Where the Grass Grows Blue: a Second Chance Romance by Hope Gibbs ➱ Join us for the Book Tour with Bonus Material and Giveaway
Synopsis (from Amazon):
Penny Crenshaw’s divorce and her
husband’s swift remarriage to a much younger woman have been hot topics around
Atlanta’s social circles. After a year of enduring the cruel gossip, Penny
leaps from the frying pan into the fire by heading back to Kentucky to settle
her grandmother’s estate.
Reluctantly, Penny travels to her
hometown of Camden, knowing she will be stirring up all the ghosts from her
turbulent childhood. But not all her problems stem from a dysfunctional family.
One of Penny’s greatest sources of pain lives just down the street: Bradley
Hitchens, her childhood best friend, the keeper of her darkest secrets, and the
boy who shattered her heart.
As Penny struggles with sorting through
her grandmother’s house and her own memories, a colorful group of friends
drifts back into her life, reminding her of the unique warmth, fellowship, and
romance that only the Bluegrass state can provide. Now that fate has forced
Penny back, she must either let go of the scars of her past or risk losing a
second chance at love.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3MJraZi
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63259909-where-the-grass-grows-blue
A Letter to my Ten-Years Ago Self…
Dear Hope Gibbs,
I know I’m addressing
you by your maiden name. Don’t panic. You’re not in the midst of a divorce.
Your marriage is strong, even with the craziness of trying to wrangle five
children, but in ten years, this is the name you will be using hundreds of
times a week. There’s a good reason for it, one that I’m sure will shock you,
but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Recently, you
celebrated a big milestone—turning forty. I know it sounds old right now, but
this is the best decade of your life. Some big changes are coming your way, and
you’re about to accomplish something you didn’t realize or even know you wanted
to do.
Your
thirties were a rollercoaster. You were a bundle of nervous energy. A third
pregnancy, the loss of beloved family members, a painful divorce, falling in
love all over again, another marriage, and becoming a stepmother to two small
children. But good news, you have a full and happy nest, though the decade is a
blur of soccer games, carpool runs, homework, and never-ending trips to the
grocery store. Feeding a household of seven can be exhausting. But you will
start changing in your forties. Don’t get me wrong, you will still do all those
things, but know this. Those little birds will fly away. Sooner than you think,
and your realization of that fact sets you on a path that will change your
life.
Now here’s another
"don’t panic" moment, around forty-five, you’re going to have a
little mid-life crisis. Don’t freak out. You won’t buy an expensive car or
alter your appearance, though you will be going to the salon more often because
your hair color will betray you, but you’ll start to question your
choices. What have I accomplished
with my life other than being a wife and mother? When my children are gone, who
will I be? This will be on a continuous loop in your mind, and on
your worst days, you’ll start regretting your decision to leave that corporate
job to raise those wonderful, infuriating children. Most people would say to
ignore that inner voice, but I’m telling you to listen to it because it will propel you into something
unimaginable.
After reevaluating
your life, you’ll start journaling. That lasts about a week because you’ll hate
it. Then, you’ll do something extraordinary—you’ll develop a character, getting
to know her through your imagination. You’ll spend countless hours with her,
developing her backstory, creating her world, and fleshing out her fears.
You’ll laugh, cry, and grow with her, and before you know it, you’ll type the
words…THE END. Hope, you write a book! I know you’ve not written anything
longer than an email since college, but somehow, you turned that mini-midlife
crisis into a novel that will be published by Red Adept, with the audio rights
being sold to Blackstone. Oh. And they make you change your name, but that’s
okay because Cummiskey is hard
to spell and Gibbs was your name first.
Now in your fifties, your days are filled with
writing, and it’s wonderful. You need it as much as you need tennis. Don’t
worry, you still play multiple times a week even though you’ll have three knee
surgeries in the next ten years. It’s okay, you have a great orthopedist. Every day you’re surrounded by a warm and welcoming
community of writers and readers. You’ll also be the host of a monthly Facebook
Live program for over 5,000 bibliophiles and start a podcast. I’ll explain what
that is later.
