| She’s literally stuck in her engagement… …He’s trying to keep her there. But when you take the couple out of Texas, is the romance lost too? Ronnie Webb has broken her engagement to the love of her life, Carlos (Cal) Garcia, or would have if the stupid ring would come off her finger. To find the space to get over him and the rest of what is going wrong in her life, she leaves her dad’s Texas ranch to visit her aunt and family in Kokomo, Indiana. But hanging out with the Weather Girls, especially with their cardinal in the sycamore legend sending out strong vibes, Ronnie’s love life may not be as dead as she thinks. |  |
Carlitos can’t believe the letter Ronnie left him right before Christmas—his last one at home before his enlistment starts. However, his broken wrist might just be the break he needs to get Ronnie back before it’s too late.
But what does this native Texan know about mid-western Hoosier romance?
And can he learn, or is this the end?
Ronnie: A Sweet, Quirky Romantic Yarn is book five in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. Inspired by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ 1960’s song of the name, this charming tale with a bit of western influence finishes off 1972 and brings you into the New Year in Kokomo, Indiana.
You will enjoy this sweet and wholesome romcom with a touch of western flavor because everyone dreams of their own cowboy romance.
But what does this native Texan know about mid-western Hoosier romance?
And can he learn, or is this the end?
Ronnie: A Sweet, Quirky Romantic Yarn is book five in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. Inspired by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ 1960’s song of the name, this charming tale with a bit of western influence finishes off 1972 and brings you into the New Year in Kokomo, Indiana.
You will enjoy this sweet and wholesome romcom with a touch of western flavor because everyone dreams of their own cowboy romance.
Genre: Sweet Romcom
Release Date: June 12, 2024
Release Date: June 12, 2024
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Jennifer
#1. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
That’s a great question. I started out writing historicals, but God dropped a story in my lap (after six months of praying). He inspired me to write the story of Ruth only to set it in 1968 Viet Nam and Indiana. That really has been the biggest catalyst for every book since. I decided to name all the chapters in Relentless Heart with song titles from the era.
That led to listening to Oldies music more often.
Then came the day that they played “Sunny” followed by “Stormy.” It tickled me, and I thought if there was a third one, it would make a great trilogy. Then I remembered the song “Windy.” That was the beginning of The Weather Girls.
I set their story back in my hometown of Kokomo, Indiana and wrote about it the way I remembered it in 1970. It was such fun that I hated it to end. So, I started a spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.
As for labeling the genre, I’ve tried. It’s sort of historical, but too many “officials” say it’s not old enough. It’s sort of a romcom, but it’s not in first person POV like most romcoms. I tried calling it Retro. I think that’s good, only it hasn’t caught on—I’m not exactly a trend setter. 😉 So, I bow to the powers that be, and stick it in with the sweet and wholesome/inspirational romance. Only that doesn’t sound funny enough to me. Oh, well.
That’s a great question. I started out writing historicals, but God dropped a story in my lap (after six months of praying). He inspired me to write the story of Ruth only to set it in 1968 Viet Nam and Indiana. That really has been the biggest catalyst for every book since. I decided to name all the chapters in Relentless Heart with song titles from the era.
That led to listening to Oldies music more often.
Then came the day that they played “Sunny” followed by “Stormy.” It tickled me, and I thought if there was a third one, it would make a great trilogy. Then I remembered the song “Windy.” That was the beginning of The Weather Girls.
I set their story back in my hometown of Kokomo, Indiana and wrote about it the way I remembered it in 1970. It was such fun that I hated it to end. So, I started a spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.
As for labeling the genre, I’ve tried. It’s sort of historical, but too many “officials” say it’s not old enough. It’s sort of a romcom, but it’s not in first person POV like most romcoms. I tried calling it Retro. I think that’s good, only it hasn’t caught on—I’m not exactly a trend setter. 😉 So, I bow to the powers that be, and stick it in with the sweet and wholesome/inspirational romance. Only that doesn’t sound funny enough to me. Oh, well.
