Welcome to those stopping by from today’s Proverbs 31 devotion. We’re glad you’re here! Today we’re honored to have Jennifer Erin Valent share a little about her debut novel, Fireflies in December, a She Reads Winter selection.
You will have a chance to win Jennifer’s novel (along with the sequel, Cottonwood Whispers) and two beautiful devotionals provided by Tyndale Publishers. We’ll have three winners total. The grand prize winner will receive both of Jennifer’s novels – Fireflies in December and Cottonwood Whispers – along with both devotionals (pictured below). The next winner will receive both novels, and a third will receive Fireflies in December. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or sign up for our monthly newsletter. Winners will be announced on Friday.
Books and Meatballs
Recently, my father scared my mother twice in short succession, both times enough to make her yell out loud. But that’s child’s play in the Valent family. When I was growing up we had a thing about out-scaring each other. Who could get the jump on whom? It was so common that my father is notoriously known as the man who thought he was jumping out to scare his wife while she was visiting the office and ended up saying a rather silly “boo” to one of his male co-workers.
He never tried that again, by the way.
Consequently, I’ve learned the fine art of strategic hiding. One of my favorites was to climb up underneath the pile of warm towels my mother took from the dryer. She’d toss them on the sofa and then go off to change loads, and I’d dive in underneath, all curled up in a ball. Then I’d wait for her to take off the one towel that would reveal my little foot or my sly grin and let out a yell. (I’m sure she caught on the first time and wasn’t scared the next thirty times I did it, but it was the original idea that counted, right?)
In my family we also danced the twist and the pony to old records, and had contests to see who could do the best Earnest P. Worrell impression (If you’re under thirty, don’t make me feel old by saying, “Who?” Just Google him). We had lip-synching shows, danced in front of a strobe light (i.e. my father jiggling a flashlight back and forth) so it looked like we were in old movies, and played don’t-let-the-balloon-touch-the-floor in the living room.
When my mother made meatballs, she would put on her own little Italian accent and toss them in the air – “One meat-a-ball, two meat-a-ball” – and then pretend to miss when it came down, letting it splat on the counter. A master of slapstick, she once had to explain to the doctor that the huge bruise on her leg was from “pretending” to run into a wall to make her kids laugh only she had missed and actually run into the wall.
My father can talk like Goofy and Donald Duck (although you should keep a three-foot radius between you when he does… or at least keep a towel handy). He’s been known to put on different types of hats and act out the various people who would wear them. And there’s no car trip complete without him passing a random person and asking my mother, “Who’s that?” To which she’ll reply “Sally” or “Frank” or whatever name pops into her head at the moment.
The point is all of this nuttiness will stick with me to the day I die! It’s part of who I am. We all come up differently, and what we grow up with shapes us and affects how we see the world. That’s life!
And that’s writing.
That’s how there can be a million books floating around this world that can all bring something different to a reader. It’s who we are and how we see life that takes stories you may have heard before and makes them new again. After all, people have been writing books forever. We’re bound to have covered all the angles by now. But writing is all about perspective and bringing something new to the table.
For me it’s taking all of life and how I’ve seen it, crunching it all up together in bits and pieces, like granola, and tossing it into a story. I don’t think I’ve ever written a single character that was solely – or even mostly – based on one person. My characters are always people I come up with in my head, and those people I come up with in my head always come from what I’ve seen and heard and experienced. And my stories and scenes are much the same.
They come from family memories, celebrations, everyday chatter, walks in the park, vacations and embarrassing moments. They come from people I’ve known, loved, disliked, rejoiced with, argued with, watched on television, read about in books, learned about in the newspaper. Throughout my life I’ve piled up a lot of memories, remembrances of specific times and places, sounds and smells. If I had never noticed life as it passed me by, I would never have known how to describe people, places, feelings, and relationships as I do in my books.
So I’m thankful for my parent’s penchant for jumping out to say “boo”, the funny little sayings of the kids I’ve nannied, the inside jokes between me and my friends, the beautiful moments of nature the Lord gives us each day, and even the moments of humiliation, God bless ‘em. Because without them, I wouldn’t be who I am and I wouldn’t know how to create a world and put it down on paper.
And I wouldn’t know how to scare the stuffing out of someone, either!
Born in Richmond, VA, Jennifer is the only Southerner in a family of Northerners, as is evidenced by her hybrid accent and love for Pittsburgh sports teams. Often distracted by an overactive imagination, she should have foreseen a career in writing, but as a child she only dabbled in short stories to entertain her friends. Her favorite books were anything Nancy Drew with a smattering of Trixie Belden thrown in, but even with a love for reading she saw herself being anything from scientist to fashion designer. Never a writer. Instead, it was a love for children that led her into nannying, a career she has enjoyed for the past fifteen years.
