Ah, fairy tales. Like so much classic literature, fairy tales form the basis for many contemporary stories. In recent years, retellings have even become so popular they’ve become their own subgenre in fiction. And it makes sense. The originals are clean and usually end happily. Good triumphs over evil. The impossible becomes possible. Romance. Magic. Wonder. They’re inspirational and usually teach a lesson.
Best of all, they’re timeless.
So how do we take an old story and craft it into something new and unique without contorting it into just another twisted clone on the bookshelf?
Well, it’s not easy. I’ll tell you that. But with a little creativity and inspiration all around us, the task doesn’t seem so daunting. In fact, authors Andrea Boyd and Mikal Dawn teamed up with three Inspy Romance authors—myself (Jaycee Weaver), Toni Shiloh, and Angela Ruth Strong—to release a brand new anthology of such tales. Last week on October 1, Once Upon a Christmas: Contemporary Retellings of Timeless Tales hit the shelves, and the reviews so far affirm that we seem to have found success in remaking these classic old stories into something new, fun, and relevant to today’s contemporary romance readers. (Yay!)
Rather than blend into the background with straight modernizations or retelling the tale with simple nods or twists, we decided to give each story a Christmas spin. Andrea took Sleeping Beauty and gave her a real-life sleeping disorder with three fierce and funny aunts in a gorgeous old theater for a holiday production of the musical of the same title. Mikal brought Mulan out of China and into the boardroom with a fierce (but flirty) legal battle on her father’s behalf, the wicked Hun insisting on a Christmas victory. For an updated Snow White, Toni sent her sheltered heiress fleeing into a snowstorm and hiding from a wicked stepmother in an orchard owned by a handsome hero and his seven “uncles” over the holidays. Angela twisted the classic favorite Cinderella into a whole new story, giving her lumberjack-like prince the nutty stepfamily as a perfect obstacle standing between Ella and her happy (New Year) ever after. And lastly, it was my joy to take The Little Mermaid out of her Las Vegas aquarium and into the dry southwest, where she discovers the power of her own voice during the romantic holiday season.
We sure hope you’ll give this set of novellas a chance to live up to your fairy tale expectations…and I suppose your Christmas tale expectations, too. If you’ve already read our retellings of these timeless tales, be sure to comment with what you enjoyed most! We love your feedback. If you haven’t yet had the chance, we’d love to know—what’s your favorite fairy tale, retelling, or Christmas trope?
May is nearly over, people! Can you believe it? The second most jam-packed month of the year is almost done. School will be out soon, vacations are being planned, and the weather is finally warming up after the eternal winter we had this year. Can you tell I’m excited?!
I don’t know if you have kids at home or not, but I have three girls all in the throes of tween and teen hormonal chaos. Add in all the family birthdays and Mother’s Day, graduations, baby showers and weddings, field trips and finals…whew! It’s enough to make a girl long for her cozy corner, some coffee, and an invisibility cloak so she can just read until everything settles back down.
Even if that’s not likely to happen anytime soon, you’ve still got all summer to get in some quality reading time. Whether you’re staying home, playing hometown tourist, or gearing up for a big vacation, I have some suggestions for enjoying a nice summer bookcation. It’s the perfect time to change up your reading habits and discover something new.
I’d like to challenge you, dear Inspy Romance reader, to spend some time outside this summer–outside of your comfort zone, that is! There’s a whole bookish world out there, just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. Here’s my list of ideas to get you going:
Pick up a novella. Novellas are often overlooked by serious readers. I’ve heard all the reasons, believe me. But I have to tell you, novellas have come a long way. Most of our Inspy authors here and quite a number of other authors have put out some excellent titles with well-developed characters and storylines. Roughly 20-40,000 words or 75-140 pages, give or take, novellas are perfect for a summer afternoon when you want to finish a book in one sitting without taking all day (or all night!) to do it.
Try a new trope. What is a trope? It’s that basic story idea that sucks you in every time. Think friends-to-more, second chances, secret baby, or marriage-of-convenience for example. Whatever your reason for avoiding a specific kind (I get it, secret babies are so not my thing), give one a chance this summer! You might just enjoy the frivolity of that handsome undercover billionaire who falls for his old sweetheart again after she shows up in their small town with a kid he never knew about. (I’m totally winking here.)
