On Tour: Blue Jean Bayou

About the Book

Book: Blue Jean Bayou

Author: Janis Jakes

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance

Release Date: June 12, 2026

After Jenna’s father dies, she travels to his cabin in the Texas Piney Woods to oversee the remodeling and ready the property for sale. She’s surprised when the contractor is a childhood crush – now a handsome man with a heart of gold.

Their friendship reignites, bringing the possibility of more…but at a price. Jenna, a business owner, loves the bustling streets of Manhattan. Creed, a military veteran with a hero’s past, finds refuge in small-town living.

When Jenna learns her father led a secret life, her world turns upside down, and she suspects Creed knows more than he’s telling.

As the truth about her father emerges, Jenna faces the secrets hidden in her own heart and must choose: a life of high heels and high rises or a meandering bayou with the man she now loves.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Janis Jakes is an author of multiple contemporary and historical inspirational romances with an emphasis on courageous men, strong women, Texas sunsets, and happily ever after.

 

 

 

More from Janis

Texas is known for its vastness and cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. While those cities are great, there’s something about a small Texas town that stirs the heart and evokes a sense of community.

 When I wrote Blue Jean Bayou, I wanted Shelton’s Cove to be one of those small towns that every reader would want to visit—where they’d find hundred-year-old farmhouses, wooden bridges that clack under the weight of vehicles, country diners where chicken-fried steak is standard fare, and salt-of-the-earth folks who look after their neighbors.

I also wanted characters who embody the Texas nature I know so well: brave men with strong faith and a staunch work ethic, and women who face life’s unexpected twists and turns with strength.

My ultimate hope is that readers get a true sense of the town and enjoy meeting the characters who call Shelton’s Cove home. This is Book 1 of the three-book Small Town Texas Series.

A little backstory nugget: The café in Blue Jean Bayou is named Myrtle’s Café after my late grandmother. She could cook like no one’s business—her meringue is legendary!—so it only seemed right to give the café her namesake.

Interview with Janis

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? That characters don’t always do what you expect. My daughter-in-law laughed at me when I told her that I was nearing the end of writing a suspense novel and I wasn’t sure who the villain was yet, but I was worried it might be one of the characters I really liked. I laughed along with her, but looking back, I think that’s probably a good sign. That means the characters have come to life, so to speak.

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book? Where do I want to begin, and where do I want to end? What is the faith message the Lord wants the reader to take away? What changes need to take place in the hearts of the characters? I’ve learned that even though I think I know the answers to these questions and others, I’m not always right. I have to pray and trust that God is in the process, and allow room for the Lord’s leading.

What was the best money you spent as a writer? Attending writer conferences. That’s where I first learned of my publisher and reached out with a proposal. It was also at a writer’s conference where I paid a small fee to have my work critiqued by a more experienced writer. She offered great insight and showed me where I needed improvement. I’m so very thankful I listened to what she said. Her input helped me become published.

Why do you write in your particular genre? I love this question! I had articles, devotionals, and short stories published before I ever wrote a romance novel. The reason I enjoy this genre is that it allows me to minister to women. My hope is that the characters I write about, and the challenges they overcome, will encourage other women in their faith. Blue Jean Bayou is my first contemporary romance. My other published novels have been inspirational historical western romance. All of the stories involve strong women who face obstacles with courage and resilience.

What was your favorite childhood book and why? My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. It’s about a young boy’s adventures in survival while alone in the Catskill Mountains. Every day at a certain time, our elementary school teacher would pull up a stool, sit in front of the class, open the book, and read us several pages. I do believe that’s the time I fell in love with books.

Blog Stops

Devoted Steps, July 27

Simple Harvest Reads, July 28 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, July 29 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 30

Guild Master, July 31 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, August 1

Fiction Book Lover, August 2 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 3

The Bookish Ledger, August 4 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 5

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 6 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 7 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, August 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 8

Stories By Gina, August 9 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janis is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/N6cAK/blue-jean-bayou-celebration-tour-giveaway

On Tour: The Broken Weathervane

 

About the Book

Book: The Broken Weathervane

Author: Laura DeNooyer

Genre: Women’s fiction, dual timeline fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden.

As Leslie Wickersham, Raymond University grants officer, seeks information to unravel a family mystery, English professor Gregory Stafford seeks an elusive interview with one more Buckwalter relative for his upcoming author biography. While Greg and Leslie guard coveted details from each other, her goals are further complicated by letters of blackmail threatening to reveal all she has worked hard to hide.

In this dual timeline novel alternating between 2015 and the 1950s, loyalty is tested and secrets abound when family honor collides with truth. Leslie grapples with the trade-off: how far will a person go to help a loved one thrive?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

More from Laura

The Shame of Silence

In the 1950s, nobody talked openly about mental illness. We think it’s stigmatized today; it was worse then.

