About the Book
Book: Mayhem and Moonlight
Author: Jennifer Sienes
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, and Southern Fiction
Release date: April 16, 2024
Left at the altar holding the bill, a boatload of college debt, and piddly librarian salary has her praying for a miracle.
Lillian Murphy takes her life verse from a book title—A Series of Unfortunate Events. Could be it was on account of her jumping into things without first dipping a toe in to test the waters that landed her in such a position. A cozy, cardboard box would suit her just fine if she could find a way to heat it, but she’s hoping the good Lord will do some better. She’s done dreaming of happily-ever-after – She’d settle for just debt- and drama-free.
Luca Giordano knows the minute he lands in Shelbyville, Tennessee with his three young boys that he’s in over his head. Leaving the pain of his past behind, he’d also left his parents—and they’d done the heavy lifting. All his charts, graphs, and scheduling expertise isn’t enough. What kind of a productivity expert is he if he can’t be…productive? What he needs is a part-time Mary Poppins to swoop in and fill in for his gargantuan gaps—and Librarian Lillian seems the perfect solution.
But when Luca’s past converges with the present—and Lillian’s the catalyst—everything he loves most is at risk. How will a free spirit and fusspot find a way to happy ending?
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About the Author
Award-winning author Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance, and writing—and puts it altogether in inspirational women’s fiction. Two of the three novels in her Apple Hill Series (set in Northern California) were inspired by actual events. Her Southern fiction Bedford County Series is set in Tennessee where she now resides with her real-life hero (and husband).
More from Jennifer
I’m often asked where I draw inspiration for my stories. It was easy when I was writing the Apple Hill Series, because the Lord took me through a long season of loss ripe with emotional angst and faith building. So, two of the three novels in that series were inspired by actual events I lived through—my daughter’s traumatic brain injury and my brother’s suicide. Not exactly the stuff of happily-ever-afters. But being a romantic, I’m a sucker for a happy ending. It took quite a bit of spiritual growth and creative ingenuity (she says tongue-in-cheek) to be able to move past the pain and find the blessings for my characters. Proof that God uses every tear for our good and His glory.
The story behind Mayhem and Moonlight came from a friend of mine. Annie. Not long after I met her (at my release party for Night Songs) she told me about how she and her husband Peter came to be together. Annie was a school psychologist who had been left at the alter years before. Peter was a single father of three boys whose wife passed away from cancer. Annie loved children but was past her child-bearing years, so she was as enamored with Peter’s three boys as she was by the man himself. Inept in the kitchen, she shared many hysterical culinary malfunctions with me, including how she almost burned the house down on more than one occasion.
Main character Lillian was also inspired by an actual person—my daughter Nikki. Yes, this is the same daughter who suffered a near fatal car accident and went through months of rehab for traumatic brain injury. What a sweet thing to be inspired by her when she was dealing with a disability and again years later with master’s degree for library and information science—just like main character Lillian. That’s how our good God works, though, so I shouldn’t be surprised.
But of course, a romance needs a protagonist, and Lillian’s is Luca Giordano—single father to three young boys (just like Annie’s Peter) and a productivity expert in serious need of help. It wasn’t until after I started fleshing out ideas for this book that I’d even heard of a productivity expert. It was through one phone conversation with old friends who told me their son had written a book titled Winning the Week: How to Plan a Successful Week, Every Week. I could’ve never imagined purchasing this book to show support to my friends would lead to the inspiration I needed for Luca’s career.
And guess what? Using the techniques laid out by authors Demir and Carey Bentley helped me become a more productive writer, too! It was a win-win.
Once I got to know the characters, I let them loose in my imagination and had to race to keep up with them. That’s when I know my writing is in conjunction with the Lord. I literally cannot make this stuff up. I pray you will enjoy reading Mayhem and Moonlight as much as I did writing it.
Author Interview
Which author has most influenced your own writing?
The author that had the greatest influence on me when I first started taking writing seriously was Jodi Picoulet. She has always explored edgy social issues with from every angle, giving her readers insights they might not otherwise have. I don’t know that her writing has influenced mine when it comes to subject matter. Although I’ve had readers say some of my books can be emotionally difficult, I shy away from anything political. But I do admire her character development, depth of human understanding, and genuine dialogue. All of these combined make for compelling novels.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I’m an early riser, for this reason, mornings are the best time for creativity. I’m generally up by 4:30 and spend the first hour of the day reading the Bible, a couple devotionals, and prayer. The next hour is spent working out. My husband and I have a small home gym, and with all the sitting I have to do, it’s a blessing to be able to start the day active. I like to be at my desk by 8:00 and will spend the rest of the morning writing. After lunch with my husband (who is a retired chiropractor), I generally handle the other requirements such as marketing, editing (for my critique group), and my podcasting duties.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
After trial and lots of error, I have come to the realization that I work best blending the two. The first novel I wrote years ago was by the seat of my pants. When I got to the end, I realized I’d written myself into a corner, and I was too dejected to start over. Of course, that was before I realized that very few people write a book in one draft. So, I then decided it would be best to plot everything out. The only problem was, I had characters say things I hadn’t planned, and other unplanned characters show up out of the blue. It was then I realized I wasn’t actually the writer—I was just the typist. Now, I get a general idea of the story and where I want it to go, plug my plot points and pinch points into my Scrivener document, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
I put a William Falkner quote on my website that says it best: “It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does.” Of course, it’s easier for me, because I’m a pretty fast typist!
Who was/is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration was my mom. From the time I told her I wanted to be a writer, she was my greatest cheerleader. From the time I was in middle school on, she worked as an executive assistant for a company whose offices were in San Francisco. My last year of high school and into college, I was able to work there during the summer. I made the mistake of telling one of the regulars in my department that I wanted to be a writer. He looked at me and scoffed. “I’ve been working at that for more than twenty years with nothing to show for it. What makes you think you’ll succeed?” Disheartened, I told my mom what he said. Her response was quick. “Just because he can’t hack it doesn’t mean you can’t. Don’t ever let someone tell you what you can and can’t do.” She read everything I wrote throughout college and beyond. And when my first husband walked out on me, she encouraged me to use the pain of that abandonment to create heartfelt stories. Sadly, she died of leukemia while becoming a writer was still just a dream.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse, or is there a particular Bible story that really resonates with you?
I love the Book of Esther. Verse 4:14—You were born for such a time of this—is a wonderful reminder of the sovereignty of the Lord. Even though God isn’t mentioned once in the entire book, He is all over that story. Remembering that He is in complete control of His children from before time began is such a comfort when I see how quickly the world is spinning into evil and destruction. I just have to listen and obey and leave the rest up to Him.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21
Stories By Gina, May 22 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, May 22
Sylvan Musings, May 23
Texas Book-aholic, May 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 25
Artistic Nobody, May 26 (Author Interview)
She Lives To Read, May 27
For Him and My Family, May 28
For the Love of Literature, May 29 (Author Interview)
Lakesidelivingsite, May 30
Beauty in the Binding, May 31 (Author Interview)
Karen Baney Reviews, May 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 1
Back Porch Reads, June 2 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & a copy of the book!!
For the Love of Literature 