Discover a new-to-you author. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s easy to get comfortable with the handful of favorites you usually reach for. And I get it. It’s a scary world out there with a whole lot of unfamiliar names–taking a chance when time and budgets are limited is a risk. But here at Inspy Romance, we’ve got over two dozen authors and I’m sure you haven’t read everyone just yet (we’ve had a lot of new faces come since April, including me!). To find some other good options, check out the many Inspirational or Christian Romance reader groups on social media (like ours HERE).
Explore a slightly different genre. Clearly, if you’re here, you enjoy contemporary romance. But did you know some of our authors also write historical? Or romantic suspense? Have you considered cozy mysteries? What about exploring young adult fiction? And with that one, if you find a clean, inspirational YA fiction you really enjoyed, please, PLEASE send me a message. I’ve got three readers with a long summer ahead of me and I’d love to recommend books that are *safe* and worthwhile.
Read in a different format. If you just LOVE paper, give an eBook a chance. If that’s your usual, pick up a paper copy! It’s a little odd at first, getting used to the nuances of a different format, but in doing so you might just re-discover why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Maybe the paper satisfies your nostalgia. Or you’ll find the e-reader makes packing books for your next trip a whole lot lighter (more room for souvenirs!).
Give Kindle Unlimited a free trial. No one here is officially endorsing KU or receiving a kickback for mentioning it. I discovered it a few years ago and haven’t looked back. Nearly all of my favorite authors have at least one book enrolled. With an internet connection and your device, getting books is easy (up to 10 at a time). It’s not for everyone, but it’s all the perks of a library card with even more choices. And free 30-day trial? Yes, please!
Revisit your local library. You might practically live there, but I, for one, have trouble getting over to the library during the school year. It’s always a special treat to take the kids and let them choose books or participate in summer activities there while I get to look around, too!
Make reading a social thing. Join a book club or start one with some girlfriends. Or go on social media and join some avid reader groups. Swap books with a friend, your teenager, or grown child. Even introverts enjoy talking books with other people sometimes.
Cozy up in a new spot. Yeah, I know. That chair you love is so snuggly and the light is just right. But what about those summer days as a kid, leaned up against a tree? Or next to the pool while the kiddies are watched by a lifeguard? And the backyard sounds pretty nice for a morning retreat, listening to the birdies, right? The world’s a great big place, which means the possibilities are endless. Ah, sigh. I can’t wait!
Have more ideas for enjoying your summer bookcation this year? Comment below! I’d love to hear them, and I’m sure our other readers would, too.
And to help you get started with a new-to-you author, I’d like to offer a free eBook of my latest novel, What Makes a Home. One winner will be chosen at random and announced during the next Sunday edition!
That’s what I ask myself all the time. My poor hubby might also ask me this…a lot. Yeah, I’m kind of impulsive and impetuous (and impertinent and all kinds of other im-words).
This time, though, it was a really good thing!
When they sent me the invitation to become a part of InspyRomance, I have to admit I did a pretty goofy happy dance around my office. (Craft room, whatever.) Thankfully, nobody was home or my kids would surely have laughed at me (they’re all tweens and teens, so I’m a constant source of their laughter and eye-rolling). I prayed and knew it was the right thing to do! My gut said to leap, so I did.
I won’t bore you with my bio since you can find it here or here. Or better yet, in the back of my books. Haha! Instead, I’d rather tell you about what I write and where I write about.
See, I’m a crazy avid reader, mostly contemporary romance. Of course, I enjoy a good historical a few times a year and plenty of romantic suspense, too. But it’s CCR that I’m truly a fan of so naturally, it’s also what I write. And since I live in the Land of Enchantment, it only makes sense to set my books here.
Albuquerque, New Mexico is a quirky little city. We have great food (especially if you like it a little spicy and heavy on the cheese). There are tons of great restaurants, wineries, and microbreweries. And the farm-to-table movement is thriving.
The Everyday Love Series is definitely heavy on the Burque love. It’s evident in every book I write, how much I love this place. And on that note, I’m happy to announce that TODAY is the release day for the third book in the series, What Makes a Home! Every book can be read standalone, so feel free to jump in wherever. I absolutely love these characters and I hope you will, too. I’ve recently revisited the first two books in the series and made some improvements in their formatting and the flow. What Could Be was my first book, and therefore probably the roughest to read, but the story still holds a significant place in my heart. (It’s also my loudest love song to my hometown.)
