Blog Archives
Moving Forward
The Space Between Dreaming follows two women struggling to have a family of their own who meet at an art gallery and form an unlikely friendship. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had always wanted to write a story that featured strong friendships that was perhaps a bit unexpected. I decided to do this through friendships that spanned different generations and different circumstances as a way to show the strength we gain from women who are in our corner. Since I’m also an artist, I took a lot of inspiration from my own experience in showing in galleries and working at art fairs.
Grace and Jane are both relatable characters that readers are drawn to and want to help. Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your characters’ lives?
I used my real-life great-grandmother’s name for one of the characters, although the personality of the character is totally different. The character of Jane loves the Milwaukee Art Museum and has since she was a kid, which is something I took directly from my own life.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My love of art and the power of expressing emotions through painting is something I wanted to convey. I wanted readers to feel how valuable the practice and appreciation of artistic endeavor can be in healing, decision-making, and everyday life. Also the theme of moving forward despite difficult circumstances was an important one to include. I wanted this to be an inspiring, hopeful book for someone to pick up.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I just released an art book called Poetry and Paint. It features my original paintings and poetry. I’m also working on another novel, but I don’t have a date for its release yet.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Grace and Jane both crave family but for much different reasons. Grace longs for the child she was never able to conceive and Jane for the new family she will have once she marries her boyfriend. They meet and become unlikely friends when Grace’s husband paints his masterpiece and Jane’s gallery represents him.
As they ponder their future, Jane’s meddling 80-year-old landlady helps them see the beauty in letting go of expectations. Grace and Jane each see something different in the painting, and it causes them to look beyond their stubborn dreams to a fresh reality that could hold the key to their happiness.
The Beauty and Destructive Power of Friendship
Beautiful and Terrible Things follows a twenty-nine-year-old woman who manages a bookstore who meets a quirky man, and takes a chance stepping out of her comfort zone and making new friends. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
First, I decided what age group I wanted to dig into. I was bothered by the stereotype of Millennials as self-indulgent, unmotivated and entitled. That does not describe my daughters or their friends at all. So I decided to feature a more realistic cast of Millennials in my novel.
I also liked this age for my characters because people on the cusp of 30 are grappling with major life decisions about marriage, children, careers, etc.
Once I had the age down, my goal was to depict both the beauty and the destructive power of friendship by building a cast of characters that reminds readers of New Girl, Friends or The Big Bang Theory. Making the lead character, Charley, an introvert with borderline depression gave me lots of room to explore that concept and show her personal growth. And quirky Xander was the perfect foil for her, one capable of pulling her out of her self-imposed social isolation.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
Emotionally, my six main characters bring very different sensibilities to the table. My guideline was simply to make them as real as possible. Morally, my goal was to present differing views on difficult subjects. For example, the friends spar over the issue of undocumented immigrants. But most important for a story featuring six individuals of varied race, heritage, gender identity and sexual orientation was to be sensitive to how I depicted them.
I was fortunate to have the guidance of many sensitivity readers on the cultural, race, mental health and immigration aspects of the book. I even got feedback from a Filipino artist, who matches one of the characters!
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
First, that we don’t always do what’s best for us, sometimes because we don’t see it, sometimes because we don’t want to see it, and sometimes because we acknowledge it but for some foolish reason think it might, against all odds, work out differently.
Second, that in trying to do right by one person, we sometimes hurt another. Such is the case when Jessica, in Beautiful and Terrible Things, makes a major sacrifice to help pull Charley out of her depression, but her actions end up hurting another loved one in a very tragic way.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next novel, 101 Ways to Screw Up a Kid, is about the toll that secrets take on a family. It features a (hopefully) loveable curmudgeon similar to Elizabeth Zott in Lessons in Chemistry. And I’m co-writing a true crime memoir, which is a bit different for me. It’s a highly compelling story about how a rape victim and the investigating detective work together to catch the suspect, and then fall in love years later. I’m working on securing agents/publishers for both.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram
New Tomorrows: Love – Courage – Hope
New Tomorrows: Love – Courage – Hope, by Ann Heap, is a heartwarming tale of love, resilience, and community. Jon and Allie, both recovering from the trauma of 9/11, cross paths almost a decade later in the Virginia Appalachian Mountains. As their feelings for each other grow, they must overcome numerous obstacles before they can fully commit. This story is not just about two individuals finding love; it also chronicles the efforts of Jon, Allie, and the Hidden Valley residents as they create a domestic abuse advocacy program and shelter.
