Sometime toward the beginning of the year, I got to talking with my local group of writers (we meet monthly) and we kicked around the idea of doing a Christmas box. It was an interesting idea. I haven’t ever been part of a mixed-genre box and, while I had a few reservations about that aspect of it, it seemed like a good way to help some of the unpublished writers in our group dip their toe into indie publishing and try it on.
With this and that and the other thing, the box ended up falling apart, but my novella, Pathway to Peace, still got written. And, since I have a cover etc, I figured I might as well go ahead and release it.
When I was trying to figure out what this novella should be about, I started thinking about an old character who, in the first book where she appeared (Courage to Change), was too young for her happy ending. But now, with the years that have passed since the book was written, she was exactly the right age. And so, I got to thinking, and while I did that, as I often do, I threw on some of my favorite romantic movies to try and jiggle the romance out of my brain.
One of my favorite romcoms is You’ve Got Mail. Even though it’s full of the 1990s, it has everything: witty repartee, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, New York City, and bookstores. Really, it’s hard to beat. And I love the setup. The idea that you could fall in love with someone over email all the while not realizing that the friendship you’re developing (with an old enemy) is turning into something more and, oh yeah, that it’s the same guy. It got me thinking: how could you have that same general storyline today? Well, it probably wouldn’t be email. But a wrong text? That could happen.
So I started to write.
The problem, of course, is that even when I try to have some sort of planned out plot, my stories never really behave. So while I was thinking to do sort of a modern riff-slash-retelling of You’ve Got Mail, what I ended up with…was a story where the characters really like the movie. (This is a common issue for me. The only other time I’ve set out to do any sort of retelling was Operation Valentine. That was supposed to be a retelling of Persuasion. And…it’s kind of not. Sadly.)
Regardless, I’m very pleased with how the book turned out and, if you’re a fan of You’ve Got Mail, there are probably some little chuckles in there for you as the characters nod at the movie.
The story is set at Christmas-time, but I’m on the fence about calling it a Christmas novella. I suspect it could’ve been set at any other time of year and, minus a few scenes that would need a tweak, it would still work. So if you’re in the mood for a little Christmas cheer, but not anything over the top, this might be for you.
Here’s the blurb:
All she wants is to leave her past behind.
Lindsey Bowers has spent five years hiding from her mistakes. She’s created a life, such as it is, where few people know about her past. If that means she has to keep people at arm’s length, so be it.
Gavin Harder is ready to tackle the future. Newly relocated to the D.C. area, he plans to spend Christmas with his grandmother and get settled before attending the Police Academy in January. He’s can’t wait to protect and serve with his new brothers in blue.
When Gavin’s grandmother invites Lindsey to share Thanksgiving dinner with them, Gavin makes it clear he’s not looking for a relationship. But the instant attraction he feels has him rethinking that decision. Before long, attraction turns to friendship with the hope of something more.
If they can move beyond the secrets they’re both keeping.
Pathway to Peace will release November 6th. It’s available for pre-order at 99 cents for another few days. Here’s the Amazon link (but if you’re a reader on other platforms, you can find it on your retailer of choice here.)
Do you enjoy retellings? (Or books with a big nod to a movie or other story?) What’s your favorite? Or do you have a romcom you’d like to see redone in book form?
P.S. A Dash of Daring is on sale for 99 cents for a couple of days right now if that’s one you haven’t read yet!
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Good morning, Elizabeth! That is actually one if my favorite movies….so I am even more excited to read your story! Of course I have read all of this series, so naturally I must see the conclusion!!
Thank you for sharing!!
Oh yay! It’s one of my favorite movies too but I know it’s not for everyone :)
Hi Elizabeth! Just ordered a Dash of Daring and looking forward to an inspiring read. As a retiree, who has watched the evolution of communication over the last sixty years, You’ve Got Mail is a delightful movie that makes me chuckle. So many great elements, just like your inspiring story Pathway to Peace, which will not disappoint the reader. I always enjoy reading a story that incorporates a slice of history by mentioning a book or movie or a bit of culture or a tasty dish. Guess I am just nostalgic. Best wishes and enjoy your weekend.
Oh I hope you enjoy A Dash of Daring! And I’m so glad you enjoyed your advance copy of Pathway to Peace. :)
It has been fun for me to see a lot of that same evolution in communication over the years. Technology is fascinating and I can’t wait to see what develops in the future.
Hi, Elizabeth! I’m not sure if I enjoy retellings or not! I guess when I read a novel or novella, I’m not always aware that it’s a re-telling. But I love romantic comedies. Two of my favorites are My Best Friend’s Wedding and Runaway Bride! Your book sounds wonderful!
