Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Sweetheart Deal by Lenora Worth, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
The Sweetheart Deal by Lenora Worth
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: September 10 2025
Genre: Sweet Cozy Romance
“One day I’m going to marry you…”
Jake Harper had said those words to Vanessa Conroy since kindergarten, but after watching her parents’ bitter divorce and living with her mother’s devastation, Vanessa made a promise to herself—she’s never getting married. She’ll stay single and pursue her dream of being a ready-to-wear fashion designer.
In high school, Vanessa dated and broke up with every bad boy in the book, while Jake remained her consistent buddy. He was her wingman, her best friend, her go-to person for special occasions, but she held him at a distance. Why ruin a wonderful friendship? On the night of their final prom, Jake takes a risk and kisses her. Stunned by how right it feels, Vanessa rashly blurts out a deal: if they’re still single at thirty, maybe she’ll marry him.
Now, thirteen years later, they’re back in Sweetheart Bay to be part of her sister’s wedding. And they’re both still single at thirty. Vanessa begins to see Jake in a new, more romantic light, but Jake, a successful architect living in California, hasn’t said a word about their old pact.
As family drama bubbles and old feelings resurface, Vanessa must face the one possibility she’s always run from: what if her true love has been standing beside her all along? Can she and Jake find their happily-ever-after back on Sweetheart Bay?
About the Author
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll, Lenora Worth writes romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired, sweet romance for Tule Publishing, and single-title Amish stories for Kensington Books. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, and she received the Romantic Times Pioneer Award for Inspirational Fiction. Lenora is a NY Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and ECPA bestselling writer and a 2019 RWA RITA® Finalist. With one-hundred-plus books and novellas published and 5.3 million books in print, she enjoys adventures with her retired husband and loves reading, baking, and shopping … especially shoe shopping.
Go to lenoraworth.com to sign up for Lenora’s newsletter and find her book list and upcoming releases.
Author Q&A
CB: Hello, Lenora! It’s such an honor to have an opportunity to get to meet you this way. I love your books and am excited to read The Sweetheart Deal.
You’ve been a finalist for the Carol Awards and the RITA, what did that recognition mean to you personally?
LW: I was humbled and filled with joy to just be nominated for these awards. I didn’t need to win—I was already thrilled!
CB: I know you from your Amish fiction, so what inspired you to write outside of that genre with The Sweetheart Deal?
LW: I enjoyed the Amish books I wrote, but I’m slowing down a bit so I decided not to take on any multi-book contracts. With some health issues to deal with and becoming a “senior citizen”, I needed a slower pace. I had always planned to try Indie when I reached this moment. So that what I did! I’ve had the story idea for The Sweetheart Deal for years. It was so much fun to write the story and watch it turn into a book!
CB: How does writing a sweet romance like this differ from writing Amish suspense or romance?
LW: The characters are, of course, modern and living in that world, but the feelings and the faith elements are about the same. I try to respect my readers and give them a sweet PG 13 type story whether it’s suspense or sweet or a more centered Amish story. While this story has a lighter faith thread, the thread is still there. :) I appreciate the Amish and tried to always write a strong story that highlighted their way of life. I do the same with my contemporary stories.
CB: Vanessa is determined never to marry because of her parents’ divorce. How did you approach writing her fears in a way readers could connect with?
LW: I’ve known people like this and this has happened in my own family. Children are shaped by what they see with their parents. Vanessa saw hurt and equated that with marriage. So she was afraid but she put up a big front to hide that fear.
CB: What makes Jake the perfect hero for this story?
LW: Jake took the lead on this story from the beginning. He never wavered on his feelings and he truly became the boy-next-door and the best friend that Vanessa needed. His values and his strength coupled with his loving family, helped Vanessa to heal. He is one of the good guys.
CB: The book explores friendship blossoming into romance. Why do you think best-friends-to-lovers is such a beloved trope?
LW: Because having your best friend also be the one you love and marry is an exciting and comforting thing. You know you can trust a friend and you know you can love someone you trust deeply. There is an endearing sweetness to two people knowing each other so intimately and yet not realizing they can love each other and show their true feelings.
CB: What do you hope readers will take away from Vanessa and Jake’s journey?
LW; I hope my readers will enjoy and love how they interact with each other, how Jake is so strong and never gives up hope on marrying Vanessa. I want readers to see that sometimes what you long for the most is right there in front of you. Don’t let fear hold you back.
CB: When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy reading for fun?
LW: I love to read across the board. Sometimes I love historical fiction, and sometimes I want to read a great suspense book. I also love women’s fiction. And sometimes I just read Bible verses. So many stories in the Bible to gain knowledge and ideas from 😊
CB: What are three books on your personal TBR pile right now?
LW; ell, I have Lee Child’s thriller sitting here, and I’m reading Roseanna White’s The Island Bookshop. I have several romances loaded onto my Kindle.
CB: Lenora, you’ve written so many different kinds of stories—from Amish fiction to sweet romance like The Sweetheart Deal. At the heart of it all, what do you think ties your books together, and what do you hope readers feel when they finish one?
LW: I think telling an emotional, true-to-life story and being true to my characters always helps me in my story-telling. I want readers to know love and to see forgiveness and redemption in all my books. I want my readers to be entertained, enlightened and encouraged when they are reading my books.
CB: Thank you, Lenora, for sharing your thoughts and giving us a behind-the-scenes look at The Sweetheart Deal! I know my readers will really enjoy getting to know both you and your characters better, and we’re excited to see what stories you’ll bring us next.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each receive a $20 Amazon gift card, print copies of Designing His Bride and The Widow’s Unexpected Suitor, and beachy goodies!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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