I look forward to getting to know you here at InspyRomance, and elsewhere if you’re on social media (I’m everywhere). Be sure to comment for your entry into Inspy’s regular drawing! And since you’re here, I’m happy to announce to you FIRST that my eBook novella Adrift is now permanently FREE on all retailers. I hope you’ll check it out!
Also, if you’re on Facebook, be sure to stop by Inspy’s Christian Romance Reader Gathering group. I’m excited to do a takeover on April 24th from 7-9 Eastern. I hope you’ll join me for some fun! I’ll be sharing a bit about my latest book as well as hosting a GIVEAWAY!
Ah, the end of another year. It’s that time we reflect on all the highs and lows and realize how quickly time is passing. Do you make resolutions?
I can happily say that I do not. If I make any kind of resolution, it’s a sure fire way to ensure it will never, ever get done.
And since I’m not much in the mood for bare-your-guts self-reflection today, I’ll share instead something much lighter and a whole lot more fun. Of course, it’ll probably reveal plenty about me once I go into my reasons for choosing the items on this list!
My favorite reads of 2018
I’ll go ahead and admit right off the bat that I love romantic stories. I love mysteries, suspense, heavy-hitters, light and fluffy, comedies, whatever, so long as there’s a romantic element to it. I’ve always been like that. My favorite childhood stories were The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables. Gilbert Blythe set me on a path for the rest of my life of loving dark haired, dimple-cheeked heroes with a sideways smile full of mischief. How my handsome husband managed to knock me off my feet being a blonde, I can’t explain. But before him, I definitely had a type. It’s probably that mischievous grin, because he may be quiet around others, but the man is hilarious and sharp-witted and definitely full of mischief.
But I digress. Sorry. He’s just still, all these years later, pretty darn cute to me. Even without the dark hair and dimples.
Back to the books.
I am listing these in no particular order, and I will not repeat the descriptions because they’re easily found on Amazon and GoodReads. I’ll simply note why I loved it and let you click on it to see the other details. Also, I had to narrow down a really, really good book year to around ten, so chances are you haven’t heard of all of these. I love the greats like Becky Wade (who had two incredible books this year!), Rachel Hauck, and Terri Blackstock (If I Run series, my GOODNESS!), but I tend to prefer the indies, hybrids, and smaller press authors, so that’s who you’ll see here.
Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake — There is only one historical era I really care to read about, and that’s the late 1800s in either Victorian England or the American Old West. This book perfectly pairs the two. I loved Sydney, her grit and determination to make it in a cowboy’s world as an English lady dressed in man’s garments. Much of the book is a comedy of errors as she tries to hide her true identity while dealing with more flak than she should have had to. Once everything comes out into the open, the real romance begins and we’re treated to a much deeper story as well. This book is everything my pioneer heart loves!
When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham — This book makes me want to flash stern English teacher eyes and chastise anyone who dares suggest that Mr. Darcy is the ultimate English hero, because Henry makes Darcy look like a gloomy arse. I LOVED 2017’s Just the Way You Are. It’s fantastic and I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it yet. But this sequel? Oh, man. Julia was date raped and left pregnant, floundering through her healing but finding expression for her swinging emotions through music. Henry, an acclaimed composer who thinks in music, is the epitome of a good guy; the perfect book hero who seeks to connect to Julia in a meaningful way. Pepper Basham perfectly portrays the kinds of wounds a woman in Julia’s position would feel, including her fear and inability to handle being touched that wars with her desires. Henry is patient and understanding, even if a bit overeager at times. From start to finish, I have to say that Henry is officially at the top of my favorite book-heroes-ever list now.
A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver (no relation) — I had no idea this book would be so intriguing when I picked it up. The description was good, but I was pleasantly surprised by the emotional depth and the span of time it covered. I was shocked at some events, saddened by losses, and yet throughout there was hope that everything would fall into place. I found I couldn’t take not knowing, so this was one I had to flip toward the end to make sure there would be a happy ending. I was simply too emotionally invested in the characters halfway in and couldn’t bring myself to finish if it was going to turn out tragically.
