over and took my shoe went into the shed and fixed it. Came back out and we started talking, been married 44 years.
I make mistakes all the time!! Sometimes it takes me awhile to learn things.
Have had so many accidents in my lifetime, and not really what you would consider life changing but have tried to learn from most of them. Am really looking forward to the new book. Counting the days :>)
My accidental pregnancy resulted in my first born. He now takes care of me.
No accidents but does the fact that I hated my college roomie so much that I came home after 3 weeks and then met my husband 6 months later when we started working together count? Almost 30 years together!!
love the cover and your books.
Can’t remember any happy accidents, but it is no accident that I have enjoyed all your books.
I am looking forward to the Accidental Duchess.
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Not necessarily an accident… My youngest was not planned and yet I couldn’t imagine life without him 🙂
I can’t think of any accidents, but the latest Better Than Ezra song, “Crazy Lucky” comes to mind. It talks about how there are billions of people in the world and the chances of the meeting and falling in love are very slim. I love that song, I hope my brother picks it for his wedding this Fall!
Looking forward to reading The Accidental Duchess.
Accidental meetings that make a big difference in someone’s life also known as Synchronicity is a concept I believe in. Thank you for the contests too.
Oh, my! I had an accident at the hospital that I work at and it was the best accident of my life. My man’s father is a physician and he took care of me in the ER which led me back to the only man that I have ever loved since we were both sixteen. We are now in our fifties and the love just keeps getting stronger and better every day. There is much more to the story but that is the shortened version. He is the best!
One of my younger brother had a very serious car accident. He was laid up for weeks and walked with a cane for a few months after that. He also lost an eye and had some facial scaring. He had already lost most of his hearing as a young child so the loss of the eye was really a big deal. I remember trying to ‘put myself in his place’ and imagine how I would function with only 25% of my hearing and 50% of my sight. This accident brought our whole family (nine siblings) closer and taught us a great deal about humility and empathy.
I was in an accident 2 years ago that totally changed my life. I can’t work, have a lot of pain. But hey, I can still read! Love your books. Good luck to all
My niece was killed in a horrible boating accident memorial weekend 2 years ago. So tragic. It has changed the lives of all who knew her!
When I was 12 years old, the postman accidentally left a box of books on my doorstep. I returned it to its proper owner and she gave me a bag of books she had already read. One was by Johanna Lindsay… and my love of romance novels was born. I have been gobbling them up ever since. You, are one of my favorite authors.
Best of luck to all. 🙂
I met my husband when he answered my personals ad via voice mail. It was a happy accident. He wasn’t quite sure what to say. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and returned his call, and we’ve been married twenty years now!
When I was little, my sister and I were always told not to go to the creek beside our house without a grownup. We were kids being kids and went anyway. Well, this trip to the creek ended me with a cut open hig toe that resulted with me missing trick or treating that year. 🙁 Sad couple of months for me, but it was a great lesson that I now use as an example for my daughter. Always listen to Mom!! 🙂
By accident I saw an good looking bald-headed man sitting at the bar at a diner like Arnold’s in Happy Days. A week later he asked me to dance at a dance club. Four months later we got married. For 36 wonderful years we were together before his death. Fond memories!
Another intriguing premise. I’m looking forward to read this book!
I don’t have any accident stories. Can’t wait to read this book and thanks for the chance
Meeting the man of my dreams 21 years ago was a happy accident. He came by my place of work to pick up his friends (we were all still in HS). We were all talking and then the friends all disappeared leaving us talking to each other. At one point he reached down to the small daisies planted near us, picked one, and handed it to me. I was a goner. We didn’t start dating until two years later. We’ve been together ever since and we still celebrate the day we met. 🙂
I had just moved to the town where I currently live. I was supposed to meet some people at a restaurant downtown. I got lost and walked into a nearby shop to ask directions. It was the local independent bookstore. (It has since closed much to my dismay!) The bookseller was this lively, knowledgeable woman and we soon struck up a friendship. Eventually I told her about my desire to perhaps pursue a career in writing. She found out about the Avon FanLit event online and told me about it. I entered the contest, finaled in two chapters and one the chapter three contest. The best part is I met some terrific writers who encouraged me and told me about RWA. I joined RWA, entered some contests, finaled in the Golden Heart a couple of times (was handed my certificate by Madeline Hunter in 2009!!)and I have been pursuing a career writing romance ever since. I don’t have a contract yet, but I am close! And it might never have happened had I not wandered into that bookstore!
there have been many accidents that turned out ok or good starting with my birth up to my eldests and youngest kids! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I accidentally got left behind by some friends at a sub shop one night 38 years ago. I met my husband. Luckiest accident of my life.
….all three of my children are my very best accidents! The best plans I never made.
I just returned from Ireland where I spent three weeks instead of two because I got sick in Dublin. Because I got sick and I had a place to go to to recover, I met many wonderful people and enjoyed a beautiful countryside that most tourists never see! Oh, I miss not seeing Scotland but this was a blessing in disguise!
I accidentally walked into the wrong meeting room at work. I stayed until break and my input resulted in my next position and a promotion!
Thank you for a great giveaway!
This book was great, I really enjoyed reading it
There was a Scottish guy who kept turning up randomly at these crucial junctures in my life … Providing the intro to my husband, then years later we ran into him in a restaurant after we had moved to Califoprnia and he introduced my husband to a CEO who hired him and that changed our lives again.
I would love to win. It would be a great birthday present. Thank you for thr opportunity. Great contest.
Made an error while entering numbers, and ended up without a place ‘on campus’ at my state college. Went to a small college in Virginia instead, and in the two years I was there, managed to meet and fall in love with the man I have been married to for 43 years come June 5th, 2014. A very lucky ‘accident’ which lead to happily ever after for us.
As klutzy as I am there`s never been a real accident in my life.Do love all your books though!
The best accident I ever had…hmmmm…that would have to be when I said yes to going on a motorcycle trip with my dad a few years back. I thought he was joking, we are all big jokers on that side of the family, so I said, “Sure why not?”A few days later he called and said, “Have you asked off of work yet?” Long story short…I had a once in a life time trip with my dad for a whole week, and it will be one that I will always remember and treasure.
My happy accident was becoming best friends with the man who is now my lover and fiance who I’ve been with 10 years now. His “best friend” at the time didn’t want to be bothered with him, so made me talk to him and interact with him when she didn’t want to and because of that, we became best friends, and because of becoming best friends, we fell in love and are together now still. Best “accident” of my life! <3 <3 <3 <3 Worst mistake of that "best friend's" life! Haha! 😉
I tripped while checking into my Navy “A” school. Fell flat on the floor and my packet of check-in papers went flying. Must have been 200 sailors in the room, only one moved to help me get up. We dated for 5 weeks.
Hmm, I can think of lots of accidents as a child where I had to stay indoors for a while to get better, ended up spending time reading. I was not a big reader as young child so maybe those days indoors helped me grow as a reader.
I accidentally left my book at work one night and was deep in the throes of a bout of insomnia. My ex-husband’s grandmother only read romance novels and I forced myself to read one. Years later I found the genre again during a pretty dark time in my life. I am now a contented romance novel junkie. I would never have tried this genre and my life would be poorer for it.
my last child was a happy accident 🙂
This past January, I had to put my beloved beagle, Dexter, down due to chronic renal failure. Last month, I went to the nearby animal shelter to get a new dog. I picked out a cute little guy named “Red”. As part of the exit medical exam, they scanned his microchip and discovered this little dog was not “Red”. They had mixed the dogs up in their separate cages and the little guy that I was about to adopt was in fact named, Dexter. It was fate and I took him home.
I was a single mother when my daughter was 18 months old, I decide she would be better off without me. I had it all planned we had no phone, had written my goodbye letters, stock piled sleeping pills. I was going to take my daughter to the babysitter, then go home instead of going to work. When I went out to start the car it would not start. I tried and tried. I ended up spending the best day that my daughter and I had up to that point. Around five oclock I decide I needed to talk to my Mom, was going to drivr to a pay phone to call her. The car started right up! Accident or Grace of God? 34 years later, life has not been easy, but life is good!
I accidentally woke up early one morning and saw the beautiful sunrise! It was really a nice experience in my life. 🙂
When I almost died having a baby. Not an accident per se but it sure changed my outlook and my spiritual self!
I had finished my college degree a BS in Web Design and had posted my resume looking for a job. I was home one day and received a phone call. It was a man looking for a part-time employee in a field other than what my degree was in at a local site. I said I’d do an interview because it was local and I did not want to have be away from my family during the week. It turns out that this unexpected job offer was a blessing because I now work for one of the best employers I ever had the privilege of working.
I can’t think of any particular accident unless you count my entire life lol. I feel that everything that brought us to where we are right now was meant to be. What might have seemed like an accident was really just fate.
Many days it seems as though life is simply a succession of accidents.
I accidentally was set up on a blind date and have been married to him for 22 years
I had given up on blind dates but a co-worker accidentally dragged her boyfriend’s best buddy over to my place. Two days later we were engaged; I asked him what took so long instead of yes. Sixty days later we got married. We will celebrate our 41st anniversary this August.
Knowing positively that love at first sight indeed happens is why I love your books.
I love serendipity and the chances it gives us. I like those opportunities .
We had thought to have just 4 children and I hadn’t gotten pregnant in 4+ years so I gave away all my maternity and baby clothes. I believe you know where this is going. I came down with a really bad case of the flu, or so I thought. 8 months later a beautiful baby girl joined us. She is a delight.
I am loving all the stories of accidental love that I am reading here…Awe moments!
Can’t say that I’ve experience an accident that made a difference, but I have heard stories.
