Please help me welcome Jennifer Hallmark to The Story behind the Story this week. She excited to share with us about her debut novel, Jessie’s Hope. Before she does, though, let’s find out a little more about the book itself.
Years ago, an accident robbed Jessie Smith’s mobility. It also stole her mother and alienated her from her father. When Jessie’s high school sweetheart Matt Jansen proposes, her parents’ absence intensifies her worry that she cannot hold on to those she loves.
With a wedding fast approaching, Jessie’s grandfather Homer has a goal to find the perfect dress for “his Jessie,” one that would allow her to forget, even if for a moment, the boundaries of her wheelchair. But financial setbacks and unexpected sabotage hinder his plans.
Determined to heal from her past, Jessie initiates a search for her father. Can a sliver of hope lead to everlasting love when additional obstacles—including a spurned woman and unpredictable weather—hijack Jessie’s dream wedding?
Sounds really interesting, Jennifer. What inspired you to write it?
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope has been a long work in progress. Like many authors, I’ve written several novels but this is the first to find a landing spot with a traditional publisher, Firefly Southern fiction.
My inspiration began with my parents. The idea sprang from three writing prompts: a wedding dress designer, a dusty baseball cap, and faded coveralls. As a pantser or writer who does very little plotting in the beginning, those prompts grew into a short story I titled The Wedding Dress. My family and friends gave it high reviews, so I increased the word count, first to a novella, then a novel.
My characters took shape as I wrote, and my parents emerged in the soul of the book. My dad, as well as the heroine, Jessie, overcame great odds in their lives, despite being physically challenged. My father gave hope and encouragement to everyone he met, though he suffered from a spinal disease that left him paralyzed. His name was Jesse.
Martha, Jessie’s grandmother, embodies my mom. Martha and Mom both go above and beyond for their family, working quietly in the background to make life better for their families. Martha worries a bit too much but is strong and faithful like my mom.
I also drew inspiration from the rural area in North Alabama where I’ve spent a good portion of my life. It’s one reason I named my website Alabama-Inspired Fiction. I live among good people with strong family ties who work hard, much like the ones in Jessie’s Hope. My characters often endure much but are resilient. I’ve seen people work together and thrive during times of tragedy like the 2011 tornado outbreak.
My family and my community inspire me.
And so I write.
Thanks for joining us, Jennifer. She’s on a blog tour this month, so once you read more about her, keep scrolling down to find out how to enter to win as part of that tour.
Jennifer Hallmark writes Southern fiction and has published 200+ internet articles and interviews, short stories in several magazines, and has co-authored three book compilations. Her debut novel, Jessie’s Hope, released on June 17th, 2019.
When she isn’t babysitting or gardening, you can find her at her desk writing fiction or working on her two blogs. She also loves reading detective fiction from the Golden Age and viewing movies like LOTR or Star Wars. Sometimes you can even catch her watching American Ninja Warrior.
June Blog Tour Giveaway Extravaganza
June 10th-June 30th
Prizes include:
- $25 Amazon Gift Card
- $10 Starbucks Gift Card
- Print copy of Jessie’s Hope
- 2 Kindle copies of Jessie’s Hope
Giveaway details: Go to my Rafflecopter Page to enter and possibly win one of five prizes to be drawn by Rafflecopter. Winners will be revealed on the author’s blog on July 1st. You can only enter by visiting my June blog tour from June 10th until June 30th. My visits include:
June 13th–Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud/Jennifer Slattery
June 14th–Favorite Friday Fiction/Me
June 15th–Inspired Prompt/Betty Thomason Owens
June 17th–Author Trish Perry/Trish Perry
June 17th–Southern Writers Magazine
June 18th–Author Liz Tolsma/Liz Tolsma
June 19th–Inspired Prompt/Betty Thomason Owens
June 21st–Snark & Sensibility/Linda Rondeau
June 24th–Fear Warrior/Jerusha Agen
June 24th–Author June Foster/June Foster
June 25th–Trumpet Tuesdays/Julie Arduini
June 26th–Seriously Write/Sandra Ardoin
June 28th–Heartfelt, Homespun fiction/Cynthia Herron
June 29th–The Write Conversation/Edie Melson
This sounds like a wonderfully touching read, Jennifer! Especially with the strong ties to your personal life. I worked at a physical therapy center for several years, and the main focus was on spinal cord injuries, so the concept of your book sounds especially fascinating.
Thank you, Cheryl. At times, it was difficult to write. Beside what I knew from my dad, I did a lot of research and read blogs by women with spinal cord injuries.
Congratulations to Jennifer Hallmark! 🙂
Thank you so much, Melissa. I appreciate your encouragement 🙂
I love the way you have woven your own story into Jesse’s . . .well done, Jennifer!
Thank you, Jarm. It seemed to come very naturally as I wrote…
Your book sounds Awesome Jennifer Hallmark, I really love what it is about and I am sure you are helping other people who have similar injuries. God Bless you. Congratulations on your book.
Thank you, Alicia!