~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'HOMETOWN HEALING' --
AUTHOR JENNIFER SLATTERY
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,
Author Bio, Unique Author Interview &
Giveaway~
-- 'HOMETOWN HEALING' --
AUTHOR JENNIFER SLATTERY
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,
Author Bio, Unique Author Interview &
Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Hometown Healing by Jennifer Slattery, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Hometown HealingAuthor: Jennifer Slattery
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 1, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
She’s home again, but not for long…
Unless this cowboy recaptures her heart.
Returning home with a baby in tow, Paige Cordell’s determined her stay is only temporary. But to earn enough money to leave, she needs a job—and her only option is working at her first love’s dinner theater. With attraction once again unfurling between her and Jed Gilbertson, can the man who once broke her heart convince her to stay for good?
EXCERPT:
Paige followed to the archway that signaled the end of the kitchen, and then she stopped short. Jed was sitting on the ground, next to Ava, and had begun playing with her grungy stuffed cat, talking to it as if it were real. The image triggered memories of dreams—of her and Jed and their happily-ever-after—she’d long since let die.
She could not—would not—allow them to resurface.
Two heartbreaks in one lifetime were more than enough. Besides, by summer’s end, she’d be back in Chicago, with its museums, restaurants and shopping malls.
Upon seeing Paige, he stood and sort of hovered there, as if uncertain where to land. He eventually chose the edge of the couch where her mom hadn’t piled laundry.
Paige took his place on the floor, largely to distance herself from him.
She grabbed some board books from her backpack and handed one over. Ava started flipping through the pages, repeating random words from memory.
That entertained the adults for a bit, but soon the conversation, which had already felt stilted, stalled.
Jed shifted. He scratched at the back of his neck, looked at her and then at Mom, with his brow pinching in that way it always did when he was trying to come up with something to say but had reached a blank. But then he grabbed a cookie and shoved half of it into his mouth.
Paige was tempted to do the same, if only to distract herself from the much-too-handsome man sitting in her mother’s living room.
It was almost like old times.
But if her divorce had taught her anything, it was that she had no business dabbling in romance. The deeper one fell, the more it hurt when everything came undone. And based on the way her breath stalled every time his chocolate eyes latched on to hers, she was dangerously close to regressing back to her teenage years, when Jed’s crooked smile and laughing eyes had threatened to steal her reason. She’d responded to her ex-husband in much the same way and had allowed his sweet talk and promises of forever blind her to some major red flags.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and writers across the nation. She’s the author of the soon to release Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she’s passionate about helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Jennifer. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your newest Love Inspired release, 'Hometown Healing'!
Jennifer: Thank you so much for letting me visit with you and your readers!
June: Please tell us how you created and developed the characters for this novel. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in 'Hometown Healing'?
Jennifer: My daughter often teases me about how often my husband finds his way into my stories. Though my heroes have unique personalities, they’ve all followed some of the more romantic examples set by my husband. He used to be my cowboy, coming to see me in his cowboy hat and boots. He wears a ballcap more often than not now, but he still sweeps me off my feet and helps me remember what a true hero acts like—how a true hero treats a lady.
I’ve encountered a few Paiges as well—women who want to live their dream, try to plot and plan their way to achieving it, but learn sometimes their greatest steps come when they relinquish their grip and grab hold of unexpected opportunities.
June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story whom you do not like? Why not?
Jennifer: Definitely Mrs. Tappen, my hero's grandmother! She is the sweetest thing, always ready to open her home, and she's always got fresh baked treats. She loves to bake and shows her love through yeasty, sugary concoctions. During her teen years, Paige spent many afternoons sitting at Mr. Tappen's breakfast counter, a steamy cinnamon roll in front of her. Oh, the conversations they had, and during a time when Paige desperately needed someone to listen. Everyone needs a Mrs. Tappen in their life!
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Jennifer: I have to laugh at myself here. I begin plotting and will plot every scene from beginning to end. But then I get to writing and forget about all that hard work entirely. Then, I get about a quarter of the story in, realize I have no idea where I’m heading, and take a day to plot and plan again. But then my muse takes over, and after another 25,000 or so words, I once again realize I’ve veered so off track, I’m writing an entirely different story. I’m certain there’s a more efficient way to go about things, but I doubt my muse would listen.
June: I noticed on your website that you have written novels in the romance and women's fiction genres. I also noticed, with interest, that you have published a non-fiction work, 'Becoming His Princess: A Seven-Week Bible Study Based on the Life of Sarah {Genesis 12-22}'. Do you plan on writing more Bible Study materials? Have you ever considered writing in any other genres in fiction such as middle-grade, picture books, mystery, historical, or a fictional genre other than inspirational romance? How about poetry? If yes, what projects would you like to work on in the future?
Jennifer: My ministry team and I are actually working on a Bible study now: Unbreakable, Unshakable Joy. I’ve also enjoyed writing devotions and Bible reading plans. Going forward, I anticipate working on fiction and various nonfiction projects, but I don’t see myself venturing into other fictional genres.
June: What writing project(s) are you currently working on? Does 'Hometown Healing' kick off a series or is it a standalone?
Jennifer: Thanks for asking! I recently finished what I hope to be my fourth Love Inspired novel (My third will release in June.) I’m doing a final read through now and hope to get it to my agent by mid-March. Hometown Healing isn’t part of a series but I have set all my Love Inspired books in the same town, so readers will encounter the characters they’ve grown attached to in other stories.
