About the Book
Book: A Country of Their Own
Author: Hope Bolinger
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Release date: April 4, 2023
THE NOTEBOOK meets SEVENTEEN AGAIN
Priscilla is an old soul. Carter can’t wait to leave Florida, a haven for the elderly.
Together they’re forced to do community service at a retirement home. But all the residents look like teenagers. Are they meant to bring together the lovable residents Scarlett and Paul—who are actually 80 years old? Or is it too late for them to find love?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Hope Bolinger is a Managing & Acquisitions Editor at End Game Press and the Founder of Generation Hope Books.
More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids to HOOKED to Crosswalk.com.
She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams.
Twenty-one of her books are under contract or out now with traditional publishers, and she hopes more of her stories will find a home soon. She has also contributed to twelve other books.
More from Hope
Can you write a book based on a photo series.
I did. I stumbled across this photo series in my college days and it never let me go: https://digitalsynopsis.com/design/reflections-of-the-past-tom-hussey/
It made me think about how all people, young and old, are young at heart and wise beyond their years. In the publishing industry, I have experienced a great deal of ageism. You can seldom go to a conference without someone telling you something along the lines of, “Wow. I had no idea that you were so wise. I assumed because you are young that you know nothing.”
And I know that many of my fellow writers who are older have experienced ageism to the same degrees.
So I wanted to write a book that would level the playing field.
I wanted to have two teen main characters who end up good friends with two characters who are well into their 80s—who simply look like teens thanks to the funhouse mirror effects of Country Acres (a retirement home in which the 80-year-old characters are residents).
What made the book hit even closer to home was that I wrote it right after my grandma passed away—and right as the COVID shutdown took effect in 2020.
Grandma had played a huge role in my writing. She and I read my first book together. She owned a bookstore in which, when I was eight, I helped her to run the cash register. And she always supported me in my publishing dreams.
I am sad that she and Grandpa passed long before they could read this. But this book also encapsulates them. That my grandma tap danced well into her eighties, and that my grandpa would ride the waves on a boogie board.
We’re all young, we’re all wise … let’s listen to one another.
Interview with Hope
- What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
There are so many I could put in here, but I want to give a dear friend a shout-out. If you love Arthurian legend, please check out Alyssa Roat’s Wraithwood trilogy. She’s a literary genius in my opinion, and there’s something for everyone in that series.
- How do you select the names of your characters?
Often symbolism. I like each character’s name to say something about them. Or I’ll look into the meaning of each name on Baby Name websites and decide ones that mean “honor” or “hope.” Other times, I’ll just choose a name because it feels right for that character.
- What was your hardest scene to write?
I don’t want to spoil anything from A Country of Their Own, but it was written for my grandmother who had passed away. I do have a scene that is remiscent of my last moments with her. I cry every time I read it, and I believe all the editors on the project have teared up during that chapter too.
- What comes first, the plot or characters?
I wish I could answer both, because a good book does need both. But if you have to choose, always the characters. Characters are who we connect with. They bring the story to life. And even if plot is waning, if your characters are strong, you’ll likely love the book nevertheless.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
So many things, but I’m an artist at heart. I love to do theater and have done a number of modeling runways and shoots. I love when authors have more than one artistic endeavor, because you find that each art teaches you how to do well in another one.
Thank you, Hope, for letting us get to know you better!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 8
Texas Book-aholic, April 9
Guild Master, April 10 (Author Interview)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 11
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 12
Artistic Nobody, April 13 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 13
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 15
For the Love of Literature, April 16 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 17
Holly’s Book Corner, April 18
Beauty in the Binding, April 19 (Author Interview)
Deb’s Book Review, April 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 20
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Hope is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/25497/a-country-of-their-own-celebration-tour-giveaway