What Brings Us Joy by Teresa Wells
Series: The Truitts of Texas – Book 1
Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC
Release Date:  July 15, 2025
Genre:  Christian Historical Romance

1895: After losing their Georgia home, eighteen-year-old Delia Truitt and her family move to Blooming Grove, Texas, to work for a relative on a ramshackle farm. Set on helping her family dig out of their impoverished circumstances, she plans to open a dressmaker’s shop, combining her sewing skills and her keen fashion sense. But owning a business takes money she doesn’t have.

Unless she can finish her quilt in time to enter the county fair. The prize money would be just enough to open her shop. Determined and resourceful, Delia sets her sights on success—until her heart takes an unexpected detour when she meets handsome Clarence Parker.

Bent on respectability, Clarence refuses to let his past get in the way of his future happiness, especially after falling for spirited Delia Truitt. But his hopes shatter when headlines declare members of his former gang have broken out of jail and are heading his way, set on revenge. Though Clarence doesn’t regret testifying against the outlaws, he fears his future with Delia is in jeopardy. Clarence will protect her from the killers, even if it means risking their future together.

Can Clarence keep her safe? And will Delia love him after she finds out about his past?

PURCHASE LINKS:
 Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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About the Author

A former teacher and librarian, Teresa Wells treasures a story threaded with redemption and hope. She loves people, history, and studying the Bible. Teresa is a member of Novel Academy and American Christian Fiction Writers Association, where she volunteers behind the scenes. She lives with her family outside of Dallas, Texas. What Brings Us Joy is her first novel.

Connect with Teresa by visiting teresawells.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Author Q&A

CB: Teresa, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. We’re looking forward to learning more about you and your book, What Brings Us Joy.

Your background as a teacher and librarian must give you a deep appreciation for storytelling. How did that shape your journey to becoming an author?

TW: As a fourth-grade teacher, I made sure to always read aloud to my students after lunch each day. As a librarian, story time was super important, and all students, from kindergarten to fifth grade, loved that time of listening to a great story. So yes, my two jobs in education gave me a deep appreciation for storytelling. I saw what kind of story held the kids’ attention, and what didn’t. Even though I was never meant to be a children’s author, story is story, no matter the age of your audience.  

Another big influence came when, as a librarian, I had the privilege of having authors come to our school to share their stories with the kids. Afterwards, I got to speak to them about their road to publication. Every author’s journey was different, but amounted to one thing: you must learn the craft and persevere if you want to publish a book.  

CB: You mention loving both history and studying the Bible. How do you weave your Bible study insights into your storytelling? 

TW: I never want to slam my readers over the head with biblical messages, but I do want faith to be a thread that weaves everything together. Walking that line of too much versus not enough is tricky and takes a lot of prayer. I want my characters to be credible, which means showing their flaws as well as their virtues. The Bible does a great job with that! I love that David, Paul, Noah, Moses (and on and on) were flawed people who loved God and served Him well, but never perfectly. 

CB: You’re active in both the Novel Academy and the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. How have those communities influenced your writing process or helped bring this book to life?

TW: I’m so glad I discovered Novel Academy when I decided to write fiction, because the lessons on characterization, storytelling, tension, and the steps to publication were exactly what I needed. Susan May Warren teaches writing in a very practical way, and I learned almost everything I know from her video lessons.  

When I first joined ACFW and attended a conference in 2019, I was blown away by the positive, energetic atmosphere. The people I talked to were supportive and driven to write the stories God put in their hearts. It I’d been to other writing conferences, but this one was different. Writing was their business, not a hobby. And everyone was more than happy to help out a novice writer become an author. 

CB: Delia’s dream of opening a dress shop stood out to me, especially since it was harder for women to chase dreams like that back then. What inspired her character, and how did you research women’s roles and fashion in 1895 Texas?

TW: Her character was inspired by a great aunt I never met, Emma Lea Ola Mobley Wells (she and I both married Wells men, but they aren’t related). I came across a photo of her with her family. It was the typical solemn looking photo from the late 1800’s, EXCEPT for the young lady who stood at the end of the siblings with her hand on her hip. Who posed like that back then? Nobody! That made her irresistible to me. I knew she would represent my main character, Delia Truitt. It turns out, though, that Ola left behind a memoir, her life as told to her son when she was in her nineties. It’s a fascinating read. Though only a bit of her life is reflected in What Brings Us Joy, there’s enough material in those 40 or so typewritten pages to sprinkle little bits of reality into my fiction with every book I write.  

As for researching women’s roles and fashions in 1895 Texas, I reads lots of books, as well as magazines and newspapers from the 1890’s. For a history nerd like me, this was bliss! 

CB: Clarence risked everything by testifying at a dangerous time. What made you want to write him as someone brave enough to stand up for what’s right?  

TW: When the story begins, Clarence must deal with the fallout of testifying against men who never forget those who cross them. I really didn’t think of Clarence as brave at that point, though it took courage to speak out. In my mind, Clarence was driven by a need to see justice prevail, and to somehow atone for his part in the tragedy that happened. After really messing up, he desperately wants to be a good man. 

CB: What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from Delia and Clarence’s journey in What Brings Us Joy? 

TW: I’d love for readers to see the power of grace and forgiveness. 

CB: What Brings Us Joy is the first book in a series—can you give us a glimpse of what’s coming next and how the series will unfold? 

TW; Each book in The Truitts of Texas series will focus on one of the Truitt siblings. Book Two, Seeds of Hope, takes a look at Rabb Truitt, and the young woman who loves him from afar, Sallie Parker. This book has a western feel to it, for reasons apparent when you read the book! It comes out in July 2026. I can’t wait! 

The third book, When Hope Takes Root, takes a look at Thomas Truitt and Lucy Grant. Thomas the analytical farmer might have a surprise or two up his sleeve! This book will explore the oil boom in Corsicana, Texas, from a unique perspective. You can read When Hope Takes Root in July 2027! 

Whether Hazel and Imajean have their own novels remains to be seen. You never know! 

CB: Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us, Teresa. I wish you the best on your book launch! 

TW: Carla, thank you so much for having me on your blog. Your questions were insightful and challenged me to dig deep for answers. I appreciate the time you took to personalize your interview. 

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