Welcome to another sparkling edition of Jen’s Jewels, where I bring you the inside scoop on exciting new book releases! Today, I have the privilege of featuring an interview with bestselling inspirational fiction author Sarah Sundin, who joins us to discuss her latest World War II novel, EMBERS IN THE LONDON SKY. Known for weaving rich historical detail and poignant relationships into stories of hope and resilience, Sundin gives us an insider’s look into the inspiration behind her new book. Like a precious gem reflecting light, her words offer a glimmering portrait of life during wartime, shining through the darkness of loss and adversity. So come along as we explore this treasure trove of insights with a talented storyteller.   Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to set your novel, EMBERS IN THE LONDON SKY, during the invasion of the Netherlands in 1940 and the subsequent events in London during the Blitz? Sarah Sundin: The kernel of inspiration for this novel was the search for children after the invasion of France and the Low Countries. Since the Blitz has always fascinated me and I hadn’t written a novel centered around those events, I decided to send my heroine to London in…

In this week’s Jen’s Jewels column, James Grippando unveils the creative process behind his latest Jack Swyteck novel, GOODBYE GIRL. The seasoned author and former criminal defense lawyer shares the inspirations that shaped this captivating story, blending elements of real-life courtroom drama and strategic moves in the music industry. Discover the complex dynamics between Jack Swyteck and pop icon Imani Nichols in a tale of piracy, legal battles, and a mysterious murder trial. Goodbye Girl is now available wherever books are sold.     Jennifer Vido: Let’s start by learning more about the genesis of GOODBYE GIRL. What sparked your interest in crafting a narrative rooted in the present-day music business, and how did observing certain aspects of that world inspire the tale you wanted to tell? James Grippando: The idea behind Goodbye Girl percolated in my head for more than a decade. In 2010, I was one of the lawyers involved in an epic courtroom battle for ownership of EMI Records. EMI and its iconic labels have been home to countless recording stars, from Frank Sinatra and the Beatles to Bob Dylan and Mariah Carey. In 2007 EMI was acquired in a deal worth 5.9 billion, and the buyer…

This week I am chatting with Jessica Klagmann about her new novel, THIS IMPOSSIBLE BRIGHTNESS. It’s a story of a woman who journeys to a remote island to deal with her grief. Klagmann gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how she created the main character and mysterious setting. She also discussed the themes of loss, connection, and memory that make this book meaningful. If the premise draws you in, check out the full interview below. And for Amazon Prime members, grab your early access! THIS IMPOSSIBLE BRIGHTNESS is a January First Reads pick.   Jennifer Vido: What sparked the idea for a novel centered around a woman coping with grief on a remote island? Jessica Bryant Klagmann: The idea started with wanting to write about someone who was introverted and sensitive, but who also wanted to do something to make a difference in the world. I’ve been exploring grief for a long time in my writing, and specifically the idea that, when we lose people, they leave behind monuments of who they were, reminders that we can look to for comfort if we’re paying attention. I’d explored some less remote settings before deciding to set it on this fictional island,…

Welcome to Jen’s Jewels, your go-to destination for uncovering the story behind remarkable literary gems. This week, I’m thrilled to shine a spotlight on Jamie Ogle, the gifted mind behind OF LOVE AND TREASON. Join us as Jamie unveils the inspiration that transformed Valentine’s Day from a puzzling celebration into a compelling narrative. Explore with us the extensive research that brought the enchanting backdrop of ancient Rome to life, and discover the delicate balance Jamie strikes between love, courage, and the early church’s indomitable spirit. Step into the heart of Jen’s Jewels where each author and their story is a precious gem waiting to be discovered.   Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to write a captivating story about the legend of St. Valentine? Jamie Ogle: I never really liked Valentine’s Day, and for so many years didn’t understand why we celebrated it. But I have always loved digging into the “why” behind things, and when I finally looked up the origins of the holiday, I was captivated by the story of forbidden marriages and a man who risked his life to marry couples in secret. I couldn’t help but start playing around with a story centering on one of the…

Jennifer Vido: In the enchanting narrative of THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE, the threads of inspiration intertwine with the vibrant tapestry of cultural heritage and the storied history of Acadie. What served as the muse behind your latest release? Laura Frantz: I’ve always been fascinated by Canadian history and how it intersects with the Cajuns of Louisiana who have their own dialect/patois and distinct culture derived from Acadie (French spelling). Acadien history is full of historical fireworks – war, expulsion, divided loyalties, loss, resistance – yet few people know of that lost, very tragic history today. In writing this novel I hope to keep this history alive, not only to learn from it but to never repeat it. I find it noteworthy that in 2003, a Royal Proclamation was signed in Canada wherein Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged for the first time the wrongs committed in the name of the English Crown during the Acadian deportation of 1755.   Jen: Please delve into the details of your research journey and unravel the most fascinating nugget of information you stumbled upon during the process. Laura: There are some excellent nonfiction works I mention in my author note at the back of the novel as…

