About the Book

Book: Bernadette: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Twist

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

Release Date: August 4, 2025

She’s supposed to be a small-town girl…

…He’s billed as America’s biggest heartthrob.

What could possibly go wrong? How about everything?

Tiny Bernie Sawrey is perfectly happy fixing carburetors until her stepmother ambushes her with a blind date. The catch? It’s with movie star Garrett Lomas, Bernie’s secret celebrity crush and the reason she’s haunted the drive-in alone her entire adult life.

There’s just one teensy problem: Bernie’s about as Hollywood-ready as a rusty muffler.

But when her dad’s garage faces financial ruin, suddenly playing Kokomo’s answer to the girl-next-door doesn’t seem so impossible, if it will help. How hard can it be to fake being normal for a few weeks?

Meanwhile, Gabe Lomas thought being his identical twin’s stunt double only involved driving race cars—not impersonating him at charity events in small-town Indiana. But when the movie studio execs set up the deal and Garrett’s fiancée says no way, Gabe trades his helmet for a fake smile and a very real problem.

The problem? Bernie Sawrey, all five-foot-nothing of her, with enough quirk and innocence to charm the grumpiest producer. That’s the problem.

Gabe is falling for her hard, only she thinks he’s his famous brother.

And she just might be falling for him too.

Now he’s caught between protecting his brother’s career and protecting his own heart. Because telling Bernie the truth might send her racing away—but not telling her guarantees he’ll lose her when she finds out.

Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana, where the cardinal in the sycamore knows that love—like a good engine—runs best when all the parts are genuine. A sweet, hilarious tale of mistaken identity, small-town charm, and finding love when you’re not even being yourself.

You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of secret twists, because sometimes the best love stories start with a little white lie and maybe a bit of motor oil.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Historical Christian Romance author and three-time Selah Award nominee, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty-plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy, as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.

More from Jennifer

As I put this series together in my head, certain books were right there, laid out, easy to have a handle on them. But with Bernadette, I knew two things: she was a tiny spitfire, and the first line of the book had to be someone calling out her name. Why? Because that’s the way the Four Tops started the song that was my inspiration. Sort of. Actually, that is the only thing I used from the song.

I also wanted to introduce my readers to other places I remembered in Kokomo during the 1970s. I’d only been to the Kokomo Speedway once, and all I could remember was that it was loud. It was my one and only date with a longtime friend who had been an on-again, off-again boyfriend of my best friend. After we moved to Arizona, I had a chance to go back home for a few weeks before my senior year. Cheryl and Jim were no longer an item, but I’d been friends with both. Jim asked if I wanted to go to the races and I agreed. Can’t remember if we took his motorcycle or not, but I did ride with him once or twice on that trip. The funny thing is, we knew we were better as friends, and especially with the long distance between us, that was all either of us wanted. We remained friends for many years before we lost contact—I got to meet his wife and daughters, and he met my husband.

About the time I was starting this book, as the plot ideas were coming together, one of my sweet sisters from our Bible study group succumbed to cancer. Debbie was a sweet light, and I wanted to honor her. I asked her family if I could use her name in the story and they agreed.

Finally, I think every girl remembers the first boy to ask her to go steady. The thing is, I’m not sure who it was. From kindergarten through fourth grade, I went to school with the Richardson twins. Both were sweet and funny. Mike was the more outgoing, Mark was quieter.

I remember one time going to their house and making Christmas ornaments from straws after we learned how in school.

One day I got a phone call. I’d learned to tell them apart in person, but on the phone, not so much. I got asked to go steady. My dad had already informed me that ten-years-old was too young, so I blamed it on Dad and declined.

A few minutes later, I got a second phone call. Again I was asked to go steady and had to say no. The thing is, I never knew who asked first!

After that year we moved across town though I kept in touch with my friends. It was only about two-three years later that I learned Mike had died from an accident. It wasn’t my first intro to death, but it was concerning someone my own age.

It’s been almost sixty years since I last saw Mike Richardson, but I still remember him with fondness. Another reason I had twins in this story. If only I knew which twin had asked me to go steady first.

Interview with Jennifer

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was in third grade my mom took a mail-order class on writing. She bought a new typewriter and let me type my first story. Soon after I decided to be an actress, but the writing bug never left. It took until I retired from teaching for it to really take hold.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I used to be able to do it in about two and a half months, but life has changed and I’m older now. So if all works right, I can do it in about four months.

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

I first get to know my characters better by using One Stop for Writers about the two main characters (and sometimes about special supporting characters). That usually takes a week. Then I set up Scrivener with the number of chapters/scenes I think I’ll want (I have had to change it, but this keeps the stories in the series more uniform in size), set all my goals—2K goal for a writing session, 2K goal for a scene, 4K goal for a chapter, 60K for finished work. I can go over that but try not to go under that. That usually takes a day or two to set up. Then I write, M-F usually from around 11:00 to 5:00. I take breaks and sometimes jump onto sprints for encouragement. If I can stick with this, the book will be done on time. I always have to plan for interruptions though since real life happens. 😉

What are your favorite books to read?

