Interview with Jayne Townsley, author of In Your Eyes -

Welcome to the book tour for In Your Eyes by Jayne Townsley! This is the second book in her Seasons of Love series. Today we’re going to get to know the author a little bit better in this interview. Keep following the rest of the tour for more, including my upcoming review later this week over at Andi’s Book Reviews. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

In Your Eyes
(Seasons of Love #2)
By Jayne Townsley
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 127 Pages
January 5, 2021

Crystal Davis got her wish for the Crew’s long-awaited post-graduation trip. Sun and fun before focusing on her new career as a pediatric RN at St. Francis’ Children’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was just what she needed. Bonus? She met Troy Bennett, and she realized she wanted less frivolity in her life and a little more serious.

Troy Bennett is a man fighting the demons who tell him he is worthless every day of his life. Demons his mother conjured. He quiets them with alcohol and casual relationships, never allowing any woman to get close enough to him so he will never have to disappoint one. Then on the spur of the moment trip to Panama City Beach with his Ranger buddies, he sees the future he’s always been afraid to pursue exit a Jeep Wrangler at a local donut shop.

Just as Troy and Crystal are finding their footing, she gets the call she never thought she would earn: Crystal Davis is going to Hollywood to be a contestant on America’s Next Chart Topper. What started as a way to honor her murdered friend has now become her dream. Chasing her dream means leaving Troy behind for a bit, and she wonders if her absence will cause what they’ve built so far to come crashing down.

Chasing her dream also means she’s put herself in a place where she’s vulnerable to the side of Hollywood that no one wants to acknowledge. A place where people only care about her and Troy’s story for the audience while behind the scenes, evil, selfish people work to tear them apart.

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What was the inspiration for this book?

The inspiration began with the first book in the series, Run to You. I saw a book cover for sale that had a woman walking on a beach carrying her shoes. That cover reminded me of the song Sangria by Blake Shelton which reminded me of a trip to Panama City Beach and Rin’s story was born. When I created the main characters for Run to You, I gave Rin a group of friends that called themselves The CRASH Crew. C for Crystal, R for Rin, A for Amy, S for Sarah, and H for Hannah.

In Your Eyes is the second book of the series and the plot for this book was again inspired by a cover. I’m apparently a very visual learner!

To which character did you relate the most?

In this book? Crystal although all my female characters carry pieces of me with me. All my male characters carry pieces of my husband.

Like Crystal, I consider myself a good judge of people and a good communicator and I get frustrated when I miss it in those arenas. I have no aspirations to singing like Crystal does, but some of what she felt while chasing her dream is what I felt when publishing my first book.

What is one of your favorite scenes?

The scene where the Crew is all gathered at Troy’s house to watch Crystal perform on television. There is something amazing about having those kinds of relationships where folks gather to celebrate life.

Tell us more about the Seasons of Love series.

Now you are going to make me weepy. I remember the first time I heard Seasons of Love performed during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and thinking, “Wow.” Mind blown. The song is so thoroughly beautiful and it’s message is something that I think resonates with each and every person.

The series is a group of girls who grow into women who love unashamedly, unabashedly, and fiercely.

How do you make yourself stand out in this competitive genre?

I am committed to the process regardless of the outcome. Do I hope people read my stories? Absolutely. I have things to say about hope and joy that I think the world needs. I stand out by staying true to that, not compromising to make a buck, and bringing the light.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

That I’m more interested in building a community online where people can share their lives and get support than I am in selling books. The CRASH Crew on Facebook is where I’m doing that.

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author

Jayne Townsley lives with her multi-generational family in Northeast Oklahoma’s aptly named Green Country. A transplanted Okie from the Chicago suburbs, she has grown to love this state and its people with a passion, happily calling it home for the past 15 years.

Jayne shares her home with a rescued Shollie named Maui and two cats called Gamora and Nebula.

Jayne enjoys old-fashioned road trips and is in the process of planning one to tour Oklahoma’s Route 66.

She is also something of a Disney World addict.

Tour Schedule