When a family member is physically ill or in an accident, folks will line up outside your door to bring comfort or casseroles. It’s an easily shared prayer request. But when a family member has an episode related to mental illness, it’s shrouded in secrecy and shame. Thus, the people most needing prayers and support don’t get them.

That’s the experience of Fritz, Eddie, and Klara Buckwalter in the 1950s timeline of The Broken Weathervane.

Leave It to Beaver

Television in the 1950s became a household word with its daily entertainment. Sitcoms included Danny Thomas’s Make Room for Daddy, I Love Lucy, Our Miss Brooks, and Father Knows Best. Variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show along with comedy shows featuring George Burns, Jack Benny, and Red Skelton had viewers laughing in living rooms across America.

But those shows illuminated the lighter side of life. Today, we fondly embrace the innocence and nostalgia of Leave It to Beaver. But that’s far-fetched from everyday realities. Especially for those plagued by mental illness.

Old Dog, New Tricks

In the 2015 timeline, two co-workers are at cross purposes—both seeking the same information for different reasons.

When my protagonist Leslie Wickersham is hired as the grants officer at Raymond University, she doesn’t count on having to teach an old dog new tricks. By dog, I mean the brassy, pretentious English professor, Dr. Gregory Stafford—who isn’t all that old, but is behind the times.

The dean expects Leslie to drag Greg into the 21st century via social media, something Greg has relegated to the annals of Hogwash and Absurdity.

Their proximity becomes her chance to pick his brain for nuggets from his upcoming biography of local author Linus Fritz Buckwalter.

But she can’t let him know that Fritz is her great-uncle. Or that the one last interview Greg is holding out for—Klara Buckwalter—is Leslie’s grandmother.

Due to Klara’s silence, Leslie hopes Greg holds the key to knowledge about the family rift.

Answers start appearing when Klara gives Leslie her 1950s diary. The answers are shocking—but also contradict Greg’s research.

If you appreciate stories with:

• small town family secrets
• family drama
• dual timelines (2015 and 1950s)
• moral dilemmas
• family loyalty vs. honesty
• an honest, tender treatment of mental illness

. . . then this story will touch your heart.

My hope is that book club discussions will help increase understanding, transparency, and empathy for those who suffer. Open dialogue about mental illness is that important first step toward reducing the stigma associated with it. The Broken Weathervane is the perfect catalyst for that.

An Interview with Laura

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? First of all, everything can be fodder for a story. No experience or pain is wasted.

Additionally, story is one of the best ways to touch others in deep places. People might not listen to a sermon, advice, opposing view, or constructive criticism, but they will listen to stories. I’m deeply touched when a reader reaches out to me personally to share her experience of my story.

Many readers have reached out to tell me how The Broken Weathervane resonated with them due to their own friends or family members struggling with mental illness. That blesses me immensely. I hope the novel invites more discussion among people with similar challenges.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? Over the years of penning stories, I learned how much my writing is cathartic as an exploration of the soul.

A Thomas Jefferson quote comes to mind: “I cannot live without books.” That’s true for me too, but I could add, “I cannot live without writing.”

Writing has served as a creative outlet, a catalyst for ideas, a source of solace, and a way to explore a myriad of confusing thoughts and feelings. I wrestle with difficult events and emotional challenges from my own experiences as these scenarios somehow wind up in my stories, bringing fresh insights, fostering empathy, stretching my limits and my faith. That makes story writing a form of journaling.

In The Broken Weathervane, I explored themes of transparency, honesty vs. family loyalty, mental illness, and challenging family dynamics—themes I’ve wrestled with. I hope the themes resonate with readers too.

Writing is a journey, not just a means to an end. As a teacher, I always taught that the writing process—or any creation of art—is just as important as the product, if not more so. It’s what we learn along the way that gives it meaning.

Can you share a real-life event that inspired your writing? I dedicated The Broken Weathervane to my dad who was the inspiration for this story. Over the years, my dad shared a family story about his father and uncle who were in business together with their youngest brother who struggled quite a bit. The two older brothers did everything in their power to help him succeed in his own businesses and later let him work at theirs. I loved the way they cared for him despite all the difficulties they encountered. I often wondered what the issues were.

This was the spark of the 1950s timeline in my novel. Then the characters took on lives of their own. In the 2015 timeline inspiration, I needed two people at cross purposes with each other—both seeking the same information (from the 1950s) for different reasons.

Last year, my dad was in hospice for five months. I was glad I had the chance to tell him I’d dedicated the book to him. He was surprised and pleased. It was bittersweet launching a book (with a time frame out of my control) while watching him decline. Though he passed away nine days after the book was released, he was cheering for me during those months prior.

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book? Crucial questions for me when planning a novel are:

• Do I have a passion for telling this story?
• Why should this story matter to readers?
• What unique slant or perspective can I offer?

Additionally, the story must sustain my interest for the long haul—through all the ups and downs of feedback, criticism, multiple revisions, obstacles, rejection, and fears.

