As summer winds down and we begin to embrace the cozy comforts of fall, there’s no better time to dive into a heartfelt story that explores second chances, love lost and found, and the winding journey toward home. In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, bestselling author Jenny Hale joins me to chat about her latest emotionally rich novel, WHERE ARE YOU NOW. From a spontaneous creative spark on her front porch to the pages of a story set between bustling New York City and the quiet charm of Marrowbone Lake, Jenny opens up about her writing process, her inspirations, and what she hopes readers will take away long after the final page.
Jen: WHERE ARE YOU NOW weaves themes of second chances, faith, and fate. What first sparked the idea for Ava’s journey?
Jenny: This book literally came to me like some sort of divine download. I got the whole thing in one thought while sitting on my front porch one day.
Jen: The setting shifts between New York City and Marrowbone Lake near Nashville. How did you choose these locations, and what role do they play in the story’s tone?
Jenny: I wanted very juxtaposed locations to illustrate Ava’s growth. One is a place everyone’s heard of, a busy, vibrant, rush of a location. The other is remote, unknown to most, and quiet.
Jen: Ava and Lucas share a deep connection rooted in their past. How do you approach writing relationships that blend nostalgia with present-day challenges?
Jenny: These are my favorite to write. I actually find the past connections easier to manage because the characters can build on what they already have.
Jen: You founded Harpeth Road Press. How has running your own publishing company shaped your perspective as an author?
Jenny: Absolutely. It’s taught me how to assess the market to shape my ideas, and it’s given me perspective on how and why publishers make marketing decisions for their books.
Jen: If WHERE ARE YOU NOW had a playlist, what three songs would definitely make the cut?
Jenny: We’d have to do “Watermelon Moonshine” by Lainey Wilson (nostalgia, young love, memory-filled), “The Good Ones” by Gabby Barrett (celebrating finding someone steady and loving), and “Somewhere With You” by Kenny Chesney (holding on to love that’s hard to let go).
Jen: You’ve had several books adapted into movies. Does that influence how you visualize your characters and scenes when writing?
Jenny: Not a bit. I create the characters first, so trying to connect them to actors is tough for me. The characters are unique individuals in my head.
Jen: Without giving too much away, what do you hope readers will reflect on most after finishing WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
Jenny: I hope they question what they believe and seek out answers from those questions.
Jen: What’s something about your writing process for this book that might surprise your readers?
Jenny: I wrote it in a month. Usually a rough draft takes me 3-4 months, but this one flew off my fingers.
Jen: How can readers best connect with you to follow your latest releases and behind-the-scenes updates?
Jenny: I’m on all the socials and my website (www.itsjennyhale.com) is a good place to find the latest. Readers can also visit Harpeth Road’s socials and website: www.harpethroad.com
Jen: With fall just around the corner, what are you most looking forward to—both personally and professionally?
Jenny: Personally: quiet, cozy days of reading with warm cups of coffee and a fire in the fireplace. Professionally: finding the perfect rhythm that will produce the strongest results with the most balance.
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Magic of Sea Glass comes a heartwarming story about second chances, family bonds, and the magic around us. Where Are You Now is the perfect escape for fans of Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne, and Susan Mallery.
Ava St. John is on her way to a client meeting when her car is hit from behind, landing her in the hospital. While she’s unconscious, a booming voice offers her two options: “Find Lucas Phillips and live out the rest of your life, or pass on peacefully—which will it be?”
She chooses to live. There’s just one problem: She hasn’t seen Lucas Phillips since she was fifteen years old. In her search for Lucas, Ava questions everything she knows: her faith, belief in herself, and her life choices.
But her biggest questions are, what will she do when she finds Lucas, and what happens to her if she doesn't?
A heartwarming story that will have you believing in fate. If you adored the movies based on Jenny’s books and are searching for more feel-good romance, look no further!
Inspirational Romance [Harpeth Road Press, On Sale: August 5, 2025, e-Book, / ]
When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me. Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t. While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result is Coming Home for Christmas, a heart-warming story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas. The rest is history. When I’m not writing, I’m a mother of two boys and a wife to a very supportive husband.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry, earning acclaim as the award-winning author of the Gull Island series. Her debut novel, "Serendipity by the Sea," secured the prestigious Best First Book award from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest. In 2024, Vido's talent garnered further accolades, with Baltimore Magazine readers naming her Best Local Author in their annual Best of Baltimore poll, while the Baltimore Sun acknowledged her with an Honorable Mention in their Best of 2024 Author category. When not writing fiction, she interviews authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column, leads water exercise classes, and directs a legal nonprofit. Currently residing in Maryland, she and her husband are proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp.
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