Ramblings From This Chick: My First Love Event with Jody Holford

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

My First Love Event with Jody Holford

Jody Holford is a multi-published author who has a soft spot for happily ever after. So much so, she tattooed the words on her arm. She’s a mom and a wife, a friend, sister, daughter, teacher, and book-lover. Her stories have a little heat and a lot of heart. And maybe, some swoon-worthy moments that will make you smile.

It was intriguing to think about this in the context of...anything. It didn’t occur to me to think about first loves I’ve had that wasn’t a person. If we think outside of that box, it dawned on me that I’ve, in fact, had many ‘first loves’.

I’ve read romance since I was about ten years old. I used to read my mom’s True Story magazines. From there, I graduated to Sweet Valley High and then VC Andrews. So, romance reading feels like it’s always been part of my life. However, when I stop and think, which author really made that first ‘there’s no going back kick in the heart’ impact on me? Well, in that case, my first love, like many others I’m sure, is Nora Roberts.

I was having a garage sale with my husband about fourteen years ago. I was just killing time outside, watching my now sixteen year old daughter toddle around while my husband chatted with people. I had a few books for 25 cents out. I’m not even sure which romance author they were. At that time, I just loved to read. I know I was really into James Patterson but no one else really sticks out.

A much older woman picked up one of the novels and flipped through it. She asked if it was any good and I said that it was. She asked if I’d read any Nora Roberts. I’m not great at small talk-- though better now than I was then-- so I just said no.

Well, this woman started to tell me about all the wonders of Nora and how if I hadn’t read her, I needed to. That if I liked romance, AT ALL, she was who I should be reading. And I’ll be honest, the woman was about my grandma’s age so I thought, she and I are not going to like the same books.

Still, I loved to read. On my next trip to the library, I took a look through the huge selection of Roberts’ work. I settled with Sea Swept. And swept away I was. It was instantaneous. I was IN LOVE. Nora was, quite simply, magic. I read every single Nora Roberts book I could get my hands on. I didn’t fall for the J.D. Robb ones, though I tried. To this day, she continues to be my favorite author, my first, real, romance writer love. She influences the kind of stories I hope to tell and her stories soothe me when I need an escape. My very favorites are The Witness, The Search, and Angels Fall but I love so many of them. There are only a handful (like six or seven) that I haven’t read under her Nora Roberts name. I guess what they say is true: you never forget your first. The one who always owns a little piece of your heart.

To celebrate Danielle and her eight year anniversary, I’m giving away an ecopy of my eight released book, which is Falling For Kate.

Declan James has been Brockton Point’s most ineligible bachelor––happy with his short-term relationships and focusing on his business. But now that his closest friends have found their happily-ever-afters, he can’t help but wonder what that might be like. And then Sophia Strombi shows up on his doorstep.

Sophia’s life is––well there’s no other word for it––a mess. She’s grateful to have some work at her brother’s best friend’s bar, and a place to stay. Since she’s working hard to get her life back on track, she’s desperately trying to ignore the fact her boss makes her heart pound in a good way. Wait––no. That’s not good at all.

Besides, she has a huge secret she’s keeping from everyone––one that’s a life-changer.

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo |