About the Book

Book: Small-Town Independence

Author: Carolyn Oravitz

Genre: Christian Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: July 1, 2025

In the charming New England seaside town of Independence, Amanda Gibson came to start over—not fall in love.

Still healing from a painful breakup, Amanda’s only plans involve reopening her late Aunt Helen’s quaint beachside resort and proving to herself she can stand on her own. But Independence has other ideas—starting with Clark Miller, her once-boyish crush turned unexpectedly irresistible local hero.

Clark’s easy smile and steady kindness threaten the careful walls Amanda has built, just as a string of unsettling incidents suggests someone wants her new life—and her business dreams—to fall apart. As Clark offers his help, Amanda must decide whether she’s ready to trust again—not just in romance, but in God’s greater plan.

When secrets from the past begin to surface and danger creeps closer, Amanda will have to face more than just her fears. She’ll have to fight for the truth, the resort, and a second chance at love she never expected.

A heartwarming blend of romance, mystery, and faith, Small-Town Independence is perfect for readers who love clean Christian love stories with a touch of suspense, coastal charm, and hope that endures.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Carolyn Oravitz is a writer, speaker, and cancer survivor who brings heart and hope to the stories she writes. Holding teaching certificates in English and Art, she enjoyed years inspiring creativity in the classroom. Her past writing included literature guides for elementary and middle school students and writing feature articles for a local publication.

In addition to her love of writing and art, she loves hiking, taking part in events at her church, and spending time with her friends and family.

Her other published works include: Yet Will I Hope in Him and What If It Is, two heartfelt reflections on surviving cancer, Write for Publication – Twenty Lessons to Improve Your Writing, which she and others have used as a textbook for writing classes and workshops, and Small Town – Independence, a suspenseful contemporary Christian romance novel. She is presently working on a historical novel blending her passion for the past with her gift of vivid storytelling.

More from Carolyn

I was inspired to write this story after a visit to Bar Harbor, Maine. I loved exploring the rocky coast and hiking trails, and I was fascinated by the mix of grand Victorian mansions and charming cottages. The view from the summit was unforgettable—we caught an incredible sunrise there and even joined an outdoor church service. The whole experience left me both refreshed and inspired, and it became the spark behind this story.

Author Interview

• What is your favorite genre of books? Why? I love inspirational books, whether they are fiction or nonfiction. I love to read about people, real or fictional characters, overcoming difficulties and how their faith keeps them strong. I especially appreciate a good take-away value ending that uplifts and inspires me.
• Are you a one project at a time author or do you have multiple projects going at once? I work on multiple projects at once. That may partly be a result from my work as an adjunct teacher at a couple different schools or colleges at the same time where I was constantly in the lesson planning mode. Recently I was working on a children’s book, updating my book on writing skills, and doing research for my historical fiction book. I love writing which never leaves any time for boredom, for sure.
• How has your life experience helped in your writing journey? My life experience including faith, family background, career as a teacher, marriage, child rearing, and surviving cancer have all impacted my writing. “Write what you know” is a common phrase, and I do that in my fictional characters based on character traits in myself or people I know as well as in my books on recovering from cancer.
• Do you remember the first book you read? What sort of impact did it make on you? One of the first books I read was The Flying Sandbox about a little boy and girl playing in their yard. They used a chicken wishbone to wish they could fly and their wish came true. Their sandbox flew over the park, beach, and playground. This book opened my eyes to the imaginative world of storytelling.
• What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused? I’d like to think I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to my plans. I set goals to write at a particular time and place and am generally able to stay focused. Social media can become a distraction, so that is something I have to watch.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, December 10 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 11

Simple Harvest Reads, December 12 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, December 13

Guild Master, December 14 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 15

Fiction Book Lover, December 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 17

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 18 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 19

A Reader’s Brain, December 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 22 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, December 23

For Him and My Family, December 23

Giveaway

T0 celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3edbf/small-town-independence-celebration-tour-giveaway