I would have to say everything I’ve went threw makes me who i am today the happy accident i can remember is i got bat up at work one night( i used to work in a home for the mentally and physically disabled) one of the clients got angry and put me threw a window. It put life in perspective i went home that night exhausted but re-evaluating my life i went on line to talk to my then best friend now fiancée and asked him his opinion we talked and talked and i decided that wasn’t the job for me.It came from that the trust i have in the man i am with to help me threw all the bad things in life. so now when i get thrown a curve ball I know who i can turn to for advice and to get threw
My youngest sister was pregnant 16 yrs ago with twin girls and she wanted to deliver them at Thanksgiving by c-section but the doctors told her to wait. The Friday before my 40th birthday on Dec 14th she found out her 2 yr old son had leukemia. She delivered the twins on Dec 16th and saved the cords. One of the twins was a perfect match to give her brother a transplant with her cord blood. Happenstance and circumstances tend to work out.
Can’t think of anything
After graduating from High School, some friends and I were going out. We had told our parents we were going one place and ended up going somewhere else. Long story short, fog, horse in the middle of the road. Not sure how we missed hitting it, but the girls in the car in front of us had a “feeling” they needed to move their car. They pulled forward a foot or two and that is how far w missed rear ending them by. Moral to this story: Always let someone know where you are going and listen to the calm still voice.
I hope someday to have a happy accident that will lead me to the person I should be with. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I’d say it wasn’t a happy accident per say. My ex husband was abusive. It took me 5 years and a damaged nerve in the right side of my face to leave him. But even after all that we are really great friends. We should have never gotten married. And I’m thankful we are such good friends. Because he had a daughter with another lady. And that lady ended up passing away about 8 months ago. So I have stepped in as mommy. And we raise her together along with our daughter we had together.
When I first started working in Dallas, many years ago, I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, to meet Bob and Dolores Hope. Accident, coincidence, it doesn’t matter and I don’t care. They were truly delightful and amazing people.
A long, long time ago, in the 80’s, a friend was coming over to watch a movie. She asked if she could bring a friend. Of course I said yes. Said friend and I are celebrating our 22nd anniversary on Friday.
Not so romantic but dear to my heart; my son wanted to babysit a puppy for his friends family who were going out of town (they had 3 left and we had already purchased one), 8 years later, yep that puppy is a member of our family and enjoys playing with his brother daily still.
Over Christmas my senior year in college I met a cute guy at an office where I had a short term internship. He took me to dinner and we talked about career matters. I went back to college in another city and I did not hear anything from him. After graduation I returned home and went to a concert in the park where I met him again. We dated for five years and part of the time we were separated by long distances to go to grad school. We have been married for 34 years and work together.
My happy accident would be taking our family (two step-children and four of mine)to Disney World in Florida and coming home with a souvenir. Nine months later we were blessed with a sweet, wonderful, precious baby girl. All of my other babies had been planned, but not her. She has been the one child that I have learned the most from as a mother. She was definitely planned to be in my life, just by Someone higher up than me. I thank Him daily for blessing me with all my children!
Can’t recall a GOOD accident. But I seem to have accidental falls while on vacation. As I am on vacation right now, I hope those days are ended.
I was in a car accident that should have killed me. I know my Angel was with me. I flew out of the car and landed in grass. I sufferd broken pelvis, head injury, 2 slipped disks in lower back, and fractured pelvis. If I had my seatbelt on, I’d have been crushed as our car was wrapped around the phone poll. I was 20 at the time using cocaine and drinking. I had a 2 yr. old. The accident woke me up so I quit everything! My daughter was more important to me. She’s usually with me so I’m glad I kept her home with my mom.
I like to believe some accidents turn out to have great benefits!
Would love to win the contest.
Can’t wait to read the book.
I took some out of town friends to a club, accidentally meet Ron and we’ve been married for 27 years now.
HI! Well, back in January, I had an accident. The night before I didn’t sleep well, so the next day I decided to stay home and did some cleaning and laundry. Anyway, I had my socks on and not my slippers. I took the laundry out of the dryer and started to bring it up the stairs. As I was walking the cat decided to help and I didn’t see her coming up with me so, I tripped up the stairs and fell hard on my hand. I ended up breaking my wrist and my thumb with that accident and had a full cast on for 2 months. But, the cast was hot pink and I was able to get it signed by the cast of Newsies in NYC!
I enjoy giveaways but I never have actually been given anything! I keep trying. I am somewhat tech-y challenged and so far I have not gotten an electronic reader. I have so many books around the house that I could have a romance book lending library or used book store. I like all kinds of romance from contemporary to historical, time travel to paranormal, they are all entertaining. It’s too bad that I only read about romance and have no real life romance. 🙁
Well, one day, a little more than 20 years ago, I accidentally forgot my tiny white pills on a weekend trip with my (now) hubby, and 9 months later I behld the happiest accident of my life 🙂 my son Jeff! Best thing that ever happened to me!
Unfortunately my accidents didn’t end happily.
The summer I was 13 I was playing bike tag and ended up with a broken arm. I had to miss summer camp with my friends.
In 1991, my first year at ISU I was trying to be a good pedestrian and walking on the correct side of the sidewalk. Slipped on some ice and had to have surgery. I now have a plate and 5 screws in my ankle. Missed the last 3 weeks of class and then had to take all exams while in a wheelchair on 1 day.
I would love to have a happy accident or at least a happy ending to one!
I cant really think of an accident that I had, But I know that I really want to read that book
I accidentally invited my now ex husband to a party when we had just met and we ended up together everyday from that night on. I don’t regret it because it gave me the greatest gift (my daughter) but I really didn’t mean to invite him cause I was terribly shy but the words just popped out of my mouth lol
I haven’t had an accident that changed my life. I thank God everyday for his bkessings.
I can’t wait to read Lydia and Penthurst’s story!
I can’t think of any specific accidents at the moment. This book sounds enjoyable, and I look forward to reading about all Lydia’s “accidents.”
gosh I’m not able to remember any “accidental” incidents that personally involve a guy. I’ve had great luck finding that perfect pair of shoes though
I had a car coming directly at me (crossed the median due to rain) and at the last moment we were both able to swerve and missed a disaster! Thank God!
All three of my kids were accidents! The best accidents ever LOL. I know I’m not the only one.
I broke a finger on my left hand not once but twice. It finally required surgery, but now I can write left or right handed if I need too…
I was an Army Brat. We were stationed in Japan right after the war(WWII). I was three and in kindergarten; what do you do with a bunch of three year olds?? They taught us to read!!! I have been reading ever since.
When I was 19, I was facing an unplanned pregnancy – my son Joseph was born 30 years ago on New Year’s Eve morning, a great way to end one year and ring in the new – it’s been a challenging yet happy time for sure!
None that I can think if. Can’t wait to read Lydia story thuogh
I would never say that my son was an accident but he wasn’t planned and he is truly a blessing in my life.
I have been in any bad accidents in my life but last November I was in my Dad’s jeep with him when a truck crashed into us from the back. None of us were hurt, it was just a scary incident.
Life is full of unexpected turns; if we didn’t make certain choices we wouldn’t be where we are – no major accidents that I can point to.
I met my husband-to-be when he attended my church with his next door neighbor. We went out on a date and six months later we were married. We have a 27 year old son and a 24 year old daughter. This August we will celebrate our 32 anniversary! Everything happens for a reason!
I can’t think of a specific accident that was life-changing. However the stories about are really cool.
A friend was supposed to meet me somewhere, but he got lost, so the next time he picked me up, afterwards we went for a walk, got around to our age, and he was younger than I thought, and I was older than he thought…. I wouldn’t go out again…. about two months later, I called him out of desperation, due to a flat tire, and the rest was history……. We were together 23 years.
I have always thought that everything is connected to something. Every bad moment in my life leads to something good even if its much, much further down the road.
One particularly interesting accident that lead to something amazing was one day I was walking across the street and broke my ankle. That’s it. No punch line. I just stepped wrong and it broke. This was a week before Dragon*con – a geek convention in Atlanta which I always go to.
Going to this huge con with a broken ankle is not a lot of fun. Its hard to get an elevator and I wasn’t used to my crutches so I couldn’t go on the escalator or use the stairs without fear of falling… again.
So I’m standing in one of the hub hotels trying to get an elevator to go down ONE FLOOR so I could go to my hotel. I had been standing there for twenty minutes without luck because everyone rides the elevators down to go up so they’re always full.
A handler – someone who helps the celebrities around the conference – came up and scooped everyone out of the next elevator that opened up staying they could use the stairs. I almost cried thinking, Why can’t I have a handler??
Slumping in defeat as this old man and his handler entered the elevator, I must have looked like I was going to cry because the old man’s hand comes out and stops the door from closing. “Come on, honey,” he said and his handler looked dumbfounded. The guy actually started sputtering an argument but the old man says, “Look at her. She can’t take the escalator.”
He lets me ride with him down one floor before he went up to whatever floor his room was one. The conversation was brief and I couldn’t tell you what was said because I was in so much pain. I kept looking at the man’s name tag thinking “Man, that name sounds familiar.”
Hobbling back to my hotel room, I called my husband and let him know I had arrived. As I got off the phone, I added, smirking, “Oh yeah. And I road the elevator with Stan Lee.”
Bad thing turned into something awesome. 🙂
The accident that most changed my life wasn’t mine; it was my father’s, a fall that led to an ER visit, and a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia. From there, we began a journey of caregiving, meaning big changes for the entire family. Most of them hard, several of them scary, but by the time Dad’s journey was over, we had found something precious; a mended relationship and peace between us, even when Dad was beyond word.
