A Reservation for Romance, the third and final installment of my Homegrown Love Stories series is finally releasing this week, and I’m hopeful you will enjoy Brooke and Grant’s story. I’ve shared before that Brooke Jennings Lockwood is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I really wanted to do her story justice.
So I thought I’d share with you some behind-the-scenes information about the story for those of you who are reading it this week.
When I created the Jennings sisters, I knew immediately that one of them would have to be a widow. For me, it just wasn’t plausible to have three girls in the same family all between 25-30 to all be single. I felt strongly that at least one of them would’ve found love previously, which led to the creation of Brooke’s character.
We first meet Brooke in the novella that kicked off the series and from her very first scene, we get a sense of her role in the family. She’s the oldest sister (and a year older than her cousin, Kate, whose love story is center stage in the novella) and is often the voice of reason. She’s the one they go to for advice and the one who has a reputation for being the calm one in the family. Brooke has suffered great loss in the death of her husband, but she has carried on for the sake of their son.
Because she was happily married, she also dispenses relationship advice to her sisters and cousin—but in Brooke’s own story she’s the one needing the advice because she’s never really had to date before. She and Ed met in elementary school and had their first date just as they turned sixteen. So while the other girls have “bad date” stories and lots of experience flirting and accepting dates, Brooke has none. So not only does she feel out of her element, she’s also trying to figure out what it means to date as a single mom.
I usually have a few descriptive words for each character that I go back to and look at and make sure the character is showcasing those traits. Brooke’s words were dependable, thoughtful, and caretaker. By the end of the first book (On Board for Romance) I added another word to my list for Brooke. It was lonely. She was in a phase of life where she’s raising her son and watching her sisters find love. It only made sense that she would, even though she was so happy for them, also find herself feeling lonely.
I wasn’t totally sure early on exactly how her story would unfold, but I always knew WHO it would unfold with. In fact, we see her first interaction with Grant Ward in the novella. Through the next two books, I was always careful to have some interaction between Brooke and Grant because I felt like with her situation, her love story would be with someone she had actually known for a while.
I’m pleased with the way Brooke’s love story played out—I think a story about people who have experienced loss and brokenness yet still find a way back to a place of happiness and contentment are some of my favorite kinds of stories.
And now, I have a question for you! I can’t remember the last time I had time to sit down and read a book…I’m sure I’ve missed a good one. (or two, or ten!) If I only have time to read ONE book over the upcoming holiday break, what do you recommend??
Annalisa Daughety writes contemporary fiction set in historic locations, including the Walk in the Park series, Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, and A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina. She lives in Arkansas and is hard at work on her next book.
Hi Annalisa, thanks for sharing the backstory- Brooke sounds like someone I would be friends with.
Oh dear, to only recommend one book- that is hard! All of you wonderful inspy authors have published great stories that you should read. I am struggling to pick just one…(and I think that is great, as it means lots of good books to read:)
Blessings:)
Wow, to have been looking forward to Brooke’s story! Yay!
I can’t chose one book either…. but I might suggest a box set or four from these lovely Inspy authors!!
In Love by Christmas, Alxexa Verde….. Love is All Around, Marion Ueckermann….. Together for Christmas, Autumn MacArthur……A Christmas to Remember from 8 amazing authors!
Thanks, Wemble! She’s definitely someone I’d be friends with, too. And I totally understand–I have a large TBR pile, but I suspect I’ve missed some good one the past few months while I’ve been writing and trying to stay off of social media! :)
Thanks, Paula! Ooh, a box set would be great! I will check these out because I do love Christmas reads. :)
I can’t think of just one book either. I usually peruse what’s on my tablet and see what I’m in the mood for.
So glad to hear your book is finally here! But to pick out one book!! Oh my!! If you like thrillers at all, I love Luana Ehrlich’s Titus Ray series, and just read the latest one, Five Years in Yemen.
So excited this one is out and will be getting it. I’ve read so many good books lately, but a great Christmas collection is the one put out by our Inspy authors, A Christmas to Remember. Another great one is The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection.
:) I do the same thing. I have a variety of genres on my Kindle so I can always find something!
Thank you, Margaret! I do like thrillers. I’ll check that one out!
Thanks, Andrea! I will look into those collections!
I recommend Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette or Reckoning of Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright.
That was beautiful. I cant wait to read it. Ive loved the other ones alot so far… youre my favorite in the arcadia series.
I would recommend
“Glimpsing Hope” by carol moncado. Ive actually read it twice in the last 2 years. Heartfelt and utterly romantic. A very serious and reality book. With a touch of dreams do come true aspect.
Thanks for the recommendations!
Thanks so much, Ashley!
I love the hero’s name. My husband’s name is Grant.
Does it need to be a Christmas book? If not, I highly recommend Joanne Bischoff’s The Lady and the Lionheart. If you want contemporary, then Heartland by Kimberly Stuart or The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristen Billerbeck are two I really enjoyed.
Beautiful post! Thank you!
Beautiful post Thank you so much!