Regarding The Broken Weathervane, I also asked:

• How can I relay a story about mental illness in a way that evokes empathy and also fosters hope, healing, and good discussion?
• How can I balance the story with more light-hearted elements so as not to be overly dark and depressing?
• How can I redeem the heaviness of the situation without being trite or unrealistic?

How are your characters like you? Different? My 2015 protagonist Leslie and I have both been teachers, love literature, and have wrestled with depression.

Even so, she’s very different than I am. She’s able to hold her own with prickly Professor Greg Stafford—something I’m not sure I could do well! She’s much more assertive than I am. That’s why I particularly enjoyed writing the scenes where they interact. They both push each other out of their comfort zones.

Both Fritz and Eddie Buckwalter were a challenge for me. In the 1950s timeline, I wrote in Fritz’s larger-than-life personality and voice. Other than our common interest in storytelling through writing novels, we are nothing alike. He’s a businessman, for one thing, and an extrovert who loves being the center of attention.

I purposely didn’t use Eddie’s point of view because I didn’t believe I could do him justice, considering his mental health challenges. So, I instead wrote from the perspectives of his wife Klara and his brother Fritz. I think that helps in making Eddie a sympathetic character. Despite their aggravation and confusion about his antics, they love him dearly.

Blogs Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, July 7 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, July 8

Artistic Nobody, July 9 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, July 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 10

Fiction Book Lover, July 11 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 12

The Bookish Ledger, July 13 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 14

Books Less Travelled, July 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 16

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, July 17 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, July 18

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, July 19 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, July 20 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janis is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/0jxOq/the-broken-weathervane-celebration-tour-giveaway

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Carol McClain!

 

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Carol McClain!

The most frequent question asked me is, “Which is the favorite book you authored? I will address my final answer to my favored book at the end. I want, first, to address the second most frequent question: “How do you get your story ideas?”

With seven books on the market, the answer is easy: the messy, beautiful, sinful, redemptive lives of those I know and love. The genesis of my newest book Choices We Make will illustrate.

Several years ago, by the hand of God, my sister-in-law of only eight years, saw something off with my brother. She rushed Art to the hospital where he had a massive cardiac issue as she pulled up to the ER. At that moment, my beloved brother’s implanted defibrillator shocked him and restored him.

Once inside, emergency staff shocked him with the AED many times. Between the ER doctors’ shocks,

his surgical defibrillator continued. Together, over thirty times. At last, my sister-in-law signed a DNR. With human hands off him, instead of dying, my brother’s heart settled. In an induced coma, we did not know if he would be brain dead, or almost worse, brain-damaged.

Thus, the genesis of my story. The two were relatively newlyweds. What would life be like having to care for a brain-compromised husband you were only just getting to know?

Art survived with no apparent damage.

Not so for my antagonist, Wyatt. His wife Tallie has to come to grips of a life with a man, who through no fault of his own, suffered damage that physically and psychologically affected his family. What would God require of us? What could we endure? Choices We Make was conceived.

What would you do if the man you married was no longer a person you recognize? If he jeopardized you and your child? What does God desire?

So, my second most frequent question is answered. All my stories come from life experiences—mine and others.

 
As for my first most frequently asked question about my favorite work : my usual answer is, “Who is your favorite child?” (And shh. Don’t tell my other novels. My favorite book is the one I never thought I’d ever love.)

About Choices We Make

What happens when the vow “for better” becomes dangerously worse?

Journey into the heart of a marriage tested beyond imagination. Tallie Peters, a devoted wife and accomplished marriage counselor, cherishes her life with her soulmate, Wyatt. They share dreams of growing old together, filling their days with love and children. Yet, life has its own plans. A tragic accident leaves Wyatt with a brain injury, transforming the energetic, loving man into a stranger grappling with uncontrollable impulses, anger, and an increasing dependence on alcohol. For her faith and for her son, Tallie must confront the reality of her marriage and her choices. She must decide whether the life she’s loved can be saved.

Purchase link: https://amzn.to/430NG8J  

About Carol

Carol McClain is the author of seven published novels She loves God, glass, good books, and goats—especially when the goats are not eating her manuscript. Carol also edits, teaches Bible studies, hikes the Smokies, and pursues many other interests that allow her to avoid housecleaning. Why make a bed when you’re only going to mess it up again? When she’s not writing stories filled with people making spectacularly messy choices, she’s wrangling goats or chasing shiny bits of stained glass.

Sign up for her newsletter at http://www.carolmcclain.com

Photo credits:

Author photo, book cover image: Courtesy Carol McClain

Emergency sign: Pixabay/ElasticComputeFarm

Emergency Room gurney: Pixabay

On Tour: Just Another Home

 

About the Book

Book: Just Another Home

Author: Kimberly Banet

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction, Women’s Christian Fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Sixteen-year-old Sam Keller has lived in foster homes and group homes most of his life and has long ago given up on the dream of a stable, forever family. Adults have always let him down, and so has God, and he has no use for either.