The next ten years
will define you. Enjoy every second of it. And remember, you’re never too old
to follow your dreams.
P.S. Your two
stepchildren will ask you to officially adopt them on Christmas morning in
2020. You’ll cry your eyes out.
Author Interview:
On writing:
How did you do research for your book?
Where the Grass Grows Blue
is set in Kentucky, where I was born and raised, so I was comfortable with most
topics—food, dialogue, and setting. But I did write in flashbacks and had to
study pop culture during those decades so as to not get the year wrong. I also
had to do some serious research into genetic diseases, as they are a plot point
for my protagonist.
Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
The hardest to write
by far was the main character, Penny. She is a complicated and sometimes
frustrating character by design.
The easiest was
Bradley, her love interest. I might have developed a literary crush on him
while writing.
Where do you get inspiration for your
stories?
I want to bring the
charm of the South to a wider community of readers. It’s my goal to immerse
them in the culture, food, and characters, so I look around my surroundings or
dig back to my upbringing to find inspiration.
What advice would you give budding writers?
In the words of Nike,
"Just do it!" You’ll never know unless you try. Of course, there are
going to be bumps, sometimes mountains, along the way, but if you believe in
yourself, your voice, and find the right support system, you can make it happen
too.
Your book is set in Kentucky. Have you ever been there?
I was born and raised
in the Bluegrass State. I still consider it home, though I’ve been gone for
decades.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would
you be?
Penny’s best friend,
Dakota. She is a truth-teller and doesn’t worry about what anyone thinks of
her. She’s also fiercely loyal.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
I was a stay-at-home
mother of five for twenty-five years. A few years ago, I started re-evaluating
my life. At that point, it hit me. My children would soon be leaving for
college. So I started "journaling" on a laptop. That lasted about a
week before I noticed I wasn’t writing about my feelings or goals—I was creating a character. Now that my
children are grown, I’m writing full-time. But that’s only one part of my
"writing life." I’m also a tour guide for Bookish Road Trip, an
upbeat community of book lovers, authors, and bibliophiles. You can find them
on Facebook, Instagram, and on their website. I’m in charge of the Author Take
the Wheel program.
How long have you been writing?
I started about five
years ago. It’s been a wonderful creative outlet.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
Of course. Music has
been a huge part of my creative process. It really inspires me and allows my
mind to go places, creating new worlds. Also, running and exercise helps. Some
of my best ideas happen when I work out.
What is your next project?
I’m almost finished
with my second book, Ashes to Ashes.
It’s an upmarket fiction book, set in the South, of course, that focuses on a
tight-knit group of women whose world is rocked after the unexpected death of
their dear friend, Ellen, under mysterious circumstances. But before they can
even process their grief, they stumble across a web of secrets and lies,
unraveling Ellen’s perfect life—the one she tried so hard to project to the
outside world. Now they must rely on each other to find out who the real Ellen
Foster was while grappling with the idea that they never really knew her at
all.
What genre do you write in?
Women’s fiction and
contemporary romance. But my third book will be historical fiction because it’s
set in the early 1970s. I don’t want to be boxed into one genre.
What is the last great book you’ve read?
On Gin Lane by Brooke Lea
Foster. I can’t tell you how much I loved that book.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
"The author’s writing was like paint on a
canvas, creating a vibrant picture of life in Kentucky, so much so that I was
easily transported there." Reader Views review.
If
your book were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
This is fun! Because
it has dual timelines (flashbacks to the 70s and 80s and a "current"
timeline set in 2009), I would have to cast young and older actors.
For the adult Penny, Elizabeth Olsen would be
the perfect choice and for the younger version, circa 1985–89, it would
absolutely be Sadie Sink. The adult Bradley? It’s Henry Cavill all the way with
Tanner Buchanan taking the younger role.
