Celebrating Debut Author Caroline Stowe
Caroline Stowe just finished adding some Christmas touches to her Tennessee home office, including a whimsical white tree with soft pink ornaments and pretty tree skirt that blend effortlessly into her decor. Caroline is enthusiastically waiting for her Christmas book to come back for edits and is making sure her workspace feels festive even in the middle of summer.
The debut author recently signed with Harpeth Road Press, an imprint focused on contemporary romantic fiction and headed by USA Today bestselling author Jenny Hale. Many Harpeth Road books have gone on to become digital bestsellers and one recent acquisition from Hallmark Publishing by Nancy Naigle was adapted into a Hallmark original movie. All Harpeth Road books are pitched to foreign publishers and TV agents and producers, opening Caroline’s world up to fulfilling and splendid possibilities.
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Photo credit: Caroline Stowe
“I am absolutely thrilled! I had no idea what to expect when I decided to write this book. It began as a fun project more than anything else,” Caroline says.
Caroline never had her sights set on becoming an author; she sort of just fell into it. She studied corporate communications in college, then worked in pharmaceutical sales. The spark for creative writing was ignited later from reading novels similar in style to the one she wrote. “I have always been a reader. I think if you read enough books, you inevitably begin to imagine writing one of your own,” she says. Caroline completed her manuscript in eight months, which then took another year to find its publishing home. “Since it was only a hobby at first, I’d often step away from it for periods of time to focus on other things. But I always found myself going back to work on it. I became invested in these characters and wanted their story to be complete,” Caroline explains.
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“I have always been a reader. I think if you read enough books, you inevitably begin to imagine writing one of your own.”
Caroline posing with the roses she received as a welcome gift from her publisher, Harpeth Road. Photo credit: Caroline Stowe
Caroline grew as a woman before growing as a writer, showing us that the doors to success open when we’re ready. The self-awareness, depth and maturity she gained in adulthood allowed her to find a publisher who would resonate with her writing and personality. “I had my eye on Harpeth Road immediately, hopeful that my book would find a home among their collection of sweet romances. As is usually the case in publishing, patience and persistence were required to get there. Once it all came together, I couldn’t have been more delighted to sign a contract with the ideal publisher for me,” she shares. Her advice to aspiring authors is to keep reading, “Choose the books that appeal to you. The real value in each book is the joy you feel when you explore another world. That, more than anything, will give you the skills you need to write your own story.”
“I had my eye on Harpeth Road immediately, hopeful that my book would find a home among their collection of sweet romances. As is usually the case in publishing though, patience and persistence were required to get there.”
Caroline Stowe’s Christmas romance, which will be available in October 2025, centers around a strong female character named Clara. “It’s a magical Christmas romance with an inspiring storyline. It’s about what can happen when we struggle with life’s timing, the opportunities we may miss out on when we avoid the hard things in life, and the real magic behind falling in love,” Caroline says.
Life’s timing is often connected with serious relationships and how ready we are for them. “A relationship needs time to blossom, but so do we as individuals. Clara finds herself in a tough situation because of her impatience. When we aren’t willing to put in the time and effort for something, including knowing ourselves, we risk missing our full potential,” Caroline beautifully points out.
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Caroline’s home office. Photo credit: Caroline Stowe
The story is a military romance involving deployment and separation. Having been an active-duty Air Force spouse for twenty years, Caroline is familiar with the ins and outs of these relationships, especially the challenges caused by long stretches of time apart. “There are so many opportunities in every situation, no matter how tough it seems at the time. I wanted to showcase the independence and resilience that can develop in us through the waiting,” she says.
Caroline wears her last name well. Her story is set in breathtaking New England, where she lived as a child, and the place she and her family love to vacation to in the winter. “When I decided to write a Christmas romance, I immediately knew it had to be set in one of those snowy Norman Rockwell towns full of holiday charm,” Caroline shares.
“A relationship needs time to blossom, but so do we as individuals. Clara finds herself in a tough situation because of her impatience. When we aren’t willing to put in the time and effort for something, including knowing ourselves, we risk missing our full potential.”
For now, Caroline is basking in the heat and sunshine of the south. “I’ll be spending the rest of June soaking up as much summer as possible with my family — pool, travel, beach,” she says. As many of us do the same, we wish Caroline infinite success because this new author is just getting started! In the meantime, head over to Caroline Stowe and be sure to follow Caroline on Instagram, Facebook and X to stay updated on all her book news and to enjoy her delightful posts.
Graphic credit: Harpeth Road Press
TEXT BY FATIMA RIZZO