The best accident (kind of but then not kind of – it’s a long story) was probably finding out I was pregnant last year. My daughter is now almost nine months old. I’ve had to grow up and be responsible, I’ve learned more about myself, and I’ve come to respect motherhood and being a woman more than I did before. I always thought I knew myself and others, and I’ve always thought I was compassionate and kind, but with her, I feel so much more that way. Sappy but true 🙂
I had the best kind of accident twenty-four years ago. Went to a club with friends from school. This guy came up to one of my friends and asked her to dance. They did and when they returned to our table she introduced the guy to everyone. Turns out he was a guy I had gone to high school with. We talked for a long time that night. Twenty-two years (and counting )we’ve now been married.
My unplanned pregnancy at the age of 23 resulted in my wonderful 34 year old daughter. No one can ask for a more loving and beautiful child. I thank God for this precious accident everyday.
I look forward to this book!
Can’t wait for this or ANY of Madeline’s books!
I love all your books. They are a 1 day read. Once I start one, I can’t put it down till I’m finished with it.
The funniest accident that I remember is mistaking a passerby for my mother when the two of us traveled to New York City. I thought my mom was right beside me when we crossed the street yet the woman whose arms I hooked onto wasn’t she, and I gave a surprised shriek in the middle of a busy crossing. Lol Suffice it to say I’m more careful in picking out my mother now. 🙂
Congratulations on the upcoming release! I can’t wait to read it!
The three happiest accidents I have had are my three children. I am that 1 in 99 for whom birth control of any form, apparently, DOES NOT work! 🙂 Looking forward to reading this book!
I was an “accident” for my parents when I was born 18 years after my brother and 20 years after my sister. My mom always said I was a blessing and made me feel wanted and loved. Turned out I outlived my siblings and mom and was the only one left to care for my dad when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at age 84. We lost him the week before Christmas, but I wouldn’t change a thing I did for him.
I can’t think of accidents that have changed my life , but maybe I never analyzed this aspect of my life before.
Hmm, I can’t think of any accidents that changed my life significantly (beyond embarrassment that is). Can’t wait to read this one 🙂
Our youngest son (number 4) was conceived when my husband had been out of work for 1 year for health reasons. And we freaked out when we saw the pregnancy test! He is 9 months now and being a cutie pie and my husband has found work, he was meant to be here!
One thing that profoundly changed my life was the birth of my only daughter who is now a mom herself. I raised her by myself and sometime wonder how I did if it is not by God’s grace. She made me a blessed grandma now.
I went through a serious car wreck that almost took my life, and I purposed to live my life to the fullest because we are not guaranteed our next breath!
When I was a Junior in college I shared an apartment with 4 other girls. One day I answered a knock on the door. A guy was there to pick up my roommate to go biking. We talked for a few minutes as we waited for Ellen to come home. I kept seeing him on campus and smiling hello. The first day of my Senior year I ran into him again . My old roommate was no longer dating him. He asked me out and we’ll be married 37 years in July.
I would always “accidentally” be in certain places that a young man that I secretly loved was. He finally got a clue and married me. Planned accidents are as fun as true ones.
God only give us what we can handle! Nothing is accidental.
My 11 year old daughter, Emily, was an accident that turned into a blessing. Now, I can’t imagine my life without her, eventhough, her dad and I divorced when she was 3. It was a hard time in my life, but she’s made everything worth it.
Can not think of one that changed my life but would like to enter the contest
Well, It wasn’t exactly and “accident” but I found out that I had kidney disease in 2003 and by 2004 I was already on dialysis and awaiting a transplant. My older sister volunteered to give me one of her kidneys and the transplant took place on 8/17/2004(the very day of my 13th wedding Anniversary). Unfortunately something went wrong, the renal vein clotted and ruptured. They had to remove the kidney 2 days later. I thought my life was over. My younger half brother volunteered to give me a second kidney. By now I had to leave my long time job as a medical clinic billing supervisor. I couldn’t imagine what I was going to do. I had several complications and ended up being on disability for several years. At the age of 38 years old I received a clean bill of health and went to college. On April 26, 2014 I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. I received my degree in Secondary Education and fulfilled my dream of becoming a teacher. I’m currently interviewing for a position at a local school. Just know that through horrible things can come bright futures and dreams come true 🙂
I haven’t found your books that I didn’t like yet. The last two series are soooooo guudd!!
As to the question… got stranded on a very tall hill (small mountain) in a canyon, let’s just say a one night stand turned into a six torrid night of horror affairs, and almost dead! But was rescued, and ended up meeting a very nice person, befriended this wonderful person is a gift.
I can’t think of certain accidents but I would like to say that, “The Accidental Duchess” has a lovely cover. Congrats on the new release!
My younger daughter was an “accident.” We didn’t even know we wanted another child, but now we can’t imagine what life was like before her. And she was the best present we ever gave our older daughter.
Happy accidents happened to me three times! I have three beautiful children that all came unexpectedly and several years apart. I am truly blessed!
If you can consider identical twins an “accident,” then my sister and I were a happy accident! We call ourselves “built-in best friends!”
I am an accident waiting to happen!
I can’t think of any particular accident that changed my life but I will say I’m looking forward to the Accidental Duchess!
I do not recall an accident that changed my life. But I am looking forward to reading “Accidental Duchess.”
When I had been told I had lung cancer, I learned just how many great friends and family I had. They all were very supportive and I cannot tell you how much that changed my way of thinking and my life.
Not really accidents, but a lot of lucky moments – got my current job through an acquaintance who only heard about the job because of a former internship he did and knew I might want to do this type of work. Thanks for the contest!
No accidents that changed my life.
When I was twenty years old, I was shocked to see those two little stripes after a rebound one-night stand with a good friend of a couple years . Although that good friend turned into an irresponsible jerk who walked away because at 24 he was too young, my baby girl was the greatest gift ever.
I always wanted to have kids, but I never imagined being a single mom at 21. Tiana and I had a lot of support from family and friends and she grew up smart, sassy, intelligent and beautiful…and my greatest blessing.
When she was ten years old, while DJing a karaoke show for a friend, a young man’s caution that “you have lipstick on your teeth” ended up with a walk down the aisle. So unexpected because I met him When on another rebound after a horrific four year relationship and was so done with men. When I found out he was only 22 to my 31, I decided he’d make a perfect boy toy. The irony: he was 24 when he asked me to marry him and help me raise my soon to be teenage daughter…the same age her bio father was when he walked away.
My oldest, now 24, is doing very well and living on her own and my hubby and I have a 9 yr old son and 6 yr old as well.
Bizarre little unexpected events can lead to the happiest endings.
-Ren
My six yr old is another daughter lol.
No accidents that changed my life, I believe each thing happens for a reason and is supposed to be.
A week ago today exactly, I had a quiz to take in a course I’m studying. I put my class notes on my Kindle Fire to study on the bus on the way to class. I only realized, today, a week later that I left my Kindle on that bus – which is why I’m entering this contest today.
Not an accident per se, but Fate was hard at work the day I went to dinner with my parents and met my future husband – who was working in the restaurant. 36 years later we are still together, looking forward to our 34th anniversary in July.
Nothing I can think of at the moment; but I have enjoyed reading other posts.
I’ve been in several car accidents – most of them not my fault, and I’ve never had anything good come of it other than my insurance company (USAA) has handled everything effortlessly.
Two accidental pregnancies gave me the greatest gifts of my life.Now ages 17 and 13, I am proud mom.
A certain someone I know walked out the door at an NJRW conference while a friend and I were discussing book covers. Made another great writing friend!
6 years ago when my father had a stroke and ended up going to the ER. I was still in high school and it scared me and so from then on, I tried to do everything to make him happy and proud of
Not really an accident by my extreme nosiness (I prefer to call it curiosity) is what got me reading romance novels. I never enjoyed reading when I was younger. I always dreaded having to read a book for book reports, etc. But a few years ago, there was a little series called Twilight and all my friends were talking about it. Even friends that, like me, never enjoyed reading. So, I just had to know what the big deal was and I read the books. I liked the books well enough but the best part was that I discovered that I very much enjoyed reading. I guess it makes a difference when you are reading something you want to rather than something you have to read.
I wouldn’t call it being an accident but I was a surprise to my Mom and Dad. They thought their family was complete and then Mom got pregnant with me. They told me it was a surprise.
I am definitely accident-prone which makes my hubby hover close to me when I go down stairs…so that’s always a bonus, lol. Good luck with the release, I look forward to reading it!
No accidents here, I think it was all meant to be!
No accidents turn into a dream come true, but it would be sweet! Only know that I am waiting for the release of The Accidental Duchess!!
6 years ago this month, my mother mailed me my birthday card and inside was a $25 gift card to BAM. She has memory loss and had remembered 20 yrs before when I was dating her son, my husband I always had a book with me. 2 children later and demanding job, had stopped reading. Well found myself in BAM in the clearance section and picked up 3 historical romances and the first 3 of now 1275 books I have read since thanks to giving up on television.
Thanks for your great books.
Mine is kind of dark. Met in 94 and married my now ex husband in 96… :-). From that I now have my wonderful son who I would and have done many things for. My ex spent 2 yrs in prison for domestic violence and I learned how strong I am. I packed everything I had and moved away from all my support to protect my son from some bad people. I ended up going to school and getting my LPN and have met and married my dream man……….so the dark has turned to a wonderful light….
No real accidents that changed my life. But I did meet my husband as friend of friend was going to introduce his sister to a guy he worked with. I seen him and new that was going to be the guy I married. We were soul mates and he passed away just before our 27th wedding anniversary. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him.
I’d moved to Massachusetts, and one day decided to go to a meeting of young professionals. I figured, if I could meet some women eventually I’d meet some men! Well, I ended up joining a social group and met my future spouse there — little did I know that it was the only co-ed group {religious group} in the area! We’re married over 30 years now — and I still push for youth groups!
