People like to ask kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Some kids might come up with crazy answers, or change their mind hundreds of times throughout childhood.
Not me. As I kid, I knew what I wanted to be:
A wife, a mom, and a writer.
I guess you could say, I’m living my dream life!
Hello friends! I’m Hannah Jo Abbott, and I’m one of the new writers here at the Inspy Romance Blog. I live in Alabama with my husband and our four kids. I live on coffee, chocolate, and worship music.
For me, writing has been a lifelong dream… and a long journey.
One day, when I was about ten years old, I went to a friend’s house to play. That friend had entered a “Young Authors” contest and written a book.
When she showed it to me, I was overcome with the desire to write a book too. I have vivid memories of the rest of that day. My friend wanted to play Barbies, go climb trees, play a game. But all I could think about was writing a story.
I went home that night and set myself up in our backroom where the desktop computer was. I just had to write a story. And I did. It was a “book” complete with five chapters, all on one single page. But I did it!
I still feel that way about writing. There are stories inside me that have to come out and I think about writing all the time.
People often ask how I find time to write books. It’s a valid question!
I’m a mom of four kids between the ages of two and eight, and we homeschool. So I’m at home with them all hours of the day, teaching them, feeding them, cleaning up messes, doing all the laundry (oh all the laundry!) It’s a lot of fun! But how do I find time to write? My answer goes back to that feeling I had the first day I discovered writing.
There are stories in my mind and heart that have to be written.
I’m thankful this is a calling God has given to me. He’s the one who gives me the stories, and the ability to write them.
Despite the fact that I’ve been writing my whole life, it took me almost ten years to put out my first book. I started writing it in college, but I piddled with it from time to time with no real plans. In 2014, with a two-year-old and a newborn, I finally decided it was time to finish writing that story.
Once I finished it, it took me two more years to get up the guts to push publish, but I’m so glad I did! 
Being an indie author has taught me a lot, and I’ve made some of the best friends I could ever ask for.
Oh, and don’t worry, my writing and publishing schedule is a lot faster now!
A little about my books: I write small-town, Christian romance. I’m a small-town girl myself and I love the community feeling it brings. Yes, I run into people I know in the grocery store, and everybody knows everybody or at least knows somebody who does. I love for my characters to have that same experience. And if you’ve never lived in a small town, I hope you get a taste of it in my books!
To celebrate joining the team here, I’m giving away an ebook! Your choice from any of my series. To enter, comment below to say hello, and tell me your favorite thing about reading inspirational romance stories.
I’m so excited to be here and I look forward to sharing more with you!
You can check out all of my books below:
Hannah Jo Abbott is a wife, a mom of four, a homeschool teacher, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She loves writing stories about life, love, and the grace of God. She finds inspiration and encouragement from reading the stories others share. Hannah lives with her husband and children in Sweet Home Alabama.
Nice to meet you Hannah. (So true about smaller towns I rarely go to the supermarket without talking to someone even if its just someone I know by sight). Not that we know everyone its a population of around 6,000. I am one of the Aussie visitors.
What I like about inspirational fiction is that it is a clean story. No sex scenes, no foul language. I like to escape in a book without the worry about it polluting my mind. Some people say books are to sanitized and don’t have real people but I disagree some books can have seemingly perfect people but most books have characters with real life issues. Interesting we have a friendship centre with mostly non christians and some borrow from the church library because the books are a clean read.
I enjoyed reading your post and have added the first book in your billionaire series to my tbr list. I’m always excited to find out about new to me authors!
Hi Hannah and welcome to Inspy Romance. This retiree and avid reader has been a part of Inspy Romance blog for many years. I enjoy living in my small town SW Michigan community. As a retired high school English teacher, I meet people I know wherever I go – grocery store, parks, beaches, library, small businesses, farm stands, and more. School and church is what brings our community together. As the teaching coach to our 3 grandchildren – grades 1, 7, and 10, I enjoyed your writing background. When my two granddaughters showed an interest squirrels I wrote two children’s books about Sammy, the squirrel. My first grade granddaughter just finished writing book 4 in the series Sammy Finds a Family. With one on one writing, she has progressed far. Her Oma (grandma) learned so much about writing children’s books. Best wishes. Enjoy your children and writing. Welcome.
Glad to meet you, Hannah. I am an avid reader – Christian fiction and suspense are my favorites. My kids gave my mom (now 89) her first Kindle when it was hard for her hands to hold a book. Now I keep her supplied with Christian ebooks.
Welcome to InspyRomance!
I like to read inspirational romance because it gives me hope and makes me feel good as I am reading.
Welcome to Inspy! So nice to meet you! I adore reading stories, especially about small towns❤️. I only read Christian Fiction anymore, because I get my love of reading and always manage to take away more and grow in my relationship with God!
I look forward to getting to know you!
Welcome. I read Christian fiction because it’s diverse, creative, and usually a good story
Welcome! So glad you’re here and I look forward to reading your posts in the coming months.