It wasn’t until her mid-twenties when Jennifer decided to try her hand at writing for children, but the realities of breaking into the publishing industry made it necessary for her to try other forms of writing as well. She began submitting articles to Christian women’s magazines and eventually decided to try writing a novel. A few successful freelance opportunities and the encouragement of a patient industry contact kept her writing and submitting her fiction to publishers.
Her fourth novel, Fireflies In December – a departure from the romantic comedies she first penned – placed in the semifinals of the Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest in 2006. After some revisions, she re-submitted the novel to the 2007 Guild contest and won the prize of publication with Tyndale House Publishers. In January 2009 Fireflies in December released, followed by the sequel Cottonwood Whispers in September. And keep an eye out for the third book in the series, Catching Moondrops, releasing in the Fall of 2010.
Jennifer’s sincerest hope is to glorify the Lord by writing quality Christian fiction that will inspire, encourage, and uplift readers of all ages.
Summary of Fireflies in December:
“The summer I turned thirteen, I thought I killed a man.” So begins the story of Jessilyn Lassiter, a young girl whose world is torn apart the summer of 1932. When Jessilyn’s best friend, Gemma, loses her parents in a tragic fire, Jessilyn’s father vows to care for her as his own, despite the fact that Gemma is black and prejudice is prevalent in their southern Virginia town. It doesn’t take long for the Lassiters to attract the attention of a local band of Ku Klux Klan members, who make increasingly violent threats on Jessilyn and her family. As she struggles to navigate a complex world of first crushes, loyalties, and betrayals, Jessilyn ultimately discovers what it takes to be a bright light in a dark world.
You can read the first chapter of Fireflies in December here.
If you want a copy of Fireflies in December, would you consider purchasing it from Proverbs 31 Ministries? All proceeds from book sales go to support this powerful women’s ministry.
These books look and sound interesting
Are they available here in the Philippines?
More power to the people behind Proverbs 31 and She Reads! Proverbs 31 is my home page — giving me the inspiration I need every day I log in
Keep it up!
I’d like to enter the giveaway. If I’m not a winner, I am definitely buying the books.
I am intrigued simply by the titles of the books. I eagerly await each devotional reading for they truly inspire me to become a better person each day:)
really enjoyed “fireflies in December”!
I’m happy to find this site. I love to read and don’t take enough time to do it. Thanks!
I am new to P31 and She Reads – although I always have 2-4 books going at a time…usually scattered around the house. I love discovering new authors and have been known to purchase a book based on it title – or smell. (old bookstores are my downfall…)
I wish I grew up in your house! That sounds like so much fun. I used to love to scare my mom (it was really easy to do).
Jennifer – the house you grew up in is MY house!!! I have a deal to make you
If I win one of your books, I’ll do two things. Share it with my sister who is a famous romance writer and all of us are praying she changes direction and uses her mad writing skills to further God’s kingdom… AND I’ll climb in the attic and pull out my huge box of Trixie Beldon books and send you one of my faves! Pinky swear!
Excellent writing, loving it so far!
Your Sis in Christ, Kim
I am so excited to read these books! I am a huge fan of Francine Rivers and I am looking for some great reads! Thanks Proverbs31 for the recommendations!! I love this site!!
After reading the above article, I am quite interested to read both the debut and sequel novels Jennifer has written. It also inspires me to re-start writing. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll have a novel published too!
I read about this entry from my Proverbs 31 daily devotional.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a new book!
Thank you for these devotions! They often say just what I needed to hear.
I love reading my P31 devo everyday. The description of Jennifer’s parents is so funny! It’s nice to know she appreciates their silliness, and gives me hope that my kids will look back on their own goofy parents and smile!
I enjoy your devotions each morning. They call me to deeper connection with My Lord every day. Thank you for the challenges!
Really appreciated the P31 devotional this morning (reading it a day late). JUST what I needed to hear. Would like to read more of Jennifer Erin Valent’s writing.
Thank you ladies for always sharing your insight. We live in a difficult, challenged world and without the Word of God to guide each day we would become like the world, full of bitterness and hopelessness. Thank you for the work that you do and always introducing us to new author’s, perspectives and ways of thinking. I am blessed to have your encouragements come to my email every morning
I would love to win these wonderful books! Looks like interesting reads!
Alison
Thanks for the chance to win!
Kim
Please enter me in the giveaway. So glad I found this blog from the link of the daily devotionals that Proverbs31 has. Thanks for the chance to win.
Connie
Memories are a wonderful thing, we can pull them out whenever we want to. I lost my father this last year to cancer, and I treasure every memory I have. I have been trying to record specific memories in a journal so I can pull them out in years to come and show them to my dad’s grandchildren and greatgranchildren.
I love books! Books stimulate my mind as I imagine the scene being played out as I read. The character’s in Fireflies in December are interesting and real and hold my attention. I also love to read books that are from different time periods than where I am living. I get a chance to see how the people lived, the things they dealt with and in this particular book the description of everything paints such a slower paced way of living.
I would love to read the entire book and the sequel’s to it. You left me hanging in suspense.