A friend called and asked me to take her place at her bridge club. She had fallen, broke her arm that day and could not play. I meet my husband that night and we started dating the next week.
i dont remember my accidents turning into meeting anyone special.
I went on a blind date and didn’t know which of the guys pointed out to me would be my date. The gentleman who showed up was the man I ended up married to.
The majority of my most memorable moments have been the result of an “accident”. Unplanned events
leave lasting impressions and make life so much more stimulating.
Can’t think of any accidents but I do believe that everything happens for a reason. Lots of great stories on here though. Could definitely find plenty of material for more books here!
I don’t believe in ‘accidents or coincidences’, only ‘God-cidences’! Anticipating your new release.
I was definately accident prone as a child as I was always trying to catch up with my older brother. As an adult I got my nose broken playing softball. I realized then that I would never be the great athlete I wanted to be in my mind. I now stay clear of fast moving objects !
Looking forward to the new book, though I’m still catching up on the Fairbourne Quartet. The accident that affected my life the most was the damage done to my brain at my birth by the doctor’s forceps. The good part is the resulting cerebral palsy is only evident in my physical limitations. I’m 100% disabled, but not intellectually challenged. I can’t run, but I love to read!
My parents told me I was wonderful accident. Each thought the other one was responsible for birth control. They agreed that God’s plan for them was a better plan. I am looking forward to the next installment in the series. I love to read regency romantic fiction.
An auto accident didn’t destroy my life, but it changed my viewpoint. I made it up to Wisconsin later than I planned, had my brother revamp what he did, and enjoyed the 10 days. It rained, the outhouse was a challenge, we didn’t go out much and yet it was so wonderfully simplistic.
I can’t think of any accidents in my life. Other than the simple things, dropping things on toes, and putting together a book shelf all wrong. But I love your books and cant wait to read this one.
I posted a question to a genealogy website and was found by my sister and brother, who had been looking for me for 13 years.
I don’t know about an accident per se, but it does always seem that things happen at the right moments and have a way of working out.
The happiest “accident” was our first child. She was an unexpected blessing and our greatest gift.
Got a new neighbor and my kids (5 and 3) didn’t realize their friends didn’t live there any more. They walked into the house while the new neighbors were moving in. Surprise! Well i didn’t know about this at the time. The Monday after I’m processing new employee information for payroll and notice the address is across the street from my house. So I go over to her desk and introduce myself as her new neighbor. We have now been best friends for over 20 years. Embrace the unplanned and the unexpected!
I don’t remember any, but I like the premise of this book.
I do not believe all accidents are accidents. I think some things are meant to be! I cant wait to read this book. I would be honored to be a winner.
When I still lived in Tulsa, there was some bad weather rolling in. I got up from the couch to listen to the reports on the radio. Everyone else was in the basement. Just as I got to the radio, a song called “Monkey Time” came on and a huge branch came through the window exactly where I’d been sitting. I believe that song saved my life. Truly an accident with a happy ending.
Looking forward to your book as duke stories are my favorite.
It was 25 yrs ago I had my first daughter and then 21 yrs ago i had my second daughter and they were the best gift i could have asked for. When they got bigger and the closer we kept getting was awesome . Now my two Angles are on there own and happy. I have a granddaughter and i am so proud of they are all happy to end.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I don’t think that’s happened to me. Your book looks great though and I love the premise!
I can’t recall an accident that had a dramatic effect on my life but I know they happen sometimes. I would love to read the book. It sounds great.
Can’t think of any accidents that changed my life. Have had an illness that changed by life.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Love how God “accidently” puts just the right verse or person you need to see right where you need to see them! Can’t wait to read your book.
I can’t think of any accidents. Probably too many to remember. But I’m excited about the book!!! I’d love to win!!! Thank you for giving away such a great prize!!!
My husband and I were classmates in high school. We kept in touch a couple times a year through college. I went into the Peace Corps and he entered the Air Force. When I extended my commitment for an extra year, I got a trip back home. I stopped in California to visit my cousin whose husband was stationed at an air base there. My now husband just happened to be finishing his training at the same base. We reconnected after 7 years. He finished training a week or so later. He showed up at my assignment in the Philippines about 5 months later and proposed marriage. We had never dated and only seen each other about 3 times at my cousin’s. That accidental reunion was meant to be. We will be celebrating our 42nd wedding anniversary this June 3rd.
I met my best friend about 20 years ago as she was dating my husbands best friend, we happened to be eating at the same restaurant that day and happened to see them while leaving the restaurant. We had not seen his friend in about a year as he had moved for his job. My husbands best friend and my best friend have been together since that first date. I liked her from the get go and we always stayed in touch. Last year she accidentally got pregnant with her 4th child, they weren’t planning anymore children, when she was diagnosed with a very rare disease, they told her that she and/or the child would not survive. They wanted to terminate the fetus, she said NO. The baby was born on March 24th this year, perfectly healthy. Sadly, my best friend died on April 28th this year. She sacrificed herself to save the baby, to give this wonderful, beautiful child a chance. This was the best accident in her life she told me. While she only had a month with the child, she told me that he was the blessing in her life that she needed before her time was up. I say that my friendship with her was the best accidental blessing of all time.
I was my bio mother’s accident when she was a teen. Her family forced her to give me up and I ended up with a terrific family.
My dad and I are like two peas in a pod. He adopted a samoid for me the week I was due, bought us matching down stuffed North Face sleeping bags before I was even born in anticipation of our camping trips, took me to see the original Star Wars in the theater when I was a toddler despite everyone telling him I was too young and would not get it (his birthday gift is an original film cell from the movie – he does not know it yet), and always encouraged my love of reading even to the point of books others thought were to advanced (Asimov at 7, Exodus at 8, the Belgariad at 10).
I was so very lucky. My mom and dad are fantastic. My mother was a terrific example and also influenced my values and work ethic.
My bio-sister found me a few years ago and now I have TWO families.
I was very lucky.
My husband, before we were even dating, had his boat break down while visiting a friend at another marina, his friend towed him to a newly owned marina to get it fixed. He ended up docking his boat in that marina even though it was farther away from his home. Later when we were dating we used to drive around the area. 2 years after we married, we ended up buying a house there. I would’ve never even knew about the area had his boat not been there, and our kids had a great town to grow up in. That was 20yrs ago and we’re still here.
An accident lead to meeting my husband in a store, and he is such a blessing in my life!
No personal accidents come to mind for me… Congrats on your upcoming release! 😀
My sister needed to borrow money for her rent. She got a ride to my house by her landlord. He came in the house with her to get the money. After they left; she said he was interested im me. I laughed; but went our with him and 2 months later we were married. And six weeks later he died. I know I was meant to meet him and help his last days also be his best days.
I planned to join the Air Force Nurse Corps after graduation, but because they felt my eyesight was too poor to chance putting me (and any patients)on possible flight duty and maybe losing my glasses and not being able to see what I was doing (!), I ended up in the Navy instead. Met a Marine, which led to marriage, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren!
My “accident” was 12 years ago. I traveled for work and went to a local hangout with coworkers. While there I got tickled at a guy playing air guitar. I am a full body laugher and when I leaned back in full giggle attack, I bumped into a handsome Navy Chief. He is now my husband for that last 11 years, and a true blessing. Oh, I don’t travel for work anymore :0)
You’re going to laugh, everyone here has written some great stories about meeting people who became friends or their true loves and what have you, but I’m a dork so… Naturally, being the geek that I am I have to post that I accidentally came across a silly little British sci-fi show almost 10 years ago when I was channel surfing and it has become my favorite. I haven’t missed an episode of Doctor Who since. Hahaha! It was definitely a happy accident. I’ve made some great new friends because of it, so I guess it isn’t such a bad thing after all. 🙂
When my husband was young he was going out with friends but one ended up in a minor fener bender so he was introduced to my friend Julie. Julie brought him to my house where we meet for the first time. So because of that accident we have been married almost 13years and have 2 beautiful girls.
I suppose an accident that happened in my life was when my father tried to commit suicide a few days before my 16th birthday, luckily we caught him in time to save his life and show him though things are hard in life there’s so much to live for. He’s still with us today.
It wasn’t really an accident, just unexpected, but when I was 17 my Mom died suddenly and that led to some very hard times for me over the next several years. But I can look back now and realize that if those horrible times had not happened I would never have had the best thing that ever happened to me occur, meeting, falling in love, and marrying my husband. He went through some very bad times before meeting me also and we’ve talked about how maybe, somehow, our being together is our reward for making it through those bad times.
I once went to sign up as a volunteer for an organization I much admired and ended up being offered a job.
When I was in college, my friend’s grandmother was going to visit her daughter & brought my friend with her so she could spend the weekend with me at the dorm. When I got there, her uncle happened to be visiting and he invited us to his house instead. We started dating a few months later and have been together for 25 years.
Looking backward through my life I can’t think of a single accident that ended positively…no meeting of a soul mate or random lottery ticket win. Perhaps some are meant to have good things happen upon them and others…like myself…are still waiting!
I wrote a complaining letter to a friend who had moved from my home in Texas to California about a spinster me who would end up putting cornpads on her toes, settle in her rocking chair and sing “Carry me back to Golden Acres (a chain of rest homes).” My ‘friend’ and her husband read it to a young man they had to dinner. It so happened he was headed to Texas to visit friends. And it also happened that we ended up married in 18 days and are still happily married 38 years on the 12th of June.