#2. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear. It’s not about being punished. It’s always about His love.
There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear. It’s not about being punished. It’s always about His love.
#3. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I got stuck. Really stuck. I’d had a rough time getting that first scene right. So now I’m finally into the second chapter, and I knew what Carlitos had to do, but I didn’t know how to make it a full scene. I started messaging with a friend and told her my problem. She volunteered to brainstorm with me. By the time we were done, I was laughing, and the scene had come together.
I love animals as characters in stories. 😉
I got stuck. Really stuck. I’d had a rough time getting that first scene right. So now I’m finally into the second chapter, and I knew what Carlitos had to do, but I didn’t know how to make it a full scene. I started messaging with a friend and told her my problem. She volunteered to brainstorm with me. By the time we were done, I was laughing, and the scene had come together.
I love animals as characters in stories. 😉
#4. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I am a retired teacher, married to the same sweet farm boy for over forty years (44 this fall). We have three lovely daughters, three handsome sons-in-law, and three amazing grandchildren I call Stinkerbelle, Stinkerpoo, and Stinkerella. You can find photos of us all on my website. www.jenniferlynncary.com (I also have three siblings. So does my hubs. Funny how that goes.)
As for my friends, I treasure the fact that I’m blessed with many from several different parts of my life. There are longtime friends from grade school, high school, and college. Friends from church, especially those in my Bible study group (we’ve been meeting together for a decade I’m sure) and in the Prayer Shawl ministry group (another one that’s been together for a good decade). Friends from my teaching days—colleagues, parents, and students. And of course, my author friends who really understand this crazy life. I thought I’d retired so I could have fun with my hobby. Now my hobby is my second career.
I am a retired teacher, married to the same sweet farm boy for over forty years (44 this fall). We have three lovely daughters, three handsome sons-in-law, and three amazing grandchildren I call Stinkerbelle, Stinkerpoo, and Stinkerella. You can find photos of us all on my website. www.jenniferlynncary.com (I also have three siblings. So does my hubs. Funny how that goes.)
As for my friends, I treasure the fact that I’m blessed with many from several different parts of my life. There are longtime friends from grade school, high school, and college. Friends from church, especially those in my Bible study group (we’ve been meeting together for a decade I’m sure) and in the Prayer Shawl ministry group (another one that’s been together for a good decade). Friends from my teaching days—colleagues, parents, and students. And of course, my author friends who really understand this crazy life. I thought I’d retired so I could have fun with my hobby. Now my hobby is my second career.
#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I’ll leave you with these verses. Isaiah 41:10 and 13. I discovered this after having read verse 13 and then tried to find it again a little later.
If you read the verses carefully, you’ll notice that though they are similar—both speak of God holding hands with us—they are different in a profound way.
In verse 10, He holds with His right hand.
In verse 13, He takes hold of our right hands.
He can wrap His arm about us as He walks with us, He can train us to use the Sword of the Spirit as He stands behind us, guiding our efforts. He can dance with us, comfort us, carry us, and more. All because His right hand holds our right hands.
This thought brings me great joy. I hope it does the same for you.
I’ll leave you with these verses. Isaiah 41:10 and 13. I discovered this after having read verse 13 and then tried to find it again a little later.
If you read the verses carefully, you’ll notice that though they are similar—both speak of God holding hands with us—they are different in a profound way.
In verse 10, He holds with His right hand.
In verse 13, He takes hold of our right hands.
He can wrap His arm about us as He walks with us, He can train us to use the Sword of the Spirit as He stands behind us, guiding our efforts. He can dance with us, comfort us, carry us, and more. All because His right hand holds our right hands.
This thought brings me great joy. I hope it does the same for you.