Welcome! I’ve been stalking you for awhile, and I’ve read at least one of your books. Nice to have you here! I love to read, and prefer not to have language and things in books that I don’t like in real life, so I love CF!! I like all genre’s, too, not just contemporary. I like to see how the characters deal with life issues, and there has to be a happy ending.
Lol yes I always see people I know at the store. I totally agree about being able to read without worry. I try my best to write real character too!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for the warm welcome!
I love that you wrote books with them! My oldest two kids LOVE to write their own books!
Oh how wonderful! I think kindles are SUCH a great tool since you can have so many books and use the options adjust screen and font size. Thankful for technology!
Thank you!
I feel the same way ❤️
Nice to meet you too! I love that about Christian fiction too. I have grown so much through reading stories of faith and grace.
Welcome to Inspy Romance, Hannah Jo!
Thank you! I love the stories too
Thank you so much! Happy to be here!
Thank you so much! I enjoy other genres too, I used to read a lot of historical fiction. I haven’t in a while but I’m reading a book set during World War 2 right now and it’s fascinating!
Thank you for having me!
Welcome Hannah, glad to get to meet you! Thank you for the chance to win. I enjoy inspirational romances because I love stories that are clean and have depth where I can learn through the characters journies.
Nice to meet you! When I saw that you would be joining InspyRomance, I immediately signed up for your newsletter. Lol. I’m a real bookworm and I feel free to read several books in a day, although I can’t do that as much lately with my studies etc. I really like inspirational/contemporary romance, although I also like historical books. I also read YA books a lot. I have the same dream as you: to write books, although publishing will take some time. Thank you for posting this!
Wonderful to meet you, Hannah! I can relate to everything, especially the laundry! :-D
I really enjoyed reading your books! They were super cute and sweet! Thank you for the giveaway.
Welcome fellow Alabamian! I see now why you have the 2 series set in Alabama. They are on my TBR list now (don’t know if you remember telling me about them on Facebook last week).
I can relate to your long journey of writing. I started writing stories in a 3-ring binder in 9th grade, got sidetracked because of a life-changing injury (quadriplegic), started writing a novel about 15 years ago that I have piddled with since then, but I have worked more on it the last couple of months and am progressing toward finishing drafting it by the end of May.
I love reading inspirational romances to tell the story of characters with real-life struggles who find peace and joy to the love of God and someone special in their life.
I look forward to hearing more from you on INSPY.
Thanks for joining my newsletter! I look forward to sharing more with you. I know writing can feel daunting. It’s definitely worth the time, and I started by doing just a small amount every day.
Nice to meet you! Oh yes the laundry is NEVER. ENDING! But thankful for so many people to cloth ❤️
Thank you! Hearing that from readers is the best!
Hi neighbor! Yes I remember your Facebook comment! I love writing books set in the south because I love living here. Don’t give up on your writing! Mine was definitely a long journey to write. And I still go through seasons (like now when my two year old doesn’t nap) where I can write much.
Thank you for the welcome! I love learning alongside characters too…even as I’m writing them!
I have loved your books so far! You have a great talent at telling a story! I love seeing characters grow and learn about themselves and each other in inspirational romance books. I also love that I can read without worry about coming across things that will make me uncomfortable.
Nice to meet you. I like reading about small towns. I was born in Washington DC and raised and married in its suburbs, definitely not small town. We have recently moved to what is to us a much smaller country setting but is a city to our neighbors. Lord bless your writing. I love reading from Christian authors because I don’t worry about it getting really inappropriate ( R rated). I also like the encouragement and lessons that are sprinkled in.
Hello, Hannah! My favorite thing about reading inspirational romance stories is watching flawed characters like me grow and become more Christlike. It gives me hope!
Hannah, I find myself saying I’m living the dream, too. :-) It does feel that way, doesn’t it? I’m also a small town girl at heart, but forced to be a suburbs girl due to marrying a city boy. It works. I’m excited we’re starting our stint here at the same time. Can’t wait to get to know you more.
Welcome, Hannah Jo! As a man who enjoys contemporary Christian romance, I’m the vocal oddball here at IR. I grew up in a very small town in upstate New York (population 600 which included Art Twitchell’s herd of about 30 cows just because his barn was within 50 feet of the main street, oh, and the Van Fleet’s two snow mobiles). I now live in the Washington DC suburbs with my lovely wife of 32 years.
My mom got me hooked on reading mysteries as a young person and I have enjoyed many different genres over the years. I got into Christian romance several years ago after reading a series of romantic suspense by Irene Hannon. I have stuck with it because I love the happy endings and I long to see the grace of God lived out in the lives of the characters.
I read slowly but voraciously, probably 3 or 4 books a week. I have also written a novel (not a romance but with a romantic sub-plot). I’m in that in between time where I’m sharing the book with friends and getting feedback and wondering if publishing is what I’m supposed to do. A bit of a roller coaster ride, isn’t it?
