Home
to Chicory Lane by
Deborah Raney
I love the
introduction to this story, found on the back story cover—WELCOME TO CHICORY
INN…WHERE FAMILY IS (ALMOST) ALWAYS WELCOME! This stirs up a lot of questions
doesn’t it! Deb Raney you surely got the wheels in my head turning with that
one!
Once again Deb has
captured the characters on the page as though they came from flesh and blood
individuals. I like her characters and their interactions with one another. I
appreciate the depth and realism of ‘who’ these characters represent. I’ve read
other books by other authors where I didn’t like the characters and no matter
how skillfully those stories are written I just don’t enjoy them as much.
Everything I’ve read by Deb Raney has captured me with her characters.
This contemporary
story is one that will keep you rooting for Audrey and Grant Whitman and their
newly remodeled home turned into a bed and breakfast as well as the reason for
the surprise visit—complete with a trailer full of belongings—from their young,
newly married daughter.
There were times I
laughed and times I cringed when thinking oh goodness what can happen now.
Deborah Raney weaves stories that matter in the fabric of our everyday life
with skillfulness and grace. I found myself identifying and understanding
Audrey and Grant’s concerns and position as well as Landyn and Chase. Deb spans
the points of views from one generation to the next so beautifully.
Realistically.
I give a thumbs up
rating for this novel and I can’t wait to hear what you will have to say about
it too! I have the next book in the series in hand called Two Roads Home,
which Deb graciously had sent to me and I’ll be reporting on it soon.
Looking for a
heartwarming read that encourages and leaves you feeling happy…I advise a run
to your local bookstore so that you can pick up a copy of Home to Chicory
Lane by Deborah Raney!
Questions for Deb are like having a wonderful one on one visit!
1)
Deb I
really enjoyed your novel. Small town stories filled with hope and overcoming
stir me. How did you come up with this story?
My friend, author Courtney Walsh,
planted the idea for the Chicory Inn Novels one evening while we sat chatting
late into the night at a conference. I’d told several family stories during
our visit, and at one point Courtney said, “Deb, you have so many fun family
stories, you ought to write a book about a big extended family like yours! Or
better yet, a series!” That got my wheels turning, and I’ve
been excited about the people who live on Chicory Lane ever since!
2)
Did
you ever consider or dream about having your own bed and breakfast? (Or know
someone who did?)
Ever since I spent
several weeks writing at a lovely, quiet bed and breakfast near our small-town
home, I’ve dreamed about running my own inn. I honestly don’t think it would be
a wise choice for me…the paperwork would get me down, and probably the laundry
too. But maybe someday I could “babysit” for somebody’s B&B while they’re
on vacation and get just a taste of being an innkeeper.
3)
How do
you write these two generations and their points of view so skillfully?
I’m a huge
eavesdropper! I love listening to my kids and their spouses and friends talk,
and I take mental notes about the differences between the way twenty- and
thirty-somethings speak and the way us old folks speak. I just try to listen
and take notes, and sometimes I will run a section of dialogue by my kids to
ask them if this sounds authentic for someone their age. I’m so thrilled to
know you think I’ve nailed it!
4)
I’m
eager to read Two Roads Home, which is the second book in the CHICORY
INN series. Will there be a third book in this series?
There are actually
FIVE books planned for this series! I’ve written all but the final book, and it’s
on my to-do list once I return from the American Christian Fiction Writers
Conference in Dallas. The third book, Another Way Home, will be in bookstores
around October 20! It may be my favorite of the series so far!
5)
What
would you like to say to your readers, or potential readers, right now about
the concerns you wrote about in these novels?
I’ve always
enjoyed writing contemporary stories about Christian couples and Christian
families dealing with ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) problems. I love
showing how a family’s faith can make a difference as they go through trials
and temptations. In this series, I’ve dealt with marital separation, sexual
harassment in the workplace, infertility, family loyalty, and other issues. I
hope it’s clear to readers that I believe strongly that faith makes life on
this earth not just bearable, but joyful!
6)
Who is
your favorite character in this novel and why?
I probably relate
most to Audrey, “Mom” to the Whitman children because she’s in the same place
in life that I am: enjoying the empty nest, doing some things she’s always
wanted to do, but couldn’t while her children were still at home. I understand
her deep love for her kids, loving their spouses as if they were her own, the
thrill of adding grandchildren to the family, and the sorrow a mother feels
when her grown children are struggling. Hmmm… I think maybe Audrey is ME!
7)
How
would you like your readers to contact you?
I love hearing
from my readers, and meeting up with them on social media. Here are some places
you’ll find me hanging out:
Just
a suggestion to all readers…when you love an author then please write
recommendations about the novels you treasure and the authors who use their
skill and talents to bring about stories that inspire you. This lets others
know about those good reads and keeps the publishers and authors encouraged and
informed about what types of stories matter to you. Thank you for stopping by
my blog! I hope to see you again in the near future!
