Leslie DeVooght: Spotlight on Stealing Magnolias & a Giveaway
I’m happy to introduce you to Contemporary Women’s Fiction author Leslie DeVooght. She’s spotlighting her debut novel, Stealing Magnolias, and giving away a paperback copy! (US resident only) To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below by May 27.
Welcome, Leslie! I’m looking forward to hearing a little about your story. Take it away!
When I started brainstorming Stealing Magnolias, the main character, Wren, was going to be searching for her mother’s birth family because she believed it would explain why she didn’t fit in with her family. I actually wrote a really funny scene where she discovers that her mother is from the South, and much to her sister’s chagrin, a preteen Wren makes herself a curtain dress like Scarlett O’Hara. After a lot more brainstorming with my writing group and on my own, I realized that Wren’s obsession with all things Southern was more about her escaping her reality in a very safe, very controlled way.
However, the challenges Wren’s grandmother leaves in her will send Wren on a journey of self discovery and enable Wren to find her true calling without the pressures of her family. Wren needed to get away from her regular life to have the space to grow into the person she didn’t know she could be.
At one point Wren comments, “The characters I admire the most are strong but also compassionate. They are fighters, but also peacemakers. They have these amazing relationships where they support and encourage one another. I don’t know. I guess I wanted to have all those things, but thought they only existed in this far-off land. Maybe I could’ve found them in Chicago, but for whatever reason, I didn’t seek them there.”
I hope Wren’s story reminds the reader how unique we each are to the world and how God gave us specific talents and characteristics that we should use to serve Him and others. We often spend too much time and energy comparing ourselves to others and trying to please people when we should be focused on pleasing God.
“Since this is the life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” (Galatians 5:25-26, The Message)
One of my favorite parts of writing is layering in sweet romance and funny lines with poignant moments and life lessons. I hope the reader not only enjoys the world of Magnolia Bluff but also wants to return to read more about the place where love is always in bloom.
Sounds like a story any Women’s Fiction fan will love! And I love your character’s name, Wren. That’s my stepdad’s name and my youngest granddaughter’s middle name.
Thanks so much for sharing on the blog this week and for the giveaway! I pray the Lord will continue to bless you as you write for Him.
Visit the #HopeFilledFiction blog and comment on Leslie DeVooght’s spotlight post by 5/27 for a chance to win her debut #ContemporaryWomensFiction novel. #giveaway
TweetJoin the conversation. Are you a Women’s Fiction fan? Does Leslie’s book sound like one you’d like to read? What questions or comments do you have for Leslie?
Be sure to comment below by May 27 for a chance to win a paperback of Stealing Magnolias! (US resident only)
Stealing Magnolias by Leslie DeVooght
Click the book cover for purchase link
When Wren Frazier heads south to honor her grandmother’s final wish, she finds five unexpected challenges, one grumpy (but handsome) neighbor, and maybe—herself.
Although an artist, Wren packed away her brushes and paints and sought a practical career as an interior designer in Chicago. She’s always put herself last, happy to please everyone around her. But with a team of dedicated co-workers and a small town of quirky characters supporting her, she’s forced to give herself a little attention. As her artistic heart starts to awaken, Wren finds herself rediscovering the joy of creation and living authentically.
But while she’s exploring the enchanting Georgia Low Country, creating beautiful paintings, and taking a chance on love, she uncovers a secret that shakes the foundation of her newfound happiness. With the revelation threatening to ruin the delicate balance Wren has only begun to realize, will she give up her fairytale and return to her reality?
Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction inspired by romcoms, coastal Georgia, and fried okra! While Leslie and her family live in Jacksonville, Florida, they often visit her hometown of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where she loves to go for long walks on the beach.
A graduate of Florida Southern College and Mercer Law School, Leslie is always revising her life from prosecutor to judge to PTA president to author of happily-ever-afters.
Join Leslie’s newsletter HERE to receive her free book, If Only.
Please share Leslie’s spotlight on social media to help spread the word about her debut novel!
If you missed Megan Besing’s interview last week about her Romantic Suspense, Rescued Heart, 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 a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
31 Comments
Cherie J
I do enjoy women’s fiction and this book sounds amazing.
Deena Adams
Thanks for chiming in, Cherie!
Roxanne V.
I enjoy reading Women’s Fiction, especially when I want a story that focuses on family relationships and/or friendships instead of romance. Wren interests me as a character, especially her creative journey.
Deena Adams
I really enjoy Women’s Fiction too for the same reasons you noted, Roxanne. Thanks for your comments!
Leslie DeVooght
I hope you like the story.
Traci Winget
Sounds intriguing! Thanks for introducing us to a new author. Looking forward to reading her work.
Deena Adams
My pleasure, Traci! Thanks for reading the spotlight and joining the conversation. 🙂
Lynn Moore
A southern community, family….with secrets to be revealed along with personal discovery and a little romance for good measure?
Yes please! 🙋🏻♀️
Deena Adams
It sounds like a great story, doesn’t it, Lynn? Thanks for your comments. 🙂
Diana Hardt
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Deena Adams
Hi, Diana. It’s my pleasure to share new authors on my blog and expose readers to great Christian Fiction!
Patty
I do enjoy women’s fiction, and especially southern women’s fiction, or books set in the south. Would love to give this one a try!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for you comments, Patty! I hope you get a chance to read Leslie’s book.
Leslie DeVooght
You will love all the southern references and movie quotes!
Deena Adams
Congratulations, Patty, you’re the winner of Leslie’s book! Please follow the instructions in my email to you to claim your prize.
Teresa A Moyer
This sounds like a great story 🙂
Jennifer Hallmark
Congratulations, Leslie on your new book…
Leslie DeVooght
Thank you!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Teresa!
Dana McReynolds
Sounds great! I love Sothern fiction. The title definitely grabs my attention.
Leslie
The free book for my newsletter subscribers is also very southern.
Deena Adams
I really enjoy Southern fiction, too, Dana. Thanks for your comment!
Penny McGinnis
This sounds like a book I would enjoy. God has created each of us with different talents and gifts and it’s fun to discover and uncover what they are.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for joining the conversation, Penny! I love how God creates such variety in people and the gifts He gives.
Leslie
Using our unique gifts for God’s glory was an important theme for me.
Leslie DeVooght
This was such an important theme for me in writing Wren’s story.
Perrianne Askew
This kind of reminds me of the characters of the original Steel Magnolias movie….without the sass, LOL. My family is from the small town where that was filmed and it’s still their claim to fame to this day. It does sound like something I would enjoy reading because the final challenges her grandmother leaves her sounds intruguing. I’m thinking maybe like a scavenger hunt?
Deena Adams
How cool that the Stealing Magnolias movie was filmed in your family’s small town! I grew up in the small town of Rossville, GA, and our claim to fame is American Idol’s Season 10 runner-up, Lauren Alaina, who grew up in Rossville. She and I went to the same high school, obviously at way different times. LOL. I was good friends with her aunt in middle school and helped babysit Lauren’s mother a time or two.
Thanks so much for reading Leslie’s spotlight and for your comments!
Leslie
I hope you’ll check it out. That’s so cool that your town is the one in the movie.
Leslie DeVooght
Thanks so much for sharing Stealing Magnolias!
Deena Adams
It’s my pleasure, Leslie!