Once again, welcome to the IR family. May your time here be one of encouragement and growth. Thanks for joining us!
Hi Hannah Jo! It so nice to “meet” a new face :-)
I live in a small town too and I love small town romances! There’s just something about a tight-knit community that draws a person into a story. I love all the quirky characters….and not so quirky ones that make me wish they were real. Like making literary friends that you come to care very much about!
My favorite thing about inspirational fiction is the faith factor. It’s putting God right in the middle of the story & having characters live out their lives showing His grace, mercy, and love. Not perfect people at all (just like real life), but showing even in our human struggles, how much we need the Lord to help us through every day. And when we mess up (and we will), that God still loves us & forgives us when we ask Him to. I can’t tell you how many times in a story that an author spoke right to my situation! I’m so glad we have Christian writers who allow the Lord to guide their words and help shape characters that can be mentors in real life :-) (I hope that made sense)
Welcome again Hannah, I hope you’ll feel right at home soon. I look forward to getting to know you!
Hello twin (separated at birth) ;)
I live on coffee, chocolate, and worship music too (with four kiddos that’s all you can do)!
L enjoyed reading your post, Thank you for sharing.
Hi Hannah Jo! I am in Australia, and love following this blog. Depending on my mood, I read CCR, CRS, and Christian Historical romance. I also enjoyed Christian Medical Romance but sadly there was only ever one author I found that really covered it.
I haven’t read any of your books yet, but that’s going to change!
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s nice to be able to read without worry!
Hi! Yes, I feel the same way. I’m so thankful God gave us stories as a form of encouragement!
It’s fun isn’t it?! The days can be long and hard, but I remind myself this is what I’ve always wanted to do. Can’t wait to get to know you too!
Thank you for the warm welcome! Fun fact: My dad is actually the one who introduced me to many of the Christian Fiction authors I read when I was younger. We would talk about the series we read (not all of them were romance, but most had a least a love story sub-plot). He reads my books now :-)
Writing is definitely a roller coaster ride, and so far that hasn’t changed even though I’m several books in now.
I love Washington, DC, and have traveled there several times and spent a summer interning there.
So nice to meet you!
So nice to “meet” you too! I love the faith part of inspirational fiction. It’s been a BIG part of how God has taught me things and walked me through hard times. I’m so glad it’s been the same for you!
Truth! I have my coffee on a timer so it’s ready when I wake up, and our BlueTooth speaker for music at breakfast! And sometimes I have chocolate smoothies for breakfast, ha!
Thank you so much! It’s great to be here.
Hello there, welcome! I was raised in a very small town (about 2000 people). And I’ve spent most of my adult life in a relatively small town in town (20,000 people), so those types of stories really appeal to me!
Hi! Nice to meet you! I love Historical romance too. Medical Romance sounds interesting, but I haven’t read any. I don’t write medical romance, but I do have a habit of sending characters to the emergency room (I don’t know why!). My book, Stranded with The Hero, has a male character that’s an EMT, so that’s the closest I’ve gotten.
I hope you’ll enjoy my books!
It’s an experience, isn’t it? I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!
Lol. Most authors are well acquainted with the Emergency Room in their stories!! Candace Calvert was the medical story author. I don’t think she’s written anything for a few years though.
I look forward to getting to know you more through this blog. Have just bought one of your stories — Walk with Me
Welcome, Hannah!
Welcome Hannah. You are so sweet and thoughtful. I am so glad you joined the group. I love that even when there is conflict, there is no violence. In the end, the relationship is established again. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
Thank you so much! I’m happy to be here!
Thank you for the warm welcome! oh yes, I’m not a fan of conflict, so I’m always happy when it’s resolved in the story!
Hi Hannah Jo, what a lovely way to introduce yourself and your writing. I love reading them because I feel content and happy with them. Thanks :)
Thank you! I feel the same way, thank you for sharing!
I am also a lifelong writer currently going through a course on self-publishing. I love inspirational romance because it’s clean and hope and encouragement are often the themes. We need more of that these days.
And I’m with you on the dream. All I long to be is a housewife writer! :-)
Welcome Hannah Jo! I look forward to your monthly posts and getting to know you better!
Welcome Hannah Jo. I am getting caught up on e-mails and was so thrilled to see that you joined us here. I recently read your book Stranded With The Hero and loved it! I have your book Small Town Billionaire on my Kindle to be read. I am a fan of your writing. Stranded With The Hero was so swoon worthy. I need to go and join your newsletter. Looking forward to getting to know you here.
Hi Hannah, Welcome to Inspy Romance! We’re glad you joined us, and it’s great to learn more about your writing journey. 😊
Hannah, it’s so nice to “meet” you and join you in the new class of Inspy Romance authors. I always love hearing about an author’s journey. I absolutely love small towns…visiting them, stories set in them, etc. I look forward to reading some of your books soon!