Two Years of Where the Grass Grows Blue: A Heartfelt Thanks

Today marks two years since Where the Grass Grows Blue made its debut—my little “book birthday,” if you will. First and foremost, this milestone would never have happened without you. Your support, from the very beginning—even before I had a cover—has meant the world to me and made this dream a reality.

It's funny; I never set out to write a book. That may sound crazy, but it’s true.

Since I was a girl in Holland, Kentucky, I dreamed of being a writer. I imagined creating worlds and complex characters. But my dream was a bit different than you would think. You see, I didn’t want to write books, magazines, or newspapers—I wanted to write for soap operas! I know, it wasn’t exactly age-appropriate, but I loved everything about them. (A fun side note: I was named after a Guiding Light character, thanks to my sister. I guess it was fate.) So, I majored in television production at Western Kentucky University, aiming to write for TV. I even interned at Talk of the Town in Nashville, but after graduation, life took a different turn—I accepted a wonderful job at Dollar General, thanks to my business minor.

Fast forward twenty years. I was a stay-at-home mom to five active, loving, sometimes infuriating children. And I loved it. Their world became mine; my identity was so intertwined with theirs that if you asked my name, I’d answer: “Calister, Alex, Jackson, Will, and Ansley’s mom—not Hope.” I couldn’t imagine life without them or that role. But then, as my eldest graduated and headed off to college, it hit me—this wouldn’t last. An empty nest I’d never considered was fast approaching.

Suddenly, I realized all my children would be leaving home—and I’d be facing this empty nest at fifty. So I asked myself: Now what? Who am I? What can I offer?

A friend noticed I was struggling—maybe even in the midst of a midlife crisis—and suggested I journal my feelings down on paper, or in my case, on my laptop. I gave it a shot, but I quickly quit. I realized I didn’t want to dwell in my reality; I wanted to escape it. That’s when I remembered my childhood roots—what if I tapped into that girl from Holland who loved creating soap opera storylines? Could I write my own secret book?

So I started typing, creating, and dreaming. Over time, Where the Grass Grows Blue was born—a journey filled with laughter, surprises, tears, and perseverance. A sermon from my Methodist minister also nudged me forward (I’ll save that story for another time).

Eventually, I completed a manuscript, edited it dozens of times, signed a contract with Red Adept Publishing, and sold the audio rights to Blackstone. Then, on May 16, 2023, Where the Grass Grows Blue debuted—but my story didn’t end there. That was just the beginning.

Today, I’m not just a published author, but I’m also a podcaster! Five years ago, if you’d told me I’d be a podcaster, I’d have asked, “What’s a podcast?” I’m so lucky to do this with my wonderful co-host Donna Norman Carbone, who is the heart and soul of this endeavor. We have recorded over 50 episodes of Authors Talking Bookish and are about to launch season three. Along the way, we’ve received a few awards that reminds us our work touches hearts.

Another highlight has been my involvement with the Bookish Road Trip. Each month, I spotlight an author and their book in our vibrant Facebook community of 5,700 members, followed by an interview. My 30th will be with NY Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey—a true thrill! Connecting with talented writers has been a gift.

None of this would be possible without you. Your support, belief, and enthusiasm have fueled my passion. Today, Where the Grass Grows Blue is the most-read Kindle Unlimited book of all time for Red Adept Publishing and ranks third on their all-time top-grossing list.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait for what’s next—I’ve got two more books in the works! Stay tuned—I’m eager to share it all with you.

To close, I want to share one of my favorite recipes from Where the Grass Grows Blue:

Ambrosia Salad (Southern Style).

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, rinsed and drained

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

• 4 oz sour cream

• 5 cups mini marshmallows

• 2 cups grated coconut

• 1 peeled, cubed pineapple

• 1 cup mandarin orange segments

• 1 1/2 cups toasted chopped pecans

• 1 cup halved green grapes

Instructions:

1. Rinse cherries with cold water; drain for 30 minutes. 

2. Whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff; fold in sour cream. 

3. Gently fold in marshmallows, coconut, pineapple, oranges, pecans, cherries, and grapes. 

4. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

   

   
   

Until next time…