Bookishly Ever After and Literarily for Keeps by Sarah Monzon — Last year’s The Esther Paradigm made my top reads of 2017 list and this year, she explored and conquered the novella world with these two titles. Both are charming and emotionally engaging with fully developed characters and plot lines in adorable little packages. Who can resist books with bookish heroines and laugh-out-loud moments? Not me!
Worth It by Jenn Faulk — Feminism and God’s view of women are dissected through the eyes of a powerful, almost obnoxious woman as she struggles to meet a challenge she’s issued for herself. Two academics form a deep, meaningful friendship that’s always held more just bubbling under the surface. Jenn Faulk deals with some incredibly tough topics, including abortion and gender identity, with grace and a positive, biblical worldview. She takes hot topic issues and breaks them down simply but beautifully without being condemning or judgy, simply reflecting God’s heart to love people and reach the lost and hurting. This is definitely a book that will force readers to think and analyze, but the romance and chemistry are fierce. I’ve always loved her books, but this was an unexpectedly powerful story I won’t soon forget.
Running from Monday by Lea Simms — I cannot recommend this book highly enough, y’all. It was hard–really hard–to read at times, because she doesn’t shy away from letting readers see the horrors Delaney experienced while growing up. In between some intense flashbacks (which may trigger some readers, but please don’t let that stop you from giving this a chance), Lea Simms tells the story of a woman completely and utterly lost and broken. Delaney’s journey is probably the most transformative story of any character I’ve ever read. We see her entire metamorphosis from icky, prickly caterpillar to chrysalis and then lush-winged butterfly as she comes to Christ in a powerful way and is forced to face her deepest wounds. I love that Lea Simms unabashedly deals with real life and true pain head-on, hiding none of the ugliness and yet thoroughly showing readers the definitive power of the Love of God.
Rooms by James L. Rubart — Now here’s a story that will appeal to men and women alike. Micah Taylor appears to have it all, but a single letter arrives and with it comes a tug-of-war for his soul. This story is rich with images, dreams, altered realities, and excellent characters. I can’t exactly put to words without giving away the story exactly why I loved this book, but I’m pretty sure I highlighted a serious chunk of it (see my GoodReads). This was easily one of the hardest books to put down once I picked it up. If you’re a Ted Dekker fan, you’ll love it.
Finding Evergreen by Jennifer Rodewald — Last year, one of my favorite books was a marriage romance, and this book is another excellent one. Jennifer Rodewald has a gift for wringing out readers’ emotions and leaving you raw. Here, the main characters married quickly, too immature to really handle their unrealistic expectations, lack of communication, and childhood issues. They spend most of the book fighting their resentment and some very negative feelings toward one another. Through it all, they are trying to be the best foster parents possible to an emotionally unstable girl. I loved how gritty and gripping the story was, all emotions laid bare for us to see as they work to decide whether it’s worth it to keep fighting for this marriage or simply give up.
Criss Cross series by CC Warrens — While this isn’t a romance, it deserves a mention on my top reads list for sure. I devoured all three books in the series and have been harping on Crystal all year to PLEASE write a fourth. Holly is one of those memorable characters who worms their way under your skin and won’t let go–she becomes a real person. That’s a very rare gift, I find, for someone who reads books once and then quickly forgets most of them. You can’t help but adore Holly for her love of marshmallows and her impulsive need to help others even if it means putting herself in danger. She has a long list of fears and quirks, all perfectly valid considering what she’s been through, but she finds herself repeatedly facing those fears when someone she cares about needs her. I will say that the books get more graphic by the third one, but through them all we clearly see that Christ is bigger and gives her strength to endure the evil that hunts her. And boy, does it hunt her. If you enjoy thrilling suspense and twisted villains, incredible characters, and quirky humor, you’ll love Holly Cross and her ragtag group of friends.
Chasing Someday by Crystal Walton — This is definitely a story that goes beyond a simple friends-to-more romance. Chasing Someday is funny, sweet, poignant, and packed with chemistry. I enjoyed it so much, especially Livy’s awkward klutziness and all of the interrupted “moments” between her and Chase! The Home in You series is absolutely beautiful, with complex characters and relationships, lighthearted humor, deeply moving emotions, and clean, romantic storylines that sweep you away to swoonyville! I have no idea why Crystal doesn’t receive more acclaim because truly, anyone who enjoys clean romance should be reading her books. They are SO GOOD.
