Welcome to Remaininhislove!
1. Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired When Dawn Breaks?
This is a bit of a complicated question as different parts of the story were inspired by different events and people. But the idea of centering a relational conflict around a hurricane that forced two people together came from my time in Louisiana during Katrina. Though we lived far enough from the storm’s touchdown to remain unaffected, our town was soon filled with storm refugees. So many people had their lives uprooted. Many lost everything, and many felt that loss for some time. As I served in relief efforts, a thought niggled: What would it be like to write a story about two people who basically hated each other and were forced, due to the storm, to live together?
But then, I quickly dropped the idea and went on with life. Maybe six years later, without realizing it, I began to write a tweaked version of that initial story idea. Only this time one character, Jacqueline, was doing everything she could think of to reconnect with her daughter, who wanted little to do with this woman whom she was now housing, a woman the daughter felt had abandoned her as a child. It can be really hard to help or care for someone whom you feel wasn’t there for you when you needed it most!
2. What got you started on this writing journey?
This is another complicated question! I’ve always loved to write and have played around with writing—poems, short stories, journaling—as an emotional release, to process things, or simply to relax and enjoy myself. I didn’t consider it a career until
around 2009 when it became clear to me writing was what I was created to do. Since then I’ve pursued it fully without looking back.
3. If there is one thing you want your readers to take away from this novel, what would it be?
That lives can change and we can be part of initiating that life change.
More About the author
Jennifer Slattery writes soul-stirring fiction for New Hope Publishers, a publishing house passionate about bringing God’s healing grace and truth to the hopeless. She also writes for Crosswalk.com, Internet Café Devotions, and the group blog, Faith-filled Friends. When not writing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her teenage daughter and coffee dates with her handsome railroader husband. Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.
When Dawn Breaks:
As the hurricane forces Jacqueline to evacuate, her need for purpose and restitution motivate her to head north to her estranged and embittered daughter and into the arms of a handsome new friend. However, he’s dealing with a potential conspiracy at work, one that could cost him everything, and Jacqueline isn’t sure if he will be the one she can lean on during the difficult days ahead. And then there are the three orphans to consider, especially Gavin. Must she relinquish her chance at having love again in order to be restored?
Read a free, 36-page excerpt here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/slattery_sampler/1
You can buy a copy here:
On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/When-Dawn-Breaks-A-Novel/dp/1596694238/
On Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel-jennifer-slattery/1120694122?ean=9781596694231
On CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/when-dawn-breaks-a-novel/jennifer-slattery/9781596694231/pd/694231
remaininhislove 
The book sounds like it would be a powerful read!
Hi, Craftybooks! Thanks so much for stopping in and joining the conversation. The book was fun to write, and God taught me a lot about Him, His sovereignty, and grace as I was writing. 🙂
Thanks so much for hosting me on your site, Embassie!