Let’s Chat! Author Jennifer A. Davids
Welcome, Readers! And Welcome, Jennifer!
Jennifer A. Davids (otherwise known as Jen Cvelbar) is dropping by this week, and I’m tickled pink. Jen writes inspirational historical romance and is currently releasing her latest, A Perfect Weakness, which is set in the Victorian era. Check out the cover below. Is that yummy or what?
Jen is offering a print copy of A Perfect Weakness to someone who comments below. So don’t miss out. Join the conversation.
Postscript July 10, 2018:
**Congratulations to Michelle, this week’s drawing winner. Michelle will receive a print copy of A Perfect Weakness by Jennifer A. Davids.**
How it All Began for Jennifer A. Davids
Hello Dear Readers! My name is Jen Cvelbar. I write as Jennifer A. Davids but you can call me Jen. I write inspirational historical romance and I was born and raised in Central Ohio. I had a challenging childhood. My parents divorced when I was ten, but even before all that happened God was laying the groundwork for what I would need to get through that.
He blessed me with a very wise mother. When one of my elementary teachers told her I wasn’t reading enough she took me to the library and we found the book that planted the seed for my love of reading: Eddie and Gardenia by Carolyn Heywood. I read and re-read that book which led me to finding other books like The Wizard of Oz and the Nancy Drew series and so many other books. The Bible provided much needed solace when my father left. God knew his daughter would need a place to go and provided it.
God Works Out a Plan for Jennifer A. Davids
I didn’t know it at the time, but all that reading would bear fruit when I was a freshman in high school. We were given a creative writing assignment and I remember pounding out the final draft the night before on an old typewriter my mom had borrowed from her job. (I guess God was also giving me a taste of what it was like to write on deadline. LOL!) When I turned it in, I was just hoping for a decent grade. What I got was the top score in my class and thus began my writing journey.
Jennifer A. Davids Begins Writing in Earnest
I majored in English Education at The Ohio State University and after I got married I would write here and there. Finally, I got really serious with it in 2008 and 2009 and wrote my first full length book. It was terrible. Just terrible. It is now filed away somewhere on my hard drive where it will never see the light of day again. LOL!
However, what I learned from that experience led me to write the next one, Yankee Heart. Then at the end of February 2010, I got the best email ever, Heartsong Presents offered me a contract which I instantly accepted.
A Debut Experience for Jennifer A. Davids
At the time, I had no platform, had no blog or social media account and hadn’t even heard about ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) until my acquisitions editor mentioned it. When I got my author copies, I handed them out to friends who also had no social media presence or blogs. Yeah. Big time newbie. (You have my permission to cringe.)
But I have learned since then. I got myself on social media and I have formed friendships and writing ties to some of the most wonderful people thanks to ACFW. I wrote two more books for Heartsong, Wounded Heart and Restored Heart and Barbour released them as a three-in-one called Brides of Ohio a couple of years ago.
And the Journey Continues
I kept writing. It was a challenge with two teenage kids (one of which has now graduated high school) but I wrote another book. This one was actually supposed to be another Heartsong title but sadly the line shut down and the story had become much too long for their guidelines anyway. It went through pitches to agents and editors who turned it down, a contest where it didn’t final and several title changes before it came to rest in Pegg Thomas’ inbox.
Pegg is the fantabulous managing editor of Smitten Historical Romance, a line of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (LPC). In July 2017, I got a call from her at my part-time job as a page at my local library. Let me tell you, hearing that contract offer never gets old. Never. I was so thrilled I wanted to Snoopy-happy-dance right there in the stacks!
What’s up With Jennifer A. Davids Today?
Now, almost a year later that book, A Perfect Weakness, will soon be in your dear readers’ hands. It took a lot of hard work to get it to where it is now and it has been so worth it. I pray you love John and Penelope’s story as much as I do. And I cannot be happier with LPC. My experience with them has been fantastic and I am proud to be a Smitten author.
What’s Next for Jennifer?
Right now, I am working on the monumental task of trying to write while moving house. We’re staying local to our area but it’s still crazy. While A Perfect Weakness has a Victorian setting, the one I’m working on now is set in the days preceding the American involvement in World War II. I’ve wanted to write this one for a long time but life has gotten in the way. I’m praying this is finally it’s time.
How to Connect With Jennifer and Her Books
We can connect in lots of ways! And I also have a pre-order link for A Perfect Weakness included in there too!
A Perfect Weakness Pre-Order Link
A Final Note
So who would like a chance to win a paperback copy of A Perfect Weakness? Leave a comment and Linda will pull a name in about a week.
Dear Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! We praise and laud and magnify You as the One and Only God. And we thank You for blessing sweet Jen with the gift of words and story and love. We pray You’ll bless every single word she writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
Jennifer, I love hearing your story of how God had plans for your writing long before you thought of it. You’re a new to me author but this cover totally got my attention! Love it!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Arletta! I love the cover too – the team at LPC did such a wonderful job with it. I hope you enjoy reading my stories.
Blessings!
Jen
Hi, Arletta. So good to see you this week. And I agree with you about the cover. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? You’re entered.
Sounds intriguing! I love Victorian & Regency time eras. The cover is great!
