Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: JoAnn by Donna Jo Stone

Book: Joann: Apron Strings Book Five

Author: Donna Jo Stone

Genre: Inspirational Historical (1960s) Romance

Release date: May 15, 2024

One cookbook connects them all…
Joann ~ Book Five in a string of heartfelt inspirational stories, featuring different women throughout the decades from 1920 to 2020.

Twenty-four-year-old Joann Kincaid’s life ambition is to one day run the family’s general store in Pecan Grove, Louisiana. It’s 1965 and the times may be a-changing, but Joann’s father is stubbornly hanging on to old-fashioned views about what he wants for his daughter. She’s just as determined to prove she’s a capable businesswoman.

In the past, she entertained romantic dreams alongside her vision for the store but discarded those notions when her high school sweetheart, Nathan, left for college. Now he’s back to reestablish his family’s farm—and a relationship with Joann. She still loves him but isn’t sure she can trust him.

As the conflict in Vietnam escalates, there’s a real possibility Nathan could be drafted. Should Joann pursue her lifelong dream to continue her family’s legacy? Or give Nathan a chance to prove he’ll be her true and committed love before it’s too late for them?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

Historical Romance books are a favorite Genre of mine.JoAnn by Donna Jo Stone is the latest book in this genre that I have read. It is Book 5 in the Apron Strings Series, each book is written by Various Authors. The books are covering the decades from the 1920's to 2020.

The time is 1965 in Pecan Grove, Louisiana. Joann Kincaid is 24yrs old and really has dreams to run the Family Business, the local General Store. She had dreams to run the store along with her High School Sweetheart, Nathan. She was devastated when he went away to college and she felt her long term dreams had been shattered. JoAnn's father is very much set in the ways of 60's for women and expresses to his daughter what he would like to see her do in the future.  JoAnn is hopeful when Nathan returns to town to run his Family's Farm. JoAnn and Nathan reconnect but JoAnn isn't sure if she can trust him to stay in town, especially with the possibility of being drafted as the Vietnam War starts. Will JoAnn ever achieve her dreams of running the General Store?  Will she and Nathan rekindle their relationship and live out their dreams of running the family businesses?

WOW, this series is one of the best series I have ever read. I really enjoy that each book focuses on a specific decade and I feel like I am in that decade. The 60's have always been a fascinating decade and the fact that it was a decade where women started moving away from "Homemaking" and into the Work world, this book really focuses on that. JoAnn is a very determined woman who knows her dreams and desires and wants to succeed at those. Nathan is a wonderful character and I LOVE how he comes back after college to run the Family Business. The author is very descriptive on the times of the 60's and really makes things come to life in this book. The book is one of Second Chances, Faith and Romance!  I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Donna Jo Stone writes southern-flavored novels for the inspirational and general market. Her stories are often about people facing tough times. Not all of her books have romance but when they do, the romances are sweet. No graphic language, sex, or violence, just plenty of heart-tugging emotion with endings that leave readers with a sense of hope.

 

More from Donna

Joann: Apron Strings Book 5 is part of the Apron Strings series, a multi-author project. When Jenny Knipfer, the organizer behind the project, approached me about joining the lineup of authors, I was immediately intrigued. An old cookbook passed down each decade to a new character? Small towns? Romance? Sign me up!

The books in this inspirational series are connected by one single cookbook, Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, as it passes from character to character. The cookbook contains more than recipes. Through time, women have penned encouraging words, quotes, and scriptures in the margins. There are eleven books in the Apron Strings series—one for every decade from 1920 to 2020. My novel, Joann, takes place in the 1960s.

One of Joann’s specialties is a popular 60s favorite, Jello with Dream Whip. No recipe needed there. Joann uses recipes from Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, but she would’ve relied on a cake mix every now and then, such as in the recipe at this link, Joann’s Easy Blueberry Pound Cake. https://donnajostone.wordpress.com/2024/04/24/from-the-apron-strings-kitchen-joanns-easy-blueberry-pound-cake/

Another name for this should be Disappearing Blueberry Pound Cake, because that’s what happens when I make it! This cake has become a family favorite. As far as how Joann’s cooking attempts using Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book come out, you’ll have to read the novel to see. In the back of my novel there’s another recipe, one that would’ve appeared in Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. All of the Apron Strings books have a recipe or two (or more) in the back.

Parts of Joann’s story are fun and lighthearted, but she also faces serious issues during uncertain times. I hope readers enjoy reading Joann, but also hope they come away from her story with a deeper understanding of the comfort that comes from trusting God with the future.

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 14

Stories By Gina, August 15 (Author Interview)

Mornings at Character Cafe, August 15

Texas Book-aholic, August 16

Simple Harvest Reads, August 17 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 18

For the Love of Literature, August 19 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 21 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, August 22

Blossoms and Blessings, August 23 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, August 24

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 25 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, August 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 26

Guild Master, August 27 (Author Interview)

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

(Paperback for a US winner only. eBook if winner is international)

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2dda6/joann-celebration-tour-giveaway

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: JoAnn by Donna Jo Stone

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