Donna Jo Stone: Spotlight on Joann: Apron Strings Book Five
This week I’m excited to share Donna Jo Stone’s spotlight on Joann, her contribution to the Apron Strings Series. I haven’t read any of the Apron Strings books yet, but they look so interesting!
If you’d like a chance to win a copy of Donna Jo’s book, be sure to comment below by May 21. She’s offering a signed paperback to a US winner or an ebook if the winner is international.
Welcome to my blog, Donna Jo!
Joann: Apron Strings Book 5 is full of a number of my favorite things, so I thought I’d highlight a few that I incorporated into the story.
Old stores. Historical places you can walk through fascinate me. While my story takes place in fictional Pecan Ridge, Louisiana, I based my store on one like T.C. Lindsey & Co., a family run store in Texas that’s been open continuously since 1847. Currently, T.C. Lindsey is a combination museum and store, selling clothing, snacks, books, and gifts. As I meandered through the store, I imagined what life was like for the people who’d lived and worked there in the past, from trading post days to more recent times. If the walls could truly talk, you can be sure I’d be taking notes!
Strong families. Even if they are imperfect and have issues. No spoilers here, but Joann’s world is shaken up quite often due to family.
Romance. Joann is a bit of a wallflower when it comes to romance. She got her heart broken once by the only boy she ever loved, yet they’re still friends. Because the story is a romance, you can guess what happens by the ending, but let’s just say it can be a bumpy road because of their history.
Sisters. Joann has the role of both big sister and fill-in mother for her younger sibling, making for a complicated relationship. But what sister relationship isn’t complicated? Their devotion to each other is the bond that helps them through tough times.
Small community. The regulars coming into the store every morning for coffee and a game of checkers. The sweet neighbor lady missing her deployed son, a lady who Joann tries to help by giving her a job in the store. The high school rival showing up periodically to poke at Joann. (In a small town, there’s always someone to add a little salt to the sweet, isn’t there?)
History. Joann’s story takes place as the conflict in Vietnam is escalating. The 1960s is a fascinating time to study, and I found plenty of old photographs and newspaper articles. In Joann’s story, I integrated a few recognizable locations and events, such as Barksdale AFB, Shreveport places of business, and KWKH radio. Before I started writing Joann, I had no idea RAM records in Shreveport was actually a woman-owned business. It wasn’t common for women to be in those positions at the time. For Joann’s story, it seemed natural for her to visit with such a person, so I created a character and studio inspired by the idea of a woman owner.
Music. In my novel, Joann goes to the drive-in to see the (then) newly released movie The Sound of Music, which my family often teases me over because I know all the songs. It may have been the subconscious inspiration for this post!
I hope my readers find many of their favorite things sprinkled throughout Joann’s story, but even more, I hope they come to a greater understanding of the comfort of leaning on and trusting in God.
Thanks so much for sharing some favorite things from your book, Donna Jo. It sounds like a great read!
Comment on Donna Jo Stone’s spotlight post by May 21 for a chance to win her book, Joann: Apron Strings Book 5. (Signed PB for US winner or ebook for international) #giveaway
TweetJoin the conversation. Have you read any of the Apron Strings books? If not, would you like to? Which decade in the series interests you most? What aspects of Donna Jo’s favorite things in her book appeal to you?
Be sure to comment below by May 21 for a chance to win Donna Jo’s book! One US winner will receive a signed paperback, or an international winner will receive an ebook.
Joann: Apron Strings Book Five by Donna Jo Stone
Click the book cover for purchase link
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?
Available for kindle, in paperback, and on KU.
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.
Connect with Donna Jo: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon / YA Almost an Author Writing Column
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If you missed last week’s Zoom conversation with Sarah Loudin Thomas, find it here!
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
24 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Jeanette, the winner of Donna’s book!
Cherie J
Sounds like a wonderful story. I love the time it is set in.
Deena Adams
Same here, Cherie!
Donna Jo Stone
It was so interesting researching the time period! Thanks for commenting.
Teresa Warner
New author and series for me, thanks for the chance!
Deena Adams
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading!
Stephanie
I don’t want to be entered in the giveaway because I already own and have read Joann and want another fortunate reader to be blessed by this story. I loved the historical setting sorinkled with small details that make me feel like I know the time period (even though I was born almost a decade later) and her characters who feel so real. Donna captures so much of a character’s journey without spelling every single thing out for a reader–because she knows readers are smart and will pick up on the cues. I hope many readers find her books.
Vickie
Oh, the Aprin Strings books sound like they would be fun to read. I was a teenager in 1965, so reading a book that takes place during the ’60s and the Vietnam era would be nice.
Deena Adams
Hi, Vickie. I think the Apron Strings books sound like fun too. Such a great concept!
Donna Jo Stone
I’ll bet you would know all the songs I mention in the book! The 60s must have been an intersting time to grow up.
Robin Auten
This sounds wonderful. This is the first time I have heard of this author and her books. How wonderful it would be to actually win a copy. Thank you
Deena Adams
You’re so welcome, Robin. Thanks for reading and joining the conversation!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Stephanie! I love your heart to support Donna and spread the word about her book.
Donna Irvin
Oh, I love Louisiana especially Shreveport! This series so interesting I want to read them all!
Deena Adams
Hi, Donna. This series looks interesting to me too! Thanks for reading the interview and commenting.
Donna Jo Stone
There’s alwasy something to do in Shreveport! Plenty of history, too.
Jeanette Davis
I have not read any of the books in this series. But this book sounds so good. I also grew up in the Vietnam era…totally different world than the world today! I have to say that Donna Jo Stone looks remarkedly like Deena Adams…kept going back and forth looking at the pictures! Are you related (mother/daughter?). The books sounds so incredible Thanks for this opportunity to win a copy.
Deena Adams
Hi, Jeanette. Donna and I aren’t related, at least as far as I know! Thanks for reading the interview. 🙂
Donna Jo Stone
Thank you for entering!
Donna Jo Stone
Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Deena!
Deena Adams
The pleasure is mine, Donna!
Priscilla Bettis
Congratulations to Donna on this latest release. Joann sounds like a fun read!
Deena Adams
Doesn’t it sound fun, Priscilla?! I love the series concept.
Donna Jo Stone
Thank you!