John and Abbie Grayson are a respected, successful couple in their fifties with two grown children. They live in their dream home in Franklin, TN, an idyllic suburb of Nashville, where John is a successful college basketball coach, and Abbie works part-time at their local church. But Abbie feels something is missing from her life and convinces John they should become foster parents.

Their worlds collide when Sam is placed in the Grayson home for a few days. Days turn into months, and Sam thrives with the Graysons and allows himself to dream of a forever family, while John and Abbie realize the teen has found his way into their hearts.

As the Graysons begin to investigate the possibility of adopting Sam, an evil agenda emerges, and a secret past is revealed. Nothing short of a miracle can save Sam from a harrowing ordeal and keep the Grayson family together.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Kimberly Banet received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. She started writing in 2020. Her debut novel, Just Another Home, was a 2023 ACFW Genesis Finalist.

Kimberly was married to the love of her life, Jeff, from 1988 until his passing in December, 2024. Together they raised two children, Nicole and Brandon.

Kimberly lives in beautiful Starlight, Indiana, with her two fur babies, Daisy and Winnie.

More from Kimberly

My debut novel, Just Another Home, was released in 2024. It’s about a teen in the foster care system, Sam, who is placed with a couple in their fifties, John and Abbie. Something most people don’t know about Just Another Home is that the setting of the story, Franklin, Tennessee, was not just some random town I chose for the backdrop of Sam’s story. Franklin is a place I’ve visited many times and is near and dear to my heart.

In 2015, our daughter and son-in-law moved to Franklin, a little over three hours from our home in Indiana where my husband and I have lived all our lives. We visited frequently. We loved the small-town, rural feel of Franklin, with its rolling fields and farms and the scenic beauty of the nearby Natchez Trace Parkway. It also satisfied everything we wanted in a small city with its unique shops, boutiques and locally-owned restaurants on Main Street and nearby Cool Springs.

My favorite things about Franklin, though, were the great family weekends we spent there. The memories of one weekend in particular always makes me smile. We attended the Dickens of a Christmas Festival on the square in downtown Franklin. It was just one of the many festivals they have there, but the one I love the most.

It was a blustery, cold day for Middle Tennessee. The high was only 30 degrees and snow flurries were flying. With coffee in hand, we braved the downtown streets and met all our favorite Dickens characters—Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and Tiny Tim, among others. There were vendor booths, and a giant, beautifully lit Christmas tree in the square. It was a beautiful, Christmas-like day with our whole family together in the same place at the same time. When we got too cold to walk anymore, we ducked into a pizzeria to have lunch and warm up. Then we finished the day at our favorite local bookstore there, Landmark. This mother’s heart was full.

Does all of this sound familiar? If you’ve read Just Another Home, it does, because this exact story is played out as Sam attends the Dickens Festival with his foster family. It’s the first time he is genuinely happy since he can remember. He can enjoy the day with them without having to fight for survival or worry about what tomorrow brings. For once he is free and his heart is not troubled.

Kind of like this momma’s heart, having her whole family in the same place at the same time.

Interview with Kimberly

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? Hearing from readers and talking to them in person. I have met so many interesting people from across the country who have read my books and shared feedback. I appreciate every person who takes the time to read my books, and I love hearing how they connected with the stories. Vendor events are the best because I get to talk to readers in person.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? The most surprising thing is how much work there is to do once you submit your book to your publisher. Rounds of edits, cover decisions, and pre-release marketing. Then once the book is released, the marketing never ends. Newsletters, promos, and more! I never dreamed that writing the book would only be the beginning. I love it all though.

Can you share a real-life event that inspired your writing? In Just Another Home, there is a scene where the family attends the Dicken’s Festival in Franklin, Tennessee. This scene mirrors my family’s experience at the Dicken’s Festival in 2016. It was such a special time for me with my kids being together with my husband and I all in the same place at the same time. The fictional family’s experience there was actually our own.

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book? First and foremost, what theme has God laid on my heart? The times I have been stuck, not knowing what to write, are the times I haven’t asked God to guide me. It’s the most important part of the process for me. What was the best money you spent as a writer? Vendor event fees. I set up at craft fairs throughout the summer and fall and get to meet new people and introduce my books to new audiences. So far it’s always been money well spent.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 25

Stories By Gina, April 26 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 27 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, April 27

Artistic Nobody, April 28 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 29

The Bookish Ledger, April 30 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, May 1 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, May 2 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 3

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 4 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 5 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 5

Vicky Sluiter, May 6 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 7

For the Love of Literature, May 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberly is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/HlylC/just-another-home-celebration-tour-giveaway

Talkshow Thursday: Pearl Ada Pridham

Talkshow Thursday: 

Meet Pearl Ada Pridham

I'm pleased to welcome Pearl Ada Pridham to my blog for the first time. Get to know the lovely author.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I love it when the story takes off and tells itself to me as I write. It’s a special experience that doesn’t happen by planning or when reading someone else’s book.

Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?

Yes. Especially those who read my first book, Something I Haven’t Told You. All the comments were positive. Many people said they liked my writing style because it was easy to follow and kept them reading on. A lot of people thought it was an important topic. Some people related strongly to the main character because they had once found themselves in the same position as a pregnant teen.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

My three published books are in a series called Love Shines Through. My favorite is my debut novel,

Something I Haven’t Told You. I worked on it for a very long time, but I liked it better and better the more I improved it. I learned a lot about the craft of writing by continuing to whittle away at it.

What was your inspiration for the story in Something Old and Something New?

Something Old and Something New is the third book in the series. While the first book centers around the teen girl who gets pregnant, this one centers around her grandmother. A lot of my readers are grandparents. I wanted to explore how grandparents can be supportive.

What is your process for writing? (do you outline, have a special place or time of day you write, etc.) What is your favorite part of the process?

I need to write in the mornings and treat it as a part time job. Otherwise, I just don’t get to it. I use Scrivener and divide the book into sections. Each day, I write on a certain section, trying to complete a chapter when possible. My favorite part of the process is when the story gains momentum and carries itself forward as I type. This happens in spurts.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

I would start by thinking about your purpose for writing and who will read it. Publication can be quite complicated. If it’s memoirs for your family, you might want to self-publish or pay a small publisher. But if you wish to write novels for a wider audience, you might want to find a traditional publisher. In that case, you will need to know a lot about the craft of writing. I learned a lot about that by attending writers conferences on Zoom and by reading articles. I find being a member of ACFW and FHL Christian Writers to be very helpful.

What writers or books have influenced you?

I like Robin Hatcher’s books, and she has given me occasional tips and encouragement. I read a couple of her dual time novels. She told me they have been successful, so I thought I would try that with Something Old and Something New. Diane Tatum was the editor for my debut novel, and I thought she did a wonderful job of it. I recently read her latest novel, The Widow’s Honeymoon; Suspense on the Rhine. I love how both of these authors integrate spirituality into their stories in a natural way through their characters’ thoughts. I do the same.

What is your next project?

I’m currently working on another book in the series, this time centered around the sister of the girl in the first book. She travels to Switzerland, so a lot of the setting is there.

About Something Old and Something New

Jennifer, not yet that old grandmother of four, suddenly learns that she is soon to become a great grandmother already. Initially upset that her teenage granddaughter is pregnant, with the support of her husband, she puts things in perspective. As she knits a blanket for the baby, she recalls her own teen years, growing up in the sixties.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3L7VdwP

Follow me on my website at https://PearlAdaPridham.com.

Photo credits:

Author Photo: Courtesty Pearl Ada Pridham

Coffee and notebook: Pixabay/Edar

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Laura DeNooyer

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Back, Laura DeNooyer!

I'm pleased to welcome Laura DeNooyer back to my blog. Her latest release sounds so intriguing, and I can't wait to read it. Grab a "cuppa" and read one to learn more about Laura and A Hundred Magical Reasons (even the title is intriguing!)

#1) What was your inspiration for the story?

My dad shared a family story about his father and uncle who were in business together with a younger brother who struggled quite a bit. The two older brothers did everything in their power to help him succeed in his own businesses and later let him work at theirs. I loved the way they cared for him despite all the difficulties they encountered.

This was the spark of the 1950s timeline in my novel. However, it’s just the spark. It’s not a story about my family, and the characters took on lives of their own.

In the 2015 timeline inspiration, I needed two people at cross purposes with each other—both seeking the same information for different reasons.

#2) How do you develop your characters? (e.g. decide on their vocation, names, etc.)?

Characters are often the starting point for planning a story, but I needed my characters to function in a certain capacity from the get-go. So Greg (in the 2015 timeline) had no choice but to be an English professor who was writing a biography about a literary icon.

I knew Leslie’s family tree, but had to figure out her backstory and how her life would overlap Greg’s at the university. So I gave her an education background (previously a high school teacher), but I made her a grants officer at the college so she would have to work directly with Greg from time to time.

In the 1950s timeline, I settled on a grocery store for the family business because it fit the characters and what I needed to happen in the story.

#3) How are your characters like you? Different?

My 2015 protagonist Leslie was the easiest because she and I have both been teachers, love literature,

and have wrestled with depression. Even so, she’s very different than I am, but we had enough in common that I could relate to her.

Both Fritz and Eddie Buckwalter were a challenge for me. In the 1950s timeline, I wrote in Fritz’s larger-than-life personality and voice. Other than our common interest in storytelling through writing novels, we are nothing alike. He’s a businessman, for one thing, and an extrovert who loves being the center of attention.

#4)What sort of research did you do for your story, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include?

