Narelle here. I’m excited to welcome T. I. Lowe to our blog today and share an interview for her new book, Lowcountry Lost, that’s releasing next week on September 3, 2024.
Without giving too much away, can you tell us a little bit about the storyline of Lowcountry Lost?
It’s about one woman who feels like a ghost town—barely existing and all but forgotten—while taking on the task of bringing life back to an actual ghost town. Avalee will face her own revitalization while working on this town, uncovering a past that needs to be dealt with once and for all.
Where did your idea for this story come from?
During my pregnancy with my daughter, I was told I was miscarrying. I was beyond devastated, but then they found a heartbeat! That affected me intensely and gave me more empathy for those who do not find a heartbeat. This story is me trying to pay my love and respect to those who have lost a child.
What are some of the major themes of this story?
Grief. Found family. Second chances.
What is special about the relationship between your main characters, Avalee Elvis and Rowan Murray?
They were childhood friends first, so they have a multifaceted bond that a normal relationship doesn’t have. They came into it with personal knowledge that someone new wouldn’t know. I think that’s why they were unable to break their connection so easily.
You’ve written your fair share of love stories. How was writing a second-chance romance unique from your other love stories?
I’m a sucker for second-chance romance. It’s unique to write because the couple has history on a much deeper level than, say, a new love interest. But also unique because the separation has allowed time for change and the couple must learn each other all over again.
Is there a side character in this story you particularly enjoyed creating?
Oh, I really do love my side characters. To choose just one . . . let’s see . . . I think I have to pick Sebastian, the runaway teen. He’s been through a lot and has had to grow up way too fast. He plays a major part in Avalee and Rowan’s reconciliation.
How do you hope this story will resonate with your readers, particularly women who may relate to Avalee?
I want this story to give comfort to those who have suffered the same loss as Avalee and to give others more understanding of how losing a child impacts the parents. I hope it leads to open conversations about miscarriage and stillbirth.
How does faith play a role in this book?
We don’t understand why things happen in this life, but having faith in God is such an important part of surviving tragedy. We cannot lean into our own understandings. We must lean on God, seeking him through prayer and his Word. I think it’s okay to question God, to be honest about our grief and anger, to ask him to guide us through the dark times.
What are your favorite romance tropes (either to read or to employ in your writing)?
I love to read a lighthearted romantic comedy, because life is tough and we need more humor. I also love second-chance romances, obviously! I like seeing a couple overcome true-to-life obstacles to reclaim the love they have for each other.
Are there any other writing projects you have planned currently?
Oh yes! This curious imagination of mine never hushes up! I am currently working on two books at the same time, because, apparently, I like making things hard on myself. I hope to share more about both soon.
Sometimes what haunts you most is wondering what could have been.
Avalee Elvis prides herself with being able to fix just about anything. . . except her past. Unable to put the puzzle of her life together, she pours heart and soul into making neglected places whole again. As the owner of Lowcountry Lost, Avalee spends her days in hot-pink Carhartt overalls and a tool belt reclaiming Lowcountry properties. Making them beautiful again releases the deep sigh that soothes the hurt she holds.
Avalee’s latest project takes her to tiny Somewhere, South Carolina, a long-abandoned town. She ignores its ghostly folklore but can’t miss the shock of hearing the familiar Irish brogue that materializes on the job site—the voice of the man she never wanted to see again.
Rowan Murray is a structural engineer hired by investors to oversee the redevelopment of the quaint downtown Avalee is bringing back to life. Once upon a time, he was also the man who knew Avalee better than anyone else—or so he thought. Six years ago, neither of them was prepared for the tragedy they would face together or what would happen in its wake. But as they work together to complete the rehabbing of Somewhere, their broken pieces and the pain that nearly consumed them begin to lose its grip, and both begin to wonder if it’s not too late for a restoration of their own.
From the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias comes a story of loss and abandonment, forgiveness, and the beauty of undying love.
Buy Lowcountry Lost from Tyndale
Narelle: I enjoyed reading Lowcountry Lost and I recommend it to contemporary Christian romance readers who like childhood sweetheart second chance romances with a strong Southern USA flavour that’s set during a ghost town renewal project.
Check out my book recommendation here:
T. I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories. She is the author of twenty novels, including the bestselling Indigo Isle; the #1 international bestseller and critically acclaimed Under the Magnolias; and her debut breakout, Lulu’s Café. She lives with her husband and family in coastal South Carolina.
