Nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains, lies the quaint town of Merryton, Colorado. You will never find finer people or better friends. But try keeping a secret in Merryton and you will soon find that the good townspeople are better than any private investigator or undercover journalist. The men and women of Merryton are like living barometers, and when a storm is brewing in the life of one of their own, they are sure to get to the bottom of it--and forecast it on the Merryton grapevine. Jessica and Blake Summers know a thing or two about what it’s like to be the latest and greatest news on the vine. Their thirteen year marriage has had more than its fair share of heartache and loss. Then the past comes knocking, in the form of a teenage girl, a daughter Blake never knew existed. The news sets the Merryton grapevine on fire.
In the wake of this revelation and firestorm, Blake and Jessica are forced to reevaluate their own relationship and priorities, all while learning that raising a teenage girl is not for the faint of heart. But in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, they discover that Madeline may just be what the doctor ordered to heal their broken hearts and mend their own tattered relationship.
Will they have the courage to look forward and find a greater love than they could ever imagine? Or will past hurts and the town grapevine tear them apart?
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1. How did you get started as an author? What or whom inspired you?
I started writing as a way to relieve stress. I never in a million years thought I would publish a book.
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends on the book. I've written one in as little as one month, but sometimes it can take up to six months. My average is around three to four months.
3. What was the process for getting your book published?
As soon as the first draft is complete I will send it out to several beta readers to get their feedback. Based on feedback I will go back and make changes. Then usually my husband does the first edit before we send it to my editor. Once I get it back from my editor I will go through her line edit. When that process is complete I send it to a proofreader. And during this whole process I'm working with my designer on my cover getting it just right. When I get the book back from my proofreader I will go line by line through her changes. Once I'm satisfied we will upload it to Amazon. I will do another read through on their previewer. Then I go through tons of self-doubt and question whether I should click publish or not. My family always steps in and gives me the courage to click that button.
4. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first book almost three years ago. It is a book I won't ever publish, but it was a great
experience. I was almost forty years old.
5. When is your favorite time to write? Do you have a set schedule or is it more sporadic like when an idea hits you?
Since I have a full-time job in addition to my writing career, I write at night. I try to write everyday except on Sundays.
6. This tour is for Jessie Belle. What inspired the idea for this story and the other novels
in the Women of Merryton series? When will the other novels in this series release?
A couple of years ago I was waiting for my son in the car line at school and the name Jessie Belle came to me. I typed it into my phone and thought about it for a while. My first draft of Jessie Belle was a much, much different story. Blake and Jessica weren’t even married in the first version and Blake had a different name. Then this past spring I kept having this thought or maybe even a vision of this couple. The man was holding a woman telling her he loved her, but she wasn’t so sure. I couldn’t get this couple out of my mind. I knew this was Blake and Jessica and I rewrote the whole story.
Merryton is based on my hometown in Colorado. In fact if you are paying close attention to it, I
mention the name of my hometown in the book. I'm hoping to have the other two in the series out by next year.
7. How often do you hear from your readers? What kinds of things do they say?
Usually on a weekly basis. If I've just released a book it is on a daily basis. The types of messages vary from they really liked the book or it touched them in some way. Jessie Belle has seemed to strike a chord with many people. I've had several people write me about how touched they were and how it has helped them to look at their own relationship differently.
8. Do you have any suggestions to help potential authors become a better writer? If so, what are they?
I would say just keep writing and reading as much as you can. Also connect with other writers.
9. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Being a writer was never on my radar. I wanted to be a psychologist. Who knows, maybe someday I still will.
10. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I love Zumba and riding my bike. And when I have the time I love to decorate or re-decorate my home. I'm also a huge fan of music and theater, so I try to get to as many concerts and plays that I can.
I started writing as a way to relieve stress. I never in a million years thought I would publish a book.
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends on the book. I've written one in as little as one month, but sometimes it can take up to six months. My average is around three to four months.
3. What was the process for getting your book published?
As soon as the first draft is complete I will send it out to several beta readers to get their feedback. Based on feedback I will go back and make changes. Then usually my husband does the first edit before we send it to my editor. Once I get it back from my editor I will go through her line edit. When that process is complete I send it to a proofreader. And during this whole process I'm working with my designer on my cover getting it just right. When I get the book back from my proofreader I will go line by line through her changes. Once I'm satisfied we will upload it to Amazon. I will do another read through on their previewer. Then I go through tons of self-doubt and question whether I should click publish or not. My family always steps in and gives me the courage to click that button.
4. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first book almost three years ago. It is a book I won't ever publish, but it was a great
experience. I was almost forty years old.