Two things I had to research were mental illness treatments in the 1950s and the current small campus university setting. Several women in my neighborhood book club are college professors so I enjoyed tapping into their knowledge and experience regarding college protocols, grant proposals, and faculty/staff dynamics.

I enjoyed learning more about 1950s grocery store trends, including common food brands back then. During that time, Swift & Company packaged peanut butter in reusable glass tumblers that featured The Wizard of Oz characters. Nowadays they are still collectors’ items. Being an avid Wizard of Oz fan, I had to include these glass peanut butter jars at the Buckwalter Brothers Grocery.

#5) What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book?

1) Do I have a passion for telling this story? This is the crucial question, because it must sustain my interest for the long haul—through all the ups and downs of feedback and revision.
2) Why does this story matter to me and why should it matter to potential readers? What unique slant or perspective can I offer?

#6) What draws you to the time period about which you write?

I have a lot of nostalgia about the 1950s—maybe because my parents were in their 20s then and I was born at the tail end of that decade, in 1958. I love the old Danny Thomas TV reruns (originally called Make Room for Daddy) that ran from 1953-1964. Other favorites are I Love Lucy, Leave It To Beaver, and The Red Skelton Show.

I grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show (it started in 1960). I think that’s where my love of small towns comes from. Everything I wrote is set in a small town.

#7) Why do you write in your particular genre?

I don’t necessarily choose the genre; I feel like it chooses me. I just write the story I feel led to share. So far, I’ve published three historical fiction novels—depending on how you categorize dual timeline stories that have both contemporary and historical threads. But other stories in the works include contemporary as well as Biblical fiction.

#8) What is your advice to fledgling writers?

If you have a passion for writing stories, then stick to it, no matter what! You need your passion to overcome the obstacles, criticism, rejection, and fears. Surround yourself with knowledgeable people on the same road. Join a quality writers group that will give you honest feedback with tact. You need to be challenged and pushed, but always with encouragement and kindness.

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Connect with Laura:

My website & book page: https://lauradenooyer-author.com/the-broken-weathervane/

My newsletter—Sign up for monthly updates and receive 7 free recipes: a-taste-of-oz-cookbook-sampler.com

Book Trailer: https://video214.com/play/pR4occLhUBoqtt4REgsf0g/s/dark

Purchase the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHDTSPH6

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238864888-the-broken-weathervane

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-broken-weathervane-by-laura-denooyer

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About Laura:

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

About The Broken Weathervane

Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden.

As Leslie Wickersham, Raymond University grants officer, seeks information to unravel a family mystery, English professor Gregory Stafford seeks an elusive interview with one more Buckwalter relative for his upcoming author biography. While Greg and Leslie guard coveted details from each other, her goals are further complicated by letters of blackmail threatening to reveal all she has worked hard to hide.

In this dual timeline novel alternating between 2015 and the 1950s, loyalty is tested and secrets abound when family honor collides with truth. Leslie grapples with the trade-off: How far will a person go to help a loved one thrive?

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Book Club Fiction, Dual Timeline Fiction, Historical Fiction

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Sarah Hanks!

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Sarah Hanks!

My grandpa first saw my grandma in 1959 walking outside of Velvet Freeze, a popular ice cream joint in St. Louis. He says, "She had a scarf under her nose and cigarettes rolled up in her shirt, wearing her Levis. I saw her and said, 'Wow! What a woman.'" She'd just gotten thrown out of Beaumont High School for a knife fight. Her siren's call drew my grandpa in. He was smitten.

Their first date was on the Admiral, a popular river cruise boat featuring live music and dancing. It did not go as planned. Still, he knew she was the woman for him.

They had two weddings: a secret one, and a church one. It's an excellent, hilarious story. You can read all about it in New Creations, my new split-time novel releasing on August 16th (my grandpa’s birthday). Reality needed little to no tinkering here.

Other stories included: that time "Floyd" cut a man's ear off, home improvement endeavors that rival

National Lampoons, a blackberry snafu that left a grocery store in alarm, and that time he got his finger stuck in a wiper blade and had to have dinner brought to him at the car. I'm telling you, my grandpa is a legend. You're going to love him!

New Creations isn’t a memoir. While many of the stories from the historical storyline are based in truth, the more contemporary storyline is nearly entirely fabricated. The 1990s storyline is based on my memories of growing up singing and dancing for older ladies in the back of my grandparent’s shop as they waited under dryers, but there’s a lot of creative leeway. I switched up names (My grandpa’s name is Douglas Floyd. In New Creations the protagonist is Floyd Douglas. Clever, huh?) and condensed the storyline, but tried to stay true to the heart of my Papa’s character.

This is a book that will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you want to hug your loved ones tight. For those who love family stories, nostalgic vibes, and character-driven novels, you might just fall in love with this one.

