I always enjoy hearing the behind-the-scenes of authors telling about their books. Knowing what inspired the stories can provide an extra layer of enjoyment when you read the stories.
This week I interview Jennifer Carr about her latest book in her Real American Country Series, contemporary romances with a country music backdrop.
Author Interview
What inspired you to write your first book?
So, I have written a couple of series, the very first one being No Matter What. That book came from a dream that I woke up from and wondered how it would have ended. So I wrote it!
My current series is called the Real American Country Series and its first book, Fall When You’re Ready, came from hearing a song on the radio!
One day Brantley Gilbert’s song Fall Into Me came on. Some of the lyrics include the phrase, “Fall when you’re ready, babe…” and all of a sudden these two characters popped into my head and said, “Hey! This is our song!” I pulled out my phone, started leaving a note to myself using voice to text. As soon as I got home I sat down at the computer and interpreted it the best I could. Thus, the first book, Fall When You’re Ready, was born.
This happened several more times in one way or another as I got to know the characters in the series. And the next thing I knew I was writing another book, then another…
Why romance?
I’ve always loved LOVE. “Happily ever after” was a dream of mine from the time I was a little girl. I guess we could blame animated Disney movies. Of course, that dream came from the heart of a child—one who didn’t yet understand how fragile happiness can feel when we try to anchor it to anything outside of Jesus and His plans for us.
As I grew older, God taught me more about the depth and strength of real love. I met my now-husband when we were just thirteen and fourteen. We became best friends first, and over the years—through friendship, marriage, parenthood, and more than a few unexpected life storms—I came to understand that romance isn’t just about roses or dramatic confessions. It’s about quiet loyalty, deep trust, hard conversations, and the daily choosing of one another. It’s about the kind of love that reflects something bigger and more eternal.
When God opened the door for me to create fictional worlds where I could explore and reflect those truths, I walked through it wholeheartedly. Writing romance is my way of pointing to the kind of love that endures, uplifts, and, ultimately, heals.
Does your background in psychology and counseling play a role in your writing?
Oh, absolutely. I’ve always been an observer of people—what they say, what they don’t say, how they move through the world. Human behavior has always fascinated me, so when it came time to choose a field of study, Psychology was the most natural fit. Understanding how people think, process emotion, develop relationships, and cope with life became more than just academic—it became personal.
Counseling felt like the next logical step, and while it was rewarding, I won’t sugarcoat it—it was also incredibly hard. It taught me more about the human condition than any textbook ever could.
So, when I eventually pivoted from counseling and coaching into writing, I was surprised—but also not—that creating emotionally resonant, layered characters came naturally. My background didn’t just help me build characters; it helped me understand them. When I write I like to explore the messy, beautiful truth of being human. Hopefully that shows up in every story I tell.
And because I believe in paying that forward, I created a free resource for authors who want to use Psychology to craft better, more authentic characters. You can find it on my website: jcarrwrites.com/authors
How does your faith impact your writing?
My first series is a Christian Romantic Suspense series. Faith was the driving force behind all of the characters by the end of the book. The Gospel is presented and woven throughout both books in the series.
When I started the Real American Country Series, I knew that it would be contemporary romance but there would be zero spice or profanity on the page. As a Christian I want my books to be the alternative to the world’s options. You might not find Christian characters on the page and they may make some worldly choices, but you’re not going to compromise your values or morals by reading their stories because I didn’t compromise mine when writing them!
Who is your favorite woman in the Bible?
I could name several, but Priscilla stands out to me. There’s something powerful about the way she walks in both partnership and purpose. She serves alongside her husband, Aquila, not in his shadow, but shoulder to shoulder—in ministry, in leadership, and in faith.
She submits with strength, not weakness. She honors his authority without silencing her own voice. She’s clearly intelligent—teaching and encouraging others in the Gospel—and she’s hardworking, deeply devoted, and spiritually discerning.
I love that Priscilla embodies what it means to work with someone for the Kingdom: equal in calling, different in role, united in mission. She reminds me that quiet obedience and bold wisdom can (and should) coexist—and that the Gospel is advanced not just through pulpit voices, but through faithful lives lived well behind the scenes.
What is your favorite Scripture?
“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus
Emphasis on he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy!
What else are you working on?
Still Holding Out for You is book four of the Real American Country Series. Book five is called, A Little More You, and it’s slated for a Spring 2026 release. It’s definitely a little lighter in tone but it does have a stalker/bodyguard vibe so if you like a little suspense with your romance and country music you’ll enjoy it.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for this opportunity to share some of what’s happening around here!
All of my books are available on Amazon, Kindle, & Kindle Unlimited. Signed copies that come with bookmarks and stickers are available on my website www.jcarrwrites.com. I’m @jcarrwrites across all social platforms and I would love to connect and hangout virtually sometime.
About the Book
Title: Still Holding Out for You
Series: Real American Country #4
Author: Jennifer Carr
Publisher: JCarr Writes, LLC
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
They met chasing dreams on national TV.
What they found was something bigger than fame.
Austin Blake always thought ranch life was his future—until a chance encounter at a dusty Montana bar lands him a spot on Real American Country, a televised music competition that could change everything. When he meets Willow Gracin, a fiercely talented singer from Savannah with a heart full of lyrics and something to prove, sparks fly—on and off the stage.
As the cameras roll and the music plays, Austin and Willow find a connection deeper than either expected. But when the spotlight fades, life has its own rhythm—one that tests their strength, their love, and everything they thought they knew about purpose and passion.
When a tragic diagnosis threatens to silence their love song, country music stars Austin and Willow must fight for a future together in a way they never imagined. Spanning a decade of soaring highs and devastating lows, this is a story about the love you hold onto, the legacy you leave behind, and the music that carries you home, even after the last note has faded.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | JCarrWrites.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
MORE IN THIS SERIES
About the Author
Married to her best friend–the boy she met at just thirteen–she’s also a homeschooling mom to one teenage daughter, an artist who is the spitting image of her dad. Jennifer Carr is a self-diagnosed social media addict, aka the Queen of the Doomscroll, and she’ll read just about anything she can get her hands on.
Her passions are wide and deep: coffee, music, learning, animals, and above all, writing. She holds a degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Marriage & Family Counseling, certifications in Life Coaching and Health & Wellness Coaching, and is a certified Brain Health Professional. But despite all that, books are where her heart truly belongs. The day she published her first book, everything shifted.
Now, several books later, Jennifer is living the dream with a career she once thought impossible.
Connect with Jennifer by visiting jcarrwrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive 6 Months of Kindle Unlimited and an ebook copy of Still holding Out for You!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 15, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 22, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Let's chat! What are your thoughts?