I’m a big Emma St Claire fan. I think she was the first to hook me on romcoms. I also enjoy Rachel John, Penny Zeller, and Jenny Proctor for contemporary romcoms. Jen Turrano, Pepper Basham, and Kimberly Keagan write enjoyable historicals that make me smile.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Wow, got to think. I wrote lots of articles and short stories but the first book, I think I started that when I was 43 and tried to publish but had no real luck. Then when I retired at age 61, I started again and rewrote that book. It is now The Patriarch: Book 1 of the Crockett Chronicles.

How do you create your main characters?

Right now, the female main character is based on something from a song from the1960s that has her name in the title. I never know how much I’m going to take from the lyrics, if anything. But that’s where I get my start. The male main character needs to be a foil of some kind. If there’s no conflict, then there’s no story. So, I look for what might be the headbutt issue for my female character and give that to the male. Then I see how they work it out.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

For me, it’s knowing what to add to give the story depth and breadth. I have a good idea about the opening scenes, I know where they need to be around the middle, and I have a good idea on how to wrap it up. But that’s an awfully short story. Plus, we are surrounded by friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and colleagues so for the characters to have a realistic life, some of that has to be added. The trick is to make the interaction end up having some bearing on the main plot—eventually.

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

I enjoy crocheting. I’m part of a knit/crochet ministry. But I also enjoy papercrafts. I have a Cricut and plenty of other tools and love to make all sorts of things.

What does your family think of your writing?

That’s a funny question—or at least I think the answer is amusing. Our eldest daughter is the only one who has read any of my books. However, I learned that hubs often talks me up at his men’s meetings. Recently I double-booked myself with a book signing and an important meeting at the opposite end of town. Our youngest came to handle things at the signing and was able to share the books even though she hadn’t read them. She sold several for me. Then I learned she mentioned at work that I write and someone there knew of me. So, she started taking books into work and sharing with several of the girls who liked the genre. The funniest thing though is that hubs gets the first book when it comes out. He has a stack. One day he came in and started through them, looking in the front of the books until he found what he was looking for. I realized his sisters read my books and one of them must have told him that I’d dedicated a book to him, so he had to search for the dedication. 😉

Do you base your characters on real people?

I have, when I wrote the first trilogy. I included historical figures. In my Kokomo books, I’ll name drop people who would’ve been in that position or profession at that time—folks I knew and have great respect for. One of my favorites to mention is Dr. Schwartz. He was our family doctor, and I have sweet memories of him.

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

Yes. The worst one was after I retired. I wanted to start writing but I had no ideas for a book. I prayed every day about it. For six months! Then one day, after hubs and I watched Ken Burn’s documentary on Viet Nam, I was driving to babysit my new grandson. I’d spent my quiet time with the book of Ruth. All of a sudden, as I was praying, it was like God said to stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Then He brought to mind the documentary and Ruth’s story. I had the idea to retell it only setting the story in 1968 Viet Nam and Indiana. Once I had that idea, I couldn’t write fast enough.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I’ve learned so much. Especially about Kokomo. It might be small, but it produced a lot of amazing things. It’s where Elwood Haynes invented gasoline from the petroleum waste, where he invented the thermostat and stainless steel. And the car—yes, there was a motorized vehicle before his, but it was a horse drawn wagon where the horses were replaced by a motor. Haynes developed the Pioneer that is in the Smithsonian.

There are some impressive people from Kokomo. If you’ve watched any of the Gunsmoke shows or seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid . You might remember him best, though, for his line in Cool Hand Luke. “What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

Another famous Kokomo-born native is Norman Bridwell, author of Clifford, the Big Red Dog. And, just to cover my bases, it’s rumored that tomato juice was invented there via Libby’ Canning Factory. That’s not provable, but you still find claims about it.

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

I’m currently writing book #25. Book 24 should be out by the time you read this.

As for favorites, it depends on the reason. And yes, if feels like choosing between your children. The Prodigal (Book 3 of the Crockett Chronicles) taught me what I could do—wrote than in under three months. Before that I’d taken up to a year or more to write one. Relentless Heart has always touched me because of the way God gave it to me and for how I came to love the character of Ruth more deeply by writing it. Lately, I’ve been pulled to Shilo: A Sweet Quirky, Romantic Muddle (Book 7 of the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series) because of her bravery, compassion, and the deep relationship she displays.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

That’s easy. Check out my website: jenniferlynncary.com

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

By the time you read this, my next book Pieces of April: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Puzzle will be out. That is book nine in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. Book ten, Walk Away, Rene is already in the works and I’m hoping for a late spring release.

Thank you so much for the interview, Gina.