Thank you so much for your encouragement I get from the daily devotions. I love them so much.
I am so excited to find this website. Thank you all so much for taking the time to set this up. I have made a list of books already. Looking forward to getting your monthly newsletter. God bless you all.
Kris
These books sound great! I love to read!
looking forward to hopefully reading these!
The books sound great! Can’t wait to read them.
I’m SO excited to be apart of She Reads. I’m an avid reader but often find it difficult to find books that are uplifting and good at the same time. I’ve archived the former suggested reading lists and am stockpiling my future reads!! Also enjoyed your post today – I, too, come from a family that finds enjoyment in scaring each other to death. My father always had a prank or two up his sleeve. My children complain that they can’t scare me, to which I simply respond “Your Papa scared enough when I was younger, now it’s your turn.” I’d love to be considered for the drawing!
My husband and boys are always trying to out-do each other in scaring me, they think it’s so much fun to make mom jump! I’d love to read your books.
What an interesting life. I can only imagine how that will effect your ability to tell stories through your writing. Your books sound interesting and I will be looking forward to finding them at my house and then at my school.
I have really enjoyed this website. I can’t wait to read these books also. I love that so many Christian books are now available!
Wow – reading the introduction about the author reminded of so much forgotten “treasure”. My dad passed away 3 years ago on 22 Jan and when I read the part about Jennifer’s dad doing a Donald Duck impression, tears came to my eyes. How did I forget that? He was a funny, intelligent man and such a captivating storyteller! I remember singing in the kitchen with my mom and sisters while washing the dishes (our hands were our dishwasher). In rounds, we sang “Tonight You Belong to Me” and then we would break out into “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. (lol… we thought we were the Andrews Sisters, but mom was the only one who had vocal talent. And she was as beautiful as the Andrews Sisters.)
Thank you so much for your P31 ministry – it helps me to keep that part of me, that I so often try to hide, out in plain view . Thank you for helping me learn to celebrate being a woman.
Wow! Reading about your family fun brings back great memories of my own childhood! Can’t wait to read your book!
Thank you for today’s devotional. It was just want I needed to read today. Having trouble finding my way, feeling lost. Again, thank you.
I was thrilled to get to this site. I am a woman of almost 70 years and would you believe that I am just NOW turned on to reading for pleasure.
I just finished my very ” first” book, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I couldn’t put the book down. I got it from the library on a Saturday afternoon and finished it Sunday evening. I amazed myself. Honestly, I have never finished a complete book in my whole life. What a shame that I have missed out on such a wonderful experience for all these years.
Now to find this website, is the next step for me. One of my problems is that I never knew how to find a book that would hold my interest long enough to get into it. This site will help me head in the right direction. I read the first chapter of “Fireflies in December” and it sounds like a good fit for me.
Thank you Proverbs 31 Ministries. I have been reading your site for awhile now. Just signed up for the newsletter. Blessings to you wonderful ladies.
Interesting post! I enjoyed getting to know a little more about you! And of course, I would love to win the grand prize!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
I’m not much of a fiction reader, but you’ve peaked my curiosity, thanks!
I love to read, but before I discovered “She Reads” I used to read material that was not edifying in any way shape or form. I thank God For this ministry and the books that they recommend. Carry On. Faithful reader, Sonia
I would love to win these books. They sound great! I am the leader of the ladies book club at my church and we have a wonderful time.
Count me in on this giveaway! I just read a daily devotion written by Jennifer and I’d love to read more of God’s work through her.
I am anxious to read these books. I used to read Grace Livingston Hill as a teenager, looking forward to good uplifting reading. Thank You
I can’t wait to read these books (whether I win them or buy them!), and am so glad I found your website through Proverbs 31.
Your journey to becoming an autho, and today’s devotional, truly were just the inspiration I needed.
Thank you.
I am looking forward to reading Jennifer’s book. Count me in for the contest.
Thank-you!
Enjoyed the posting…. would love to have the book.
These books sound so intriguing! I’d love to read them. And I love the site and daily devotionals!
Reading your description of your family life brought a smile to my face. We were just as goofy in my house and I have such fond memories!
I would love the books to add to my oversized collection.
I would love to win these books and devotionals!
Thanks
I am excited to have found Proverbs 31 and She Reads. What a great resource to learn about Christian authors! Thank you!
I can smell the smells. I can hear the sounds. I can see the surroundings. But most of all —I can feel the feelings. I believe that is what a good book is made of.—-Bring it on.—I can’t wait to read the rest of the story.
I enjoy the devotional so much and just found this perfect morsal—I consider dessert. Love to read and hope to win. Thank you for the chance.
Im so excited to be apart of she reads. I found this site when i was looking for a bible study. All these books sound amazing. I would love the chance to win.
Hi, and thank you for your devotional today was delightful and enjoyable. I would like to sign up for the drawing, I would be thrilled to be chosen to win.