It’s great to be here, Kelly. Thanks for having me.

Hello Jodie, It’s been three years since I last interviewed you for the release of Taming Julia, which was the first book in your Burrton Springs Brides series. It released on Valentine’s Day of 2020. I’ve also read and reviewed two of your books, To Claim Her Heart (https://kellyfbarr.com/2018/05/14/to-claim-her-heart-a-book-review/) and Taming Julia (https://kellyfbarr.com/2020/04/06/taming-julia-by-jodie-wolfe/). It’s a pleasure to interview you again today as Book 3 of the Burrton Springs Brides is about to release.

Q: You published your very first book independently in May of 2016. You now have an upcoming book, Wooing Gertrude, to be released in just a couple weeks on September 15^th. So, how many books, in total, will you have published when Wooing Gertrude comes out?

A: I guess technically ten books. 😊 I have two indie fiction books. Wooing Gertrude will make my sixth traditionally published book. I also indie published a short etiquette book that coincides with To Claim Her Heart. I participated in a devotional book for homeschool moms, writing five devotions for it.

Q: As I said, your very first book was independently published. Wooing Gertrude is being published by White Rose Publishing. Can you tell us a little about White Rose Publishing and when you began working with them?

A: Taming Julia was my first book with White Rose Publishing. They have been a real blessing to me. It’s like being part of a family. We support each other in our writing, but also are a prayer support for whatever is going on in our lives.

Q: How is publishing with a publishing company different from independently publishing, and what do you see as the benefits of each of these publishing options?

A: There’s a lot of freedom with independent publishing, but all the aspects of the project fall completely on you to take care of. While working with a traditional publisher, I feel like I have a team behind me. They work hard to make sure we create the best product and assist with the marketing and getting the finished product into the hands of more people.

Q: The line at the top of your website says, “Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet”. Do you consider that your tagline or brand? Why did you choose that particular line?

A: That’s my brand. I try to write stories that always have hope no matter what my characters are going through. I try to throw in quirks because they are what make life fun and interesting. 😊

Q: Now, let’s talk a little bit about your upcoming release, Wooing Gertrude. According to the back cover book blurb, your main female character, Gertrude, sends for a potential husband. Is that a twist on the Mail Order Bride idea?

A: It is. Although it was something that some women did, it wasn’t very often. Most times it was the male sending for a bride.

Q: The back book blurb of Wooing Gertrude also asks whether or not either of the main characters will find peace. So, is peace the theme of the story, and what made you decide on that theme?

A: Yes, the main theme of the book is finding peace. The themes I pick for my books are usually something God has recently taught me or is in the process of teaching me at the time. I often learn more about the topic along with my characters.

Q: The first book of the Burrton Springs Brides series was published February 14, 2020, the second one on November 12, 2021, and the upcoming third book will be out on September 15, 2023. So there was a little more than a year between the first and second books and there will be almost two years between book 2 and book 3. Do you set goals and shoot for a certain amount of times between books or how do you determine how long each book or series will take?

A: While this is a longer gap than I hoped for, sometimes life gets in the way of deadlines – self-imposed or otherwise. I’ve had a rough couple years with family situations, which is why it took me a while to write Wooing Gertrude. I recently turned in the final book in the series, which will hopefully be Convincing Lou.

I typically can have a book written within a few months and then a couple months for edits. When I turn the book in to my publisher, they typically take six months before I hear back from them and then we go through the editing process. Once I sign a contract, the book is usually out within about nine months or so.

The Burrton Springs Brides Series originally was only going to have three books in it, but as I wrote Wooing Gertrude, I knew I needed to have a book for a character I introduced in Taming Julia and has been mentioned in each of the books in the series.

Q: Will there be more books to the Burrton Springs Brides series, or is Wooing Gertrude the final book of the series?

😊 As I mentioned, there will be one more book in the series – Convincing Lou.

Q: Out of all the books you’ve written, which book is your favorite and why? And, which character is your favorite and why?

A: This is always a hard question to answer for authors. It’s like asking, which one of your kids is your favorite? 😊 If I had to narrow it down, I would say my favorite is Taming Julia because Jules was such a fun and unpredictable character to create. She’s totally different from me.

On a personal note, To Claim Her Heart is also a favorite because it includes true stories of some of my husband’s family who participated in the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893. It’s a book my mother-in-law was passionate about. Unfortunately, she didn’t live to see it published.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

A: I had fun researching the possibility of including some furry creatures in Wooing Gertrude that quickly steal her heart. You’ll have to read the book to find out what they are. 😊

Thanks for having me here today!

It was my pleasure. Best wishes on Wooing Gertrude and your future writing!

Here is Jodie’s Bio and information where you can find more about her books and connect with her: Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW). She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.jodiewolfe.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jodie-Wolfe-553400191384913

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jodie-wolfe

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JodieAWolfe

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15220520.Jodie_Wolfe

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jodie-Wolfe/e/B01EAWOHXO/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

MeWe: https://mewe.com/jodiewolfe

And be sure to purchase Wooing Gertrude this Friday, September 15, 2023!