Welcome to Jen’s Jewels, where we delve into the sparkling gems of the literary world. In today’s installment, we sit down with the talented Savannah Carlisle to uncover the inspirations behind her enchanting debut novel, THE LIBRARY OF SECOND CHANCES. From clandestine notes in a Little Free Library to the intertwining paths of Lucy and Logan, join us as we unravel the threads of community, love, and historic preservation woven throughout this captivating tale. With insights into character motivations, themes of resilience, and a tantalizing glimpse into Savannah’s next project, this conversation promises to be a literary treasure trove for readers eager to explore the depths of small-town charm and heartfelt romance.
Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to write THE LIBRARY OF SECOND CHANCES? Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked the idea for Lucy and Logan’s story?
Savannah Carlisle: It started with the idea of leaving index cards in a Little Free Library so people could write notes to stick in the book they’re leaving telling people why they should read it. Then I thought it would be fun if the locals in this small town signed their notes with pen names, because maybe someone like Bob the hardware store owner doesn’t want to admit he’s reading romance novels. That (probably inevitably) led to the idea that two people might start leaving books specifically for each other, and the idea for a budding romance came from there.
Jen: What motivates Lucy to maintain the Little Free Library?
Savannah: Lucy was devastated when the town’s library was forced to close because of a lack of funding. She tried to fundraise to save it, but when she wasn’t successful, she asked Bob at the hardware store to help her build a Little Free Library. Although Lucy owns the bookstore in town, she is a big believer that books should be freely available to everyone in town.
Jen: What are Lucy’s sentiments regarding Logan Lancaster’s role in addressing the town’s budget deficit?
Savannah: Lucy understands the town needs to change some things to remain solvent, but she wants to look for solutions that don’t change the character of the waterfront or the historic downtown. She knows Logan has previously worked in much bigger cities, and she fears he’s going to over commercialize the area and ruin its historic charm.
Jen: How do Lucy and Logan navigate the obstacles in their relationship, especially considering their differing opinions on the town’s waterfront expansion?
Savannah: Although Lucy and Logan have very different opinions about how the waterfront situation should be handled, at their core they have a love of historic preservation that allows them to find some common ground. However, Lucy is far more stubborn than Logan, and it requires a great deal of patience on his part to find any compromises along the way.
Jen: Lucy’s involvement in the community is a central aspect of her character. How important is community and connection in your story?
Savannah: Lucy’s family has lived on Heron Isle for generations, and she only left briefly for college and her first job before returning to take over the town’s bookstore. Unfortunately, Lucy’s mother left when she was five, moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, and her father passed after she moved back to the island. In many ways, the entire town helped raise Lucy and then stepped in to help her after her father’s passing. Her neighbors and fellow business owners aren’t just her friends, they’re family.
Jen: Lucy must have a vast reading list as an avid book lover. What books are currently on her TBR (To Be Read) stack and on yours?
Savannah: Lucy reads widely so she can recommend the best books for every reader! Her current TBR includes: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava, The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice, The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley, and The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly. My TBR is full of upcoming summer releases I can’t wait for: A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Fly Away Summer by Lindsay Gibson, The Law of Attraction by Nancy Naigle, Until Next Summer by Ali Brady and One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware.
Jen: As an author, how do you hope readers will connect with Lucy and Logan’s journey?
Savannah: I hope that people will find some piece of themselves in Lucy or Logan, who each have unique challenges to overcome. Lucy needs to get better at accepting change, and she has a long way to go when it comes to believing in herself. Meanwhile, Logan needs to learn how to stand still and how to build connections with other people. Ultimately, they both have to be willing to take some leaps of faith, and I think that’s something we all have to be willing to do if we want to change our current circumstances.
Jen: Without giving too much away, can you tease any details about your next project? Are you planning to explore another quaint setting or delve into a different genre?
Savannah: My next novel will be set in another small island town in Florida and has some similar themes around community and historic preservation. This probably owes to the fact that I live on a small barrier island in Florida and used to practice historic preservation law. This story is about high school sweethearts who are forced to confront one another after more than a decade apart, and in doing so realize how far they’ve each veered from the path they intended.
Jen: How can readers stay connected with you and your upcoming projects? Do you engage with your audience through social media, newsletters, or other platforms?
Savannah: I can’t wait to start hearing from readers now that my debut is out! I have a twice-monthly newsletter and am on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok as @SavvyCarlisle.
Jen: Thank you so much for chatting with us about your new release, THE LIBRARY OF SECOND CHANCES, and we’re looking forward to your next project!
Savannah: Thank you for your interest in my debut! I can’t wait to hear about what people think of Lucy and Logan’s love story.
About Jennifer Vido
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry filled with southern charm and hospitality. In between chapters, she interviews authors for her bi-weekly Jen’s Jewels column on FreshFiction.com. Most mornings, she teaches an arthritis-friendly water exercise class for seniors before heading to the office to serve as the executive director of a legal non-profit. A New Jersey native, she currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two rescue dogs and is the proud parent of two sons who miss her home-cooked meals. To learn more, please visit her website.
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