Blog Tour: Love in the Seams

Blog Tour: Love in the Seams

 
 

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About the Book

Mae Stafford longs for the companionship and unconditional love her sister has found in her new husband. But after years of refusing potential suitors because of a pact they made as children, Mae no longer has any choices left once their agreement is broken. She has no hope that God will give her what she desires most, a family of her own. Instead of dwelling on what she doesn’t have, she throws herself into her work as the recent sole owner of the local dress shop.

As a promise made to his late wife, Johannes Mueller agrees to travel west to be a school teacher in Calder Springs, Texas, away from the bigotry associated with being an immigrant in New York City. He hopes to improve his life and forget his loss. Johannes isn’t counting on his five-year-old daughter’s search for a new mother when they arrive. His little LillyAnn finds ways to bring the seamstress and him together…often. Can he learn to embrace his German heritage and unlock his heart to love again?

My Thoughts

I was hooked on Love in the Seams from the very first sentence. Having met Mae in book one of the Threads and Needles series, I was anxious to read her continuing story, and I was not disappointed. As with “real people,” she is a combination of traits – hers being stubbornness, insecurities, faith, and doubt. I loved Johannes who is a strong, yet sensitive man. I was immersed in the era through colorful, descriptive, and realistic dialogue. I finished the book in one sitting and look forward to more stories by Ms. Wolfe.

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests and is a member of ACFW. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more atwww.jodiewolfe.com.

Guest Post from Jodie Wolfe

I’m so excited to be a part of a Celebrate Lit tour. Thank you for the opportunity to give a small peek into my world. J Love in the Seams is book two in my Twins & Needles series. Mae Stafford’s journey to believe and have hope that God will give her the desires of her heart echo the ups and downs of my writing adventure.

I wrote my first novel as a teen quite a number of years ago. Ahem. We won’t say how many years that have passed since then. J Let’s just say it’s quite a few. My next novel didn’t get written until my early twenties…and then soon after I had children. Fiction writing took a back seat as I raised my sons and home schooled them all the way through high school.

Over seven years ago I felt God nudging me back to writing. I still had a son at home, so the progress was a little slow at first. Since then I’ve written four novels, three novellas, and have pitched a half dozen other ideas at various conferences or through my amazing agent.

God dropped my agent, Linda S. Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency, into my lap when I least expected it, but that’s a different story. I’ve had quite a number of rejections over the past few years as she’s tried to drum up interest for my books. We’ve had some nibbles and times when an editor or two was interested, but things didn’t progress any further than that.

I’ve entered contests and have experienced mixed results. I semi-finaled in American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis contest a few years ago, and this past summer I found out I’m a finalist in three different contests. But there also have been quite a few where the responses weren’t so great.

Earlier this year I decided to put out a novella independently and Hearts Tightly Knit was the result. It told the tale of Mae’s twin sister, Ellie, and their pact to always stay together and never marry. When Ellie ended up with her happily-ever-after, I knew that Mae needed one too. The only thing is Mae isn’t sure if her hopes for a family will ever come to fruition.

Highs and lows are part of a writer’s life. Well, actually for all of us. J Sometimes it’s easy to get bogged down in the negatives, the ‘rejections’ and not be able to see past them. Believe me, at times I wallow there for a little bit, but my aim is to write books that share about the hope we have in Christ. How can I convey that if I don’t believe and experience it myself?

One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB) which says, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” One of the things I have hoped for many years was a writing contract. That finally happened in September when I signed for a novelette with Celebrate Lit that will be coming out in the spring. In the process of waiting, I’ve found God has refined and honed me in this journey of hope.

My prayer is that my books will touch your heart and give you a glimmer of the hope we have in Christ. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity into your world.

