"Ronnie" by Jennifer Lynn Cary -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: Ronnie

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Sweet Romcom

Release Date: June 12, 2024

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.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview 

1. Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser (or a hybrid)?

I’m more of a pantser than a plotter, but I’ve had pantser friends say I plot more than they do. Does that make me a hybrid? I don’t know. What I like doing is getting to know my characters. I use several things to help me explore. First, I go to One Stop for Writers and use their program to make very full profiles. Then I use Jennifer Crosswhite’s Novel Blueprint in Scrivener to set up a framework. Jen likens it to using a blueprint to make sure the structure is sound. I think it’s more like putting those bumper guards in the gutters at the bowling alley. I can bob and weave all over the lane, but I’m kept on target and not lost down a rabbit hole. (I know, mixed metaphor. Sorry.) Don’t get me wrong, rabbit holes are fun, but they’re also a time suck, and if you write a really fun or moving one, it hurts all the more when you have to take it out because it doesn’t move the story ahead. 

2. What is your favorite part about writing?

Brainstorming. Really. Ideas are fun to explore. (See why I need protection from the rabbit holes?) Lately my ideas have come from 60s music with a girl’s name in the title. I give myself the perimeter of setting—early 1970s in Kokomo, Indiana and it must include the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue and the legend of the cardinal in the sycamore. That’s the box I need to stay in. But other than that, I let the mood of the song, or how I envision someone with that name, or maybe even what I was thinking about back in 1970 something guide me and run with it. Then I think about what trope might go with that, and I have some direction, ready to begin the process.

3. How long does it usually take you to write a book?

Once upon a time, I could crank out a book in six weeks. Those days are gone, I think. I don’t have the stamina nor brain creativity to handle that pressure any more. Nowadays I aim to be done in three to four months. Sometimes that includes the editing process and sometimes that’s only for the first draft. I guess, though, if I’m still moving forward, then it’s a win.

4. Where do you get your ideas for your books?

As a general rule, I start with a title. Not always, but usually. I play with the title in my head. What does it sound like? What could it mean? How can I put a twist on it? Since the Weather Girls and its spin-off series the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue all have a girl’s name in the title, that also introduces me to a character. I enjoy listening to the music. Sometimes my ideas go off in a way that hasn’t anything to do with the song. On the other hand, sometimes I find character traits to include. It’s fun for me, and I’ve got so many more ideas for this current series. Right now I’m writing on Tracy (friends to more). Then comes Shilo (hippie turned Jesus person and a lawyer), followed by Bernadette (with a hidden identity trope). But I’ve also been thinking about using songs like “Pieces of April,” “Take a Letter Maria,” “Walk Away, Rene,” “Julie, Do You Love Me?” and a lot more. I’d like to eventually bundle them into groups of four, following the four seasons, and label the set by the year they fall under—like Class of 1972, or Class of 1973. 

I have enough ideas to take me through the Class of 1977 (or until Jesus comes back 😊). 

5. What is your work schedule/routine when you write?

I like to write Monday through Friday and save business stuff for Saturday. Sunday I do my best to honor the Sabbath by staying away from anything writing related. I’m successful most of the time with that. However, sometimes we get called to babysit our grands, and it’s hard to write when I’m trying to be entertaining. If I end up missing a writing day, I attempt to make it up on Saturday. When I stick to this schedule—and can get at least one scene done per day—the book comes together fast.

6. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?

Of course. Sort of. Actually, I’ve included people who really lived in Kokomo at the time in some books. Like in Sylvia’s Mother, the deans mentioned in the book really were Mr. Stucker and Miss Winslow. I never got to know Mr. Stucker that well since he was Dean of Boys at KHS. But I even corresponded with Miss Winslow after we moved to Arizona. She was a great lady. In Ronnie, I didn’t have any actual Kokomo residents making cameos, but I did do the research for who might be on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Turns out, that new year—1972-73—was the very first episode. I didn’t know that, but I learned who all were guests on the show. Three Dog Night and Helen Reddy and Billy Preston. So that was a bit of accuracy, though I can’t say as I’d call them friends. Ha! 

I put a bit of my husband into the heroes. Maybe it’s something that he says, or something he likes (favorite band, music, food, car), or maybe it’s how he stands or reacts. It’s rarely the same thing since each hero is different, but if you put all those guys together, you might get a glimpse of my hero. Carlitos is a rancher and hubs grew up on a farm, so there’s a little carry over there.

About the Author

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.

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!

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

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!)

Blog Stops

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Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 20

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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)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5444