About the Book

Book: Glitter and the Grouch (Romance in Valiant Book Three. It can be read as a standalone.)

Author: Mary Pat Johns

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: September 3, 2024

Silas and Nat don’t get along. Neither can they leave each other alone. When a prank goes terribly wrong at their workplace, they face an impossible choice.

Either they compete in a canoe race to prove they can work together or forfeit their futures at Peeps. Quitting isn’t the norm for either of them. Good thing, because their boss isn’t backing down an inch. He assures them they can accomplish anything they set their minds to, even if it’s 3 days and 260 miles of river.

There’s only one catch—they’ll have to be in the same boat.

Will they reach deep inside to find out what they’re made of? Or will they succumb to the physical rigors of the event and the machinations of Nat’s controlling ex?

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About the Author

Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from years of teaching speech and writing. She’s written devotions for an online publication and had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul. She currently writes a weekly faith column for the local newspaper. Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023, and book 2 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red, released in release in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.

She lives in South Texas with her husband and their two dapple dachshunds. Her grown children and five grandchildren are useful sorts who keep her grounded with her reading/writing obsession. You can find her at the gym, at her computer, or reading a good book.

More from Mary

I wrote Glitter and the Grouch for two reasons. The first reason was peace of mind. LOL. Two minor characters from Books 1 & 2 of the Valiant series INSISTED on having their own story. Rather, Nat insisted and Silas grudgingly followed. He hated the idea at first, but all’s well that ends well.

The second reason is I absolutely LOVE the Texas Water Safari and follow it every year. When I talked to a friend who competes, he wasn’t sure how I would write a book about it. When I explained it would be a story about two people who fall in love during the race, he grinned from ear to ear and said that scenario had happened a few times.

Author Interview

Can you tell us a little bit about what readers can expect from your books?
I hope readers find plenty of action, and depth balanced with humor. Also, I try to deal with sensitive topics in an unoffensive manner.

What is the greatest advice you have ever been given about writing?
I don’t even know who said it, but I write what I know. Even when I step out of my comfort zone with plotting, I try to season it with elements that are familiar to me. Faith is one such element. Setting is another.

What book made you fall in love with reading?
I’ve always loved to read, so it wouldn’t be any one particular book. As a young girl, I adored the Trixie Belden series, but it started before that with All-of-a-Kind Family and Wheel on the School.

Can you share 5 random facts about this book?
The river racers often encounter alligators.
Hallucination Alley is a real thing/place in the race where participants often experience hallucinations due to extreme fatigue.
People become disoriented and get “lost” as in not knowing where they are, and have to be rescued. Many of the instances in the book are based on real happenings.
The fight scene was difficult to write. I had to first ask my husband how it could happen, do research for the proper terms, and balance the emotion with the physical. Lots of rewrites with that scene.

What was the inspiration behind it?
I wrote it as a tribute to the competitors of the Texas Water Safari, and also for the sheer joy of sharing the race with readers.

Can you share something interesting or surprising you learned while researching for the book?
The participants of the race are not supposed to have physical contact with anyone but their partners. That was another hurdle as my characters are part of a close-knit group who show affection, usually in the form of hugs. Also, many seasoned boaters drop out because of the physical rigors of the race.

What was the most challenging part of bringing this book to life?
Getting the narrative aligned with the actual race and checkpoints, and keeping the action level interesting for readers.  

What was the most rewarding?
The ending is always my favorite part to write. I’ll have the ending in mind long before anything else, and it’s fun to see all the loose ends come together.

What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
With God’s help, people can do far more than they think they’re capable of.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Before you go, where can readers keep up with what’s next?

Here’s the link for my monthly newsletter. It’s the best place to get my book news, and there’s also a freebie attached. It’s a short, sweet prequel to the Romance in Valiant series. https://prnt.sc/P_ZMgoPwSSYd