About the Book

Book: Her Part to Play

Author: Jenny Erlingsson

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 18, 2024

Desperate for extra income after her mother’s passing, Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown. She’s working to save her parents’ legacy and help her brother, but the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.

John Pope has made his share of mistakes over the years. But after turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, he’s ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set–and definitely not a fan.

Sparks of tension–and could that be attraction?–fly between them, but Adanne hates the spotlight, and John’s scheming manager has bigger plans for him than to end up with the humble makeup girl from the small-town South. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what’s right in front of them?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jenny Erlingsson is an author and speaker of Nigerian descent. After 12 years working in junior high and women’s ministry, she moved with her family from Alabama to Iceland. When she’s not running after her four kids or ministering alongside her husband, she can be found writing romantic fiction and creative nonfiction to inspire deep faith in diverse settings, as well as encouraging other writers. Her other writings have been featured on (in)courage, Live Original, Velvet Ashes, and more. And in the margins, you might find her reading five books at a time with a side of Icelandic chocolate.

More from Jenny

Sometimes it can be easy to underestimate the significance of our part to play in God’s story, especially when it’s something behind-the-scenes. I wanted to portray that in the story that unfolds between my characters Adanne and John. In Her Part to Play, readers are introduced to a make-up artist who had dreams of becoming successful in her career, but she sacrificed that to take care of her dying mother and ended up getting fired in the process.

This idea actually developed while I watched behind the scenes footage of The Chosen. Like any industry, profession or product, what we see is only a small part of the process. There are details that we don’t consider when we are being swept away in a story.

On the surface, working with the actor who got her fired was not the way Adanne wanted to earn much needed income. But there’s so much beautiful redemption that can be found in hidden places and that’s what John finds as well. Every day that Adanne works on his face to get him ready for his scenes, God starts working on both of their hearts. A beautiful transformation is carried out through someone who may not have seemed valuable in the grand scheme of things, but who was a very important part of the process.

Her Part to Play gives a glimpse of that through a charming romance between two people with different roles and from different cultures, but they both have a core need to be known and loved for not just what they do, but for who they are.

My Interview:

What inspired you to start writing?

I think my love for reading is what inspired my longing to write. I wanted to write words and stories that not only expressed my feelings, but also made others feel the way that the books I read did.

I think that’s true for so many authors. Tell, us Jenny, how long have you been writing?

I have been writing since I could hold a writing utensil in my hand. I don’t know if the scribbles of toddlerhood count but according to my parents, I “wrote” all the time on scraps of paper and according to my memories, my childhood was filled with reading a lot and writing stories about my barbies.

How cute is that? You truly started early, then. What advice would you give a new writer or someone just starting out?

Keep writing! Don’t wait for the perfect words, or even the perfect time. Write in a disciplined way if you can but most definitely in the moments that you are able to. It may be five minutes or five hours, but each word will add up to a manuscript if you don’t give up.

Great advice. So often we put the things we desire to do because it isn’t the right time, and then it never happens. What is the most difficult part about writing for you?

The hardest part about writing is when I have to remind myself to take my own advice and to discipline myself to write consistently. To not worry about how perfect my words are because I know that editing is a beautiful part of the process!

I know that’s so difficult. I tend to be a compulsive editor of my own work, which definitely slows down the process. What is the definition of success as an author for you?

That is such a meaningful question. The definition of success for me is writing a book that makes Jesus smile. What anchors me as I write is John 12:3 where Mary poured her oil on Jesus’ feet and the fragrance filled the room. I want writing to be the offering I pour out on Jesus and for the fragrance of that worship to draw hearts to Him.

I love that analogy. It’s a beautiful reminder that everything we do in this life is to glorify our Lord. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

As I wrote the book, it was always surprising to me when certain scenes brought tears to my eyes. This happened in the brainstorming process and especially later in the editing process when a I reread some scenes and felt the emotions pouring out.

Thank you so much for taking the time to connect with me and my debut novel, Her Part to Play!

Thank you for the heartfelt responses.

 

Blog Stops

Back Porch Reads, June 25 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, June 27 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 27

Inspired by Fiction, June 28

Blossoms and Blessings, June 29 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 1

Vicky Sluiter, July 2 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 3

By The Book, July 4 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 5

Blogging With Carol, July 6

For the Love of Literature, July 7 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, July 7

Pause for Tales, July 8

 

Giveaway

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

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/2c55e/her-part-to-play-celebration-tour-giveaway