My name is Zoe Donovan and today, after many stops and starts, I have finally committed to the love of my life Zak Zimmerman. I have demonstrated in the past, a certain tendency toward commitment phobia, which has resulted, I’m afraid, in a general consensus, that I would never make it to the alter. Not only did I make it but I rocked it. Join me in a quick view of the highlights.
I’m not sure what I imagined I would feel as Zak and I stood face to face and declared our love for each other in front of our family and friends. I imagined I’d be nervous and just a bit unsure. I worried that I wouldn’t know how to stand or what to say. I was certain I’d have cold feet and would second-guess everything I knew to be true, but what I never imagined was how completely I’d be drawn into his gaze.
They say that when you die your life flashes before your eyes, but as I stared into Zak’s eyes I saw our future unfold. The children we would raise; the adventures we’d share; the tears we’d shed, as well as the love and the laugher that would see us through. Any doubt that I’d ever had faded away as the years unfolded, and I knew that the man I willingly bound myself to was happily binding himself to me as well.
Zak’s hands felt sweaty as he held mine, but I held on tight, knowing that our entwined hands represented the beginning of our entwined lives. Pastor Dan droned on as he’d been instructed to by Zak and me. I guess I must have responded appropriately, but I didn’t really hear what he was saying. As I opened myself to Zak’s strength, for the first time in my life I fully understood his vulnerability. I vowed in that moment to protect his heart and keep it safe no matter what the future might bring.
“Do you, Zoe Donovan . . .” Dan began.
“Wait.”
I could feel everyone hold their breath at the unexpected interruption. I’m certain every guest on the premises thought I was about to run. But not Zak. I could see it in his eyes, and in that moment I knew he trusted me with his heart as completely as I trusted him with mine.
I smiled and squeezed Zak’s hand as a tear slid down his cheek.
“I, Zoe Harlow Donovan, take you, Zachary Zion Zimmerman, to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. I promise to love you with my next breath, my last breath, and with every breath in between. I promise to be your partner in all things, as well as your biggest fan and staunchest supporter. I promise to always choose you, no matter what the choice, and I promise to bring just enough craziness into your life so that you’ll never grow bored. I give myself to you completely and without reservation. I love you, and I will continue to love you every day of my life.”
I had more in my heart but couldn’t continue. Dan looked at Zak for direction; we’d told him we wouldn’t be reciting our own vows, but he didn’t respond because all his attention was on me.
“I, Zachary Zion Zimmerman, take you, Zoe Harlow Donovan, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. I promise to love you with my next breath, my last breath, and every breath in between. I promise to be your partner in all things, as well as your biggest fan and staunchest supporter. I promise to always choose you, no matter what the choice, and I promise to always rescue you when your huge heart gets you into trouble. I give myself to you completely and without reservation. I love you, and I will continue to love you every day of my life.”
By the time Dan pronounced us husband and wife tears were steaming down both of our faces. In fact, I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dry face on the beach.
“You may kiss the bride,” Dan declared.
Zak scooped me up into his arms and held me close to his heart as we shared a kiss just a bit too long to be appropriate. Somewhere in the distant recesses of my mind, I could hear people cheering and whistling. But I didn’t care. I, Zoe Donovan Zimmerman, was finally home.
You can read more about Zoe in Matrimony Meltdown, the 13th book in the “Zoe Donovan” mystery series, published by Kathi Daley Books. The first book in the series is Halloween Hijinks.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on June 22 for the chance to win the three books in the wedding trilogy (Matrimony Meltdown, Soul Surrender, and Heavenly Honeymoon). The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Kathi Daley lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and Bernese mountain dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t writing, she likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese), and garden (planting and planning, not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she’s not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.
Stay up to date with her newsletter, The Daley Weekly. There’s a link to sign up on both her Facebook page and her website, or you can access the sign-in sheet at: http://eepurl.com/NRPDf
Visit Kathi:
Facebook at Kathi Daley Books | Kathi Daley Books Group Page | Webpage | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr | | Instagram | Amazon Author Page } Pinterest
Kathi’s books are always terrific. Love Zoe’s journey.
I just recently discovered Kathi Daley’s books and am SO glad I did 🙂
I love this series. Thank you for the chance.
I love Kathi Daley’s books! Thank you for a chance to win.
They look great, thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Ooooooooo! Gotta have it!
rhanks foe the chance to win these books. Enjoy Kathi’s writings very much.
With my oldest daughter finally tying the knot next month, this series hits home with me. Definitely putting it on my TBR list. Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Great giveaway, wonderful feature and fabulous authors. Thanks.
I am ready for “Heavenly Honeymoon”. I was hooked when I read her first book. Love this series!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
WOW! I have to say that was the best passage I have read in a long time. So sweet! I want to read all the books!! (I have to admit the adorable dog on the cover only increases that desire!) Thank you Kathi and Dru for this great giveaway and the opportunity to win such an exciting trio of books! 🙂
This one looks like a keeper Dru, please enter me in the giveaway.
Great vows!
Haven’t read any of this series. Would like to try them.
thanks.
I just started reading Kathi’s books and I love them. Thanks for the chance.
Fabulous giveaway, thank you for the opportunity📚😊
Kathi Daley’s books provide the reader with covers that invite them inside to a wonderful journey. I would love to have her newest books.
I love this series!
This trilogy sounds like a great summer read. Would love to have it.
Love to discover authors new to me. Thanks for the chance.
I would love to win 3 print books Kathi Daley’s covers and books sounds so interesting and I would love to dive in and have a series for the summer!
I’ve not had the pleasure of reading thi9s series and see, from reading the excerpt, that I must remedy the situation!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Oh oh. Me me!
I’ve just started reading Kathi’s books and I love them. Thanks for the chance to win.
sorry, didn’t mean to enter twice.
Fantastic series! 🙂
Just started reading Zoe’s stories, (I have you to blame), and I would so appreciate winning the books. If not, no prob, I’ll just have to buy them! Thanks for the chance to win.
I’m new to the series and only have the first few, but LOVE them and would so love to win these ; ) Thanks so much for the opportunity to win them.
I’m new to the series and only have the first few, but LOVE them and would so love to win these ; ) Thanks so much for the opportunity to win them.
I love Zoe and Zach! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
This would be a perfect set of books for my nieces’ reading list this summer. They’d love ’em, trust me. Thanks
Wow! If I’d read these vows BEFORE my wedding, I would have stolen , or borrowed them for my own. These words, as all of Kathi’s writing I’ve read to date are perfect. I think this trio of books will make everyone’s heart sing. Thanks for the chance in this amazing giveaway.
Love Kathi’s books. Love the Whale’s and Tails series the best but just started reading this series recently and its pushing to hit the no. 1 spot. 🙂 Thank you for the chance.
These are three to read for sure. Thanks for the giveaways. Judy D.
A series I need to binge-read ASAP!!!!
I’ve never read this series so, based on the description, I have a lot of catching up to do. Sounds great.
Thanks for the chance to win.Sounds like a great read…
I just love Zoe and the gang. What a great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
Great Series.
Love this series
Thanks for the giveaway! I love Kathi Daley’s books!
What beautiful vows!
I would love to read these books about marriage and mystery.
Kathi’s books about Zoe and Zak are so much fun! I’d love to win this one.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com,
Looks like fun.
contest is closed.