Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother.

With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange.

When a secret from Daisy’s past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer’s scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.

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Now for our interview with Emily Windsor.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers, Emily. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

EW: Hello, dear. My name is Emily Windsor. At seventy-eight years old, some of you might expect me to stay home and knit, but I’ve got no time for that. God assigned me a special mission for this latter part of my life. If you’ve had trouble finding love, I can help. Come aboard the MS Buckingham cruise ship, where I live with my three friends Daisy, Althea, and Gerry. We’ll give you a thorough interview and track down just the right special someone.

CC: Oh my! That sounds like hoot with lots of potential for trouble. Sounds just lovely. So now to hit you with our questions.

What is it that you want, and what is standing in your way?

EW: I want to help everyone find a love as sweet as my own. Not every story has to have white horses and fancy balls. Sometimes it’s just looking out from the church choir loft and spying a handsome sailor walking in the back doors. God writes the love stories, but I want to be the pen He’s holding. Unfortunately, the main characters don’t always cooperate. Our current hero is a bit of a stick-in-the-mud. Poor Spencer hasn’t experienced a lot of love in his life. I guess that’s why he struggles to show it, even to his own adorable little daughter. But he keeps trying, God bless him.

CC: Oh that poor man. And you must have had a beautiful marriage for you to want to share that sort of love with so many. I’m sure Spencer won’t know what hit him once you’re through with him. Are you still married? Is he on this ship with you?

EW: My husband’s name is Bill, and he’s the one who showed me how good married life can be. Fifty-one years just wasn’t long enough. We’re living apart for a while, but I’ll see him again someday. I imagine he’s helping the Good Lord get my room ready. He always was handy with a toolbox.

CC: Aww. That can be so hard. He sounds like a handy man with a big heart of love.

If you had time to read a book, what would you pick up?

EW: I’ll leave the reading to my friend Gerry. No matter how convoluted the match or dangerous the situation, she makes room in the schedule for her TBR pile. I’m too busy drafting battleplans, compiling candidate profiles, and ensuring our pairs are working out. But I always start my mornings with the Good Book, no matter how chaotic life gets.

CC: That is definitely one book everyone should make time for.

Who do you interact with that confounds you the most?

EW: My dear friend Daisy is making life quite difficult these days. I suppose it’s because I want to set her son Spencer up with one of the Buckingham’s childcare workers. He and Abby O’Brien would be amazing together, but Daisy claims she’s reluctant for Abby’s own sake. If you ask me, Daisy and Spencer could use a little family counseling. She’s one of our matchmaking crew, but her heart isn’t in it lately. It probably doesn’t help that someone is blackmailing her. When I get my hands on that wretch, I’ll make him wish he’d never left dry land.

CC: Oh dear! That makes me wonder what Daisy did worthy of blackmail . . .

Who is the most difficult person for you to interact with?

EW: You might expect me to say Spencer or Abby since their romance is giving us such trouble. Or Daisy because she’s against the match. Or even the blackmailer who’s wrecking our peace of mind. But perhaps the most difficult character to manage is the fourth member of our Shipper posse, Althea. I could set an alarm on every clock on the ship, and she would still be late. Especially if there’s a Bingo game going on anywhere.

CC: LOL I can identify with being late . . .  and I know how that can annoy others.

How do you feel about this journey you’re going on this time?

EW: As the spouse of a Navy captain, almost my entire life has been a journey. I’ve lost track of how many places we were stationed, but I loved the adventure of it all. A few years ago, a little health scare left me in a nursing facility for two months while I recovered. The moment I was healthy enough to stand on my own two feet, I walked out the doors and never returned. My greatest fear is that they’ll put me back in one of those prisons. I pray every morning that God will allow me to drop in the harness. I want to keep sailing the world and making matches until the day I see Bill again.

CC: Awww. I don’t blame you. As a caregiver, I pray fervently that I’ll never have to be so confined and cared for.

Let’s wrap up with one more question, but just for fun.

Do you have a criminal record?

EW: Of course not! One night in the brig doesn’t count, does it? Technically, it wasn’t even a full night. Mr. Everson, the ship’s head security guard, is something of a stickler, and he didn’t appreciate us snooping around the staff offices. Someone should find him a wife.

Oh dear. I would totally have been in that brig with you.

Readers, if you like a story with a good laugh, matchmaking little old ladies, and romance, be sure to check out Hearts Aweigh. And don’t forget to check out Shannon’s giveaway.

About Shannon Sue Dunlap

Shannon Sue Dunlap lives in hot and humid Houston, Texas where she writes books with a dose of laughter and a spoonful of love. One of the greatest compliments you can give her is saying her stories made you laugh-out-loud. She likes traveling around the world, singing tunes from classic musicals, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Shannon is a die-hard fan of happy endings and believes God has designed one for each of us.:

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