Ah, two weeks off in a row! I love when writer-friends take over. 🙂 So, the lovely Judith Ashley was featured last week (thank you, Judith!), and this week, we have Jennifer DeCuir. 
Thanks for being in this week’s spotlight, Jennifer (and for giving me an extended vacay 😉 ). Take it away!
It’s trending now – contemporary romances set in small town America. A series built on characters and businesses, landmarks you’ve come to know and love. You meet the town veterinarian in one book, but the romance is focused on another hero. The great thing about a small-town series is that you know the chances of Mr. Vet getting his own book is very good. These series can be as open-ended as necessary, to build on families and communities until every major secondary character has gotten their happily-ever-after.
The best part about writing my Scallop Shores series is that I get to blend in all the favorite things I loved about growing up in a small town with new and interesting places I’ve discovered over the years. And this is my world – so if I want matching striped awnings on all the downtown buildings, with giant whiskey barrels full of colorful blooms – BOOM! I get them. Along with the historic churches, gaol (yes, it was really spelled that way back in the 1600’s), charming cemeteries dating back hundreds of years and the most amazing little ice cream shack with a spectacular view of the lighthouse.
Reading a book set in Scallop Shores is like taking a little vacation to the southern coast of Maine. Always featured is Logan’s Bakery, where Cady bides her time, making lattes for those willing to try out her ‘fancy coffee drinks’, and matchmaking, until she can earn enough money to move to New York City. Folks often find their way to the town library, where children’s librarian, Bree, is always willing to drop everything to help a friend. Each new book brings back old locales and introduces new ones. In Wynter’s Journey, readers discover The Book Nook, the bookstore Wynter has dreamed of running since she was a little girl.
There are hunky handymen, sexy single dads, even a celebrity-in-hiding to make sure the women in town sit up and take notice. Cranky old men, crankier pregnant women, smothering family members and some who would kick you to the curb. You’ll find them all in Scallop Shores. And have I mentioned the children? As Dean asks in Five of Hearts, “Is there something in the water?” One set of triplets, two sets of twins and all kinds of adorable kids and babies. I’m not going to lie – I LOVE writing about the little ones.
At the moment, I am writing Cady’s story with Bree whispering ideas in my ear every chance she gets. Apparently my characters think I can handle writing more than one book at a time. Good grief! I have an idea for a Christmas novella for paraplegic war hero, Riley. I’d love to do something involving a firefighter. And there is always the lobsterman or fisherman angle, to stay true to my Maine heritage. But I know I’ll eventually have to say goodbye to Scallop Shores… because I also have an idea brewing for a different series set in another small town. A writer’s got to write… right? 🙂
~ Jennifer
Jennifer DeCuir writes small town contemporary romances while wrangling two kids, a husband who acts like a big kid and three neurotic pets. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she can’t get enough sunshine or caffeine. Her series Scallop Shores, published by Crimson Romance, is based on her hometown of York, Maine. When she isn’t writing or reading, she is probably adding to her obsessively huge yarn stash and wondering what gifts she’s going to crochet for Christmas this year.
Social Media Links:
Twitter: http://bit.ly/160UYHt
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Website: http://bit.ly/1bbkFom
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1aE8XBg
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1k35SPl
Drawn to Jonah (a RONE 2014 Nominee and 2nd place winner in the 2012 ECO contest)
Quinn finds new purpose in life caring for the local handyman’s daughter and teaching the sexy single dad how to read. He knows he owes her a huge debt, but he’ll start by giving her his heart.
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/1bSSBHr
B&N link: http://bit.ly/1aHR9IP
Five of Hearts
Shannon is a single mom to triplets. Dean is a former boy band member hiding from the latest fake paternity scam. They couldn’t be more wrong for each other. Sometimes falling in love is more about chance than choice.
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/Mp0ahN
B&N link: http://bit.ly/1eK6ypW
Wynter’s Journey (A 2nd place winner in the 2013 ECO contest)
A childhood promise brings Wynter and Sam together again after tragedy ripped them apart over ten years earlier. Fate has given him a second chance to tell her how he feels. This time he’s not going to run.
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/Qlv4cG
B&N: http://bit.ly/1m2yOxy
I love the concept of creating a series of novels focusing on different members of a group, whether it’s a small town or a family or a knitting club or whatever, and your Scallop Shores series sounds just delightful, Jennifer!
Thanks, Liv. The residents of Scallop Shores feel like extended family to me. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share.
Hi Jennifer! I’ve never visited Maine, and I’ve always wanted to vacation there. I have a feeling I’ll get that vacation quite soon – and I won’t even have to book a plane ticket. I look forward to reading the Scallop Shores series. I love the fact that it takes place in a new and original location. May you have much success and many sales!
Deborah, you could always have your cake and eat it too – book a trip to Maine (I recommend anywhere on the coast) and read any of the Scallop Shores books on the plane. 😉 Though I admit, having the option of taking your book vacation from the comfort of your couch, or bed (or outside if the weather cooperates) is pretty ideal. Enjoy your “trip”. 🙂
Enjoyed your post so much, Jennifer! I grew up in small towns, and used to think I’d want to get away. Laredo’s waay bigger than the towns I grew up in (although we were near Atlanta at times) but I think I value small towns and their talented, loving (mostly) folks more than ever now. And don’t even talk kids to me…what’s a town, or a story, or love without children somewhere in the vicinity? Looking forward to visiting Scallop Shores this summer!
Ah, Leslie, you’re making miss my own hometown. I need to get back there soon. My kids need to know where their mom grew up (that there were more trees than houses, back then). I think they’d love it. Thanks for sharing your own memories. 🙂
I loved the book Wynter’s Journey a Scallop Shores Novel. I think it would be great to have a book about Sam’s friend Riley written including Sam and Wynter’s wedding.