| Her heart can’t take more breakage… …He’s been wounded enough Yet they’re becoming best friends without ever having met. Tracy Callahan has learned that relationships aren’t for her. The struggling glass artist puts up barriers to keep romantic entanglements from causing more pain. However, her feelings are growing for her roommate’s brother, despite having never seen him in person. How can just his voice on the phone hold that much attraction? Danny Mitchell left a large part of himself in Viet Nam and is learning how to navigate life back here in the states. It’s better to just avoid the public. As long as he doesn’t have to see anyone in person, he can pretend he’s his old self, and the caller on the other end of the phone won’t know the difference. But Tracy is breaking through, resurrecting feelings he thought were dead and gone. They might find a way to make a telephone relationship work. Unless meddling loved ones get involved. |  |
When that happens, can Tracy and Danny’s friendship survive meeting face-to-face?
Or could there be something more than friendship in store for them? Maybe a God-designed masterpiece built from their broken parts?
Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana where the legend of the cardinal in the sycamore can still prove true love.
You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of hidden worth, because sometimes what we need is right in front of us.
Or could there be something more than friendship in store for them? Maybe a God-designed masterpiece built from their broken parts?
Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana where the legend of the cardinal in the sycamore can still prove true love.
You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of hidden worth, because sometimes what we need is right in front of us.
Genre: Sweet, Wholesome Romance (Retro)
Release date: October, 2024
Release date: October, 2024
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Jennifer
#1. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I’m a child of the 1950s, grew up in the 60s and 70s. So many memories, and I didn’t see anyone writing about that time period. It started when God gave me the idea for Relentless Heart. It was a retelling of the Book of Ruth set in 1968 Viet Nam and Indiana. All the feels and memories and iconic vocabulary and moments came rushing back. At the same time, I’d started reading more romantic comedy than anything else and wanted to try my hand. Throw in the inspiration of 60s music and it was a perfect storm. I know my stories aren’t technically romcom because I write in third person. I also know that there’s controversy about whether the Viet Nam era is historical or just barely still contemporary. That’s why I like to say it’s in the retro niche—of the historical or contemporary genre, whichever the reader chooses. I find it is comfortable and fun, and in many ways simpler, but still with the same problems and concerns.
I’m a child of the 1950s, grew up in the 60s and 70s. So many memories, and I didn’t see anyone writing about that time period. It started when God gave me the idea for Relentless Heart. It was a retelling of the Book of Ruth set in 1968 Viet Nam and Indiana. All the feels and memories and iconic vocabulary and moments came rushing back. At the same time, I’d started reading more romantic comedy than anything else and wanted to try my hand. Throw in the inspiration of 60s music and it was a perfect storm. I know my stories aren’t technically romcom because I write in third person. I also know that there’s controversy about whether the Viet Nam era is historical or just barely still contemporary. That’s why I like to say it’s in the retro niche—of the historical or contemporary genre, whichever the reader chooses. I find it is comfortable and fun, and in many ways simpler, but still with the same problems and concerns.
#2. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
That you are loved and special and God gives you purpose and hope. Everyone wants to belong in some way. I pray that after reading Tracy, readers will know God sees them, loves them, and is there for them always.
That you are loved and special and God gives you purpose and hope. Everyone wants to belong in some way. I pray that after reading Tracy, readers will know God sees them, loves them, and is there for them always.
#3. How did you name your characters?
Well, the girls’ names are easy. I pick the song for the title and there ya go. 😉
However, then I need to come up with last names and hero names. The last names come from street names or old businesses or family names from the area. If I choose a family name for that, I make sure to have a first name that’s not part of that family, and if possible, have them have come to Kokomo from somewhere else. In Cracklin’ Rosie, I thought I’d made up a last name only to find it was the name of a business that sponsored the yearbook back then. But I gave that character a different hometown so that helped. Hero names can be harder. I have favorite names and don’t want to use the same one over and over. So now, unless they are a reoccurring character, I use the name once. I look at baby names from the 1940s and early 1950s for ideas too.
Well, the girls’ names are easy. I pick the song for the title and there ya go. 😉
However, then I need to come up with last names and hero names. The last names come from street names or old businesses or family names from the area. If I choose a family name for that, I make sure to have a first name that’s not part of that family, and if possible, have them have come to Kokomo from somewhere else. In Cracklin’ Rosie, I thought I’d made up a last name only to find it was the name of a business that sponsored the yearbook back then. But I gave that character a different hometown so that helped. Hero names can be harder. I have favorite names and don’t want to use the same one over and over. So now, unless they are a reoccurring character, I use the name once. I look at baby names from the 1940s and early 1950s for ideas too.
#4. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
This was a little of all three. I wrote a scene in Tracy that I really thought was killer. Just wonderful. And then someone told me it was impossible. The only problem was I’d seen it happen with my own eyes, back during the time period. I did a little adjusting to accommodate in case anyone else thought the same, but I added a note in the back stating how I got that inspiration and that it really could happen.
This was a little of all three. I wrote a scene in Tracy that I really thought was killer. Just wonderful. And then someone told me it was impossible. The only problem was I’d seen it happen with my own eyes, back during the time period. I did a little adjusting to accommodate in case anyone else thought the same, but I added a note in the back stating how I got that inspiration and that it really could happen.