Others to note — I mentioned Becky Wade, Rachel Hauck, and Terri Blackstock above. I read quite a few from each of them this year and it’s easy to see why they’re the Big Names on the Christian fiction scene. Also deserving of note are Denise Hunter and Courtney Walsh, who put out some great books this year as well. I can’t wait to see what 2019 holds! (Bethany Turner, I’m looking at you, lady!)
I’d love to hear your thoughts and see what books YOU’ve chosen for your top of 2018. Share in the comments or stop by and tell me on social media!
Writing a book feels a lot like pregnancy. I’m completely serious.
You have to admit the conception part is the most fun, aside from the beautiful blessing of holding that baby in your arms. Everything in between is a lot of dreaming and a whole ton of planning, prepping, and reining in the crazy.
But then, suddenly, you’re holding that beautiful work of yours in your arms and it’s perfect. You only pray people look at that precious bundle and think it’s as wonderful as you do. Surely yours won’t be one of those avoid-eye-contact ugly ones, right?
And while I’m working the analogy, let’s just acknowledge that publication is a lot like raising that baby.
In those early days, you’re showing off pictures and telling everyone who will listen until your family rolls their eyes and your friends start to avoid you. You’ve got those quiet moments where you’re frantically checking in to make sure there’s still signs of life. For a little while, there’s peace and just enjoying the wonder of it all.
Down the road, you may have corrections to make, little tweaks to ensure it grows up well. Eventually, you’re helping fix that outward appearance that’s become a little awkward but still wanting to fit in with peers. Siblings come along, and you’re doing the same for them, too.
And all the while, you’re working, loving, crying, reflecting, getting everyone where they need to be, still dreaming of a bright future, but exhausted. Rejoicing in triumphs and correcting the screw ups. Knowing more everyday and still nothing, all at the same time.
Yes, being an author is a whole lot like parenthood.
I could go on with the comparison, but I’ll stop here. Instead, I’m going to take my own proud momma moment and introduce you to my newest book baby, Whatever Comes Our Way.It’s now fully available on Amazon in eBook and paperback. And just so it’s big sister doesn’t get jealous, I’ll remind you that you can still get What Could Be free in eBook today, and only $2.99 after that. And don’t ask a mother to choose favorites. She usually can’t (even though, secretly, she’ll tell you that she’s a little enamored with the baby right now because it’s just so new and wonderful).
I read a lot. And I mean a LOT. Always have. My favorite books are often Christian fiction, though it takes patience to weed through the meh to find the treasures. These books, all released in 2017, were my favorite Christian fic of the year. In no particular order: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner, The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon, Until I Do by T.i. Lowe, and Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano. Three more books that were excellent this year and deserve a mention for the beautiful way they handle emotionally charged situations are Just Maybe by Crystal Walton, Always by Jenn Faulk, and Believing in Tomorrow by Kimberly Rae Jordan.
Each book on the list is a rare gem of originality in a world of stories that often don’t stand out. These books reach out and elicit such a strong, emotional response, inspiring deeper thought and reflection, encouraging the reader to reach out of the everyday and make an impact on other people. All shed light on what the Christian life SHOULD look like, often pointing out where the church too often falls short, and yet offer hope and grace and beauty with restoration.
The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck—Absolutely the funniest, most original contemporary romance I have ever read. Bethany Turner writes about a woman scorned who becomes a racy romance author…and then becomes a Christian. Sarah is immediately thrown into a whole new world with new rules and expectations and lingo. Her observations are honest, witty, and raw at times. Navigating this new life isn’t easy, but the super cute pastor she immediately connects with just might send her over the edge. Be prepared to laugh out loud, feel frustrated at the setbacks, and cheer for her triumphs.
The Esther Paradigm—One of the most original books I’ve read in ages. Sarah Monzon takes the tale of Esther, modernizes it and spins it on its ear in a beautiful story of childhood friendship turned to love. This book honors God and his word, while also honoring the Muslim religion and Bedouin people. The missionary heart comes through loud and clear in a suspenseful mystery that is thoroughly engaging from start to finish. It was hard to put down. Sarah Monzon does original really well. Her Isaac Project is another worthwhile read.
