About the Book

Book: Joann: Apron Strings Book Five

Author: Donna Jo Stone

Genre: Inspirational Historical (1960s) Romance

Release date: May 15, 2024

One cookbook connects them all…
Joann ~ Book Five in a string of heartfelt inspirational stories, featuring different women throughout the decades from 1920 to 2020.

Twenty-four-year-old Joann Kincaid’s life ambition is to one day run the family’s general store in Pecan Grove, Louisiana. It’s 1965 and the times may be a-changing, but Joann’s father is stubbornly hanging on to old-fashioned views about what he wants for his daughter. She’s just as determined to prove she’s a capable businesswoman.

In the past, she entertained romantic dreams alongside her vision for the store but discarded those notions when her high school sweetheart, Nathan, left for college. Now he’s back to reestablish his family’s farm—and a relationship with Joann. She still loves him but isn’t sure she can trust him.

As the conflict in Vietnam escalates, there’s a real possibility Nathan could be drafted. Should Joann pursue her lifelong dream to continue her family’s legacy? Or give Nathan a chance to prove he’ll be her true and committed love before it’s too late for them?

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About the Author

Donna Jo Stone writes southern-flavored novels for the inspirational and general market. Her stories are often about people facing tough times. Not all of her books have romance but when they do, the romances are sweet. No graphic language, sex, or violence, just plenty of heart-tugging emotion with endings that leave readers with a sense of hope.

More from Donna

Joann: Apron Strings Book 5 is part of the Apron Strings series, a multi-author project. When Jenny Knipfer, the organizer behind the project, approached me about joining the lineup of authors, I was immediately intrigued. An old cookbook passed down each decade to a new character? Small towns? Romance? Sign me up!

The books in this inspirational series are connected by one single cookbook, Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, as it passes from character to character. The cookbook contains more than recipes. Through time, women have penned encouraging words, quotes, and scriptures in the margins. There are eleven books in the Apron Strings series—one for every decade from 1920 to 2020. My novel, Joann, takes place in the 1960s.

One of Joann’s specialties is a popular 60s favorite, Jello with Dream Whip. No recipe needed there. Joann uses recipes from Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, but she would’ve relied on a cake mix every now and then, such as in the recipe at this link, Joann’s Easy Blueberry Pound Cake. https://donnajostone.wordpress.com/2024/04/24/from-the-apron-strings-kitchen-joanns-easy-blueberry-pound-cake/

Another name for this should be Disappearing Blueberry Pound Cake, because that’s what happens when I make it! This cake has become a family favorite. As far as how Joann’s cooking attempts using Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book come out, you’ll have to read the novel to see. In the back of my novel there’s another recipe, one that would’ve appeared in Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. All of the Apron Strings books have a recipe or two (or more) in the back.

Parts of Joann’s story are fun and lighthearted, but she also faces serious issues during uncertain times. I hope readers enjoy reading Joann, but also hope they come away from her story with a deeper understanding of the comfort that comes from trusting God with the future.

MY REVIEW

Flashback to 1965 where we find out main character Joann working at her family’s general store. She would love to make some upgrades to the store, but her father is stuck in his ways. She dreams of one day running the store by herself but will that ever happen? I enjoyed the way the author paints a picture of this time period with expressive words. Things were just starting to take a change in the world as the Vietnam War was looming.

Following customers around the store was fun as they asked for Sunbeam bread and fresh strawberries that had just been delivered. Poor Joann can’t catch a break with her father. This does make for some challenging moments between them. Some people just don’t like change and her father thinks the store needs to stay the same for the sake of the customers. I guess he hadn’t heard of changing with the times.

The relationship between Nathan and Joann can be described as almost ready to commit but not quite. It’s like a slow dance they played with each other. Nathan is thoughtful, kind and sure does work hard. I loved how he was always willing to help Joann out and was there for her when she needs a friend. I began to wonder if this relationship would ever blossom.

With a bit of turmoil going on in Joann’s family, she turns to Nathan for comfort. It seemed natural that they could share their problems with each other. I did like how they both were grounded in the Word and read scriptures to help them with difficult situations they faced. Joann doesn’t have a mother to go to which you can tell has affected her.

Be sure and pick up a copy and find out what plan God has for Joann. She faces hard decisions as the story illustrates waiting on God. We may have our own plans , but God directs our path.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.