If you enjoyed Amanda Cox's The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, Susie Finkbeiner's The All-American, or Katie Powner's The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass, you might just love New Creations. (All photos courtesy of Sarah Hanks)

Here’s the blurb:

Floyd Douglas is a blundering barber who faces retirement wondering if the past sixty years of his life have been a waste. When he's presented with the opportunity to go on a mission trip, it seems like the answer to his prayers and a way to finally make his life count for something. Now with a series of obstacles standing in the way of his newfound dream, he must decide whether to push through or find contentment in being the faithful family man he's always been.

Emira has always looked up to her grandpa, especially since her parents’ marriage fractured and left her foundations shaken. Now, she scrambles to assure the man who taught her how to love what a deeply meaningful life he’s lived.

New Creations releases on August 16th. You can preorder the Kindle book now.

Sarah Hanks is an award-winning author of Christian fiction in both the contemporary and historical genres. After spending over a decade mostly writing and teaching Sunday school curricula for churches in her community, she jumped into writing fiction full-time with her split-time novel Mercy Will Follow Me. She and her husband have nine children, a couple of whom seem to have inherited their mother’s love for playing with words and crafting stories. Though Sarah dreams of a cabin by the beach, the family lives jammed together in beautiful chaos near St. Louis, Missouri. She buys earplugs in bulk.

You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram @authorsarahhanks or connect with her at her website http://www.sarah-hanks.com.

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Chris Posti!

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Chris Posti

Linda: Welcome to my blog! Congratulations on your debut novel, Falling Apart, Falling for You. It sounds fantastic. Where did you get your inspiration for the story? 

Chris: Chairing my own 45th high school reunion served as the germ of the story, but of course, the Lord provided every single word and idea. 

LM: What sort of research was required for the book? 

Chris: The novel’s setting is near my home, and it’s a contemporary story, so except for looking up where “red-dog” driveway stone came from (the coal mines), there was no need for research. 

LM: How did your former career as a career executive coach, newspaper columnist, and radio show host prepare you to be an author? 

Chris: Writing a novel requires a vivid imagination, and the more experiences an author has to draw from, the easier it gets. In my case, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to interact with people from all levels in business and from all walks of life. These experiences enabled me to make my characters more realistic. 

LM: You’ve also written two non-fiction books. How was writing a novel different? The same? 

Photo: Pixabay/
Dariusz Sankowski

Chris: Writing a novel is much, much, much harder! Nonfiction is factual; the information can be arranged in a variety of ways. The writing is simpler, with fewer constraints. Fiction requires so much more from the author – I had no idea how difficult the transition would be! I spent hours reading comps and books on craft, listening to podcasts, and attending webinars and conferences. Then the real work began: applying what I’d learned! 

LM: What advice do you have for fledgling writers? 

Chris: First, learn as much as you can. Before beginning your story, write your logline and synopsis. This will save you much time, pain, and suffering later on. 

LM: Here are some quickies: 

Chris:

Favorite childhood book: Harold and the Purple Crayon 

Favorite Bible verse: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

Photo: Pixabay/
SophieLayla Thal

Favorite place to vacation: I was raised in Pennsylvania, but I’ve also lived in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Carmel, California, and I’ve traveled much more than most. At this point in my life, I am content to stay put—except I would like to return to Poland, where I was once able to visit some of my relatives. I would love to see my cousin again! 

LM: What other projects are on the docket for you this year? 

Chris: At the moment, I’m deep into the promotion of Falling Apart, Falling for You, and later in 2022, I expect to write the second book in this series of three. 

LM: Where can folks find you on the web? 

Chris: My book website is https://chrisposti.com/. 

About Falling Apart, Falling for You: 

With their lives in a free fall, three women gather for their 40th high school reunion in tiny Port Mariette, Pennsylvania. At 57, is it too late for them to make a fresh start? 

Suzanne 

After spending most of her adult life working as a traveling trainer for an airline, untethered and mildly content, Suzanne feels a stirring in her heart for a seemingly perfect guy. But when she abruptly loses her job, she lands in surprising new territory. 

Rachel 

Seeking distraction in the wake of her husband’s sudden passing, Rachel helps organize her class’s first reunion in 40 years. Stunned by an old friend’s shocking secrets, she struggles to learn forgiveness as she tiptoes into her new-found freedom. 

Marla 

After selling her thriving business, Marla revisits high school friendships and her mysterious past. Seeking family and a renewed purpose, she adds her marketing expertise to the group’s strategy for revitalizing the blue-collar town that brought them back together.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YGLLD65

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-apart-falling-for-you-chris-posti/1141388509?ean=9781649495648

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Nancy Naigle!

 Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Nancy Naigle!

LM: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your recent release The Shell Collector. What was your inspiration for this particular story? 

 

Nancy: Thank you so much for having me! I’m so happy to be here. The Shell Collector was inspired by a story my cousin once shared with me about a family friend who found special shells along the beach in Kitty Hawk, NC where she lived. Over a period of about six years, she found four shells with messages in them. The first had scripture written in it, others messages of hope and positive affirmations. 

