HOLT Award Winning Indie Author: Andrea Jenelle
Heat, Heart, and the Courage to Begin Again
Some writing journeys begin early, pause for decades, and return with renewed purpose. Andrea Jenelle’s story is one of those paths, shaped by persistence, timing, and a deep commitment to storytelling.
Andrea wrote her first story at eight years old, a tale about a friendly giant saving a ladybug. With a degree in English literature and an MFA in creative writing, she always knew storytelling would be part of her life. But the realities of single motherhood and the pressure to prioritize stability meant her writing dreams were put on hold.
In 2021, as she approached her fiftieth birthday, Andrea revisited thirty years of stored notebooks and made a defining decision to begin again. She self-published the first book in her Willow Creek series in May 2022. One year later, it won the HOLT Award for Best First Book. Today, Andrea is a two-time HOLT Award–winning author with nearly thirty books spanning contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance.
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The Book That Made Her a Romance Reader for Life
Andrea credits Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught as the novel that cemented her love of romance. The sweeping medieval story left a lasting impression and inspired her to begin her own medieval romance, a project she has been developing for decades and plans to publish next year.
What She Writes and Why Readers Love It
Andrea’s work crosses genres, but each story shares a common foundation of emotionally grounded characters and deeply satisfying happily-ever-afters.
Small-town contemporary romance inspired by her upbringing, featuring steamy, Hallmark-style settings and relatable characters
Historical romance centered on working-class heroes and heroines navigating social change during the Victorian and Edwardian eras
Paranormal romantasy influenced by her lifelong interest in Celtic and Norse mythology
Her literary influences include Julie Anne Long, Karen Marie Moning, Sarah MacLean, and Penny Reid, reflected in her balance of banter, emotional stakes, and slow-burn tension.
Latest Release Spotlight: No Apologies
Andrea’s most recent full-length novel, No Apologies, is a firefighter romance that blends intensity with emotional depth.
Luz Martinez is a single mother of three starting over in Willow Creek as the first woman hired by the local fire department. Ian Montgomery, the fire chief, opposed her hiring and is determined not to let his feelings get involved. As they clash over fear, trust, and unresolved trauma, their connection becomes impossible to ignore.
Readers describe No Apologies as a romance that balances heat and heart, weaving together themes of found family, resilience, and learning to open oneself to love again. A subtle Erin Brockovich reference is included for attentive readers.
The Secret Sauce
When asked what makes her romance scenes resonate, Andrea points to banter, slow-burn tension, and intimate moments that do not always center on the bedroom.
Her novels typically include three to five open-door scenes, but it is the emotional groundwork, trust, resistance, and vulnerability that gives them lasting impact.
Characters That Stay With You
While every story holds personal meaning, Andrea has a particular fondness for Roxie Greene from No Excuses, a forty-year-old divorcée who believes love has passed her by. Writing a story where a hero patiently challenges that belief remains one of her most rewarding experiences.
A Message Readers Take Home
At the heart of Andrea’s work is a message familiar to romance readers: everyone deserves a happily-ever-after, regardless of age, history, or past wounds. Her stories are not about fixing people, but about finding someone who sees you fully and chooses you anyway.
Life as an Indie Author
Andrea writes 1,000 to 2,000 words each evening after finishing her demanding day job, working from her home on a 50-acre farm. She often balances multiple projects across genres to stay creatively engaged. She is also intentional about taking real vacations.
The biggest surprise of indie publishing has been how challenging self-marketing can be.
Her essential indie author tools include Atticus, Canva, BookFunnel, and BookSirens. Her advice to aspiring authors is straightforward: focus on your craft, build your backlist, and think in terms of longevity rather than overnight success.
Dream Casting Moment
If her debut novel No Regrets were adapted for the screen, Andrea’s dream cast would include:
Emma Stone as Taren
Austin Stowell as Zane
How to Connect With Andrea Jenelle
Andrea’s books are widely available through libraries via Hoopla and Libby, as well as Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Kindle Unlimited, including bundled collections. Signed paperbacks and exclusive ebooks can be purchased directly from her website.
She is active on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Substack, Lemon8, BookBub, and Goodreads, and also runs a private Facebook group offering exclusive freebies and giveaways.
Giveaways
Andrea is offering a signed paperback featuring the first three Willow Creek books. Readers can enter by subscribing to her Substack through the link on her website.
Final Thoughts
Andrea Jenelle’s journey is a reminder that it is never too late to return to the story you were always meant to tell. Her romances are emotionally rich, thoughtfully steamy, and affirming for readers who believe love has no expiration date.