I have been running late and missed a major accident on the hwy that I would have probably been a part of. So I’m thankful for that
A little over 13 years ago, I found myself “accidentally” pregnant. I called my mother in tears and she told me it was wonderful news! I couldn’t believe my ears – I was expecting comfort not enthusiasm. Turns out my mother was correct. My son is now 13 years old and wonderful doesn’t even come close to describing him. I’m not saying it was easy but he was the best thing to ever happen to me. He now has a beautiful sister, who was no accident, but loved just as much!
I became pregnant with our first child accidentally! She has been a blessing to have and I would not want it any other way. She now has a son of her own by accident, as well! She had developed breast cancer, had a double mastectomy, and was told not to get pregnant for 2 years, as the rate of reoccurrence of the cancer drastically dropped after the two year mark. Well, she was pregnant two MONTHS later! She has been completely fine and her son, my grandson, turns 2 on June 7th! Truly a blessing from GOD!
When we went to an open house at a shelter to adopt our dog, we accidently lost track of the dog we thought we wanted and instead ended up immediately falling in love with another one who is now our adorable sweet Lucy dog. We wouldn’t trade her for the world and we knew how special she was as soon as we met her.
No accidents that turned into blessings, but like an earlier poster I too accidentally came across a British comedy late one night when I couldn’t sleep – and I can’t imagine missing Blackadder!
My accident that turned into a blessing came when I was in college in my shorthand class. Another class was invited to sit in with us during diction, which brought in a friend who was using a machine to take that dictation. I’d never seen such a thing and was intrigued. That turned my life around after I graduated – I then enrolled in court reporting school using one of those machines – a steno writer – and enjoyed a 25-year career as a freelance court reporter before I retired in 2010 due to health reasons. I loved the work I did, the mini educations I got at every deposition, and the myriad of people I met over all those years. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
No life altering accidents in my life. Look forward to reading the book.
I don’t know about any accidents changing my life, but I’d love to be entered in your contest. I have pre-ordered this book and can’t wait to read it on my Kindle. I’d love to upgrade to a Kindle Fire. Thanks for the opportunity.
Umm… the only think I can think of is a few years ago literally running into a friend with a cart at the store that I hadn’t seen in a long time. We were able to chat and catch up. A few weeks later, I found out that she had died in a car accident. I’m soo glad that I was able to see her one last time in a happy setting. Thanks for sharing!
I accidently met a young fellow at church when I was still in Junior High School. We attended different Junior Highs, but ended up attending the same High School. He was definitely the most-popular boy at our High School and I must have been among the most-shy girls. He was chased by every girl in the school, but he remembered me from the meeting in church. We are now happily married.
All the accidents in my life have been wake up calls to really appreciate what I have. They always seem to be chances to grow!
I believe EVERY accident is a blessing in disguise. Whether it be a chance meeting, or simply a little “oops!” that you learn from, every accident leads you to the next step in your life! I can’t wait to read this book and see where it leads the characters!
I think accidents in which no one is harmed can be bleesings. Also things you think you wanted and did not get, (jobs, men, ect), also usually turn out to be blessings in disguise.
I met my husband by “accident” when he was on leave for the weekend.
Yes! Finally the final book in the Fairbourne Quartet I can’t wait to read this one as I LOVED the other three which honestly I love all of your books and have read every single one. Some I loved so much I actually had to go buy the actual hard copy of them instead of just the kindle version.
Can’t think of any accidents that led to good things but I am headed to Barnes&Noble tomorrow to get your new book!
Thank you for the chance to win and congrats on the new release. I’m sure no matter how many times you’ve been published it is always exciting. This one of the hardest questions I’ve ever been asked. It gets me thinking-which can be dangerous. 🙂
The first thing I can think of is once when I was in college I accidentally maybe forgot to put gas in my car so I ran out in the middle of I-95 (before cell phones were a common thing.) I was lucky enough that when I tried to start the car again and I had enough juice to pull it on the side of the road. I also was walking distance to my work so I hoofed it there to borrow money and someone to drive me to a gas station to buy me gas. The part where it turns out to be a good thing is that I’ve NEVER done that again.
Had saved up for my ‘bucket list’ trip to Ireland, missed a plane, lost luggage for two days ….about to have a break down (kinda did have a crying fit) and we had to stay longer in the bed & breakfast and ended up going to see a castle we did not even plan on in Malahide-it was the most ‘beautiful’ castle in our whole trip-best accident ever!
My mom had near fatal accident. On way to visit her, my car needed to be checked for tire safety. I called my brother’s friend, and he took care of it. He asked me out in the parking lot of the hospital. We married 2 years later.
Can’t wait for the next Madeline Hunter book to add to my cache. The best accident is finding the first book and then going to used book stores to hunt for older books that I missed out on. 🙂 I purchase books online for my Kindle, but Madeline Hunter books are always “a trip to the store” books. Thank you!
Was working on one of my genealogy lines and contacted a link for a cemetery for some needed info and that link was a distant cousin I hadn’t heard from in over 60 years. What a pleasant surprise to catch up on our families.
I’ve had some accidents, but so far no lucky accidents…maybe next time! An interesting concept……..
Meeting my best friend Cristie who is like my sister.
the only accident I can think of is my Mom’s Stroke, causing her to come live with my husband, daughter and myself. She now has been diagnosed 3 yrs later with Vascular Dementia and having declining health and hospice has stepped in. My mother has been my best friend, she watched my children while I completed nursing school, she and my father helped us through rough financial times. I am so honored and blessed to be able to take care of her through this and be with her in the end.
Sounds like an interesting premises – we all hate
“accidents” but we can learn from any experience and find good things after some time in most.
Due to financial difficulties, our daughter and her two sons now live with us. It is a challenge. But the joys of having grandchildren with us are great. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
I can’t wait to find out more about Penthurst and Lydia!!!
Just read the excerpt for this book! How exciting! Once again, can’t wait to read the entire book!
I cannot think of any accident that made a difference in my life. But, I believe that God is in control of all things–even our “accidents”.
Congrats on your new book.
I met on of my best friends when I got lost in college and ended up on the wrong floor of my new dorm. She was lost too – a wrong turn became a huge blessing!
I have had several life changing accidents, but the first one was when I met my husband at his brother’s wedding on Valentines Day of 1973. His brother’s best man got sick, so he asked my husband, who was on leave from the Air Force, to step in. I was maid-of-honor. At the practice rehearsal, we saw each other for the first time. Dan and I stared at each other — him because he thought I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and me because I didn’t like the way he was looking at me like he was starved for a meal. Lol! We were married 1 year and 1-1/2 months after that, and would have had our 40th Anniversary in April if he hadn’t passed away from cancer last August 1st.
I love your books and can’t wait to read THE ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS. Thanks for the generous giveaway!
I fell off a horse my senior year of college–went flying toward the ground, head first. The doc said 95% of people that suffered the kind of accident I had would never walk properly again, yet miraculously I healed just fine. That taught me to live life to the fullest. I walked away from a job offer so I could travel the world and live my dreams. So that’s my happy (albeit not very lucky–it was painful!) accident. 🙂
The accident actually happened to my parents when they found out that they were going to have another child after they had “taken care of that problem”.
I was 11 when my youngest brother was born and I had the joy of raising him for the first 11 years of his life. He still comes to me before going to our parents with news, both good and not so good. Our children are close in age and are great friends as well as cousins.
Love your books!
I would LOVE to win a new kindle to read you new book on! Thanks so much for including me in the drawing.
When I was in kindergarten, one of my classmates thought it was my birthday and told her mom that it had passed and that I hadn’t had a birthday party. I got an awesome birthday present to my confusion and my mom’s and ended up with a life long friend because of it. My mom also gained a friendship that is strong to this day. While I’m not as close as I once was to my friend, we still talk occasionally and being friends with her in elementary school, junior high and high school gave me a grounding I needed.
Can’t wait to read your new book. 🙂
Oh – forgot. I am an accident waiting to happen. My knees are so destroyed from all the tripping and falling I have done. Most recently I tripped and fell twice within a week and landed on the same knee. Now I have bone chips floating around.
Not sure if this counts as an accident – there was 1 train departing per day to go north for the holidays from my college town. I was sitting with a male friend, but one of his friends didn’t have a seat because the train was so crowded, and this friend I was seated with asked if I minded if his friend sat at our feet. I said no problem. Dude spent 4 hours talking about his girlfriend! They broke up a year and a half later – and I scooped him up! Just celebrated our 33rd anniversary. Can’t wait to read your new book!
I think there are two kinds of accidents. The first is when something bad happens and we can learn from the situation. The second is when something unintentional can lead to a wonderful new situation. It sounds like The Accidental Duchess is the second kind.
When I was 8 or 9 years old, I was racing my bike with a girlfriend, and going around the corner, I slid on sand, wiped out, and broke my left arm. Of course, this happened RIGHT at the beginning of summer vacation, and this was the days of the really HEAVY plaster casts for broken bones!
After a really, really uncomfortable summer of that heavy, hot, cast (did I mention it was an exceptionally HOT summer, AND we traveled to Texas right in the middle of it?), it was finally cut off.
Meanwhile, all during that time, I had continued my viola lessons, which I had started the previous school year. After the bloody cast came off, my teacher commented that that bike accident was the best thing I had ever done for my arm position!!
And yes, I am still playing viola, some 48 years later!!
Many thanks for the contest!!
Later,
Lynn Rettig
I’ve had a few accidents here and there, but nothing serious and nothing that turned out for the better that I can recall. There are probably some good examples somewhere in my past of happy accidents, but I sure can’t think of any. 😀
I accidentally missed a flight from Paris to Dublin once when my car broke down on the highway. I had to stay at a hotel that night so that I could catch the first plane out the next morning. I met an English guy at the hotel bar.
On June 22nd we’ll be married 13 years!
