Episode Show Notes Can be Found Here: https://cjmilacci.com/read-clean-ya-with-cj-podcast/ 

Links to Things Discussed in this Episode

Smoking Flax (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/49pazDG 

Jennifer Hallmark’s Website: https://www.jenniferhallmark.com

Summary

In this episode, CJ Milacci interviews author Jennifer Hallmark about her latest young adult novel, Smoking Flax. They discuss the inspiration behind the story, the themes of belonging and racism, and the therapeutic nature of writing. Jennifer shares her writing journey and her love for gardening and spending time with her family. Listeners can find Jennifer's books on Amazon and connect with her on her website and social media platforms.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00

Introduction

01:19

Getting to Know Jennifer Hallmark

02:18

The Story of Smoking Flax

04:29

Writing as Therapy

08:52

Expressing Emotion in Writing

10:28

Similar Books and Movies

12:19

Themes in Smoking Flax

14:38

Addressing Racism in the Story

24:48

Jennifer's Writing Journey

28:24

Hobbies and Interests

30:41

Where to Find Jennifer Hallmark

Wrapping things Up: from CJ

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Jennifer Hallmark. Jennifer is so sweet, and it was a joy for me to chat with her about her book and the deeper themes in the story. 

If you’re ready to get lost in a rich Southern world, explore deep themes, and discover some fantastic speculative twists, I think you’ll love Jennifer’s novel, Smoking Flax. I mentioned earlier in the interview that I had the privilege of endorsing this book, and I wanted to share that endorsement with you.

A rich and immersive Southern world, with relatable characters, incredible depth, and a great speculative twist, Smoking Flax brings readers on a life-changing journey. Hallmark explores poignant themes with grace and tact, weaving a tale that will stay with you long after the last page. And leave you looking for glowing lights that just may have even deeper meanings. 

Note for Sensitive Readers

As you can tell from the interview, this book addresses some difficult topics, like abuse and racism, so for young or sensitive readers, it might be good to have a parent or trusted adult read the story first.

Next Time on Read Clean YA with CJ

Next time on Read Clean YA with CJ, I’ll be talking with my good friend Karyne Norton about her debut epic fantasy novel, Blood of the Stars. We had a great conversation, and if you’re looking for an epic fantasy to dig into, you’re going to love this episode, so be sure to tune in!

Thank you so much for listening to Read Clean YA with CJ. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend so they can discover exciting, clean young adult books too.