Author Interview – Jennifer Carr – contemporary romance

Guide to Categories – Author Interview – an interview with an author, if there is no review from me, I have not read the book and cannot speak to its appropriateness for a school library

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About the Book

Book: Wrapped Up in You (Real American Country Series Book 2)

Author: Jennifer Carr

Genre: Sweet New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release date: October 1, 2024

Nash Montgomery is always up for a good time. But when a senior prank goes too far, his baseball scholarship is put at risk, threatening the future everyone expects him to follow. The consequences earn him community service at a local youth center where he discovers a passion that defies the path he thought had been laid out for him.

Cassidy is a talented musician trapped under the weight of her mother’s ambitious dreams for her. Desperate to carve out her own identity, she struggles to find her voice amidst the noise of others’ expectations.

Their worlds collide in Nashville when both earn a spot on Real American Country, a new reality TV competition for aspiring country stars. As they navigate the pressures of the spotlight, they’ll have to decide if they’re chasing their own dreams—or someone else’s. And along the way, they’ll discover that getting wrapped up in the right person can bring out the best in themselves.

Wrapped Up in You is a heartwarming tale about breaking free from the expectations of others, finding love, and discovering that the best path is the one you create for yourself.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author – Jennifer Carr

I’m Jennifer Carr. I’m a wife, homeschooling mom, baker, part-time farmer, social media addict, and an avid reader. I’m a lover of coffee, music, learning, animals, and writing.

I have a degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Marriage & Family Counseling, and certifications in Life Coaching, Health and Wellness Coaching, and am a certified Brain Health Professional. I also taught high school AP Psychology for several years.

I’ve always loved writing. Complete transparency alert – I never set out to become an author. I know, that probably sounds unlikely considering, but it’s true. I sat down one day and decided I wanted to write a story because I needed to know how a dream I’d awoken from ended. It snowballed and turned into chapters and eventually into an entire book. When I finished that book, I needed to make sure my characters were OK and thriving so I wrote the second book.

It was at that point I realized that being an author was something I could see myself doing for a really long time. So, I’m still writing and loving every minute of it. When I’m not writing, there’s a good chance I’m reading and drinking coffee!

Author Interview – Jennifer Carr

When did you first know you wanted to be an author? 

I have always loved writing. I was scribbling really bad poetry on paper as early as fourth grade. I actually stumbled across some of it when we cleaned out our attic a few years ago and it was embarrassing and hilarious to say the least. And no, it will never see the light of day again! HA! HA!

But, writing has always been a natural way for me to process my thoughts and emotions. I entered and won multiple writing and oratorical contests all throughout middle and high school. I did not, however, know that I could write a book and love doing it until 2021. 

I sat down one day and decided I wanted to write a story because I needed to know how a dream I’d awoken from ended. It snowballed and turned into chapters and eventually into an entire book (No Matter What). When I finished that book, I needed to make sure my characters were OK and thriving so I wrote the second book (The Lost and Found).

Now I’ve written ten books, four are currently published, and there are seven actively in the pipeline, all in different states of progress!

When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?

I’m a wife, homeschooling mom, social media addict, and an avid reader. I’m a lover of coffee, music, learning, and writing.
In March 2023, I launched a podcast (Connected Conversations for Creatives) in hopes of cultivating a community geared toward creatives—authors, musicians, artists, etc. My goal has been to foster a platform where we can share ideas, support one another’s work, and create a network of resources creatives need along their journey.

My hat collection is extensive but I love it. I’m never bored.
I also love to bake!

What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?

I confess, I am a romance junkie. But I most love the stories that focus on the emotions and the characters, rather than just what happens behind closed doors. When I started writing, that’s what I wanted to capture—the emotional journey of falling in love. It’s about those little moments that make your heart skip a beat, like a lingering glance or a meaningful touch. Do you remember how powerful a single whispered word can be? That’s the magic I want to bottle up in my stories.
And the best part is when characters grow together. They face life’s challenges, support each other, and come out stronger on the other side. It’s not just about falling in love, but about how love can make you a better person.
That being said, if you were to ask me to list my Top 5 Favorite Books/Series, you’d find Fantasy (Harry Potter), Dystopian (Hunger Games), Sci-Fi (Dune), and Historical Fiction (The Count of Monte Cristo). Granted, the number one spot hands down goes to The Princess Bride which we all know is a romance fantasy novel–but mostly romance.