My best ‘accident’ ever!
I haven’t had any accidents turned blessings (yet, I hope) but I sure would love to win.
I’ve not had an accident changed my life but have had doors close and things beyond my control turn my life upside down. Just when I think the situation is hopeless something wonderful happens that turns it all around.
I accidentally made an appt with my reg doctor not my allergist. I kept the appt since it had been a long time since I had a physical. In that appt she found lumps in my thyroid. This lead to biopsies and surgery and thankfully cancer free. There are happy accidents. I won’t accidentally buy this book, I will do that on purpose, lol
Sitting here trying to think of an accidental
occurrence, can only think of the harmful type.
My foot slips and I land on my backside, my
flip flop sandal catches the edge of the rug and
I land on both knees! That type of hurtful!
Pat C.
I haven’t had any accidents with happy endings but 7 years before I had my son, they told me I wouldn’t be able to have children so I didn’t bother with birth control. That was a happy surprise even as a single mom.
By accident I took a parking spot that someone else was waiting for (I honestly never saw him, it was n oddly designed parking lot). When I met him inside I apologized. This turned out to be the best thing I ever did. We’ve been married 25 years now.
Congratulations on the new release! The Accidental Duchess sounds exciting. I haven’t had any life changing accidents, but I do enjoy reading about them.
A kidney stone saved my husband’s life! We were traveling home from our baby’s first visit to grandma and he got sick, which the first doctor said was “travel sickness”. It turned out to be a kidney stone, so they did a body scan and found kidney cancer. At that time, they said he had a 50/50 chance. That was 23 years ago this July. As our doctor said, “that’s the fist time a kidney stone was good luck.”
I can’t wait to read The Accidental Duchess! Madeline Hunter writes the most amazing love stories 🙂
When I was a child, I was racing with my cousin on her front porch. I stuck out my hands towards the window to stop myself and my hands went right through the window. I ended up with cuts on both hands and a gash on my left hand, near my wrist. That was the last time I did that.
My brother married my co-worker, and my Dad married my former teachers best friend. Neither were planned introductions, but accidental meetings!
Would love to win! Thanks for the chance to win with the giveaway!
We did not expect the arrival of our third child but we were thrilled but did not know what lay ahead. I started hemorrhaging my 7th month into the pregnancy; found out I had placenta preva and was on bed rest during Christmas. One month later, again hemorrhaging, taken to the hospital and after emergency delivery had the most beautiful baby boy ever. An unexpected joy and we thank the Lord for His special grace to cover us and give us a gift we will never forget.
This is actually my daughter’s accident but it has affected me greatly. After almost 11 years of marriage, she has given me my first grandchild. Needless to say, I am in Heaven!
Madeline, the only thing I can think to tell is that our large family have had so many accidents that could have been fatal. two nephews that were in car accidents and was in comas. One longer than the other. about 4 mo. I think The docs tried to get my brother to donate his organs, but he wanted to give him more time. Because of this he got okay and is in his 50’s now. And had two nieces in a wreck and one lost a splene. During this hospital she met the guy she would later marry. The oldest was in a coma for several mos. The docs said if she came out she would never be her same self. Well, they were wrong. She was her same onery self later. We have had others like this that they survived. We as Christians call them miracles. GOD’s blessings to us. Maxie Anderson
This wasn’t truly an accident, but in the summer of 1999, I found out the bookstore where I’d worked for two and a half years was closing. I was out of work for three months, then I found a part-time job running a camera at the local TV station. In less than a year, I had advanced to news producer, was working full time, with better pay and benefits. So, the loss of my job was really a blessing in disguise. It was scary those first few months without work,though.
Nothing I can think of like this affecting me personally,though I could sure use a positive change right now. I have one cousin who missed his parents when they retired to Florida years ago, decided to move down there with them and take a chance at the job market, met a girl who was for him and got married. Turns out they lived in the same not so large town all their lives, even going to the same school, but never met until that move to FL. So his parents move ended up giving him that romantic HEA with her.
i few years ago one of our dogs died and one day my mom and i were with my brother and his girlfriend out shopping.my brothers girlfriend who was driving turned on the wrong street which lead to the animal shelter.we werent looking for a new dog but we decided to go in and look at them.the place was full of big dogs like pits and rotts which we didnt want(no room)then in one cage was this adorable pekingnese who was shaking like a leaf.the poor thing was scared we just couldnt leave him there.we saved him and he filled a hole in our lives.sweet little bailey is a real gift
My “accident” was getting pregnant with my oldest son. He and his brother, who was planned, are the light of my life along with my grandson.
In 2013 I was fired from my job of 30 years. (ER nurse mid management). I was part of a big sweep that is continuing yet today and surprise surprise all have been employed for over 25 years. I then applied to the small local hospital in the town that I reside and am the nurse manager there of the Emergency Department. It is the best thing that ever happened to me.
The loss of my husband’s corporate job led to a “temporary” position with a non-profit. Twenty-five years later we are both firmly entrenched in the non-profit world and my entire family is reaping the benefits – daughter is a second generation believer!
I have made many accidents, and they all have changed my life. There were good accidents, like getting pregnant with my third child. Then there are bad accidents, like dating an abusive guy. All of the accidents have made me a stronger, happier person, and understand that out of every negative there is a positive. I do my best to concentrate on the positive outcomes, and spread do my best to spread happiness and love to everyone.
15 years ago, I was in a car accident and the police deemed me at fault and would not even listen to my protestations otherwise. A witness to the debacle came forward and asked me for my insurance company’s number and gave me her name and address and said she would testify on my behalf. I had never met her before. She called my insurance company and testified on my behalf the result of which I was responsible for my own car repairs which were relatively minimal and the other driver had to pay for all their own expenses . I then met this witness’ mother and we became best and close friends and have been ever since. We have gone through so much since then and we have always been able to rely on each other through thick and thin. We were family first by accident.
p.s. My best friend’s name is Madeline and it is why I first started reading Madeline Hunter.
Life is full of little accidents_ some good and some not. The challenge is to look for the good and be optimistic
Accident or fate, I got my first job because some prankster tried to flush my just returned library books down the toilet. I’ve held a library job continuously since I was 15, over half my life.
I can’t think of any blessings that came from an accident, but I do try to learn something…be more careful, watch where I’m going, don’t forget to focus on what I’m doing and where I am!
My largest blessing was my last pregnancy and the twin pregnancy turned out to be healthy triplets.
They are a joy and a blessing!
I was involved in a car accident and my car was totaled. A co-worker volunteered to take me to a doctor’s appointment and that trip led to a 21yr marriage and a beautiful 11yr daughter.
I can’t think of any accidents that led to something good in my life. Just headaches.
I was in a motorcycle accident. Almost ten years of recovery and learning about myself and my past. Reliving things and seeing them for the first time. Overall a good life experience to have survived.
I “accidentally” stumbled across one of your books at a yard sale. From the minute I picked it up I was hooked!! I have loved everyone of your books and you will always be one of my favorites!!! I own many of them in paper AND on my Kindle (because you just never know when you might need an MH fix!) thank you so much for being so talented and sharing that talent and love for historical romance!!
At 42 I had my last baby boy. We were blessed with him for three months before he passed on from heart surgery.
They say Accidents and things happens for reasons and I would like to still know why because we All are sad when Accidents happens. And we Hope that Joy and Happiness can come out of the Accident.
I know Accidents can be Sad like Death and sickness now we did have a little suprise that came after we found out My Sister in law and Brother haveing another Baby due in Aug
My chance meeting of my husband was this.
My husband and I both went to the same high school and graduated the same year 1976, in a class of over 600. We both played basketball but did not know each other.7 years later after graduating nursing school I was the nurse for my husbands father in the oncology unit. My first true introduction to his parents was me on the other side of curtains (at the end of his fathers bed), making up the bed for a new patient coming in. I stand 6ft 2″ and the end of the bed was under the TV hanging from the ceiling. I came up under the TV and nearly knocked myself out. His parents rush over to the other side to check on me. I was seeing stars and had a lump on my head.
They tell my husband about it and that I mentioned that I graduated from the same high school and same year.
He came to the desk and talked to me for a while.
He called me at work after he got home, and asked me out over the phone.
Thus after dating 1 year and my moving to Dallas for 6 months. He asked me to marry him.
Married 27 years now 🙂 and 2 sons.
While it may be indelicate I have two wonderful children who were born 11 months apart. They are best friends and my joy.
Hi looks like a great book as usual
I work in a government institution as an interpreter and few weeks ago I was assigned for this very critical conference. I was aware that the institution I work at had literally handpicked all the participants among those who would certainly not tarnish its reputation, but still had repeatedly warned the ones selected not to attempt anything like that.
I noticed someone bearing my name among the participants and immeaditely got curious, because my name is not one that you come across very often. So far I have only met a handful of people with the same name and they were mostly guys. So this person turned out to be this very handsome and very charismatic lawyer, who actually looked a hero from a historical romance novel. And he gave this wonderful, frank speech. He spoke his mind and laid out the realities as they were, going against the instructions of the institution.
So after the conference, I was telling my mom about him and she told me that she knew the lawyer’s father who was a professor at her university when she was a student! As it turns out, the father used to talk to his students about his son and that’s how my mom got the inspiration for my name! I was mindblown! To think that I accidentally ran into the person who I was named after and had the honor of interpreting him without knowing!
I guess the blessing of this “accident” was in the discovery of this wonderful coincidence.
In 2012 I lost both my business and home to the Oklahoma wildfires. Because of this I have met the best friends ever! Without the fires I would never have met these people! I am always introduced as family and would be lost without these wonderful people in my life. It has definitely made me a better person and taught me not to take anything for granted!