Blog Stops

November 8: History, Mystery & Faith

November 9: Artistic Nobody (Spotlight)

November 10: Pause for Tales

November 11: Reading Is My SuperPower

November 12: Quiet Quilter

November 13: A Greater Yes

November 13: Blossoms and Blessings

November 14: God’s Little Bookworm

November 14: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

November 15: Lane Hill House

November 15: Ashley’s Bookshelf

November 16: ASC Book Reviews

November 17: Christian Bookaholic

November 17: Through the Open Window

November 18: Daysong Reflections

November 19: bigreadersite

November 19: Reviewing Novels Online

November 20: Splashes of Joy

November 20: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses

November 21: A Baker’s Perspective

Giveaway

In honor of her tour, Jodie is giving away a wooden decorated basket, a 24 thread spools with needles and threader, a pack of 30 needles, a tape measure, a tomato pin cushion, embroidery scissors, a thimble, 15 piece sewing kit, and a $10 Amazon gift card0! Click the link below to enter; be sure to comment on this post to claim your nine bonus entries for this giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/a88d

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Author Jodie Wolfe

Meet Author Jodie Wolfe

Linda: Welcome, Jodie! Your bio says you were bitten by the writing bug after watching Little House on the Prairie as a child, but that you didn’t particularly enjoy history. What changed your mind and made you decide to write historical stories?

Jodie: Growing up I didn't like history because school mostly focused on memorizing dates—something I'm not good at. But when I started to write and research for my historical settings, a whole new world opened up for me. I love digging to uncover the stories from the time period or setting. I have found that if my research can only be obtained online, I usually can find someone who either works in a library or museum who loves to help out with the research.

LM: You’re first novella, Hearts Tightly Knit released this week. How did you come up with the idea for the story?

Jodie: Hearts Tightly Knit is my first published novella, although I have another novella I wrote that my agent is trying to find a home for.

I've always had a fascination with twins. Not sure why. So I started thinking, what would happen if twin sisters made a pact to never marry. How could they be persuaded to change?

LM: What a great story idea! You write historical fiction, and your website indicates you like to travel to story locations if possible. Do you have an unusual research story to share?

Jodie: One of my stories is set in Camden, Maine. Years ago my husband, son and I traveled to visit the area. My heroine lived on Curtis Island where her father worked the lighthouse. I had been in contact with the local historian at the library in town, and she put me in communication with a couple who agreed to ferry us to the island. This was in November and the couple had already taken their boat out of the water for the winter season, but they made a special point of helping us out.

Now, I'm not real crazy about water and was hoping they'd provide life jackets. When I mentioned about not being able to swim well, they said neither of them could either. Definitely not a confidence builder when the sea was rough that day. This all took place while we were being rowed across to the island. They had a life jacket or two on the floor of the boat in case they were needed. (After we fell in the water? J) I prayed the whole way to the island and back to shore.

LM: The age old question for writers-are you a “pantster” or a plotter?

Jodie: I guess I'm a hybrid—a little of both. I like having a good feel for my characters and the story before I begin, but my characters often change things on me as we go along the journey too.

LM: Are any of your characters based on real people?

Jodie: No. But I did have twin women who read my story and gave input on whether or not I was getting the twin thing right.

LM: Now that your novella is out, what is your next project?

Jodie: Most likely my next project will be the second part of the Twins & Needles Series, Love in the Seams which will be coming out in November. Now that Ellie has found a spouse, Mae needs to find out what she's missing.

LM: Sounds exciting! What are your passions outside of writing?

Jodie: I love to read. I think most authors do. I enjoy walking, spending time with my husband, and the occasional craft.

LM: What else do you want folks to know about you?

Jodie: I thought your readers might enjoy seeing the back cover copy:

Orphaned at age ten, Ellie Stafford and her twin sister Mae made a vow—to stick together and never marry. Now in their mid-twenties, they are bucking convention in Calder Springs, Texas, as women with respectable occupations who can take care of themselves. Ellie works at the Good Fixin's Diner and spends her evenings knitting garments for The Children's Aid Society. When a handsome local rancher shows up looking for a cook, she's hardly tempted, despite his good looks.

Luke Rogers owns a spread just outside of Calder Springs. It was running as smooth as cattle going through a chute until his cook up and marries and high-tails it back east. With no cook and a bunkhouse full of ranch hands ready to revolt, he persuades Ellie to temporarily fill in until he can hire someone else. He should have known better than to get tangled up with another woman.

Thank you for having me today, Linda. I'll be giving away one copy. So be sure to leave a comment or ask a question. 

Glad to have you today! Thanks for your generosity in giving away a copy of your book! Can't wait to read it.

To purchase a copy of Hearts Tightly Knit visit Amazon.