Until I Do—A rare gem love story of a long-married couple struggling to keep it all together. Told from both the husband and the wife’s perspectives, TI Lowe writes an emotionally gripping story of two people who love each other but are overwhelmed by the frustrations and trials of married life. This book pulled at me to examine my own marriage and what I need to be doing to safeguard it, nurture it, and keep it healthy. Never preachy, this book is certainly an emotional roller coaster as the couple has to find not only where they belong in regard to each other, but with their children, friendships, and with the Lord. I laughed, I cried, and I went and read everything else she’s ever written that I hadn’t already devoured. Its sequel is also fantastic.
Lady Jayne Disappears–Fans of Jane Austen, Bronte, Dickens, Sherlock Holmes, and other Victorian era tales will absolutely adore this book. Somehow, this award winning debut author has managed to take elements of each of these authors’ styles and twist them together in a tale of intrigue, romance, and mystery that sheds light into the dark places of Victorian society, makes witty social commentary, and captures readers’ attention from the first sentence. It calls into question the difference between religion and truly being like Christ, becoming his hands and feet while also finding one’s place in the world. Her observations into the mind of a writer are keen, making this by far my most highlighted text yet.
Believing in Tomorrow—Kimberly Rae Jordan is one of the first Christian romance authors I was introduced to as an adult. This Callaghan and McFaddens addition is easily the most emotionally gripping of all her books. Sammie has grown up in a Christian family who lives their faith in action everyday. Like so many, she makes a few critical mistakes that have lasting consequences. While she struggles to feel forgiven and redeemed, her baby daddy can’t seem to figure out why this condemning faith is so important to her. They each make the journey to know Jesus and his grace while coming to find love as well. The way she handled the gift of grace and restoration makes me respect KRJ even more than I already did.
Always—I make it no secret Jenn Faulk is one of my very favorite authors. She writes fun, often lighthearted stories that guarantee a happy ending. What I love most is that she is never afraid to point out the crazy, good, bad, and misguided things the church is often guilty of that so often cause division and wounds in its people. And yet, she always, always unifies things by reminding readers it’s all just about Jesus anyway. Always is the difficult story of a young girl who finds herself pregnant without knowing exactly how. Jenn walks us through Brooke’s healing and the restoration of her dearest friendship in such a heartfelt, sweet way. She takes a very difficult subject and treats it gently but honestly.
Just Maybe—Crystal Walton’s Write Me Home series is beautiful, emotional, and fun. Just Maybe is the 3rd story in the series, (the second, Begin Again, is my absolute favorite) and it does not disappoint. She takes often overused mistaken identity-baby on the doorstep-billionaire daddy (which usually would put me off) story concepts and twists them into an original story that is sweet, heartfelt, and clever. Former characters make appearances to give things a nudge and drop truth bombs, while the leads have so much to figure out that readers keep turning pages just to put the pieces together and make sure this pair can get out of their own way to find what they need. With all the feels, there’s also humor and several pop culture Easter eggs.
So there you have it. For a girl who reads a few books a week, it is rare to read a truly memorable story. I like most stories, but the ones that stand out and make a positive impact on the world are rare. Books that encourage the spirit, the mind, and the heart, are beautiful to behold and deserve to be shared. While I’m at it, I need to mention Jennifer Rodewald’s The Carpenter’s Daughter (from 2016). I didn’t include it above because I was trying to stick to 2017 releases. But go get that one while you’re at it because it’s so, so good. Oh! And the Isle of Hope series by Julie Lessman. Eek! The FEELS!!
I hyperlinked the books to Amazon for convenience. I think nearly all of them are available to read free on Kindle Unlimited, too. If you’d rather purchase to support an author, then I’ll say thanks on their behalf as I send you to go buy books.Whether you buy or borrow, be sure to leave a review when you’re done. It’s the very nicest thing you can do for an author. Then, go find them on social media and follow, like, whatever. Engage with them. We LOVE it when readers do that.
It cracks me up, but I’ve had several people ask me if What Could Be is autobiographical in nature or if Brynn is me. Short answer? Um, NO. Definitely NO.
Full answer? There’s a little of every author in their characters. The old saying goes, “write what you know.” So on that note, I would LOVE to share with you a little behind-the-scenes deets about the creation of the novel. I’ll do my best to avoid spoilers for those who haven’t read it yet!
