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HERE WITH THE WINTER follows a mom and her two children that return to her hometown in hopes of starting life over after the death of her husband. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I grew up in a village similar to the story’s town of West Emmette, Ohio. Looking back upon that setting now, having raised our daughters elsewhere in a large city suburb, I understand what my hometown provided. As children we were able to safely roam independently by foot and by bicycle, and experts today are talking about the value of that freedom to explore and to figure out direction on our own. (I enjoyed a 2020 book titled FROM HERE TO THERE by Michael Bond, which discusses that topic.)
The setting of West Emmette also features the importance of friendships with neighbors and the support of community, including school and church, the local physicians and piano teacher. Of course the foundation for this new home also includes a puppy and a kitten.
You might notice subtle, quiet ‘blankets’ through the pages. One is water. Another is the sky. Another, music.
What character in this story do you most relate to and why?
Walter is a minor character in the book, but he is most interesting to me. I think the reader has the freedom to fill in the blanks for this young character. Life around him is changing, and he must cope.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In the story, a newspaper editor helps the main character Jessie begin a new career as a local correspondent. This is interesting because the editor extends the thoughtful gesture to give Jessie a chance and teaches her how to begin. Learning how to begin any task or job is exciting, and many people around town and around the world quietly teach another person something new, with little fanfare but with great importance.
Also, this is not a theme, but it was important for me to provide a tale that is relatively short in length but rich in structure. Women of every age can relate to HERE WITH THE WINTER, but it was important for me to attract young people and, in particular, boys. They will find marbles, baseball, sledding, construction, dogs, tools, and a nurturing school. And a plain book cover.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on a sequel to HERE WITH THE WINTER, and I am brushing up a novelette I wrote long ago – about a pilot. Of course, I suppose all of us have that box of poems we would love to see illustrated for children.
Author Links: Website | GoodReads | Instagram
Henry, however, is suddenly under the watch of the confused and jealous son of one of his long-time friends, a young man who is obsessed with acquiring one of Henry’s most prized possessions.
A well-crafted, lyrical novel set in a bustling township, Here with the Winter threads together – through letters, music, seasons and the land itself – a charming story of building in the early Sixties
Here with the Winter
Here with the Winter by J. Penrod Scott is a charismatic family saga set in the town of West Emmet. After losing her husband Matthew, Jessie Conrad, and her two children decide to move back to her hometown. For Jessie, home is West Emmet, a chance to begin a new life with old friends and family and some new ones too.
The story is set in the 1960s, when this town, like many others across the United States, is booming with new residential developments. Jessie’s father, Henry, is a strong character throughout the book. Helping his daughter get reestablished and helping his grandkids adapt. He has a strong interest in clocks and rifle collecting. And that’s where the tensions ensue. Henry has a rifle gifted to him by an old friend. However, the friend’s son believes that he is the rightful heir to this gun upon his death.
The author describes her books as “a love letter to Ohio,” and rightly so. The details capture the essence of mundane small-town life, the routine, predictability, peace, and tranquility. Through these descriptions, the author sets the scene for her novel’s backdrop. This engaging read gives the reader a perfect blend of the town’s tranquility while capturing the imperfections of real life. With a strong opening and a fast-paced storyline to start, readers will come to know the main characters quickly before getting too deep into the drama. There is not a lot of filler text in this novel; instead, the author keeps information to just what the reader needs to know to follow the story. The dialogue is sharp and crisp with a natural flow. Written in a third-person perspective, it follows all the significant characters in the story and approaches it from various perspectives.
Here with the Winter is a relaxing and light read about family, starting over, and reconnecting with those that matter in life. It is a heartwarming story about relationships that readers will be able to sit down and enjoy at a leisurely pace.
Pages: 194 | ASIN : B096DVNTDL
LITERARY TITAN 