Charming, quaint, endearing, and peaceful are just a few words to describe this lovely book. The clean, slow-burn romance between Jon and Allie and the evolving sense of community among the Hidden Valley residents offer much to adore and revel in. Heap’s writing style is particularly noteworthy. Her vivid imagery immerses the reader in the story, making it come to life. In the opening crash scene, for instance, the disorienting yet eerily calm emotions Allie experiences are palpable, as if watching a movie unfold. The dialogue is another strong point, characterized by a realistic quality that avoids the overly sentimental tone often found in clean romance stories. Interactions between characters feel authentic, whether in simple morning conversations or in the sharing of thought-provoking memories. Heap skillfully captures the essence of human interaction. The pacing of New Tomorrows is also commendable. While the romance develops slowly, the story itself moves at a well-measured pace. Every word is carefully chosen, contributing to a smoothly flowing narrative.
If you are looking for a novel filled with heart and hope, New Tomorrows: Love – Courage – Hope, by Ann Heap, is a fantastic, cozy, and entertaining read. It is highly recommended and well-deserving of a spot on your TBR list.
Pages: 286 | ASIN : B0CHLFXCT8
The Real Meaning of Change
My Year of Casual Acquaintances follows a recently divorced woman who lets go of everything from her past to start fresh and rediscover herself. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Many years ago, after I quit my day job to work from home, a daily trip to the gym became part of my routine—not just to exercise, but also to socialize. I’ve met up with countless acquaintances at the gym—most of them casual, but some that have developed into close, enduring friendships. I’ve always been fascinated by the dynamics of gym relationships and thought that would make an intriguing premise for a novel. When I decided to write about a recently divorced woman looking to reinvent herself and avoid commitment, a gym seemed like the ideal setting.
I found Mar to be a remarkably well-written and in-depth character. What was your inspiration for her and her emotional turmoil throughout the story?
Thank you! I love stories about intelligent, quirky, opinionated women. I think Mar is all those things, yet I also wanted her to be caring and sympathetic. I decided she should be 50, which I find to be an interesting age. Mar exemplifies a modern woman in midlife—complex, layered, and fraught with contradictions. She’s independent but full of self-doubt, professionally confident but socially insecure, and decisive in her tastes but indecisive about her path in life.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main themes I wanted to address are the importance of human connection, the value of honest communication, and the real meaning of change and how to achieve it. At the beginning of the story, Mar is grappling with all three of these issues as she sheds her old life and tries to find a different and better one. She takes up with a new acquaintance every month in her episodic journey, and each person teaches her something about herself and how to correct course.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is The Unexpected Guests. It’s the sequel to My Year of Casual Acquaintances, and it will be published by Black Rose Writing on December 26, 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Amazon
With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant, a kindly older gentleman… and Charlie, a handsome best-selling novelist who wants more from Mar than she’s able to give. She learns something new from each encounter. But can she change enough to open herself up to happiness and true connection?
Surrounded by an ensemble of quirky, endearing characters, Mar follows a tortuous and unpredictable path as she navigates the first year of her reinvented life. My Year of Casual Acquaintances is packed with laugh-out-loud moments mingled with scenes of loneliness and self-doubt that will put a lump in your throat.
Everyone is Capable of Growth
Beneath the Smiling Moon follows a twenty-nine-year-old woman tormented with mental illness and addiction who struggles to pull her life together against all odds. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Right out of the gate, I wanted to create a flawed but relatable main character, one that an audience can’t help but cheer for. Painting a realistic picture of contemporary struggles that center around addiction and mental illness were important for me to portray. The main character in Beneath the Smiling Moon chose to deal with her issues and elevate the conversation in an open way. Even though this is a work of fiction, the hope is that the novel can bring attention and awareness to these internal struggles that are so commonplace in today’s society.