Where did the inspiration for What Could Be come from?
A while back, I was remembering some of my former preschool and daycare students. In my late teens and very early 20s, I worked in two different day cares, taught Sunday school, babysat, and was basically always surrounded by kids. That, Brynn and I have in common.
Feeling nostalgic, I pulled out photos and the stick figure drawings I’d been given. I struggled to remember the last name of my very favorite little boy ever, and finding a sketch with his name on the back helped me find him on Facebook. Like any decent internet creeper, I looked up all of the other kids whose names I could recall. Now, I never contacted any of my old kids–and I still refer to them all as “my” kids–but it blessed my heart to peek into how they’ve grown up and what they’re into now. I’ve prayed for these kids over the years, even if all I can recall was a first name or a face. Most of them are in their late teens and 20s now.
It got me thinking. Every person we come into contact with leaves a mark. Every choice we make in life has an impact. It put me on a wild train of thought that spanned weeks. If there was a girl, like me or like any of my friends who also worked in childcare, but instead of making the choices I made, went a completely different direction with her life…what choices might she make? Where would those choices take her?
Is Brynn based on you or anyone you know in the real world?
Some of Brynn is definitely based on experiences I had as a young twentysomething, some of my naive ideals, trials and stresses. Some of her is based on friends and a little of what we all encountered in that crazy time of life when you’re stressing about figuring things out. Everything in those years feels so big, and time feels so slow. My husband and I were talking awhile back about how our early timeline felt like it was forever but was actually relatively fast. I’ll have to blog our story someday, because it’s a really, really good one.
Anyway. Brynn. Like her, I used to make idealistic lists about the traits, qualities, etc. of the guy I planned to marry. I also went through a heartbreak with a guy I truly thought was The One. This guy, like Aiden, checked all the boxes. And then…we broke up. For different reasons than I wrote in the story, but equally significant. Realizing that what you think is a good plan for your life doesn’t match God’s plan is never easy. Praise God that He restores and gives us better than we could ever hope or imagine!
Also like Brynn, I was quite the over-thinker, overachiever, and list maker. I, too, lived in a bit of a self-constructed Jesus bubble. Not a bad thing, but I can look back and acknowledge I was very naive and had a sheltered world view. That’s why I wrote her that way–I think she has a lot to learn and overcome to build an authentic faith. But she has potential! Giving yourself over to God’s will as a lifelong Christian is sometimes harder than coming to Christ on your own for the first time, later. There’s this self-righteous wall that has to be torn down first, and for perfectionists it’s really not easy to admit you need him.
Brynn is written as a really amazing singer. I’m experienced and can harmonize, but realistically I’m not a whole lot above average.
Unlike Brynn, giving my lists to the Lord was relatively easy. God brought along the exact man for me, in exactly the right time, and I knew from our first meeting that he was The One, for real. I’m happy to say that we’ve been married for 16 years now, have three incredible daughters, and our life is a crazy, beautiful mess.
What about Josh? Where did he come from?
In any educational/childcare setting, you’re bound to come across some pretty cute single parents. Yes, I know it can be an overused stereotype in romantic fiction. But I think it’s that way because there are so many possibilities and it happens in reality.
Not for me personally, but when I was going through my ideas of who to pair Brynn with, I wanted her to take a completely different road than I would ever have taken. I thought, okay, besides church, school, and friends, where might Brynn meet someone? Then, the idea of Josh came to me.
I felt like Brynn needed someone completely off-list. Someone she would never in a million years expect. She needs to really learn that God is in control of all parts of her life, and be comfortable giving up her will in exchange for His. Someone like Josh could do that for her. Brynn has unconditional love for his son, and that draws him in first, along with the hope that maybe he could one day have that same kind of love.
And Caleb?
Personally, I adore Caleb. Just like Brynn is a caricature and mix of me and my friends and fictional creation, Caleb is a caricature and blend of friends of mine and my husband’s and made up blandness. Like Gina says, he’s a little vanilla. I wanted to write him as a clear mismatch for Brynn. They are too much alike, too much like friends.
