Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Blue Jean Bayou by Janis Jakes

Book: Blue Jean Bayou

Author: Janis Jakes

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance

Release Date: June 12, 2026

After Jenna’s father dies, she travels to his cabin in the Texas Piney Woods to oversee the remodeling and ready the property for sale. She’s surprised when the contractor is a childhood crush – now a handsome man with a heart of gold.

Their friendship reignites, bringing the possibility of more…but at a price. Jenna, a business owner, loves the bustling streets of Manhattan. Creed, a military veteran with a hero’s past, finds refuge in small-town living.

When Jenna learns her father led a secret life, her world turns upside down, and she suspects Creed knows more than he’s telling.

As the truth about her father emerges, Jenna faces the secrets hidden in her own heart and must choose: a life of high heels and high rises or a meandering bayou with the man she now loves.

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Contemporary Christian Romance is a favorite genre of mine. Blue Jean Bayou by Janis Jakes is the most recent book that I have read in this genre.

WOW, the storyline starts off really strong and keeps going. The setting is East Texas and the main characters are Jenna Donovan and Creed Johnson. Jenna has taken leave from her job in Manhattan to return home to Texas after her Dad dies. Jenna intends on remodeling her Dad's Cabin and selling it. The Cabin is on 40 Acres in the Woods and near a Bayou. Jenna decides to go for a canoe ride on the Bayou, only to have to be rescued. Her rescuer happens to be an old childhood friend, Creed Johnson. Creed was actually more than just a Childhood Friend, she had a "crush" on him. Creed is now a Veteran and a Contractor. Creed is helping Jenna with the work being done on her Father's Cabin and their friendship is growing as they begin to spend more time together. Jenna thought this would be a quick turnaround: remodel, sell, return to Manhattan. Jenna is surprised to learn that her Dad hid the fact that he had a wife. Creed has had memories of Sam's Cabin come up as he works on the remodel. He is struck with Gratefulness for Sam Donavan and all the fun times at the Cabin growing up and even before Sam Donavan passed away. Creed really wants Jenna to reconsider selling the Cabin that was so much more than a "Cabin in the Woods" for so many who knew the Donavan family. Jenna is grateful that Creed has been able to share so much with her and reveal things that she is just learning about her Dad's life. I really enjoyed this storyline, as it shows how Friendship never ends and love can transpire even years later. The friendship turned relationship really gave Jenna and Creed the need to slow down and rethink their plans and seek God's will for the future. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoy Contemporary Christian Romance. GREAT BOOK!

Janis Jakes is an author of multiple contemporary and historical inspirational romances with an emphasis on courageous men, strong women, Texas sunsets, and happily ever after.

More from Janis

Texas is known for its vastness and cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. While those cities are great, there’s something about a small Texas town that stirs the heart and evokes a sense of community.

When I wrote Blue Jean Bayou, I wanted Shelton’s Cove to be one of those small towns that every reader would want to visit—where they’d find hundred-year-old farmhouses, wooden bridges that clack under the weight of vehicles, country diners where chicken-fried steak is standard fare, and salt-of-the-earth folks who look after their neighbors.

I also wanted characters who embody the Texas nature I know so well: brave men with strong faith and a staunch work ethic, and women who face life’s unexpected twists and turns with strength.

My ultimate hope is that readers get a true sense of the town and enjoy meeting the characters who call Shelton’s Cove home. This is Book 1 of the three-book Small Town Texas Series.

A little backstory nugget: The café in Blue Jean Bayou is named Myrtle’s Café after my late grandmother. She could cook like no one’s business—her meringue is legendary!—so it only seemed right to give the café her namesake.