Izzie struggles with depression and bipolar disorder, as well as a strained family relationship; despite this, she wants to get help and move forward in life. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
When deciding what kind of plot I wanted to develop for this novel, I was very interested in the Rebirth plot line. It entails: a threat/struggle that sets in, recedes, comes back in full force, the rebirth of a character occurs, and then all is well. Showing an evolution of Izzie’s lived experiences with respect to the plot line illustrates to readers that the main character embraces change for the better while reminding the audience that everyone is capable of growth no matter how dire the situation may be.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One goal for Beneath the Smiling Moon was to highlight the human experience. With that in mind, I felt that it was important for me to explore themes of love and loss so that my target audience and readers of literary fiction felt connected to the story from the start. My theory is that at some point in life, most adults have faced one if not both, emotions. The elements of love and loss that are threaded throughout the narrative will hopefully keep the text relatable and enjoyable. I also wanted to utilize motifs such as lightness and darkness throughout the novel. The darkness the main character feels when she’s at her lowest, versus the light and hope she feels at the end, speaks to the ebb and flow of the human experience and how light cannot exist without darkness and vice versa.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I’m working on is a Southern Gothic tragedy. It will follow three daughters who discover their mother’s journal hidden away in secrecy after her death. The journal and its contents will change everything the girls thought they knew about their mother and their own lives. I have an outline of what I want to accomplish with my next piece, and I’m hoping to focus on the character development with nice plot points throughout, similar to Beneath the Smiling Moon. I plan to dedicate time this summer to begin writing and working on my next project. Follow along for updates on my website at devonjvaldes.com!
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
But things take a drastic turn when Annie is involved in a tragic accident. When the truth is finally revealed, Izzie is left not knowing how to cope or what to do. Can she handle the truth, or will it destroy her for good? She must decide if she is going to fight for her life or allow the darkness to overtake her.
Beneath the Smiling Moon is a novel of rebirth that explores themes of love, loss, friendship, and family. Ultimately, it is a story about the human experience and how internal struggles shape who we are destined to become.
Unwavering Love
Starting Over, a Father by Choice follows a couple who have been together since their teens and are now facing a crossroads that will determine the future of their relationship. What inspired the setup of your story?
I enjoyed Wanda and Randy’s romantic relationship. How did it develop while you were writing it? Did you have an idea of where you wanted to take it, or was it organic?
Let me address these first two questions together.
My characters talk to me and sometimes tell me which direction to take. I started out knowing what happened to Wanda that resulted in the birth of Carter and I knew she and Randy would eventually repair their relationship. Some of the scenes that helped them get there were not part of the original plan. For example, their participation in a living nativity was a sudden, unexpected inspiration. But it fit right in with another goal I had. I wanted to use their story, and Randy’s unwavering love for both Wanda and Carter, as a vehicle to explore the true meaning of family. That it goes way beyond DNA. This is part of my personal experience, as I claim two grandchildren who do not carry my DNA but were gifted to me by my daughter-in-law after my son died.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My plan for all of my books (this series will have six when complete – then another series is floating around in my head) is that each will explore a real-life contemporary issue, as a strong protagonist (or protagonists) struggle to overcome personal trauma related to that issue. It is my hope that readers will learn something new and gain a better understanding of how that issue impacts individuals and communities, while enjoying an intriguing story. The first book in the Hidden Valley Series, New Tomorrows, explored the issue of domestic and sexual abuse. When Wanda, a strong supporting character in that story, publicly revealed that she, too, had been a victim, I had to tell her story, too. Other themes planned for the future are racial relations and healing, eating disorders, illegal dog fighting, and addiction.