June: Are there any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future? Where would you like to travel if and when your busy schedule allows?
Jennifer: I really should pursue more hobbies, but I find, when I have spare time, I tend to find a book—either one I’m working on or one I can read. For traveling, I love going anywhere with my man. In fact, I’m answering these questions while in the car heading to Oklahoma City. Though I’m going for a speaking engagement, we have some fun things planned. We’ve gotten to where we plan our trips around my speaking engagements. It’s a great way to see new places, meet new people, and combine our love for travel with my love for words.
There are two trips I would really like to make, however. One, I want to go to South Korea, where my baby brother and sis-in-law live, with my husband, daughter, and her soon-to-be husband. Her fiancé hasn’t had an opportunity to meet my brother, and I want to make sure that happens. I also want to take a trip with my daughter, just the two of us. I don’t really care where we go so long as we experience it together. But knowing her, we’ll likely end up in Europe somewhere.
June: Thank you for sharing your time with us today, Jennifer. I appreciate your chatting with us about your writing journey. Best wishes for your continued success in your writing endeavors.
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Jennifer. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your newest Love Inspired release, 'Hometown Healing'!
Jennifer: Thank you so much for letting me visit with you and your readers!
June: Please tell us how you created and developed the characters for this novel. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in 'Hometown Healing'?
Jennifer: My daughter often teases me about how often my husband finds his way into my stories. Though my heroes have unique personalities, they’ve all followed some of the more romantic examples set by my husband. He used to be my cowboy, coming to see me in his cowboy hat and boots. He wears a ballcap more often than not now, but he still sweeps me off my feet and helps me remember what a true hero acts like—how a true hero treats a lady.
I’ve encountered a few Paiges as well—women who want to live their dream, try to plot and plan their way to achieving it, but learn sometimes their greatest steps come when they relinquish their grip and grab hold of unexpected opportunities.
June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story whom you do not like? Why not?
Jennifer: Definitely Mrs. Tappen, my hero's grandmother! She is the sweetest thing, always ready to open her home, and she's always got fresh baked treats. She loves to bake and shows her love through yeasty, sugary concoctions. During her teen years, Paige spent many afternoons sitting at Mr. Tappen's breakfast counter, a steamy cinnamon roll in front of her. Oh, the conversations they had, and during a time when Paige desperately needed someone to listen. Everyone needs a Mrs. Tappen in their life!
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Jennifer: I have to laugh at myself here. I begin plotting and will plot every scene from beginning to end. But then I get to writing and forget about all that hard work entirely. Then, I get about a quarter of the story in, realize I have no idea where I’m heading, and take a day to plot and plan again. But then my muse takes over, and after another 25,000 or so words, I once again realize I’ve veered so off track, I’m writing an entirely different story. I’m certain there’s a more efficient way to go about things, but I doubt my muse would listen.
June: I noticed on your website that you have written novels in the romance and women's fiction genres. I also noticed, with interest, that you have published a non-fiction work, 'Becoming His Princess: A Seven-Week Bible Study Based on the Life of Sarah {Genesis 12-22}'. Do you plan on writing more Bible Study materials? Have you ever considered writing in any other genres in fiction such as middle-grade, picture books, mystery, historical, or a fictional genre other than inspirational romance? How about poetry? If yes, what projects would you like to work on in the future?
Jennifer: My ministry team and I are actually working on a Bible study now: Unbreakable, Unshakable Joy. I’ve also enjoyed writing devotions and Bible reading plans. Going forward, I anticipate working on fiction and various nonfiction projects, but I don’t see myself venturing into other fictional genres.
June: What writing project(s) are you currently working on? Does 'Hometown Healing' kick off a series or is it a standalone?
Jennifer: Thanks for asking! I recently finished what I hope to be my fourth Love Inspired novel (My third will release in June.) I’m doing a final read through now and hope to get it to my agent by mid-March. Hometown Healing isn’t part of a series but I have set all my Love Inspired books in the same town, so readers will encounter the characters they’ve grown attached to in other stories.
June: Are there any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future? Where would you like to travel if and when your busy schedule allows?
Jennifer: I really should pursue more hobbies, but I find, when I have spare time, I tend to find a book—either one I’m working on or one I can read. For traveling, I love going anywhere with my man. In fact, I’m answering these questions while in the car heading to Oklahoma City. Though I’m going for a speaking engagement, we have some fun things planned. We’ve gotten to where we plan our trips around my speaking engagements. It’s a great way to see new places, meet new people, and combine our love for travel with my love for words.
There are two trips I would really like to make, however. One, I want to go to South Korea, where my baby brother and sis-in-law live, with my husband, daughter, and her soon-to-be husband. Her fiancé hasn’t had an opportunity to meet my brother, and I want to make sure that happens. I also want to take a trip with my daughter, just the two of us. I don’t really care where we go so long as we experience it together. But knowing her, we’ll likely end up in Europe somewhere.
June: Thank you for sharing your time with us today, Jennifer. I appreciate your chatting with us about your writing journey. Best wishes for your continued success in your writing endeavors.
* * * * *
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed four print book bundle including Restoring Her Faith (Love Inspired), Hometown Healing (Love Inspired), Breaking Free (New Hope), and Restoring Love (New Hope)!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 22, 2020, and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 29, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and will be given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Continental US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
# # # # #
Thank you so much for sharing! - JustRead Tours
ReplyDelete