 

Each of the shells came to her when she needed it most. No one else who lived in the area ever mentioned finding shells like these, which left her wondering how they came to her, and why. She treasured them considering them gifts from her angels by the sea. 

 

I thought of that story often, but never more than in 2014. I lost my husband and my cousin within just weeks of each other early that year. I could have used a boatload of those shells to get through that. Instead, this story of The Shell Collector took hold in my heart, and over the following years, it grew into a story not just about shells, but about surviving grief, the people whose lives a simple message in a shell would touch, and the friendships and love that grew because of them. A story of kindness, friendship, survival, and hope. 

LM: After writing so many books, how challenging is it to come up with plot lines and characters for new books? 

Nancy: I find that as long as I give myself enough balance and down-time life tosses new stories right into my lap. Lol. Just look left, then right and this crazy world we live in is bound to conjure up something book-worthy. 

 

LM: You had a career in finance. What made you decide to try your hand at fiction writing all those years ago? 

Nancy: Some might call it a happy accident, but I believe it was a nudge from God that put me on this path. I didn’t grow up with the desire to become a writer. I’d always known I’d work in corporate America. I was a Senior Vice President with Bank of America, and I loved my career. I worked incredibly long hours, and the stress was high, but I thrived in that environment. 

 

But the year I turned forty my job responsibilities included offshoring technical positions. That was really hard for me on a personal level even though I knew it was the right business decision at the time. 

 

After some soul-searching, I came to the conclusion that if I could just write one book, to help one busy

gal, through one bad day…that would be a positive way to give back. It was a lot harder than it sounded lol. It took a long time to get that first book written and all-in-all it was a 9-year journey to publication. I learned a lot about myself through the process too. It wasn’t until I lost my husband in 2014 that I took an early retirement and made a commitment to spend my time weaving stories of hope, happiness, and healing. I love knowing that I might touch a heart, improve someone’s outlook, or lift them while in despair with words of hope. 

 

My writing journey started nineteen years ago. I’ve now been published for eleven years, and have over 30 books and four novel adaptations with Hallmark/Crown Media. I don’t really think of this as a job, but rather how I live my life to share the gifts He has given me. 

 

LM: What is your favorite aspect of writing? 

Nancy: Editing! I’d much rather edit than write that first draft. 

 

LM: What did you do to prepare for this project? What sort of research, if any, was necessary? 

Nancy: This was the book of my heart. Coming from my personal journey through grief following the loss of my husband, it was more about being at a place that I could write the story that had been living in my heart and mind for several years. When the timing was right, I couldn’t wait to get started! 

 

LM: You’ve accomplished quite a lot. What is one thing you wish you could do? 

Nancy: Thank you. Yes, I’ve surely been blessed with wonderful opportunities, and I don’t mind working hard to fulfill them. I still have several Writer Girl things on my bucket list. I’d love to see The Shell Collector come to life on the screen, and I’ve also been working on a couple of screenplays between deadlines that I hope to sell one day. 

 

LM: What is your next project? 

 

Nancy: I’m working on two projects that will release in 2022. What Remains True coming May 3, 2022 (WaterBrook Press) is about a woman on sabbatical after her divorce who stops in a small mountain town and learns that the first step in starting over is not overthinking it. The Wedding Ranch coming Fall 2022 (St. Martin’s Press) is about a small-town wedding venue, the events that take place there, and the lives that change in and around them. 

 

LM: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer to fledgling writers? 

Nancy: Be true to yourself. Your voice—the way you tell your story—is the only unique thing you bring to the table. Listen to advice, but filter it all through your personal moral compass and file the rest away. Trust that the story only you can tell will find its readers. 

LM: Where can folks find you on the web? 

Nancy: http://www.nancynaigle.com has all of my book links, blog, event calendar, and newsletter sign-up. You’ll get all the latest news there first. Of course, I can also be found on these social media outlets: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyNaigleAuthor/  

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancynaigle/_saved/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancynaigle/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancynaigle 

About The Shell Collector: 

Two years after her husband’s death, Amanda Whittier has two children to raise alone, an abandoned dream of starting a business, and a fixer-upper cottage by the sea. She has no room in her life for anything else and little interest in moving on after losing the man she loved. 

Paul Grant is a relative newcomer to the area, and his work with former military dogs needing rehabilitation has been good for the town. Though he loved once before, he’s convinced he’s not suited for romance and is determined to find meaning—alone—through his work and role in the community. 

Widowed Maeve Lindsay was born and raised on Whelk’s Island. Spirited, kind, and a little mischievous, she pour her life into the town. But she carries a secret that shapes her every move.

Together, these three souls find encouragement in the most mysterious places and discover a love that’s bigger than their pain, healing their wounded hearts in ways none of them could have hoped for or expected.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/b6v7pJ