That’s fair! A lot of what I see retold are fairytales and I think you have to be in the right mood for that (or I do.) I love Runaway Bride! And as much as I enjoy Julia Roberts, I’m not sure I’ve seen My Best Friends Wedding. I might need to fix that.
Elizabeth,
Yes, you must see it! My Best Friend’s Wedding is not a romance, per se. It has romantic elements, though. It’s funny and it has a bittersweet ending.
Ooh, this sounds so good!! I love You’ve Got Mail; I just watched it yet again last week. :)
I enjoy the idea of retellings, but I’m not always happy with them. I usually have expectations that are too high. I can’t think of any books I’ve read “with a big nod to a movie” but I love books with mentions of Jane Austen, because I’m a big JA fan. Also, any fairytale retellings interest me, too. As to a romcom I’d like to see redone in book form, I’m not sure. Maybe “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” or “27 Dresses”?
Oh! I love both those movies – they’d make really fun books. I’m also a big Jane Austen fan – I’ve read a number of books that have nods to her and a few that are retelling-ish. Most we’re pretty good (Katherine Reay and Mary Jane Hathaway are two authors with JA nods that come to mind.)
How cute. I really like You’ve got a mail too. This is definitely in my TBR list.
I’m surprised though that you’re calling it a romcom retelling because most of the Grant us Grace books I’ve read have been deeply emotional to me and dealing with difficult issues (abortion, divorce, ..). Maybe the “secrets” actually go there, but the tone of your post makes it sound more of a lighter reading (romcom ?) than previous books.
Pathway is definitely lighter, but probably not a romcom. There are still a few issues in the book as well, but maybe not *as* heavy as the others.
Picked up Dash of Daring, thank you. :) I enjoyed the nod to You’ve Got Mail in Pathway to Peace and getting to know Lindsey more. Very good read and still gives you something to chew on. I’m not really a movie watcher (when would I read?) and I don’t recall seeing You’ve Got Mail, but you give enough description that people like me can understand.
Oh yay! I was worried about folks who hadnt seen the movie (because it’s old. I don’t really want to admit that because it makes me old ;) but the reality is it was…1996? That’s a long time ago.)
Hm…retellings…not sure. I think it depends on the book :) but I love You’ve Got Mail! Some of my favorites are Sleepless in Seattle and While You Were Sleeping!
Thank you for sharing!
It totally can depend on the book. And my mood :) I love Sleepless and While you were sleeping too!
I seldom watch movies! I know…unbelievable to today’s world!
Not really :) I have several friends who just aren’t into movies for a variety of reasons. There’s something for everyone.
I’ve got Pathway to Peace pre-ordered. It’s been a LONG time since I watched You’ve Got Mail… I’m glad Andrea mentioned that you don’t have to know the movie to enjoy the book. (Of course, I could re-watch You’ve Got Mail!) I think I need to go back and re-read the whole series first though :-)
Rewatching You e Got Mail isn’t a hardship at least :)
Thanks for preordering!
I love You’ve Got Mail. And I loved the 90’s. In Sleepless in Seattle, all the women were mooning over that old movie, so you’ve got me thinking about your characters doing that. Sounds like a great setup.
Oh that’s funny, but it is a little like that :)
The 90s we’re great, I will admit
Some Retellings I enjoy and others I don’t.
Isn’t that the way with all sorts of books? :)
I love retellings and Katherine Reay as some excellent Austen retellings that I’ve really enjoyed. Thanks for telling me about this book. Persuasion is one of my most fav movies!
Persuasion is a big favorite of mine as well :) And yes, Katherine Reay has some delightful influenced by/retellings. So does Kara Isaac now I think about it (hers are definitely influenced by stories rather than retellings.)
Hi Elizabeth, I enjoyed You’ve got Mail and your new story sounds intriguing, and of course I pre-ordered it. I agree – the 90’s and also the 80’s produced the best romcom movies. I’d like to see the English romcom ‘Man Up’ written in book form. After I watched the movie I looked up whether or not it was adapted from a book. :)
Ooh, that’s not one I’ve heard of. I’ll have to see if it’s available to watch in the US. Thanks for preordering!
Not a fan of retellings, but spin-offs are fun! I love books that have nods to popular movies or even other books. It’s fun! Kara Isaac comes to mind. I like the idea of spin-offs, or a retelling with your own spin, like you’ve done, using the movie as a base, but making the story your own. It’s important to create something unique.
It really is always good to do something unique and fresh!