When I was in the military in the early 80’s I met my husband because I decided to go out one night. I was going to go to the NCO Club on base and was actually walking up to the door. For some reason I changed my mind and walked across the street to the Rec Center (tv room, pool tables, ping pong, arcade, etc). There he was looking for someone to play ping pong with 🙂 We’ve been married 31 years!
I went out on my deck with just a large t-shirt on, with my dog, left the bar slanted in the door. Suddenly I hear the door slam shut. I was locked out. Had to go to my neighbors house and ask him if I may use his phone to call my son. I was mortified, and had to strategically hold my dog in place. Jerry has since had a stroke, and his brother has put the house up for sale. I miss him. He was always nice, and helped my son and I when needed. God bless Jerry.
I can’t really think of any big accidents that changed my life. I did meet my really good friend when I was working at Waldenbooks and she accidently dropped a book on my head. We started to talk and then have been friends ever since.
My health accident led me into the medical career and to be understanding and patient with others. Thank you very much for the contest!
I believe things happen for a reason. I have had different things happen to me in my life that were different than what I “wanted” at the time. It always turns out that if was for the best. I always tell a story of how I got my job. I was looking and interviewing and never could seem to find a new job. One day my aunt was asked by someone she barely knew if she of anyone who needed a job. She thought of me and my search to leave my current job. I had given up. I applied and got the job and my coworkers and I are a family going on 14 years.
MANY MANY years ago I was attending college in Boston MA and all set to do my “fieldwork”(it was called that then) in BOSTON but I followed a very strong feeling that I should do it at a store (famous at the time) in ALLENTOWN PA. I did and
I wrote to YWCA to ask if they took lodgers and got a list of approved private people that took “boarders” for temporary times. I went to one of them, took a room and THERE I MET MY HUSBAND!
Also, many times in our married life-some accident or incident happens and we find our life changed and later find out it was really much better the “other” way!
We’ve been married for 52yrs (as of 6/30) and never regretted the change of plans and thankful for that HUNCH!
Met my best friend from an accidental meeting at a convention.
I found a dog that had been abandoned at the post office, and there were scrapes on the dog. Not intending to adopt a dog, I searched for the owner but realized the dog had been mistreated and abandoned. Janey is an English Mastiff and I let her join the family. She picked up on a grease fire in my mother’s oven, which occurred because a hole had corroded into the bottom of the oven and oil accumulated. The fire alarm batteries were out, but Janey barked loudly and incessantly from another room until I went into the kitchen and saw flames licking the ceiling. My accidentally acquired baby dog, Janey, saved the day and I was able to save our kitchen and get a new oven.
My car got stuck in a huge snowdrift during one of the biggest snowstorms in Baltimore’s history. A young man ran over to help shovel me out, then invited me to get a cup of coffee. We’ve been inseparable for the past ten years, and I still have a soft spot for blizzards.
It wasn’t a lucky thing for the deer, but I hit a deer on my way home from my parent’s house. My car was totaled, but I was fine. I had to replace the car, and as a result, I now have a new car I really like.
While I don’t believe there are true accidents, everything happens for a reason. I have my days mixed up with my doctor’s appointments when I was pregnant with my little girl a few months ago. I went in for my visit to see if I had dilated any. The nurse told me that I was supposed to come in the next day but they would go ahead and check me since I was there. I was actually 5 cms dilated. I gave birth to my Madison early the next monrning AND there was a snowstorm throughout that night. Talk about a blessing in disguise!
I was two years out of high school, and attending the second year of my Pre-Medical Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, when I was rear-ended by a drunk driver while at a red light at a high rate of speed. My dream had always been to be an ER Trauma Surgeon and that all ended on that fateful night. I am now permanently disabled, but have three wonderful children, whom are my life, and who I might have never had if I had been able to continue my college studies.
I give thanks for my babies every day, and given the choice now, I would opt for my children every time, even though I still wish I could contribute in the medical community. Hopefully one day, when I can afford to go back to college, I will try to do so, but maybe in a different manner–such as obtaining an online degree.
If one works hard enough to achieve a goal, it can be accomplished, even if obtained or performed differently from what is perceived as normal.
30 years ago I accidentally backed my car into a very handsome roofers truck. 3 daughters and 6 grand daughters later it’s still the best ” accident ” that ever happened to me
I think the greatest “accident” is love. Plan for it and it all goes wrong, let the “accident” happen and life is good. Yeah Accidents!
No life altering accidents so far but am looking forward to your new book.
When my widowed mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I lived in another state. I returned to my childhood home to care for mother, opening my life to changes and opportunities that never would have happened otherwise.
When our oldest was 7, my husband and I decided to have another baby and ended up being blessed with twins. Twins do not run on either side and the doctor said “Well, it has to start somewhere.” One of my precious daughters was born with special needs and we deal with a lot everyday but I wouldn’t change a thing. My children mean the world to me and I can’t imagine life without them.
Well, truth be told, I accidentally got pregnant. I had been told for years that I was infertile. My boyfriend (now husband) proved that theory incorrect. Best accident ever!! My son is now six years old, and my daughter is five years old!
I haven’t had any life-changing “happy accidents” but I’m always open to the possibility of blessings both large and small. 🙂
When I applied for my last job, I was expecting a security position. I ended up in a customer service position and have had the same job for the last 6 years now.
Not sure if you would call this an accident or divine intervention but one evening as I was getting ready to go out, the guy called and said he couldn’t make it “had to work late” so a girlfriend of mine called a friend of hers and he called me. I married him six months later.
My 26 year old niece, who was living with us last year completing an internship,talked me into getting a puppy from her neighbor’s litter. We had just lost our beloved shelter dog of 15 years last year and I said NO! But she “accidentally had a skype connection open showing the puppy running around and it was love at first site. I count Daisy, my MaltePoo, as a blessing in my life!
The book sounds amazing and I do believe in accidents by design. It seems that life is full of unexplainable events and situations and our response to them can develop into life changing events that can be large or small. Our attitude is a big part of how our day evolves and the “other accidents by design” are those we dream of to be beyond what we could ever have imagined. I’m a dreamer and lover at heart and keep hope and faith for such a accidental surprise to happen!
34 years ago, I met my next door neighbor at the mailbox (middle of the day during the week). It was our first time meeting…and we never bumped into each other again (at the mailbox.
However, we exchanged hellos and found out we had both just gotten married, moved into a new town house development and met because I worked weekends and she was unemployed (having moved for her husband’s job). They only lived there 18 months before her husband was transferred to another state. We’re still best friends.
A happy accident indeed!
I can’t think of any happy accidents, but I can’t wait to read this book.
I met my husband when my daughter hydroplaned in to the side of his car and thankfully didn’t do any damage.
As I approached what at the time I considered the big 30th birthday, I felt the need to try and spruce up myself with cosmetic surgery. After saving for a while I finally had enough money for the down payment. I was overjoyed at the outcome for the first 10 days. On the second week after my surgery ( Tummy Tuck, Breast) I found out I was pregnant. The pregnancy had not shown up in the blood work, I was six weeks pregnant. Upon calling the surgeon, I was rudely told by him to “Get Rid of IT” because the surgery had lasted over six hours and the cocktail of drugs posed that was given to me posed grave danger to the baby. The skin on my abdomen had just been removed and sewn with an incision that was from hip to hip, I worried about everything ripping apart as it expanded to accommodate a growing fetus. I made the choice to keep the child that had survived such traumatic circumstances and hung on to life. Throughout the nine months I worried about all the things that could be wrong with my baby. The surgery results went down the drain, I developed huge keloid scars that I could not afford to do repair but my daughter, who is now 12, was born in perfect condition and is the most precious gift of an accidental nature that I could ever imagine.
I really enjoy your books. As far as accidents go the one I had was falling down 2 cement steps and hitting my face and breaking my 2 front teeth. I looked like I had been in a car accident and I still had to work at my job.
I became ill with mononucleosis while in the military.
Because of this, I was visited by a very caring person while I was convalescing. He came every day and sat by my side..sometimes the entire day.
We became close and then fell in love. He changed my life forever.. for the better.
I am so thankful that he came into my life!
When I had been visiting family and friends in Poland quite a few years ago now, the happy accident (on my part) was that family friends had asked me to the christening of my courtesy aunt’s grandson. Was also going to take some pictures.
I was running a little late and when I arrived, the group was waiting for the godmother to arrive.
After waiting for several minutes (I’m not sure how long they were waiting before I arrived), my aunt asked me to be the godmother since the other lady had not arrived.
Happy moment – and I was glad to step in – but I never did find out what had happened to the other lady.
One evening I was out Christmas shopping when a dog ran in front of my car. I saw the dog flinch and I thought I had hit him. Another car with two men stopped to help and we were able to corner the dog at a fence. This stray had a very unnerving stare and the two men backed off and said they couldn’t take him. At that moment the dog walked right over to me and I lead him to my car and he jumped in.
The dog’s stench and dirty coat were horrible. I ended up buying a collar and leash instead of Christmas shopping. Finding a grooming appointment at Christmas was almost impossible but I finally found an open slot. When I went to pick him up later I didn’t even recognize him. I thought they were giving me the wrong dog. He was the most beautiful chow-golden retriever I had ever seen.
Homer turned out to be one of the sweetest dogs I ever raised. I only had him a few years because he died early from renal failure, but I was grateful to have any time with at all. I call that a happy accident!
My chihuahua went into labor over the *ahem* LABOR DAY weekend (of course!). She seemed to be having difficulty with the labor and I couldn’t find a vet clinic open, though I called everywhere.
I was frantic and didn’t know what to do for her. All I could think to do was rub her sides to help with the pain. I felt the pup there and it felt like it was lodged sideways rather than lengthwise toward the birth canal.
