Good morning! Happy April! I stepped outside this morning and even though there is a chill in the air, it feels like spring. One of the things I like to do is have an occasional coffee on the front porch while listening to the birds chirp. Let’s welcome Love Inspired Inspirational author, Jennifer Slattery to Coffee & Chat.
I really want to know what’s your favorite coffee/tea?
I am definitely a coffee girl! A highly-addicted coffee girl. My daughter and I are currently engaged in a challenge—to visit every coffeeshop in our area. We’ve only just begun, but already we’ve tried some fun and new-to-us places. She often orders something fun that she hasn’t tried previously. I tend to get the same thing each time: decaf latte with almond milk and sugar free vanilla. Or, if I’m feeling super adventurous, caramel. As an aside, Christina, why didn’t you and I visit coffeehouses together when I lived in KC???
Opportunity missed, for sure!
Oh, for sure, definitely time wasted, and I spent a lot of time writing at a local coffee shop over the years, and when I do drink coffee, I like it with almond milk. Although, I did have a coffee with caramel macchiato creamer not too long ago, and it was good. I haven’t been to a coffee shop since the 2019, though, and oddly, most of the time I went by myself. I guess that enabled me to get more writing done.
So, I’m a firm believer that writers are readers. I’m always reading. I just finished a non-fiction book by Tracy Otsuka about ADHD in women. It was very eye-opening. What are you currently reading and what are your thoughts on what you’re reading? Anything good?
I do a lot of reading for my Faith Over Fear podcast. (I always read my guest’s content before hosting them on the show.) Currently, I’m reading A Non-Anxious Life: Experiencing the Peace of God’s Presence. I like his authenticity, vulnerability, and reliance on God. (But I also like that, although this isn’t the focus of the book, he acknowledges that he received help through medication and therapy. I feel it’s helpful when Christ-followers realize that anxiety and
depression are complex challenges that can’t always be eradicated by prayer and verse memorization and recitation.
That’s interesting and from what I understand, unique among many in Christianity circle. Kudos to him for the courage to offer his testimony with the potential for so much backlash.
Okay, so I think this next question is my favorite. Who’s your all-time fictional character and why?
Can I mention a movie character?
Absolutely! Fictional characters are fictional characters.
I was super late watching “This is Us.” (As in, I just recently
started watching it.) And I adore Toby Damon, Kate’s husband. He is the perfect romance “hero.” This quote encapsulates why I adore him. When Kate’s mom came to him for insight into Kate, he kindly but firmly rebuked her stating, “I’m on team Kate.” In other words, in every situation, no matter what, I’m on her side. I loved that!
That is beautiful and it is how relationships should be. I started “This is Us” when it first came out, but that was during a very difficult time, and as you know, the show doesn’t hold anything back. I had to check out as soon as the hard stuff started hitting.
Now, since you mentioned your favorite fictional character is from a television episode, do you have a “the book was better than the movie”? If so, which one and why?
Um, every. Single. One. Unfortunately, I can’t remember one I recently watched—or watched recently enough that I remember the title and what I did and didn’t like about it.
LOL! That is something I can relate to. I started watching a series a while back (I took a break and need to get back to it), but it wasn’t until after I saw the series that I discovered there was a book. It’s one I think I have to read, too. I also recently discovered several mini-series based on Harlan Coben’s novels. He is now on my TBR list. Now, let’s talk your book. What is something about this book you want readers to really take away?
To trust God with their heart and their dreams, believing that He truly will lead us to a beyond-our-expectations, thriving life.
That’s a difficult take away to tackle, but having read some of your books, I know you’re up to the challenge. By the way, I love the cover. The art department hit this one out of the park.
About Jennifer’s latest release, Recapturing Her Heart:
What she’s always wished for… might be right here at home.
When she loses her job, professional dancer Harper Moore returns to her Texas hometown with one goal in mind—leaving again. But first she needs money for her big move, even if that means working for her ex-boyfriend. CJ Jenkins is certain he can help the single mom and keep his still-bruised heart intact. But as old feelings resurface, can they let go of the past for a new dream together?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Buy Recapturing Her Heart here: https://www.amazon.com/Recapturing-Her-Heart-Uplifting-
Inspirational/dp/1335597255
Jennifer, thank you for taking the time to answer my curious questions about coffee and books.
Jennifer Slattery is a writer, podcast host and speaker who has addressed women’s groups,
church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the lead host of the Faith
Over Fear podcast and cohost, with four others, of the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She also
maintains devotional blogs found JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and is a regular contributor
to iBelieve.com. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram, and follow her author page on
Amazon. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves playing games with her family,
working puzzles, and adventuring with her hilariously fun husband. Contact her through her website to learn more or to book her to speak at your next event.
If you’re an author and would like to be a part of Coffee & Chat, please feel free to reach out through the contact page letting me know you’d chat. I love to see authors from all genres, especially RomCom, Romantasy, Women’s Fiction, Women’s Historical Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, and True Crime.
See the questions below for what you can expect.
- What’s your favorite coffee/tea?
- What are you currently reading?
- What are your thoughts on what you’re reading?
- Who’s your all-time fictional character and why?
- Do you have a “the book was better than the movie”? If so, which one and why?