About the Book

Book: Blue Jean Bayou

Author: Janis Jakes

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance

Release Date: June 12, 2026

After Jenna’s father dies, she travels to his cabin in the Texas Piney Woods to oversee the remodeling and ready the property for sale. She’s surprised when the contractor is a childhood crush – now a handsome man with a heart of gold.

Their friendship reignites, bringing the possibility of more…but at a price. Jenna, a business owner, loves the bustling streets of Manhattan. Creed, a military veteran with a hero’s past, finds refuge in small-town living.

When Jenna learns her father led a secret life, her world turns upside down, and she suspects Creed knows more than he’s telling.

As the truth about her father emerges, Jenna faces the secrets hidden in her own heart and must choose: a life of high heels and high rises or a meandering bayou with the man she now loves.

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About the Author

Janis Jakes is an author of multiple contemporary and historical inspirational romances with an emphasis on courageous men, strong women, Texas sunsets, and happily ever after.

More from Janis

Texas is known for its vastness and cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. While those cities are great, there’s something about a small Texas town that stirs the heart and evokes a sense of community.

When I wrote Blue Jean Bayou, I wanted Shelton’s Cove to be one of those small towns that every reader would want to visit—where they’d find hundred-year-old farmhouses, wooden bridges that clack under the weight of vehicles, country diners where chicken-fried steak is standard fare, and salt-of-the-earth folks who look after their neighbors.

I also wanted characters who embody the Texas nature I know so well: brave men with strong faith and a staunch work ethic, and women who face life’s unexpected twists and turns with strength.

My ultimate hope is that readers get a true sense of the town and enjoy meeting the characters who call Shelton’s Cove home. This is Book 1 of the three-book Small Town Texas Series.

A little backstory nugget: The café in Blue Jean Bayou is named Myrtle’s Café after my late grandmother. She could cook like no one’s business—her meringue is legendary!—so it only seemed right to give the café her namesake.

Interview with the Author

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

I researched bluegrass music for the story since it was pivotal to the opening of Blue Jean Bayou. The music genre had never held any interest for me. As I researched, primarily listening to music on social media, I found myself in awe of the fiddle and banjo player’s skills. My biggest surprise? I like bluegrass. Never saw that one coming.

How do you overcome writer’s block? Do you have any advice for others in finding their process to overcome it?

Before I wrote books, I wrote resumes for several career sites. Before that, I worked in communication roles for various organizations. Those prior positions were a blessing because writer’s block was never an option. I was expected to produce and often faced tight deadlines, so I would sit down and start writing. The original product wasn’t always pretty, but I had a starting point. My advice to writers facing writer’s block is much the same. Start writing. You might not like what you first produce, but it’s a starting point. You can’t edit what you can’t see.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

I loved the thought of writing about the Piney Woods of East Texas and wanted to emphasize the bayou aspect of the locale, so that part came easily. Next, I considered the hero and thought Blue Jean Bayou fit well with his small-town, construction contractor image while emphasizing the clash of cultures between him and the female lead, a successful business owner residing in New York.

What’s your favorite writing snack, drink, and/or music?

I love listening to Christian instrumental worship music or relaxing instrumental jazz while I’m writing. I’ve found that music with words is a distraction, whereas softly playing instrumental music fades into the background. Between the two, it’s the difference between a gentle autumn rain rolling across tree leaves and a hailstorm hitting a metal rooftop. One is very conducive to writing, the other not so much.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

Attend writer conferences. The opportunity for honing your craft is exceptional, plus you can make lifelong writing friends. You can also meet publishers, editors, and agents, who can change the entire trajectory of your writing career. While the expense can be a challenge for some, there are online conferences (easier on the budget). Some conferences also offer scholarships. The information you gleam and the contacts you make are priceless.