I’m happy to welcome author Jessica Rakus. Today, Jessica shares her creative journey and her new release, Haven Strong.

Here’s Jessica!

What was your inspiration for this book?

The book started as a personal reaction to the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus crash in April of 2018. As a hockey fan, the next several months contained frequent reminders, and every time, I’d feel a strangely deep pain. I was still crying months later. Eventually, I decided to write something down, to try to take my emotions and give them to someone else.

What is the best part of being an author? The worst?

The best part has definitely been getting feedback now that my debut novel is out in the world. Probably because the feedback has been positive (haha), but also just because there’s something about it being a book I can hold in my hands that means I’m a “real writer” (whatever that means). The hardest part is finishing! I have so many projects sitting at 75% ready for publication, and getting to that 100% mark feels impossible some days. I know I need to (and not just because I’m getting asked when my next book is coming out).

Describe your writing space.

I mostly work at a desk in my living room, a room that has also become my home office since I started working remotely a couple years ago. It’s scattered and messy, because my brain and my life are scattered and messy. I do have a separate desk and computer for writing and for work, so I can at least keep the two separate.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Healing powers! I’ve always thought that would be incredible, being able to lay hands and fix everything. I’d imagine that’s something I do by writing – I can fix the things that are hurting these people, even if they’re pretend.

Besides writing and reading, what are some of your hobbies?

I’m an avid scrapbooker (hence the scattered and messy desk!), and currently my daughter and I are learning to crochet together.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

My advice would be to read everything you can get your hands on, write constantly, and write what you love. Don’t stress about market trends and how it’s “supposed” to be done. Sure, learn the craft, but if you love writing about werewolves, just write about werewolves (or whatever they’re saying is “out”).

What are you working on next?

Almost certainly by the end of 2026, I’ll have a new book out, title TBD, about a newly widowed woman navigating her grief and finding love in a surprising place (sound familiar, readers?).

Blurb

Josephine Grant lives a charmed life – a husband, three perfect children, strong bonds with family and friends in the small town where she’s lived her entire life. She’s the helper, the hostess, the one who always shows up. The person who can do it all.

Then the bus carrying her son’s basketball team crashes, and Jo’s husband and son are among the lives lost. Now she has a new identity. Widow. Single mother. Woman who lost everything. Grief begins to tear apart the place that’s always been her home. Infighting among friends. Gossip and rumors. Wounds that may never heal and bonds that just might.

Now Jo has to rebuild her life, but as the person who thinks of herself as the helper, asking others to help hold her together is impossible. Jo must learn to lean on others as she learns to stand on her own.

Excerpt

I handed my husband his sneakers, shoes he should have been able to keep better track of, given how often he wore them. At least he didn’t leave them where I’d trip on them, like the kids did.

“Thanks, Jo, you’re a lifesaver.” He cupped my face with his free hand. My shoulders relaxed and I melted against him, forgetting all the things on my to do list. My eyes drifted shut as he kissed me, the lingering kiss we were rarely allowed, with three kids running around the house. Our daughters were spending a few hours with their grandparents, and our son was upstairs ignoring us. And even without the kids interrupting us, Steve’s cell phone pulled us apart, ringing incessantly from his pocket.

“Ignore it, Steve,” I murmured against his lips.

“It’s Reston, and we have to leave anyway.” He stepped away from me and answered the phone call before sitting down to tug on the sneakers, grubby with constant wear. “We’re on our way, I swear. Walking out the door as we speak.”

A lie. Despite multiple reminders we needed to leave, Matt was still in his room. Matt and Steve were due at school in ten minutes to catch the bus to this evening’s basketball game. And if the head coach was calling, we had to leave the house now.

Author Bio and Links

Jessica Rakus is a debut novelist, after many, many years of writing practice. She currently lives in Louisiana, after living briefly in seven other states.

Website | Amazon Buy Link | Barnes & Noble Buy Link

Giveaway

Jessica Rakus will be awarding a $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

Follow Jessica on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.