More from Jennifer
In the first chapter of Ronnie, Carlitos comes home to his mom making his favorite, Pozole. It is a Mexican soup, and the first time I had it was at my neighbor’s house. She has given me her recipe and permission to share it with you all. Two things to keep in mind: first, she and I had to work to translate this from Spanish to English. We did our best, but if you don’t understand something, just give it your best shot—or ask me. I might be able to figure it out. Maybe. Two, she usually makes big batches of this, and she cut it back for a “normal” size. So feel free to adjust as needed.
Most of all, though, enjoy!
Most of all, though, enjoy!
Pozole Recipe by Araceli Estrada (my amazing neighbor and friend)
Ingredients:
For meat pot-
4 lbs. of bone-in pork loin
½ white onion–diced
1 head of garlic—clean off the paper
2 bay leaves
1 T oregano
1 T ground cumin
1 T powdered chicken bouillon
1 large can of hominy
For chili sauce-
10 chili pods
10 Ancho chilis
10-15 black pepper corns
4 cloves of garlic
For garnish--
Shredded cabbage
Diced onion
Sliced radishes
Chopped cilantro
Chunked avocado
Lime wedges—to squeeze over
For meat pot-
4 lbs. of bone-in pork loin
½ white onion–diced
1 head of garlic—clean off the paper
2 bay leaves
1 T oregano
1 T ground cumin
1 T powdered chicken bouillon
1 large can of hominy
For chili sauce-
10 chili pods
10 Ancho chilis
10-15 black pepper corns
4 cloves of garlic
For garnish--
Shredded cabbage
Diced onion
Sliced radishes
Chopped cilantro
Chunked avocado
Lime wedges—to squeeze over
Directions:
Place in a Dutch oven, the pork loin, the half onion, the head of garlic, the bay leaves, the oregano, and cumin. Add enough water to cover up to ¾ of pot. Bring to a boil and then heat. Simmer for 2 hours stirring often and skimming off the foam.
Slice open chilis and remove seeds and membranes. In a second pot, add chili pods and Ancho chilis. Cover with water and bring to a boil. After two minutes, turn off heat and allow chilis to rest in hot water for at least ten minutes. The chilis should feel soft and pliable.
Remove from water and put into blender with black peppercorns, 4 cloves of garlic, and a cup of water. Add water a little at a time, careful to not add too much. Puree until smooth. Then pour through a strainer into the meat pot.
Strain the hominy and add it plus the chicken bouillon to the meat pot. Salt to taste. Allow to simmer while preparing the garnishes.
Set garnishes out so guests can choose. Serve with warm tortillas.
(From Jenny: Not sure home much this will serve, but it is so good!)
Place in a Dutch oven, the pork loin, the half onion, the head of garlic, the bay leaves, the oregano, and cumin. Add enough water to cover up to ¾ of pot. Bring to a boil and then heat. Simmer for 2 hours stirring often and skimming off the foam.
Slice open chilis and remove seeds and membranes. In a second pot, add chili pods and Ancho chilis. Cover with water and bring to a boil. After two minutes, turn off heat and allow chilis to rest in hot water for at least ten minutes. The chilis should feel soft and pliable.
Remove from water and put into blender with black peppercorns, 4 cloves of garlic, and a cup of water. Add water a little at a time, careful to not add too much. Puree until smooth. Then pour through a strainer into the meat pot.
Strain the hominy and add it plus the chicken bouillon to the meat pot. Salt to taste. Allow to simmer while preparing the garnishes.
Set garnishes out so guests can choose. Serve with warm tortillas.
(From Jenny: Not sure home much this will serve, but it is so good!)
 Jennifer Lynn Cary | Historical Christian Romance author, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 18
Blossoms and Blessings, September 19 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, September 19
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 20
Artistic Nobody, September 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 22
Guild Master, September 23 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 24
A Reader’s Brain, September 25 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 26
Back Porch Reads, September 27 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 28
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 29 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, September 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 1 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, September 19 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, September 19
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 20
Artistic Nobody, September 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 22
Guild Master, September 23 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 24
A Reader’s Brain, September 25 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 26
Back Porch Reads, September 27 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 28
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 29 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, September 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 1 (Author Interview)
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