5. When is your favorite time to write? Do you have a set schedule or is it more sporadic like when an idea hits you?
Since I have a full-time job in addition to my writing career, I write at night. I try to write everyday except on Sundays.
6. This tour is for Jessie Belle. What inspired the idea for this story and the other novels
in the Women of Merryton series? When will the other novels in this series release?
A couple of years ago I was waiting for my son in the car line at school and the name Jessie Belle came to me. I typed it into my phone and thought about it for a while. My first draft of Jessie Belle was a much, much different story. Blake and Jessica weren’t even married in the first version and Blake had a different name. Then this past spring I kept having this thought or maybe even a vision of this couple. The man was holding a woman telling her he loved her, but she wasn’t so sure. I couldn’t get this couple out of my mind. I knew this was Blake and Jessica and I rewrote the whole story.
Merryton is based on my hometown in Colorado. In fact if you are paying close attention to it, I
mention the name of my hometown in the book. I'm hoping to have the other two in the series out by next year.
7. How often do you hear from your readers? What kinds of things do they say?
Usually on a weekly basis. If I've just released a book it is on a daily basis. The types of messages vary from they really liked the book or it touched them in some way. Jessie Belle has seemed to strike a chord with many people. I've had several people write me about how touched they were and how it has helped them to look at their own relationship differently.
8. Do you have any suggestions to help potential authors become a better writer? If so, what are they?
I would say just keep writing and reading as much as you can. Also connect with other writers.
9. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Being a writer was never on my radar. I wanted to be a psychologist. Who knows, maybe someday I still will.
10. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I love Zumba and riding my bike. And when I have the time I love to decorate or re-decorate my home. I'm also a huge fan of music and theater, so I try to get to as many concerts and plays that I can.
Married
life hasn't exactly turned out the way that Jessica and Blake would've
liked. In their perfect world, they'd be happy together, have babies
together, and deal with life as it comes. After 13 years with no babies,
miscarriage, and drifting apart, they're ready to call it quits. Until a
teenager suddenly enters their lives. Blake never knew he had a
daughter, but now that he does, he's determined to be the best dad he
can be and Maddie may be exactly what this couple needs.
Teenagers have always scared me a little. Of course, I was one once and had no problem with being one and being surrounded by them at the time, but I remember how hard those years were and to suddenly become a parent to one? That would be intimidating for sure! I absolutely adored the way this couple accepted Maddie into their lives and bonded with her. I would like to think I could be as strong, loving, and willing to change as Jessica is, but it would be tough. She shows true character by the decisions she makes and the way she acts on them.
I was a little disgruntled with Blake at first, but as the story progressed, I found him worming his way into my heart. I really grew to love this little family!
I love the small town feel. I love the types of characters who are found in these types of towns and I'm looking forward to more installments in this series.
Jennifer Peel's previous books are very light-hearted and fun and although this one was a little heavier, I still connected with the characters and loved the story line. I love that her books are so easy to relate to and although this one is heavier, I still felt like I was able to escape into the pages.
Content: talk of a one night stand (no details); kissing. Clean!
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Teenagers have always scared me a little. Of course, I was one once and had no problem with being one and being surrounded by them at the time, but I remember how hard those years were and to suddenly become a parent to one? That would be intimidating for sure! I absolutely adored the way this couple accepted Maddie into their lives and bonded with her. I would like to think I could be as strong, loving, and willing to change as Jessica is, but it would be tough. She shows true character by the decisions she makes and the way she acts on them.
I was a little disgruntled with Blake at first, but as the story progressed, I found him worming his way into my heart. I really grew to love this little family!
I love the small town feel. I love the types of characters who are found in these types of towns and I'm looking forward to more installments in this series.
Jennifer Peel's previous books are very light-hearted and fun and although this one was a little heavier, I still connected with the characters and loved the story line. I love that her books are so easy to relate to and although this one is heavier, I still felt like I was able to escape into the pages.
Content: talk of a one night stand (no details); kissing. Clean!
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
My Rating: 5 Stars
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November 9--Singing Librarian Books
November 10--Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance
November 11--Wishful Endings
November 12--Bookworm Lisa | Katie's Clean Book Collection
November 13--Reading is My Super Power
November 14--Mel's Shelves
November 10--Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance
November 11--Wishful Endings
November 12--Bookworm Lisa | Katie's Clean Book Collection
November 13--Reading is My Super Power
November 14--Mel's Shelves
Wonderful review. This sounds like a great read. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you and you're welcome! It is a great read and I hope you have a chance to read it!
DeleteGreat interview! I'm glad Jennifer's family helps her push that publish button!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad too! She's such a great author.
Delete