I’ve had a few people imply that Caleb reminds them of my husband. To a certain extent, I guess that’s reasonable (and probably why I adore Caleb). They’re both brilliant, hard working, dedicated, thoughtful people. But my husband is super awesome at putting his family first. Caleb hasn’t learned how to do that–or maybe, he just hasn’t found that perfect someone to take him out of his striving and work focus. I hope that given his own story, Caleb could maybe find himself lucky to become someone as wonderful, funny, and giving as my husband.
So…why all the angst over her decision about school?
Think back to life at 22. Maybe not for everyone, but for most people I know, those post-high school/college years were stressful. There’s so much pressure to make the right decisions. You feel like you’re never going to graduate. The search for your soul mate or perfect match or spouse or whatever label you want to smack on your Person feels like it will never end, it’s taking forever. You keep waiting for your “real life” to begin (cue scene from Scrubs).
It’s no wonder Brynn’s a little angsty. (Yes, I know angsty is not a real word. Yet. Neither was nauseous until a couple of years ago, but people still said it, so back off.)
Anything else you’d like to share about the book?
There’s a scene with an unfortunate molasses cookie recipe. That scene is based on a real-life kitchen disaster my mom and I still laugh over.
I also rewrote a better closure for my best friend, who had her own heartache back in the day. The Walmart scene is an homage to her and what I wish I could have changed on her behalf.
Everything else about the book was a stream of consciousness that just sort of flowed out as I prayed over what to write. Things came to mind, and I just went with it. A few times I wrote myself into a corner and had to follow the rabbit trails of “if this, then…” and “what if…” to get things back on track.
The final truth is, I realize it’s not perfect. And for a recovering perfectionist, that’s a big deal. With maturity comes the acceptance of reality, if you’re willing to see it. I’ve reread the book. I know the beginning is a little slow, and the build up takes time to get good. I think I even caught a few errors that I lost track of before I could fix them. Totally embarrassing. (UPDATE Second edition with a NEW cover and full editorial revisions is coming late March 2018!) I’m learning as I go, making mistakes and fixing them. I love it.
Gina’s story is next. So far, I am loving the tale that is unfolding between her, Jaydon and the other characters. I hope you will, too. It’s very different from Brynn and Josh’s story. But that’s life. No two stories are the same, nor should they be!
Anyway, I hope this answers some questions. Leave a comment and let’s chat about things!
Ah, fairy tales. Like so much classic literature, fairy tales form the basis for many contemporary stories. In recent years, retellings have even become so popular they’ve become their own subgenre in fiction. And it makes sense. The originals are clean and usually end happily. Good triumphs over evil. The impossible becomes possible. Romance. Magic. Wonder. They’re inspirational and usually teach a lesson.
Rather than blend into the background with straight modernizations or retelling the tale with simple nods or twists, we decided to give each story a Christmas spin. Andrea took Sleeping Beauty and gave her a real-life sleeping disorder with three fierce and funny aunts in a gorgeous old theater for a holiday production of the musical of the same title. Mikal brought Mulan out of China and into the boardroom with a fierce (but flirty) legal battle on her father’s behalf, the wicked Hun insisting on a Christmas victory. For an updated Snow White, Toni sent her sheltered heiress fleeing into a snowstorm and hiding from a wicked stepmother in an orchard owned by a handsome hero and his seven “uncles” over the holidays. Angela twisted the classic favorite Cinderella into a whole new story, giving her lumberjack-like prince the nutty stepfamily as a perfect obstacle standing between Ella and her happy (New Year) ever after. And lastly, it was my joy to take The Little Mermaid out of her Las Vegas aquarium and into the dry southwest, where she discovers the power of her own voice during the romantic holiday season.
May is nearly over, people! Can you believe it? The second most jam-packed month of the year is almost done. School will be out soon, vacations are being planned, and the weather is finally warming up after the eternal winter we had this year. Can you tell I’m excited?!
That’s what I ask myself all the time. My poor hubby might also ask me this…a lot. Yeah, I’m kind of impulsive and impetuous (and impertinent and all kinds of other im-words).
Albuquerque, New Mexico is a quirky little city. We have great food (especially if you like it a little spicy and heavy on the cheese). There are tons of great restaurants, wineries, and microbreweries. And the farm-to-table movement is thriving.
The area is rich with culture and tradition and hosts hundreds of festivals every year. Some of my favorites are the 
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