#5. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
Wow, get comfy, this could take awhile. No, just kidding. I’ll give you the Reader’s Digest version.
I’m originally from Kokomo, the town where the Weather Girls is set. And it set in that time period for many reasons, but one big one is because we moved to Arizona in 1972. So in my head, I remember what that era in Kokomo looked like.
I ended up attending three different high schools—Kokomo and then two others because we rented a house before we bought one. So, it was like having three freshman years. I got good at being a chameleon. Which in the long run was a good thing. I learned how to meet people and make new friends. Then I was a speech/theatre major in college but didn’t finish. Instead, I met my husband, and we started our family—three daughters and one son. I finally did go back and finish out my degree and became a teacher—I truly loved teaching. We lost our son to CF in 1999, but our daughters all grew up and married, and we now have three wonderful sons-in-law and three beautiful and adorable and brilliant grandchildren. (Yes, I brag on them, that’s what gramma’s do 😉)
Both my husband and I are retired but somehow in wanting to write as a hobby now that I was home, I’ve ended up with a second career. I wouldn’t change that for anything.
Wow, get comfy, this could take awhile. No, just kidding. I’ll give you the Reader’s Digest version.
I’m originally from Kokomo, the town where the Weather Girls is set. And it set in that time period for many reasons, but one big one is because we moved to Arizona in 1972. So in my head, I remember what that era in Kokomo looked like.
I ended up attending three different high schools—Kokomo and then two others because we rented a house before we bought one. So, it was like having three freshman years. I got good at being a chameleon. Which in the long run was a good thing. I learned how to meet people and make new friends. Then I was a speech/theatre major in college but didn’t finish. Instead, I met my husband, and we started our family—three daughters and one son. I finally did go back and finish out my degree and became a teacher—I truly loved teaching. We lost our son to CF in 1999, but our daughters all grew up and married, and we now have three wonderful sons-in-law and three beautiful and adorable and brilliant grandchildren. (Yes, I brag on them, that’s what gramma’s do 😉)
Both my husband and I are retired but somehow in wanting to write as a hobby now that I was home, I’ve ended up with a second career. I wouldn’t change that for anything.
More from Jennifer
Have you ever met characters in a story that stayed with you, even when they weren’t the main characters? That’s what happened to me after I wrote Runaround Sue. Sue’s brother and her roommate seemed to hit it off so well, and I loved those characters.
It only made sense to give Tracy and Danny their own story.
However, I will confess that I had planned to make a character named Tracy because of the song, “Tracy” by the Cufflinks. It’s such a happy, bouncy tune and I thought that fit Sue’s roommate.
I do need to add that I relied on a childhood friend for some Danny’s antics. At one point I was told that something he did wasn’t possible. The problem was, I knew it was because my friend, Maureen McKay did that very thing. Maureen had a personality like Tracy’s and determination like Danny’s.
A few years ago I was back in Kokomo for a special wedding anniversary party. I noticed a guy sitting at a table and went to talk with him. At that time, I was combing faces for someone I’d known back when I went to school there. He had that look, but as we talked, it was obvious we didn’t know each other.
A little later I told my cousin about that, and she said that he was ahead of us in school, but he had a younger sister who would’ve been about my age. I knew immediately why he’d looked familiar. He was Maureen’s big brother.
I searched him and his mother out quickly and let them know I remembered Maureen. I mentioned a few of our escapades. Then I told them that my husband and I had lost a son, and that the kindest thing anyone could say was that they remembered our Ian. So, for that reason, I wanted them to know I remember Maureen.
And that’s why Tracy is dedicated to the memory of my friend Maureen McKay.
It only made sense to give Tracy and Danny their own story.
However, I will confess that I had planned to make a character named Tracy because of the song, “Tracy” by the Cufflinks. It’s such a happy, bouncy tune and I thought that fit Sue’s roommate.
I do need to add that I relied on a childhood friend for some Danny’s antics. At one point I was told that something he did wasn’t possible. The problem was, I knew it was because my friend, Maureen McKay did that very thing. Maureen had a personality like Tracy’s and determination like Danny’s.
A few years ago I was back in Kokomo for a special wedding anniversary party. I noticed a guy sitting at a table and went to talk with him. At that time, I was combing faces for someone I’d known back when I went to school there. He had that look, but as we talked, it was obvious we didn’t know each other.
A little later I told my cousin about that, and she said that he was ahead of us in school, but he had a younger sister who would’ve been about my age. I knew immediately why he’d looked familiar. He was Maureen’s big brother.
I searched him and his mother out quickly and let them know I remembered Maureen. I mentioned a few of our escapades. Then I told them that my husband and I had lost a son, and that the kindest thing anyone could say was that they remembered our Ian. So, for that reason, I wanted them to know I remember Maureen.
And that’s why Tracy is dedicated to the memory of my friend Maureen McKay.
 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 signed copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed 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, January 21
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 22
Texas Book-aholic, January 23
Vicky Sluiter, January 24 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, January 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 26 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27
Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29
For the Love of Literature, January 30 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 31
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 1 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, February 2
Blossoms and Blessings, February 3 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, February 3
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 22
Texas Book-aholic, January 23
Vicky Sluiter, January 24 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, January 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 26 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27
Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29
For the Love of Literature, January 30 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 31
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 1 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, February 2
Blossoms and Blessings, February 3 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, February 3
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