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My husband Murray and I have spent many delightful hours listening to audio books of Jan Karon’s Father Tim Kavanagh, his family, and friends—the hilarious people who live in the small southern town of Mitford. We laugh and are touched by the warm stories of people who meet God’s grace in Mitford. Robin Jones Gunn Robin Jones Gunn writes stories about new romance, relationships between mothers and daughters, and grandmothers, women with their careers, friends traveling abroad, married couples who need to find new hope in their relationships. And all three of these women have taught me much about how to write God’s mercy and grace naturally into the everyday lives of people you might meet on the street in any town.

That sounds simple enough, but let’s be honest—sometimes you can’t figure out how to pair broccoli with pancakes and other times you’re too tired (or lazy) to cook more than macaroni and cheese with hot dogs. I haven’t figure out how to make broccoli and pancakes work yet, but I’ve mastered the mac and cheese and dogs conundrum—peas. I don’t know if I consumed too many peas, failed to properly digest them, or my plumbing failed, but a stubborn cluster of peas floated through the toilet. It doesn’t matter who’s to blame—the mutant peas or the failing plumbing.

In reality, I knew early on Addie was going to restore a historic home on Moanna Island, my fictional small town off the coast of Savannah, Georgia. I loved the idea that she was a successful woman in a mostly man’s world, and throwing in a reality TV crew following her around as she risked everything on renovating a huge beach house up’d the drama. Then, after viewing The Guardian (which you should watch if you haven’t already! ), and since Moanna and Savannah are located on the Atlantic coast, it seemed fitting for Shane to be in the Coast Guard. Addie McHenry, restoration home builder extraordinaire, catches her big break when the House to Home network contracts her to film a reality TV show focusing on how she brings homes back to life.

I have a short list to share here, though I’m sure (I hope! ) But when Padar’s talk of a King who can shatter frozen thinking ignites the entire island, Jym begins to wish he was the chosen prince and not just a warrior destined to kill or be killed. Nearly a decade after her husband’s affair drove her back home to South Alabama, Jessie McBride has the stable life she wants—operating her garden shop, Twig, next door to her house on Glory Road, and keeping up with her teenage daughter and spunky mother. Meanwhile, Jessie’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and navigating a new world of emotions—particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who’s moved in just down the road.