Book Spotlight: Waitin' on Paige
Can authors have a favorite among the books they write? Well, my friend and fellow author, Mary Pat Johns has an interesting take on that. See what you think and get a sneak peek at her book soon-to-release (which sounds amazing!). 
Book 4 of the Valiant series will release in July. Waitin’ On Paige is the last book of the series. With the release of Books 2 and 3 in 2024, I struggled to find the balance between marketing and writing. However, the Lord is in the refreshing business, and he gave me the time and strength I needed to make it happen. How good is that?
People often ask if I have a favorite in the series. That’s a hard one to answer. Book 1, Countin’ On Jesse will always hold a special place in my heart, as it’s my first published novel. Kind of like my firstborn. Everything was new and harrowing, but we made it. In Book 2, Lovin’ On Red, I wanted to show and share God’s extravagant love, because when the Lord makes things new, he does a bang-up job that lasts forever.
Book 3, Glitter and the Grouch surprised me. Two minor characters from Books 1 and 2 grew increasingly vocal about wanting their own book, so I combined their love story with the Texas Water Safari, the world’s toughest canoe race. I love following the race, so that book was a joy to write. I had originally planned for a 3-book series but added this sweet novella to let fans of Valiant have more page time. The title is so much fun, it still makes me smile.
That leaves Book 4, Waitin’ On Paige. Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness?
Before I began writing Waitin’ On Paige, I had a theme in mind. I wanted to show the dark side of glamorous living that’s often hidden. The way I did this was to include a character whose attractive appearance masked evil intentions. It wasn’t to target any real-time individual or company; I just wanted to clarify that we often accept carefully crafted facades at face value.
That said, Waitin’ On Paige was, by turns, fun and hard to write. So if you ask which book is my favorite, I’d have to say Waitin’ On Paige. But I’m developing a new series and already falling in love with my new characters. I think it’s safe to say whatever book I’m working on is my favorite.
About the book cover. I loved the way it came together. The word I’ve been hearing a lot is “cute.” While it definitely falls in the “cute” category, my hope is there’s plenty of meat to chew on between the front and back cover. When I revealed the cover to my newsletter subscribers, my crit partner said it nailed Paige. The confirmation meant a lot amid all the “cuteness.” Also, Linda Fulkerson, Scrivenings Press graphic artist-extraordinaire, worked hard to find a background color that would make the black eveningwear and the white lettering pop.
If you haven’t read the other books of the series yet, now is the perfect time. There’s time to read the first three books before Waitin’ On Paige’s release in July. Stay tuned! It may just be your favorite.
All he wants is to reclaim her love…
Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness?
Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from teaching speech and writing. She has written devotions for an online publication, had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, and wrote a column for the Victoria Advocate, a local newspaper.
Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023. Books 2 & 3 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red and Glitter and the Grouch released in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.
She writes Christian romance because when we view life through the hope of Christ’s sacrifice, we find that happily ever after is God’s idea.
Mary Pat lives in South Texas with her husband and their two dapple dachshunds. Her grown children and five grandchildren are useful sorts who keep her grounded with her reading/writing obsession. You can find her at the gym, at her computer, or reading a good book.
Links:
Short link to Amazon/Romance in Valiant series https://bit.ly/4hhJvLj
FB link: https://www.facebook.com/marypatjohnsauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marypatjohnsauthor/
Website: https://www.marypatjohns.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marypatjohnspin/_saved/
Newsletter signup and Longin’ for Valiant download: https://prnt.sc/P_ZMgoPwSSY
Book 4 of the Valiant series will release in July. Waitin’ On Paige is the last book of the series. With the release of Books 2 and 3 in 2024, I struggled to find the balance between marketing and writing. However, the Lord is in the refreshing business, and he gave me the time and strength I needed to make it happen. How good is that?People often ask if I have a favorite in the series. That’s a hard one to answer. Book 1, Countin’ On Jesse will always hold a special place in my heart, as it’s my first published novel. Kind of like my firstborn. Everything was new and harrowing, but we made it. In Book 2, Lovin’ On Red, I wanted to show and share God’s extravagant love, because when the Lord makes things new, he does a bang-up job that lasts forever.
Book 3, Glitter and the Grouch surprised me. Two minor characters from Books 1 and 2 grew increasingly vocal about wanting their own book, so I combined their love story with the Texas Water Safari, the world’s toughest canoe race. I love following the race, so that book was a joy to write. I had originally planned for a 3-book series but added this sweet novella to let fans of Valiant have more page time. The title is so much fun, it still makes me smile.
That leaves Book 4, Waitin’ On Paige. Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness?
Before I began writing Waitin’ On Paige, I had a theme in mind. I wanted to show the dark side of glamorous living that’s often hidden. The way I did this was to include a character whose attractive appearance masked evil intentions. It wasn’t to target any real-time individual or company; I just wanted to clarify that we often accept carefully crafted facades at face value.
That said, Waitin’ On Paige was, by turns, fun and hard to write. So if you ask which book is my favorite, I’d have to say Waitin’ On Paige. But I’m developing a new series and already falling in love with my new characters. I think it’s safe to say whatever book I’m working on is my favorite.
About the book cover. I loved the way it came together. The word I’ve been hearing a lot is “cute.” While it definitely falls in the “cute” category, my hope is there’s plenty of meat to chew on between the front and back cover. When I revealed the cover to my newsletter subscribers, my crit partner said it nailed Paige. The confirmation meant a lot amid all the “cuteness.” Also, Linda Fulkerson, Scrivenings Press graphic artist-extraordinaire, worked hard to find a background color that would make the black eveningwear and the white lettering pop.
If you haven’t read the other books of the series yet, now is the perfect time. There’s time to read the first three books before Waitin’ On Paige’s release in July. Stay tuned! It may just be your favorite.
All he wants is to reclaim her love…Tavo Morales has returned to Valiant, Texas, to stir the embers of a relationship with the woman he has never stopped loving, but hidden reefs from his past threaten to destroy his future. Paige Munoz wants her new event planning business to be a success and won’t let anything stand in her way. But the path she’s on to make her dreams come true proves dangerous. Is the love Tavo and Paige once shared strong enough to survive his secrets and her stubbornness?
Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from teaching speech and writing. She has written devotions for an online publication, had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, and wrote a column for the Victoria Advocate, a local newspaper.Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023. Books 2 & 3 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red and Glitter and the Grouch released in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.
She writes Christian romance because when we view life through the hope of Christ’s sacrifice, we find that happily ever after is God’s idea.
Mary Pat lives in South Texas with her husband and their two dapple dachshunds. Her grown children and five grandchildren are useful sorts who keep her grounded with her reading/writing obsession. You can find her at the gym, at her computer, or reading a good book.
Links:
Short link to Amazon/Romance in Valiant series https://bit.ly/4hhJvLj
FB link: https://www.facebook.com/marypatjohnsauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marypatjohnsauthor/
Website: https://www.marypatjohns.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marypatjohnspin/_saved/
Newsletter signup and Longin’ for Valiant download: https://prnt.sc/P_ZMgoPwSSY
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