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?

Click here to get your copy!

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.

Interview with Donna Jo

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing?

I try to write every day. When drafting, I work about eight hours a day. I set a daily word count goal, but often surpass it. Other days it’s hard to write anything at all, but I keep pecking at the keyboard or dictate into my device. If the word count runs short, I don’t beat myself up, I just keep doing the best I can.

Years ago, I made the decision to work on a novel every day I was able and have kept to that commitment. When I started, I had severe health challenges and could only do 300 words a day, gradually working up to 500 words a day. These days I easily write a couple of thousand words a day and can finish a draft in a few months, but it wasn’t always so. I finished two novel drafts by writing 300-500 words at a time and will be publishing those next year. I am amazed at how the small steps added up.

What are your favorite books to read?

I’m a mood reader, and love to read almost everything. My current favorite genres are historical and southern fiction, although I may change at any given moment and often take time to enjoy a cozy or a classic. I’ve always loved books. Some of my earliest memories are of the library. I love to visit libraries, big city or small town.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love spending time with my family. We are a talkative bunch and enjoy a good laugh. There are quite a few storytellers in the bunch. Out of a simple trip to Walmart, they can spin a yarn that will keep the listeners laughing. Besides telling and listening to stories, I enjoy watercolor, drawing, and quilting. I have enough supplies on hand to last several lifetimes. One of my favorite art projects lately is to draw and paint whimsical characters, flowers, or animals.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 

I have written six complete novels, five of which will be released this year and next. I’m working on more. I love them all, but one is special. My first young adult novel is close to my heart due to the main character and the subject matter. It is book one in a series (set to be published in 2025) of stand-alone novels featuring a character on the autism spectrum. My main character is dealing with grief and loss while navigating high school, following her artistic dreams, and dealing with her first romance. It’s a contemporary novel with lots of tear jerking moments along with flashes of humor. This novel was a hard book to write, and I learned a lot during the process. To my amazement, it was a runner up in Pitch Wars and RevPit, which was a great learning experience. Even though I didn’t win, I received much needed encouragement and feedback. I love all my books, but this one is special for many reasons.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I have two projects I’m currently working on for release in 2024. 

The Key Collector’s Promise is a Christian domestic suspense with sweet romance set to release in September. This book is part of the Our House series, a collaboration with a wonderful group of inspirational fiction authors. The books in the series are set in different eras, some historical, some contemporary, and are of different genres, but all share the same location, an English Village in Suffolk. When the opportunity to be of this collaboration came up, I had to say yes! My mother was from England. She would’ve gotten a kick out of it.

The Key Collector’s Promise is set in 1983. My main character is a successful real estate agent, but her deepest wish is to reconnect with her birth mother. Then, when she gets a letter threatening her mother (there’s a shady business deal she knows about and the bad guys want to shut her up) she flies to England and must find her.

The second upcoming release is for When the Wildflowers Bloom Again,a southern coming-of-age novel set in 1978 rural North Louisiana.

I’m in the final stages of editing When the Wildflowers Bloom Again. My character, fourteen-year-old Marigold Parker, is part of a close-knit family. When she’s assaulted by her older male cousin and turns up pregnant, she doesn’t know who to turn to for help. This novel is set for release Fall 2024.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 14

Stories By Gina, August 15 (Author Interview)

Mornings at Character Cafe, August 15

Texas Book-aholic, August 16

Simple Harvest Reads, August 17 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 18

For the Love of Literature, August 19 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 21 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, August 22

Blossoms and Blessings, August 23 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, August 24

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 25 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, August 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 26

Guild Master, August 27 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

(Paperback for a US winner only. eBook if winner is international)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2dda6/joann-celebration-tour-giveaway