Women’s fiction author Hope Gibbs joins us this week to chat about her novel, Where the Grass Grows Blue
Author Name: Hope Gibbs
Book Title: Where the Grass Grows Blue
Book Genre: Women’s Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 16, 2023
Publisher: Red Adept and Blackstone (Audio)
Welcome, Hope! Please tell us about Where the Grass Grows Blue.
My favorite review sums it up best, “If Sweet Home Alabama is your comfort movie, you will love this book.” Goodreads Review.
Penny Crenshaw returns to her old Kentucky home to settle her grandmother’s estate, only to find her past—and a long-buried love—waiting to be reignited. As she confronts painful memories and rekindles old relationships, especially with her childhood friend Bradley, she must decide whether to heal old wounds by embracing a second chance at love or walk away forever.
What sparked the idea for this book?
I never set out to write a book—it all happened by accident. It all began in 2018. After twenty years of being a stay-at-home mom to five children, I found myself on the brink of a new chapter. As my second son prepared to go to college, I was hit with a sudden, eye-opening realization—my role as a full-time mother was about to shift, and an empty nest was barreling my way. Now what?
To navigate this transition, I began journaling my feelings on my laptop, following a friend’s suggestion. However, I soon realized that journaling wasn’t what I needed. I didn’t want to dwell on my reality; I longed to escape from it. That’s when the character of Penny came to me. I started creating her world, pouring my thoughts, fears, and dreams into her—writing whenever I had free time, whether during my children’s sporting events, in the carpool line, or on quiet evenings. All of it was done in secret, as no one knew what I was working on because I wasn’t sure what would come of it.
Writing her story was exhilarating; it awakened a new sense of purpose and possibility in me. I realized that the dreaded empty nest wasn’t the end of my story—it was simply the beginning of an exciting new chapter, one filled with hope, discovery, and the chance to truly find myself again through words.
What’s your favorite part about writing/being an author? What do you find challenging?
My favorite part of being a writer, without a doubt, is connecting with readers. There’s something truly special about those moments—whether we’re talking at a bookstore, meeting at a book event, or sharing a conversation in a book club. It’s a profound feeling to know that my stories have found a place in someone else’s life. I’m constantly touched and excited that people have taken the time to read my book.
The most challenging part is juggling everything—the time spent on marketing, working on my next project, and maintaining commitments with my podcast, family, and friends. Sometimes, it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to accomplish.
If you were speaking to someone who hasn’t read your writing before, why should they want to read Where the Grass Grows Blue?
I like to describe Where the Grass Grows Blue as a quintessential Southern tale—brimming with food, family, friends, and forgiveness, all woven together with a love affair that’s endured over 20 years.
Fans of which authors might gravitate toward your book?
Elin Hilderbrand, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Julie Cantrell, Susan Mallery, Dorothea Benton Frank, Susan Wiggs.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
I’ve always loved Elin Hilderbrand’s books because she transports her readers to the enchanting island of Nantucket, immersing them in its beauty, charm, and scenery. I wanted to create that same kind of magic with my story but set in a small Kentucky town with its own rich and unique character.
Drawing inspiration from my upbringing in Kentucky, I set out to write a story that brings that region’s distinct appeal to life—the warm hospitality, flavorful cuisine, and lively, quirky personalities that define the Bluegrass.
My hope was that through these pages, readers would feel transported—fall in love with the charm of our small town and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of life that the Kentucky has to offer.
What about the writing/editing/publishing process has been the most surprising to you so far?
For me, the most challenging part of my publishing journey has been the writing itself. When I started, I had no idea what I was doing. My writing experience was limited to a few college essays and some television scripts, which was my major.
Crafting a 95,000-word manuscript was an entirely different ballgame. It took me about a year to complete the first draft, followed by another year and a half of rewriting and editing—mainly because I struggled with the common rookie mistake of telling instead of showing.
Getting published proved to be even more difficult than I had imagined. It’s not for the faint of heart, and you must be prepared for rejection—it’s simply part of the process.
Any words of wisdom you give your pre-published writer self (or to a new writer)?
If I could share words of wisdom with my pre-published self—or with any new writer—my best advice would be just do it. Write what’s inside of you. In the beginning, don’t worry about editing—there’s plenty of time for that later. Trust in your story, let your words flow freely, and believe in the power of your voice. I truly believe everyone has a book within them, waiting to be written.
One resource I always keep nearby to help my writing is The Emotional Thesaurus. It’s an essential tool, especially for maintaining authentic points of view and deepening your characters’ emotions. Remember, the most important thing is to keep writing. Your story deserves to be told.
What are your interests outside of writing and reading?
I love playing competitive tennis. I’m usually on at least six different teams each season and we play from March all the way through December! I practically live in a tennis skirt. Lately, I’ve also gotten into padel and pickleball, which just proves I’ve got a real passion for racket sports.
When I’m not on the court, I enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes is always a fun adventure. I also love babysitting my grand dog, Dusky, and volunteering at my church. Recently, I even picked up golf, which has been a new and exciting challenge. Oh, and I’m learning Spanish too — keeps things interesting and keeps my brain active!
Are you working on a new project? Please tell us about it.
I’m almost finished with my second book, Ashes to Ashes (a working title). It’s an upmarket fiction book, set in Nashville, that focuses on a tight-knit group of women whose world is rocked after the unexpected death of their dear friend, Ellen, under mysterious circumstances. But before they can even process their grief, they stumble across a web of secrets and lies, unraveling Ellen’s perfect life—the one she tried so hard to project to the outside world.
I’m also busy with my podcast, “Authors Talking Bookish”; alongside my co-host, Donna Norman-Carbone. Our podcast is dedicated to supporting aspiring writers by sharing valuable insights gained through our own publishing and writing experiences. We try to ease their journey by offering advice on navigating the challenges of the industry.”
Where can readers find you?
Website: https://www.authorhopegibbs.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhopegibbs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopegibbsauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23026021.Hope_Gibbs…
Podcast: https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com
Thank you, Hope! Where the Grass Grows Blue is out NOW.
Where the Grass Grows Blue
Penny Crenshaw’s swift divorce and her husband’s new marriage to a much younger woman have been hot topics around Atlanta’s social circles. After a year of enduring the cruel gossip, Penny leaps from the frying pan into the fire by heading back to Kentucky to settle her grandmother’s estate.
Reluctantly, Penny travels to her hometown of Camden, knowing she will be stirring up all the ghosts from her turbulent childhood. But not all her problems stem from a dysfunctional family. One of Penny’s greatest sources of pain lives just down the street: Bradley Hitchens, her childhood best friend, the keeper of her darkest secrets, and the boy who shattered her heart.
As Penny struggles with sorting through her grandmother’s house and her own memories, a colorful group of friends drifts back into her life, reminding her of the unique warmth, fellowship, and romance that only the Bluegrass state can provide. Now that fate has forced Penny back, she must either let go of the scars of her past or risk losing a second chance at love. Can she learn to live an unbridled life?