I love the Hidden Valley Fire & Rescue series. What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
The next book (which will be released late summer or early fall this year) is Tillie’s story. In No Turning Back: Marching Toward Freedom, you will meet her when she is a young teen and follow her life from the 1950s to the early twentieth century. During that time span she leaves Hidden Valley to go away to college where she becomes involved in the Civil Rights movement of the sixties. She eventually (and reluctantly) returns to Hidden Valley following a series of difficult life events. It is a story that explores racial relationships and healing, as a strong woman with a mountain heritage finds her personal freedom to define who and what she is. And perhaps, finds an unexpected, late-in-life romance. There is some historical family saga in her story that goes back to Civil War times.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Wanda Marlow and Randy Sullivan fell in love when they were young teens, both involved in the volunteer fire and rescue company of their remote valley home in Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains. They are sure their relationship as a forever couple will survive being apart while Randy pursues a carpentry apprenticeship out of state and Wanda goes away to college. However, at the end of her freshman year, Wanda comes back to their Hidden Valley home pregnant and holding onto a big secret about the father of her child.
Wanda feels shame over the circumstances of her son’s conception and blames herself for betraying their love. She keeps trying to push Randy away, but they have never stopped loving each other. When her son Carter is only three months old, Wanda and Randy agree to start over as a couple, but the secret still lies between them.
Randy’s greatest fear is having Carter’s father show up one day to claim the child he has come to love as his own. As Carter grows, he begins to ask questions about his father. Once the secret begins to hurt Carter, Wanda and Randy know the truth must be revealed. But what is the truth? Is it what Wanda believes? Or is it something entirely different? Their search for the truth leads them on a path to solve an unexpected mystery about Carter’s biological father.
Carter becomes convinced that Paws, his pup since they were both babies, can help solve the mystery. In a drama-filled scene, Paws must help Randy rescue the nine-year-old from the danger he finds himself in as a result of that belief.
Told against the backdrop of the Hidden Valley Fire & Rescue company, this story is filled with a unique cast of characters you will come to love and want to visit again. This closed-door romance is more than just a happily-ever-after love story. It’s a story of family and friendship, community and compassion, and finding strength to overcome personal trauma.
You can read this book as a stand-alone, but you will enjoy a richer experience by reading the books in the Hidden Valley Fire & Rescue series in the order published.
Friendship
Summer Triangle follows three friends navigating personal traumas who learn to lean on each other during these challenging times and see the true value of friendship. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In its earliest iteration, Summer Triangle’s story was driven by its setting. I spent bits and pieces of every summer for decades on the Delmarva peninsula. Summer Triangle began very much as a love letter to the region, and I wanted the reader to feel immersed in its coastal communities. Long before I knew the story I wanted to write, I knew where it wanted it to take place.
However, in hindsight, I also realize now that I was writing about strong female friendships as a specific form of escapism. For a few years, one of my children suffered from a debilitating inflammatory condition, and I was his primary caregiver. While I was so privileged to be the one taking care of him, I was also exhausted and extremely isolated. Without realizing it at the time, I created rich fictional friendships because I couldn’t participate in my own. I have a much greater appreciation for the inimitable importance of adult friendships now – for myself and for these fictious women – as a source of empowerment and support.
Natalie, Eliana, and Allegra are all facing different challenges but come together to support one another in this story. What was your inspiration for the characters and their relationship?
In order to convey their independence – and their isolation, I endeavored to create three very different characters with very distinct backstories. From the outside, they appear to have little in common. They live in different areas of the United States, with unique professions and personalities. On its face, their only real commonality is their hidden loneliness – not that any of them would admit that out loud.
In addition, one of my primary goals in Summer Triangle was to juxtapose new and old friendships. Though Natalie and Eliana’s friendship has endured decades, they’re not actively involved in each other’s day-to-day lives. They believe that they know each other well. Yet in reuniting as adults, they discover new elements to each other’s story. They still have the capacity to surprise each other.