As I rubbed her sides, she stood up on her back legs and stretched as if to say, “Ah, that feels SO GOOD!” I noticed that the pup seemed to be shifting under my hands to lie lengthwise, and after a while my chihuahua wanted to go back in her den, so I put her in there and went to make some long distance calls to see if I could find a vet in driving distance who was open.
She had the pup less than 20 minutes later, after laboring all night and a most of the day. (Just the one pup.) The vet later told me I had probably caught her at just the right time, and managed to turn the pup so she could give birth (without even knowing what I was doing). He said if it had gone on too much longer we might have lost them both.
Mom and pup are doing fine, and that was the best accident I have had in a long time! (I think our dog is pretty happy about it too!)
ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, I ACCIDENTALLY THROWED MY KEYS IN THE GARBAGE. I LOOK EVERYWHERE FOR MY KEYS, THEN GOD TOLD ME TO LOOK IN MY TRASH CAN. NOW IF I WOULDN’T HAD LOOK, THEN MY KEYS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST FOREVER. SO NOW, I CHECK TO MAKE SURE I ALWAYS HAVE MY KEYS RIGHT BY ME
I was walking my puppy around the lake and a large adult dog followed me home. I put up found dog signs all over town but nobody claimed the dog and she and my pup became the best of friends. I guess she knew I’d give her a good home if she accidentally followed me all the way back to my house even after I kept telling her to go home.
Looking back, getting shoddy grades in college was not a mistake. I earned every D and C I received, which landed me in pretty serious financial aid trouble. Having said that, losing my financial aid was a complete and total accident. Long story short, I had to appeal to receive fundng again. I scheduled a meeting with the lady who oversees Reasonable Academic Progress appeals, and while there, though she found me very “cocky”, the elderly lady offered me a position as her work study. I began my job with her, and shortly after her husband was diagnosed with cancer. During my three years as her work study, we became like family, and no doubt in my mind, I was meant to arrive when I did. As a non-traditional student, I had the maturity and reasoning to act in her absence while she stayed with and then mourned her husband. I am now a full-time employee, and have worked in the financial aid office of my home university for six years! Though my degree is in elementary education (graduated with a 3.45), by initially messing up my GPA I found my true love is helping college students finance their educations.
I was talking with a stranger I had met and the topic of Cancer came up and she was able to tell me how Y-me was able to supply her with wigs, and turbans, making her feel confident enough to go out in public and feel more feminine than she had felt in a long time. It was a wonderful accident because my mother was undergoing chemo at the time and when I told her about Y-me, we called right away and they were able to confirm everything I was told. Despite how bad she felt my mom made the trip to out local Y-me in Chicago, and was able get everything she needed to go outdoors with confidence, AND meet fellow survivors who knew “exactly” what she was gong through and able to provide such an emotional boost for her that day.
Can’t think of anything personally but can’t wait to read the book!
I can’t truly call them accidents but two of my three pregnancies were not exactly planned. I wouldn’t have changed a thing – my children are just the most amazing blessings.
No accidents, thankfully. The Lord has blessed me. Can’t wait to read your book.
I keep waiting for an accidental miracle!
I usually rode with my arm out the window, but this night, I dropped a cigarette on the floor-board & bent to pick it up. A car hit us from the side, turned us completely around, & when everyone kept asking if I was alright, I couldn’t figure out why. My friend turned me around, & I saw that a fire hydrant had ripped the door off. If my arm had been out the window like normal, I might not have made it. So I can honestly say, a cigarette saved my life.
I keep waiting for my duke to show up.
I love to read romance novels and hea! I’ve been an avid reader my entire life and it just keeps getting better. Love your books.
I just love your books and I am SO READY for this one. I can’t recall any accidents that were blessings in disguise unless it was meeting my husband. We worked at the same place for a small window of time and some years later got re-acquainted because a friend wanted me to introduce her to a single guy. That probably doesn’t qualify as an accident but it certainly changed my life. We have been married for 25 years.
No accidents for me, ever… But that’s life…
Sounds like a great book to add to my tbr pile. No accidents for me but I know they happen & can’t wait for my happy accident.
I suppose I have had three happy accidents. I was told many times I could not have children. I met my husband and three months later I found out we were having a baby. We got married and now have a third child. Best accidents ever!
not an accident – but a life event – my mother passed away in 1989 – 3 years later I got up the nerve to return to college to finish my degree. I don’t think I would have done that without the life event.
It was an accident that I saw this post, but if I win it will be a miracle — which is sometimes the result of “accidents”.” Maybe that would be the title of my autobiography: My Life: An Accidental Miracle!!!
sometimes you just have to believe that accidents happen for a reason!
I short changed the number of dinner tickets I gave my now husband when we both worked at the Polynesian Hotel at Disney World. Well it really was not an accident. We have been married 42 years this past April.
I do believe things happen for a reason…unfortunately for me, only bad things have happened to me for a good (?!) reason! LOL Still waiting for one of those happy accidents!!!!
I’m so excited to read this new bok by one of my favorite authors!!!! Congrats, Ms. Hunter!!!!!!!!
Hey Madeline!
GREAT cover on this one but the story is even better! I literally stumbled on the book as I was grocery shopping. My local grocer hardly ever carries historical romance, but this past Friday I lucked out!
As for accidents, I’ve had too many, starting with my birth 😉
I was born to two teenagers, on a Monday…April Fools Day at that! As the story goes, my dad was out with his bodies the night before, came home drunk and passed out in the bedroom. My mom went into labor early morning and no matter how much they tried to rouse him up, he kept saying he’s not falling for it, because he knows it’s April Fools …I was born in the house as my poor mom never got to the hospital…that was in Serbia, 57 years ago 🙂 There you have it!
HUGS!
Mel
I usually don’t refer to things as accidents. I call them on purpsoses (either good or bad). Doctors referred to my son’s birth as a terrible accident. He is severely disabled from a very traumatic birth. He is also the biggest blessing I could have ever received. I like to think God is in control over all things. He could have changed things for my son, but made him the way he is on purpose, not by accident.
i have had events that have had an impact on my life not really accidents. congrats on the new book looks to be a good read as always
I love reading your books. I have had many challenges the last 2 years and reading your books have helped me escape for smsll increments of time. Reading is my way of coping with stress and your books have helped me keep my sanity. I can’t wait to read the last book in the series but wish it would continue. I love the characters!
I can’t recall any particular accident except for an army ward nurse switching me with another woman’s baby. My mom hadn’t noticed and was nursing the other baby, but the other mom did, screaming “that’s not my baby!” Wondering how different my life might’ve been may have planty the seed of my imagination. I’d have at least learned to speak Spanish 🙂
Sure have had my share of accidents. Most not too terrible. I just happen to be a clumsy person! Every “accident” or “incident” in a person life shapes them in some way, I do believe. We can learn and grow from any situation. Like learning never to do something so foolish again!!
My future husband accidentally mistook me for someone else when we were in college. He would randomly stop to talk to me as if he knew me. One day he was in a panic because he left his college papers at my house. I said he had never been to my house. That’s when he realized I was not the person he thought I was. After that he would still stop to talk to me apologizing for mixing me up with someone else. We were married 5 years later and have been happily married for 34 years!
I was going through a bad divorce and my oldest daughter was going in the army and she wanted me to go to a dance club with her the last night before she left and I did and I met my husband that I have now we’ve been married for 17 years and it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me because he is a wonderful man
My best friend was dating a guy and decided to hook me up with his friend. We were going to double date to the policeman’s ball. After day buying a suitable dress and getting fancied up, we went to meet them. We were detained slightly by an accident that blocked the roadway. They were gone. Stood us up. My friend was beyond angry. So she talked me into going back to her boyfriends house to wait for them. His roommate was home and let us in. What is a man to do when two very angry woman show up at your house? Play cards. That’s what we did until her boyfriend returned. They aren’t together anymore. But the roommate and I will celebrate our 15 year anniversary this September.
We have many accidents as we travel through life. Some are devastating and cruel, yet others are happy accidents that may not have been pleasant at first but the lessons we’ve learned from them are beyond valuable. I’ve been irrevocably harmed due to some one else’s negligence of their own health and while I’ll never be the same, I have learned at least one thing…to slow down and not be in a hurry to be places or to have things. I spend my time now improving myself, my situation as best I can, and reading – lots of reading. My perception has changed for the better, my body has been altered for the worst, but I enjoy and appreciate each day more than I ever knew I could. We should all slow down and take care of our whole selves, let the rest fall behind.
A happy accident was my son. I wasn’t expecting to get pregnant when I did but I love him so much.
Can’t wait to read this book! It’s waiting for name at home since I’ve been on a business trip. Love this series.
Nothing better than a well written historical romance novel!
I have to say I’ve been very lucky in my life. I’ve only had minor bumps and bruises. That doesn’t make for a very interesting blog post, I’m afraid.
Never had a ‘happy accident’. For me they are never a happy event. All I can do is roll with the accidents, happy or not, as theyare presented in my life.
My daughter Stephanie was the greatest accident of my life!!
I know that it accidents can change our lives. I can not think of any for myself right now. I am looking forward to your book. Already preordered. 🙂
No accidents, but challenges and opportunities that help us become the best we can be!
I accidentally got pregnant the first time I ever had sex. My husband and I didn’t know each for very long but we’ve been together for 30 years, have 7 children and 8 grandchildren and I considered this the happiest “accident” ever.
I think that the biggest thing I have come out of accidents, whether my own or others, is the reminder that very few things in life require such an urgency as to justify urgency. I always pause slightly when the light changes to check for people who have not learned their lessons. Or warily watch that person texting..