What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

We just wrapped up the break-neck holiday rush and are kind of floating along in that weird hangover phase. It’s a love/hate relationship for me. The slower pace is much needed, but there’s a bit of whiplash that goes with it haha!

What historical figure do you admire and why?

Jane Austen. She’s so much more than just an author; she’s an icon of wit, intelligence, and sharp social commentary. Austen’s ability to blend romance with keen observations of human nature and society makes her timeless. I’d love to sit down with her and discuss how she crafted such unforgettable characters and balanced humor with deep insights into class, relationships, and morality. Plus, her resilience as a woman writing in a male-dominated era is inspiring.

How does your faith play out in your writing?

My first two books I ever wrote (No Matter What and The Lost and Found) are Christian Fiction (Romantic Suspense and Suspense). Faith is the strongest theme throughout both books.
When I shifted gears to Clean Contemporary Romance, I had to remember that I was writing clean but not Christian. My characters are more visibly flawed in ways and make choices that you might not see in Christian Fiction. But I still want to make sure that whatever I write, I’m not deviating from what I believe. 

We’re told in 1 Corinthians, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I want that to be reflected in my books. He gave me the talent, He gave me the time and the resources, the least I can give back is a platform that points away from me and directly at Him.

As a former K-12 school librarian(and since this blog is geared toward school librarians) I have to ask – what is your favorite children’s book?

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry was a book my fifth-grade teacher read aloud to us, and it’s one that has stayed with me ever since. While it might not have been my absolute favorite childhood book (because, let’s be honest, I adored the Sweet Valley High series and read it multiple times), there’s something about Roll of Thunder that resonated deeply. 

You know those books you read as a kid that just stick with you? That was Roll of Thunder for me. I can still hear Mrs. Cockson’s voice, I can see the fluorescent lights, and see myself doodling hearts and flowers on the notebook paper on my desk as she read to us. Everything about that story made a lasting impact, even at a young age, and it gave me a lot to think about as I grew older. It wasn’t just a book I enjoyed—it was a story that shaped my understanding of history and empathy in a way that stuck with me long after the last page.

Young Author’s Days were an important part of my work as a school librarian.What advice would you give to a child or teen who wants to be a writer?

I love this!

Don’t let anyone tell you that being an author is not a real career option.
When I was graduating high school, pursuing a creative career wasn’t really encouraged. I had even taken aptitude tests that said the top three careers for me would be Actor, Writer/Director, or Teacher. Unfortunately, because the ones I really wanted to pursue were considered careers for the “special people,” I was expected to pick a traditional path that looked like everyone else’s. For a long time, I felt lost trying to fit into that mold. I floundered A LOT. 

But when I started writing and eventually publishing my own books, it was like a floodgate opened, and I felt so free creatively. I hate that it took me until I was almost 40 to see that pursuing a passion is a viable option.
If a person will stay focused and embrace the hard work behind it, a creative career can absolutely lead to success. It’s possible to pursue passions and build a career that looks different from the norm—and thrive doing it.

Thank you so much for joining us today. It is a joy to learn more about the person beyond the author.

More from Jennifer Carr

Wrapped Up in You is book two of the Real American Country Series. But don’t worry, it can definitely be read as a standalone! The series follows a reality television country music competition and some of the contestants as they pursue their dreams of becoming country music recording artists. This book follows the story of Nash Montgomery and Cassidy Raye Stanton as they each navigate the pressures of the spotlight. They’ll each have to decide if they’re chasing their own dreams—or someone else’s. And along the way, they’ll discover that getting wrapped up in the right person can bring out the best in themselves.

Wrapped Up in You is a heartwarming tale about breaking free from the expectations of others, finding love, and discovering that the best path is the one you create for yourself.

One of my favorite things about writing this series is coming up with custom playlists for each book. If you love country music or just want to see what all the fuss is about, here’s the playlist that goes along with Wrapped Up in You: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hXjkRFytj9tPFpitHRdEf?si=d0209225ac1f41e0

Views expressed in this interview/guest post do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog host.

Blog Stops

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For the Love of Literature, January 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 20 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 21

Blossoms and Blessings, January 22 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 23

Artistic Nobody, January 24 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 25

Stories By Gina, January 26 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, January 26

For Him and My Family, January 27

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 28 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a 6-Month Kindle Unlimited Subscription and an eBook copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54131

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