Welcome to our chat circle, Lila. I ditto your comment about Jennifer’s cover. It’s luscious, isn’t it? You’re entered.
Thank you, Lila – I love the cover more every time I look at it!
Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings!
Jen
Congratulations, Jen! Love the cover – looks intriguing!
Hi, Patrice. I’m with you on Jennifer’s cover. It’s beautiful—and intriguing. Thanks for dropping by. You’re entered.
Thank you, Patrice! I can’t believe just a year ago this was just a manuscript on my hard drive patiently waiting to be published. it’s been quite the year!
Blessings!
Jen
You are a new to me author and I would love to read your books. Best wishes on your new book! I can’t wait!
Welcome, Michelle. It’s great to see you in our circle this week. Thanks for encouraging Jennifer and me. You’re entered.
Thank you, Michelle! I hope you enjoy them. Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings!
Jen
Beautiful cover on this book ,would love to win a copy .
May God continue to bless you .
Hi, Elma. It’s great to welcome you to our circle this week. Please come back. You’re entered.
Thank you, Elma. You’re so sweet! I pray God’s blessings on you as well.
Blessings!
Jen
Congratulations! Your cover is very pretty:-)
Hi Laura. I agree. Jennifer’s cover is beautiful. Thanks for encouraging Jennifer—and me too.
Thank you, Laura! I just love the cover too – the people at LPC really did a fabulous job.
Blessings!
Jen
Hi! Would love to read one of your print books! Especially since you are a new author to me! Thanks for entering me in your giveaway! Looking forward to possibly winning one of your print books. Thanks, again, for being a blessing to others! Lual Krautter
Hi, Luai. Welcome to our circle of friends. You’re entered in the drawing.
Thank you, Lual! That is so sweet of you to say. Thank you for stopping by!
Blessings!
Jen
Thank you, Jen, for sharing your writing journey. I always enjoy getting to know more about authors, and the story behind a story. Historical Christian fiction is my favorite genre to read. Your book, A Perfect Weakness, sounds so intriguing and the cover is stunning! Congratulations on its upcoming release and I hope it is a HUGE success! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Alison! I hope you enjoy John and Penelope’s story – they are dear to my heart!
Blessings!
Jen
Great to see you in our circle this week, Alison. You’re entered in the drawing.
I haven’t read any of your books yet Jen. I have added them to my TBR pile.
Wonderful, Cheryl, thank you! I hope you enjoy them! So glad you stopped by.
Blessings!
Jen
Welcome, Cheryl. I’m glad to see you in our chat circle this week. I hope you’ll come back.
So glad you continue in your writing efforts! The cover of your new book is lovely, I look forward to reading it.
Thank you, Patty! The team at LPC did a wonderful job! I hope you enjoy my book.
Blessings!
Jen
Hi, Patty. Thanks so much for visiting with us. Please come back.
Thanks for the chance to win! I am always looking for new books to read.
It’s my pleasure, Steph. I’m always looking for a new book too! Thank you so much for stopping by.
Blessings!
Jen
Thanks for stopping by, Steph. You’ve encouraged us!
“Fantabulous?” Methinks you’re trying to make me blush. In truth, it’s you who has been a joy to work with. You’re the quiet one of the Smitten crew, but it’s a strong kind of quiet, not a mousey kind. You’re an asset to Smitten, and I suspect we’ll lose you to a larger house before long. Historicals are on the downswing of popularity but they will rise again, and you and many of the Smitten authors will be riding the tide into bigger and better things.
(Don’t enter me in the drawing, of course.)
How wonderful to welcome you to our circle, Pegg. I’m proud we share Jen in common.
Awwww! (blushing and smiling) thank you, Pegg! You are so sweet and that is just what I needed to hear today. Much love and blessings!
Jen
I so relate to comments about the first book you wrote. My first novel was a mess. I thought it was good until I read an article about the top 10 mistakes new writers make. I’d made all 10 numerous times. Yikes. Fortunately I began to learn from successful writers and am blessed to have a debut novel, published by Lighthouse Publishing in the Carolina’s releasing in January.
Best wishes for continued success. Your new release sounds wonderful.
Blessings
Congratulations! Working with LPC is so great, isn’t it? Thank you for stopping by!
Blessings!
Jen
I thoroughly enjoyed your post Jen. Congratulations on your upcoming book, it looks fantastic. I’m excited to read it soon.Tickled to hear your working on your next novel. Happy 4th to you and Linda!!
Thank you, Stacy! I’m so excited to share this story with you all!
Blessings!
Jen
I love how Jen sees the hand of God in her life! What a fun background story. I can’t wait to read your novels. Happy Independence Day to you!!
I ditto your words, Terressa. God’s forever clearing the way for us, isn’t He. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for your kind words,Terressa! Happy July 4th to you as well.
Blessings!
Jen
I was fascinated by your writing journey. So interesting. I’m glad you found a publishing home. I would like to read your books. Hope all goes well with your move. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you so much, Paula! It’s been an adventure – moving and the publishing journey. So glad you enjoyed the post!
Blessings!
Jen
Hi, Paula. It’s wonderful to see you this morning. Thank you for encouraging Jen (and me too).