If you’re looking for found family who always look out for you, a second chance romance with your high school crush, all the fried food that’ll take your mind off your troubles, and chance to start over and do things your own way, then you can’t go past Stephanie Eding’s The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale!
We chat with Stephanie all about her new release, including its inspiration and challenges, plus we have an excerpt from the book to share with you at the end of the interview!
Hi, Stephanie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I live in northwest Ohio with my husband and three kids. We’re under the complete control of our cats, dog, and axolotls. By day, I’m a freelance editor. By night, I raise axolotl babies and binge sitcoms. I live for Ben & Jerry’s peanut butter half-baked ice cream and naps.
How has the start of 2022 been for you?
We’re off to a good start here. I had my youngest child in September, so we’ve mostly been tucked away at home with her. Time is flying, and I can’t believe it’s almost summer. I’m so ready for the sunshine!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I was always into journaling as a kid, but I think my love for writing really picked up in high school. I started writing fanfiction-y skits for my friends and dramatic speeches to make them laugh. My junior year, I got voted best short story in my language arts class, which was pretty much the highlight of my entire educational career.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
Through all of school, I was never a big reader. I think the first book series that I truly devoured was Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series. Those books will always have a special place in my heart.
Your novel, The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Friendship, perseverance, silliness, hope, corn dogs (even though that’s two words)
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect to join three long-lost friends on their journey to get their lives together after some unfortunate setbacks. Life can be tough, but these three keep each other laughing and on track with their zany antics and peptalks. I’m a big fan of slow-burn romance (the drumroll leading up to a beautiful relationship), so that’s what readers are getting with this story.
Where did the inspiration for The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale come from?
I was about to turn thirty when I first started writing this (the same age as Josie), and I just didn’t at all feel like I had my life together. I still felt like a kid pretending to be a grownup. It was about time for our county fair to begin, which got me thinking about all the possible people you could run into there. The story took it from there!
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
I think one of the biggest challenges to writing is simply making time in an already busy schedule and coping with the burnout that can come with it. I’m learning to take breaks when needed to respark creativity and allow myself to rest. If I force a story, my readers will pick up on that. If I’m having fun with it, they’ll get that too.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
My favorite character in this book is Kevin. He doesn’t take life too seriously and provides comic relief during the tough times. He’s kind of all over the place, but thinks he’s got himself together. I really want that kind of confidence!
What’s next for you?
Right now, I’m working on a women’s fiction that takes place at a tiny house Airbnb in a small Montana town. While trying to get away and recoup from a breakup and job loss, my main character is met with a whole new level of chaos as the vacation goes haywire.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I’m currently reading Lisa Roe’s Welcome to the Neighborhood and absolutely loving it!
Excerpt of Josie’s first morning in the new house, hunting down breakfast while her former high school crush plays video games in the living room:
She opened the cabinet doors and gasped. Nothing. They had no cups or plates. No dishes or cereal boxes or anything. The only item in the entire three-shelved cupboard was a single can of soup. And not even one of the good kinds. Just store-brand mushroom, which everybody knew couldn’t hold a candle to the name-brand stuff.
“Hey, Ben?”
A muffled acknowledgment came from the living room.
“The only thing in your cupboard is soup.” This had to be one of Kevin’s pranks.
“You can have it. I don’t care,” he said over the sounds of inhuman bloodcurdling screams.
For a moment, she stood dumbfounded, flat feet suctioned to the floor.
Thank goodness her dad had sent those toaster pastries. He must have had the wisdom to know what living with unattached men might entail, which concerned her on a new level when she thought about why he sent along the toilet paper.
Ben came around the corner so quickly that Josie jumped. One eyebrow shot up as he examined her, then moved toward the cabinet on the opposite side of the kitchen. “I forgot to show you where the cups are.”
When he opened the designated cupboard, she held her breath in anticipation of what might be inside and had to swallow a chuckle when she saw it. The top shelf displayed an array of mismatched paper products and plastic utensils. In the middle, six different boxes of cereal and a container of coffee grounds sat stuffed together as if they fought to squeeze the others from their space. The bottom shelf had three assorted mugs and two plastic cups stolen from nearby restaurants.
“Help yourself to cereal. It’s got tons of vitamins and minerals for your, uh, condition.” He patted his stomach.
This would be a very interesting pregnancy in the company of her new roommates. “Thanks, Dr. Romero. I’m in good hands.”
He flashed a quick thumbs-up. “I’m going back to bed. Shower’s open, and you’re on your own there. No tutorials.” His face scrunched, and his cheeks flushed a little, though not nearly as much as Josie’s did. “I have no idea why I said that.”
The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Books-a-Million and Books2Read.