As for Ruby Ray,
Penny’s beloved grandmother, she would be played by Laura Dern (in the 1970s
flashback) and Diane Ladd as the older Ruby Ray. They are two of my favorite
actresses of all time and they are mother and daughter.
And finally, Dakota,
Penny’s best friend with a salty tongue, would be played by Rashida Jones while
Margo Martindale would make a fine Miss Paulette, Camden, Kentucky’s premier
town gossip.
Maybe I should be a casting agent!
If your book were made into a movie, what songs would be on the
soundtrack?
It's funny you should
ask. I literally made a playlist for this book as I was writing it. Whenever I
was in the car or exercising, I listened to it over and over again.
Name by Goo Goo Dolls
American Girl by Tom Petty
Heaven by Brian Adams
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder by Johnny Cash
Cruel Summer by Bananarama
Let It Be Me by Ray LaMontagne
Feels Like Home by Edwina Hayes
The Promise by Tracy Chapman
Fix You by Coldplay
All That You Are by Goo Goo Dolls
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your
book?
The biggest challenge
was deciding where to start. To be honest with you, I had no idea what I was
doing. I spent about three and a half years writing, rewriting, and editing my
novel, Where the Grass Grows Blue completely
by myself. This was the first book I had ever written, so there was a lot of
trial and error involved.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring
author?
Write, write, write.
It’s the only way to get better. Also, I suggest joining writing groups. I’m a
member of the WFWA (Women’s Fiction Writers Association). It’s been a wealth of
knowledge and has connected me to so many authors and aspiring writers, who are
the most generous people on the planet with their time and advice.
Which authors inspired you to write?
Elin Hilderbrand.
She’s the reason I started writing in the first place. I adore her. I even
traveled to Nantucket last fall with a group of girlfriends to have the Elin
"experience." It was an absolute blast, plus I met her! On my
website, you can find a blog post I wrote about that trip.
On rituals:
Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?
Since I can write
anywhere, I grab whatever is available, but I am partial to milk chocolate and
coffee. If I’m craving salt, Pringles and popcorn are my go-to foods.
Where do you write?
When I started
writing, I was a busy mother with four children at home and one in college.
Every free moment, I wrote when I had the chance. In the beginning, it was
usually after dinner, when my children were busy with homework and my kitchen
was clean. But that only got me so far. With a house full of active children
who played multiple sports, I took every "free" opportunity I could
get. I started toting around my laptop to basketball, football, lacrosse, and
soccer games when there was a break in the action in case something struck
me.
Do you write every day?
Yes.
What is your writing schedule?
I don’t have a
"schedule" per se. I write whenever I can find the time.
In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or
laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?
Not for Where the Grass Grows Blue, but for my
third book, Tobacco Road, I plotted
it out by hand.
Fun stuff:
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
I’d rather be
transported to the future instead.
Favorite travel spot?
Sea Island, Georgia.
It’s my happy place.
Favorite dessert?
That’s so hard! I have
an incorrigible sweet tooth. I love crème brulee, but I’m also a sucker for a
good old-fashioned peach cobbler with tons of ice cream.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you
want with you?
- The Age of Innocence
- Gone Girl
- Any
book on how to survive on a deserted island. If nothing else, I am
practical.
What’s the strangest thing that ever happened to you?
A car literally ran
into my house, missing me by inches. There were skid marks in my foyer. That
was certainly a weird day.
Any hobbies?
I’m a tennis player.
I’m currently on seven teams. Wait, did you ask if I had an obsession?
If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you,
what would it be?
I’m proof that it’s
never too late to follow a dream.
What TV series are you currently binge watching?
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix.
What is your theme song?
My Life by Billy Joel or the Theme Song to Rudy…I’m short but
determined.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Easy. Making my
grandmother’s bunny cakes every Easter. She taught me, and now I’ve passed it
down to my daughter. I’ve made hundreds of them since I was a little girl.
