About the Book

Book: Meet Me on the Porch

Author: Erin Stevenson

Genre: Christian fiction

Release date: May 13, 2022

Brynne Lockwood has come home to Brattleboro, Vermont after a humiliating job loss. She’s weary and broken, and still hasn’t truly forgiven herself for a former unhealthy relationship with long-lasting consequences. She doesn’t believe that she deserves anything good and can’t imagine that God could ever use her.

After recovering from a shattering loss, Pastor Adam Johnston is on his way to a new assignment. A mix-up takes him and his baby daughter to beautiful southern Vermont. If he stays, he’ll face opposition, but God has prepared his heart for ministry, and he’s committed to serving there.

Adam and Brynne connect quickly and unexpectedly, but circumstances demand that they be cautious.

Now, you are invited to join Adam and Brynne on the porch at her grandparents’ home—a special place where you’ll experience their joy as Adam and Brynne build a friendship rooted in Biblical principles, find healing for their wounds, and discover God’s plan for their lives.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Erin has been writing fiction since 2014 and is published independently and with Pelican Book Group and Winged Publications. She is a 2021 American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award Finalist.

Erin was raised in Illinois and has lived in many places in the U.S., including on both coasts, but is a Midwest girl at heart. She spent many years as an educator from pre-school through college levels, and currently works in communications for a global corporation.

When she’s not writing, Erin loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and playing in the garden (which equates to mostly pulling weeds) at her central Iowa home. Her secret indulgence is plain M&Ms.

More from Erin

This book is part of Pelican Book Group’s Destination Romance collection, one set in each of the 50 US states. There were three random objects required to be worked into the plot: lace, shampoo, and a shovel. The twist was that they had to be presented in an interesting way—not, for instance, “Brynne was disappointed to discover that her favorite shampoo was out of stock.”

Here’s an excerpt of how I incorporated shampoo into this story:

Adam led her to the swing. After she sat, he set the mug on the table, then picked up a bulky case and placed it on top.

“What’s that?”

Adam smiled. “This is my sample case. Allow me to show you my display of shampoos.”

“Shampoos?”

“Yes. I have orange blossom, lemon verbena, strawberry vanilla.” He lifted out each bottle and lined them up. At least six more followed, each a different scent. “And this one is—um, oh, sorry, that’s for lice.” He grimaced.

Brynne nearly spewed her drink. “Adam Johnston, what are you doing?”

“I’m a shampoo salesman.” He lifted a shoulder. “Last night you said you would date me if I was a pilot or a shampoo salesman.” He sighed. “I’m terrified of flying.”

She had to hold her laughter as she put her hand over her heart. “You are beyond cute. Where did you get all this stuff?” A giggle escaped.

He let out a sigh. “It wasn’t easy, believe me,” he muttered.

My Thoughts

Meet Me on the Porch is written by Erin Stevenson. This is a Christian Fiction book. I have read a few other books by this author and have always enjoyed her style of writing.

Brynne Lockwood lost her job and comes back to Brattleboro, Vermont. She comes home with a lot of brokenness, hurt, pain and regret. She goes back to Vermont and her grandparents bed and breakfast (which the description was so detailed and precise it made me wish it was real so that I could visit it). When she arrives she meets guest, Pastor Adam Johnston. He is also healing and grieving. His wife died while giving birth to his baby daughter.

I loved the small town atmosphere that the author has created. The porch conversations that Adam and Brynne have to get to know each other remind me of how it is down in the Deep South where I live. I love how real feeling and broken these characters are. Brynne is looking for direction and healing and Adam is making sure that he is in the right place. He finds out it was a clerical mix up and he was sent to the wrong church.

The characters are well written. The storyline is humorous and I laughed a lot throughout the story.Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this story. All thoughts are my own.