Jennifer Vido: What’s the premise behind the Merry Wrath Mysteries? Leslie Langtry: The Merry Wrath Cozy Comedies feature our heroine – Merry Wrath, a former CIA agent who was ‘accidentally’ outed from the spy biz by a scheming Vice President. With only seven years of field work under her belt before a forced early retirement, Merry goes back to her hometown, Who’s There, Iowa, where her best friend convinces her to start a Girl Scout troop. Merry thinks this is going to be easy, but soon discovers that little girls can be more terrifying than actual terrorists.   Jen: What inspired your new release, MATCH BOX MURDER? Leslie: I was a Girl Scout as a kid, a Girl Scout Leader for ten years, and a volunteer at camp for twelve, teaching zip line, archery, low ropes and canoeing. I love it when Merry and the troop go back to camp and discover a body! By the way, I should say that it has never happened to me or my troop. In real life, we probably would’ve had rather different reactions to tripping over bodies. Okay, my troop would’ve been fascinated, but the trip would’ve been cut short and that would’ve…

Jennifer Vido: What inspired your new release, GROUNDS FOR MURDER? Lena Gregory: Let me start by saying, I love ice cream. It’s my all-time favorite dessert. The thought of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor on Main Street in a small town brings to mind memories of childhood, when every concert, play, and dance recital ended at the local ice cream shop. It was not only a place to grab dessert, but a venue where local gossip ran rampant. My first job was working early mornings in my grandfather’s deli in a small town on eastern Long Island. I can still remember getting up at four in the morning to go in and stock shelves, the scent of kaiser rolls with butter and bacon frying, Neapolitan ice cream sandwiches on waffles, and the gossip. Boy was there gossip. I have such fond memories of my grandfather (the inspiration for Uncle Jimmie) standing behind the counter, leaning forward, enjoying shooting the breeze with customers My grandmother knew everyone by name, and assumed everyone else did too. She used to start off a conversation with, “Can you believe Jeremy did this, or did you hear Katrina did that?” As if you would automatically…

Jennifer Vido: What inspired the third book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries, SNOW PLACE FOR MURDER? Diane Kelly: I had many inspirations for this book! Most of all, I wanted to write a winter-set book because I love playing in the snow. I enjoy downhill skiing, though my skills and daring topped out quickly and I stay on the bunny slopes with the beginners. I also like ice skating, sledding, and building snowmen. I spent a few years in Nebraska when I was young, and had so much fun playing in the snow with my siblings and the kids from the neighborhood. Secondly, my husband and I own a small vacation home in Beech Mountain, where the Mountain Lodge Mysteries series is set. I hear a lot of debate from locals in Beech Mountain about development. Some are all for growth, while others are totally against it, and all of their reasons and feelings are valid. I wanted to explore that conflict in this book. Lastly, the winter holidays mean family time, and I love when my kids come home to celebrate. I wanted to give Misty some time with her boys, who are away at college. It was fun…

Jennifer Vido: What inspired your new release, HER SECRET HOPE, the final book in A Season in Pinecraft series? Shelley Shephard Gray: I was excited to write this third book because in a lot of ways I knew it was going to be the most difficult to write. Of the three friends portrayed in the Pinecraft trilogy, Lilly Kurtz had the most to overcome. I also wanted to tie up the series in a neat bow-something that isn’t always easy for me to do-I’m usually anxious to continue their stories.   Jen: For those unfamiliar with the trilogy, what brings Lilly Kurtz to Pinecraft, Florida? Shelley: Like her two best friends Mary Margaret and Betsy, Lilly first journeyed to Pinecraft for a vacation and to do a bit of soul-searching. In this novel, her two friends are already married and she’s feeling a little left-out all over again. She takes a job at the Marigold Inn as a maid to not only give her a way to make a living but to enable her to be independent. She soon becomes part of the inn’s work family.   Jen: What happens when she crosses paths with Eddie Byler? Shelley:  Eddie Byler…

Jennifer Vido: What’s the inspiration behind THE WISHING BRIDGE? Viola Shipman: A Zillow notification! Pardon the long story, but every novel I write is inspired by a deeply personal memory. THE WISHING BRIDGE is no different. I actually received a Zillow notification that my childhood home was for sale. I looked at the listing, and I saw the new photos of it. We’d sold it years before after my mother passed away and my father fell ill, but seeing the photos again sent me into a time warp, especially of the trees we planted when I was young. Growing up, I used to watch a Charlie Brown Christmas (which premiered, btw, the year I was born) while sitting in my grandma’s lap eating frosted Santa cookies. My grandma’s home was the epicenter – the North Pole – of my life growing up at the holidays. She lived in a tiny, one-story cottage with a huge wraparound porch that seemed to be a hundred degrees in the living room before a fire was started and a 120 degrees in her kitchen before the oven was lit.  Every inch of her home was decorated: Blow moulds of Santa, snowmen and Rudolph –…