What song is currently playing on a loop in your head?
The Promise by Tracy Chapman. It
reminds me of Penny and Bradley’s story.
What is your go-to breakfast item?
One scrambled egg,
black coffee, and skim milk. I LOVE milk.
What is the oldest item of clothing you own?
My navy blue Kentucky
sweatshirt that’s over three decades old…but it’s still holding up. I wear it
weekly, no matter the season.
Tell us about your longest friendship.
I met her on the first
day of first grade. She’s still one of my dearest friends, after forty-six
years.
Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
Jason Bateman, hands
down. Still not a bad choice today.
Author Bio:
Hope Gibbs grew up in rural Scottsville,
Kentucky. As the daughter of an English teacher, she was raised to value the
importance of good storytelling from an early age. Today, she’s an avid reader
of women’s fiction. Drawn to multi-generational family sagas, relationship
issues, and the complexities of being a woman, she translates those themes into
her own writing.
Hope lives in Tennessee with her husband and
her persnickety Shih Tzu, Harley. She is also the mother of five. In her
downtime, she loves playing tennis, poring over old church cookbooks, singing
karaoke, curling up on her favorite chair with a book, and playing board games.
Hope has a B.A. from Western Kentucky
University and is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association.
Website: https://www.authorhopegibbs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopegibbsauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HopeGibbstuib
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhopegibbs/
Author
Marketing Experts:
Twitter: @Bookgal
Instagram: @therealbookgal
Praise:
"In
Where the Grass Grows Blue, Hope Gibbs examines Penny Crenshaw’s journey to
pick up the pieces and begin again after divorce. But this mother of three sons
soon learns that if she wants to move forward, she’ll have to first go back to
the start. Readers will enjoy this fast-paced southern story about
second-chances, lifelong friendships, and the healing power of
forgiveness."
– Julie
Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials
"Where
The Grass Grows Blue hit me in all the right places. Young lovers separated
by a misunderstanding reunite twenty years later, only to discover that
although their love never faded, their choices are insurmountable. Or are they?
Gibbs skillfully weaves the dark side of life
with the beauty of a love that has only grown stronger over time. Keep an eye
on this author – she is one to watch!”
–
Barbara Conrey, USA Today Bestselling
Author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
"Hope Gibbs' debut, Where the Grass Grows Blue, is worthy of taking its place among true
Southern fiction novels where the banter is witty and the women are true steel
magnolias.
It’s a delightful, engaging story about
following your heart.”
– Grace
Sammon, Award-Winning Author of The Eves,
and host of The Storytellers
"Where
the Grass Grows Blue is the most authentic and endearing book I’ve read in
ages. Penny’s difficult and heartbreaking rural background in Kentucky (the
Bluegrass state) and her high society life in Atlanta could not be more
different. But when she can’t hide from her past anymore, her life comes full
circle.
I think Penny is my new fictional best friend.
There were times I wanted to read quickly to see how everything unfolds, but
this story is to be savored. Don’t rush this Southern gem."
– Cindy
Dorminy, author of The Foster Wife and In a Jam
"Hope Gibbs drops the reader into a
colorful, southern, small-town setting where Penny Crenshaw—a divorced mother
with a tumultuous childhood—is desperate to outrun her past.
Where
The Grass Grows Blue is one woman's story of
perseverance despite her painful past. A story of small-town living and second
chances, romance and resilience, friendship and forgiveness. One you’ll think
of long after you turn the last page."
– Jill
Hannah Anderson, Author of A Life
Unraveled, The To-Hell-And-Back Club, and Crazy Little Town Called Love
"Where
The Grass Grows Blue is an evocative story-with a southern flair-about
going back to the place that brought so much pain for a second chance at love
and redefining oneself.
This is one you'll fall in love with."
– Donna
Norman-Carbone, Author of All That Is
Sacred
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