Allegra crosses paths with them later. She meets them after she’s spent years erecting walls and keeping people at a distance. Her previous marriage cost her many friends. She brings the same distrust and fear to potential friendships that she brings to romantic relationships. Similarly, Natalie and Eliana – perhaps too insular in their friendship – resist letting anyone else in. Having spent so many years living apart, their reflex at first is to exclude Allegra entirely.
All three women have lived a lot of their adult lives fiercely independent – and must re-learn how to make and keep a friend. In their own ways, they each demonstrate the vulnerability and courage required to build a tribe.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in the book?
Friendship will stand out as Summer Triangle’s most obvious theme. Hopefully, readers will find friendships shown prismatically in the book: their beauty, their fragility, their messiness, and their significance. The friendships revealed are as imperfect and valuable as the characters who create them.
Alongside friendship, Summer Triangle also confronts the idea of forgiveness: whether it’s necessary to rebuild and to move on, or whether it becomes another toxic act if it’s given under societal pressure. All three women struggle in their own way to make peace with people who have wronged them. Ultimately, they rely on each other to chart a path forward.
Finally, Natalie’s story tackles a timeless question: how do we treat magnificent art created by someone who wasn’t such a good person? While her father was a venerated musician in his lifetime, he was an abusive man. Part of her journey in reconciling with her past involves deciding whether to allow his music into her life.
Is this the first book in a series? If so, when is next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, I’m currently working on the sequel to Summer Triangle. Some of Summer Triangle’s characters will make cameos in the sequel, and one individual will find an exciting new arc in my next book. The sequel focuses more on family dynamics, rather than friendship. Its setting offers a fuller picture of the Delmarva region, as it’s centered right on Chesapeake Bay in St. Michaels, Maryland. I will be sure to keep readers apprised of its development via social media.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Natalie, haunted by memories of her musician father, initially rejects Eliana’s invitation. But after her husband’s infidelity and a professional crisis, she reluctantly agrees. Eliana, eager to provide the perfect getaway, faces financial stress and family issues, turning her beach haven into a hiding place. Meanwhile, Allegra, an acclaimed model tired of tabloid headlines, seeks peace on the Delaware coast. Yet, her controlling ex-husband and an intrusive nanny threaten her tranquility.
Individually, their obstacles seem insurmountable, but together they discover the extraordinary power of female friendship.
Summer Triangle is a captivating testament to the resilience and growth found in the bonds between women. Against a breathtaking seaside backdrop, love, empowerment, and healing emerge. Join these extraordinary women as they navigate their traumas, confront betrayals, and embrace the strength of their tribe on a journey that will leave you inspired and longing for transformative connection.
Beneath the Smiling Moon
Beneath the Smiling Moon by Devon Jeffers Valdes is an engaging narrative that interweaves the complexities of adulthood, mental health, and personal growth. The novel follows Izzie, a 29-year-old art history major and barista grappling with depression and bipolar disorder, and her childhood best friend, Annie, who seems outwardly successful in her tech career. As Izzie endeavors to improve her mental health and mend strained family relationships, she faces a poignant setback as a result of an accident.
Valdes, in her debut novel, skillfully explores a spectrum of weighty themes such as mental health, domestic abuse, and body image. She does so with a deft touch, blending raw emotional depth with nuanced storytelling that captures the reader from the first page. Each character is crafted with care, allowing readers to resonate deeply with their journeys and struggles. The portrayal of Izzie’s mental health challenges stands out, particularly in its authentic depiction of manic episodes and the fluctuating intensities of her condition. This honest representation extends to the ensemble of characters, each of whom is given space to evolve beyond their central roles. Valdes also approaches the depiction of intimacy with sensitivity, focusing on emotional connections rather than graphic details, which enriches the narrative.
Beneath the Smiling Moon is a commendable work that offers a fresh perspective on the intricacies of human connections and the little moments that shape our lives. It is a novel that promises to resonate with those who are interested in profound, character-driven stories about overcoming life’s hurdles. Devon Jeffers Valdes is certainly an author to watch, and I look forward to her future contributions to literature.
Pages: 174 | ASIN : B0CNZL8GCL
LITERARY TITAN 