Hello friends!!
My, it's been a minute since I popped on here!
I hope you all are having a glorious start to your November. I'm half in love with the windy, greyish, begging-for-a-cuppa weather as it is, though I sorely miss the piles of leaves. It's a bit warm for that sort of thing where I live.
As many of you know, I'm part of the Novelists in November Anthology book that I'm releasing on the 19th! It's been an incredible experience and I can't. tell you how immeasurably grateful I am for this opportunity and for the brilliant and talented writers I got to work with!
In fact, I've invited one of these lovely writers to come on to the Reading Life blog!!
So without further ado, I'd like to let you hear from my wonderful and dear friend, Andrea Renee Cox as she talks about the multicultural aspects of her beautiful story (which I got to read early...and guys, it is AMAZING!!) and introduces you to her lively cast of characters!
The Cultures of Melting-Pot Thanksgiving
Culture is an integral part of who we are. The same is true of the characters an author writes. In Melting-Pot Thanksgiving (MPT), which will be published in Novelists in November this autumn, culture plays a vital role for each of the characters involved.
Delonte Smith Jr., aka DJ, carries his old neighborhood on his shoulders. He grew up (not that he’s grown, since he’s fourteen in MPT) in a rough ’hood where one’s sense of pride is wrapped up in his bad reputation. When his mom is sent to prison, DJ finds himself in the foster care system. His foster mom, Sarah, encourages him to improve his grades. Since he’s now in a much nicer neighborhood, he takes her up on the challenge. But he’s quick to remind her that he has a reputation to think about. As part of his culture, he sometimes uses a hitched lope. This is usually used when he feels most vulnerable and needs a wall of defense to hide behind.
Kim Eun-Ji (pronounced Un-Jee) loves her South Korean heritage. Her parents passed away a long time ago, so she was being raised by her halmae, grandmother, Kim Min (pronounced Meen). When Min ends up in the hospital with an injured hip, Eun-Ji lands in emergency foster care at Sarah’s house. Still, Eun-Ji cherishes her grandmother and the things she’s been taught about Korea. Respect and honor, particularly toward one’s elders, are infused into Eun-Ji’s heart. When she pitches a fit, her actions are muted so as not to damage someone else’s property. When someone is accused poorly, she comes to their defense. She also loves Korean food and enjoys sharing her halmae’s recipes with her foster mom.
Sarah Jones is a foster mom who encourages her kids to cherish their cultures. She also treasures her own. Her mother taught her from a young age to love reading. Story is a huge part of her heritage for that reason, so she became a writer of middle-grade novels. She finds adventure in every aspect of her life, which is something she thought her mama taught her (but you’ll have to read MPT to find out why she was partially wrong in that belief). Celebrating Thanksgiving and remembering those things with which God has blessed her are key aspects to her culture. A couple of different recipes, that of sweet potato casserole and spicy queso, played roles in her growing-up years, and she cherishes them as an adult, too.
The side characters have cultures of their own. Kayla Prescott has a compassionate, caring heart and lends a helping hand when one is needed. Brian Jones, Sarah’s brother, followed in his daddy’s footsteps and became a history teacher and a coach. And Felicity Jones, Sarah’s mama, struggles to release a culture of disappointment.
You see, culture is not just the nature of our neighborhood or the trends of our families. It’s all the millions of details that make up our individual lives.
This includes the things passed down from one generation to the next, such as Halmae Min’s and Mama’s recipes. It also includes the ways in which our neighborhoods have shaped us, as in DJ’s hitched lope and defensive walls against being emotionally wounded. But it also includes the faith God instills deep inside of us. That faith is truly at the heart of this story. Sarah relies on it for her writing, her life, and dealing with her disgruntled mama. She hopes to leave a legacy of faith to complement the earthly cultures her foster kids have.
I enjoyed exploring culture through these characters and their Thanksgiving celebration. It was fun to play with cultures that were different from one another. Seeing how Sarah carved out space in her home for children with different cultural backgrounds than she has was amazing. Melting-Pot Thanksgiving is a favorite story of mine because of the way Sarah not only embraced but also encouraged the cultures of her kids. It is my hope that readers will feel encouraged by Sarah, Eun-Ji, and DJ’s story to celebrate and cherish their own culture.
***
Novelists in November is now available for preorder. If you purchase a copy in ebook or paperback prior to the release date of November 19, 2024, you may claim preorder goodies, which include an entry into an exclusive giveaway. Be sure to get in on the fun!
If you’d like to follow my writing and faith journeys, you are welcome to subscribe to my newsletter and follow my blog. I’m also active on Twitter and Goodreads. It would be my honor to have you along for this incredible journey God has granted me.
***
Thank you, Miss Rodriguez, for hosting me today. It’s a pleasure visiting with the readers of Her Reading Life.
About the Book
Novelists in November
a Wild Blue Wonder Press anthology
Novelists in November is a Christian short story collection featuring eleven emotional tales of authors finding their calling in Christ and pursuing hope, joy, and inspiration. This anthology contains touching stories from contemporary and historical fiction authors with a mix of romance, women’s fiction, and mystery!
Andrea Renee Cox: “Melting-Pot Thanksgiving”
Bethany Willcock: “And As She Talked”
Hannah E. Gridley: “Reasons to Be Thankful”
Katja H. Labonté: “Act in the Living Present”
Faith D. Cox: “My Heart Still Sings”
Kellyn Roth: “Tollemache House”
Katie Zeliger: “Finding Beauty in the Suffering”
Shira J. Rodriguez: “The Lost History of Lavender Lockbourne”
Heather Flynn: “Pages of Grace”
Avrie Swan: “The Sound of Healing”
Kelsey Bryant: “Between Moor and Mountain”
Melting-Pot Thanksgiving
by Andrea Renee Cox
Can she create the Imperfect Perfect Thanksgiving?
Sarah Jones has many responsibilities on her plate, but Thanksgiving wasn’t supposed to be one of them. When asked to host the holiday, she can’t push aside the task, even if it means dealing with her mother’s interference. As Sarah juggles meal preparations, a tight writing deadline, and guiding her two foster children through difficult life events, she must also find the courage to buck high expectations and family traditions.
Will the trials of strained communication, disappointment, heartache, and altered plans strengthen Sarah’s God-given novelist dreams? Will this imperfect yet dutiful daughter find a way to craft the perfect Thanksgiving dinner?
Book Links
Wild Blue Wonder Press Shop: https://wildbluewonderpress.com/product/novelists-in-november-paperback-preorder/
About Andrea Renee Cox
Born and raised in north Texas, Andrea Renee Cox is a born-again child of God who enjoys writing stories that inspire, copyediting fiction manuscripts, tutoring middle school students, and going on road trips with her family. Whether she’s working on historical or contemporary, women’s fiction, romance, or romantic tragedy, she uses her skills in research and writing techniques—as well as a large dose of prayer and guidance from God—at every turn in the journey to produce the best story of her ability every single time. Her books may be found on her website, and readers are welcome to follow her blog and subscribe to her newsletter for the latest updates in her journey.
Thank you for hosting me, Shira!