About the Book
Book: Tracy: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Masterpiece (Book 6 of the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. It can be read as a stand-alone.)
Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary
Genre: Sweet, Wholesome Romance (Retro)
Release date: October, 2024
Her heart can’t take more breakage…
…He’s been wounded enough
Yet they’re becoming best friends without ever having met.
Tracy Callahan has learned that relationships aren’t for her. The struggling glass artist puts up barriers to keep romantic entanglements from causing more pain. However, her feelings are growing for her roommate’s brother, despite having never seen him in person.
How can just his voice on the phone hold that much attraction?
Danny Mitchell left a large part of himself in Viet Nam and is learning how to navigate life back here in the states. It’s better to just avoid the public. As long as he doesn’t have to see anyone in person, he can pretend he’s his old self, and the caller on the other end of the phone won’t know the difference.
But Tracy is breaking through, resurrecting feelings he thought were dead and gone.
They might find a way to make a telephone relationship work. Unless meddling loved ones get involved.
When that happens, can Tracy and Danny’s friendship survive meeting face-to-face?
Or could there be something more than friendship in store for them? Maybe a God-designed masterpiece built from their broken parts?
Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana where the legend of the cardinal in the sycamore can still prove true love.
You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of hidden worth, because sometimes what we need is right in front of us.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Historical Christian Romance author, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawland The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.
More from Jennifer
Have you ever met characters in a story that stayed with you, even when they weren’t the main characters? That’s what happened to me after I wrote Runaround Sue. Sue’s brother and her roommate seemed to hit it off so well, and I loved those characters.
It only made sense to give Tracy and Danny their own story.
However, I will confess that I had planned to make a character named Tracy because of the song, “Tracy” by the Cufflinks. It’s such a happy, bouncy tune and I thought that fit Sue’s roommate.
I do need to add that I relied on a childhood friend for some Danny’s antics. At one point I was told that something he did wasn’t possible. The problem was, I knew it was because my friend, Maureen McKay did that very thing. Maureen had a personality like Tracy’s and determination like Danny’s.
A few years ago I was back in Kokomo for a special wedding anniversary party. I noticed a guy sitting at a table and went to talk with him. At that time, I was combing faces for someone I’d known back when I went to school there. He had that look, but as we talked, it was obvious we didn’t know each other.
A little later I told my cousin about that, and she said that he was ahead of us in school, but he had a younger sister who would’ve been about my age. I knew immediately why he’d looked familiar. He was Maureen’s big brother.
I searched him and his mother out quickly and let them know I remembered Maureen. I mentioned a few of our escapades. Then I told them that my husband and I had lost a son, and that the kindest thing anyone could say was that they remembered our Ian. So, for that reason, I wanted them to know I remember Maureen.
And that’s why Tracy is dedicated to the memory of my friend Maureen McKay.
MY REVIEW
I have followed this series all the way to the this last book. The family in the series has become very special and I’m sad to see it end. Each book focuses on a different time period and has characters that are relatable. The author does talk about a few sensitive subjects like PTSD and suicide. As we begin this last book we are traveling to 1973. The end of the Vietnam war has just been declared over. Let’s see what adventure the author has in store first her readers.
Tracy is very sweet and has a big dream of becoming a well known glass artist. The author does a great job of describing Tracy’s work. It is so incredible to visualize how creative her work is. Tracy isn’t sure of her skills so she holds back from showing anyone her designs. She has a big heart to help others and in a way I think it helps her to feel needed.
Danny has returned from Vietnam with scars physically and some no one can see. He is cautious of everyone and has a hard time opening up. I liked how his friendship with Tracy helped him feel a little more confident. Even though they have never met, their friendship is strong. It is easier to talk to each other on the phone, but at some point they may want to meet in person.
I remember the bracelets that many wore during the war. I actually had one that I never took off. Each bracelet had a person’s name on it that was MIA. The thought of not knowing if a family member was safe was hard on everyone. As news of the war ending is broadcast, I wondered if Danny will be able to deal with his deployment . If you read history books you know how many died or came back changed forever. I appreciate the author using this war in her book and showing how lives were tragically lost. For those who did return, they face the effects of war everyday .
The best character for me was Danny. We get to see his struggles with PTSD in a very realistic way. Not only does he relive the war but with his disabilities he feels insecure. Going to meetings help some, but when faced with meeting someone in person his anxiety goes into overdrive. I can relate to insecurity and anxiety very well. It is a difficult journey for many and Danny will need to trust God to find his worth.
Both Tracy and Danny fight against rejection. They both think they are not good enough. Tracy is so afraid to have a relationship that she almost sabotages them. Danny doesn’t feel like an adult because there are everyday things he can’t do. Will Tracy and Danny discover what their worth is? The story reminds me of a scripture that says, “pride cometh before a fall.” Sometimes we focus on what we don’t have that we forget what we do have.
This has been a very good story and I’m overjoyed with the ending. The author has given us many memorable characters throughout the series that illustrated forgiveness, pride, rejection, faith and unconditional love.
“Until you conquer your fear of how people might view you, you’ll never be ready to live your life.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 21
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 22
Texas Book-aholic, January 23
Vicky Sluiter, January 24 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, January 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 26 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27
Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29
For the Love of Literature, January 30 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 31
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 1 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, February 2
Blossoms and Blessings, February 3 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, February 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54137
She ran away from the war only to find herself in the middle of it. Who will protect her now?
Award-winning author Marilyn Turk writes historical and contemporary novels laced with suspense and romance. She especially likes finding little-known historical tidbits to include in her books. In addition to fiction, Marilyn is a contributor to Guideposts’ Walking in Grace and other anthologies. She and her husband are lighthouse enthusiasts, have visited over 100 lighthouses, and served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine.
Empower your children with the gift of tenacity through these practical, meaningful tools for their mental and spiritual health.
Chris Morris is a certified mental health coach dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health issues within the church. Because of a lifelong struggle with depression and suicidality, Chris became committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging others to seek after holistic health.
Twelve-year-old Ginnie West has always been haunted by her mom’s tragic accident—and by the fact that her mom’s prized trick-riding horse, Eternal Love, was sold shortly afterward.
A country boy by birth and by choice, Gary spent his youth working on the family farm, for local farmers and ranchers, on horseback or playing sports. Offered scholarships in Agriculture and Advertising Design, he opted for the bright lights and big city. Eight years in the advertising field convinced him that wasn’t where he wanted to be.
Nash Montgomery is always up for a good time. But when a senior prank goes too far, his baseball scholarship is put at risk, threatening the future everyone expects him to follow. The consequences earn him community service at a local youth center where he discovers a passion that defies the path he thought had been laid out for him.
I’m Jennifer Carr. I’m a wife, homeschooling mom, baker, part-time farmer, social media addict, and an avid reader. I’m a lover of coffee, music, learning, animals, and writing.