Jul 15

JENNY ERLINGSSON: Her Part to Play

Jenny Erlingsson, an author and speaker of Nigerian descent, has dedicated her life to ministry and storytelling. After 12 years of working in junior high and women's ministry, she moved with her family from Alabama to Iceland. When she’s not running after her four kids or ministering alongside her husband, Jenny is writing romantic fiction and creative nonfiction aimed at inspiring deep faith in diverse settings.

Jenny’s novel, Her Part to Play, intertwines faith, romance, and redemption, offering readers a deeply rooted Christian fiction experience. With a unique voice that blends authenticity with inspiration, Jenny’s work is more than storytelling—it’s a heartfelt ministry, inviting readers to explore a deeper, Christ-centered identity and connection.

THE BLURB - Her Part to Play

When Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown, all she wants is a steady paycheck to keep her family’s legacy alive. But the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.

After turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, John Pope is ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set—and definitely not a fan.

Sparks of tension—and could that be attraction? —fly between them. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what's right in front of them?

AN INTERVIEW WITH JENNY

Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Her Part to Play?

After a crisis hits her family, Adanne loses her blossoming Hollywood makeup career when she leaves to care for her dying mother. Years later, she continues to bury her grief in a busy schedule. But when a movie filming in her hometown is in need of a last-minute expert makeup artist, her desperate need for extra income to save her family’s legacy brings her face-to-face with John Pope, the actor who got her fired those years ago. John would rather be anywhere but in Alabama and doesn’t appreciate the team change that has brought Adanne into his trailer. But as they work their way into each other’s hearts, will they have the courage to remain in each other’s lives?

Adanne is a makeup artist and John is an actor, two careers that intersect but probably aren’t seen as equally important. What kind of power dynamic does this set up between these two characters who are also from different backgrounds?

The power dynamic for them depends on where they are. Adanne doesn’t trust John, but on set she has to be close to him because of her job. John is drawn to Adanne but because of his high-profile role, he has to be careful about his actions. Additionally, because he is at the top of the call sheet, Adanne’s role as his makeup artist is a really intimate one that carries a lot of responsibility. Adanne has more connections in the community, and because John wants to know her and the town better, he has to depend on her. Although they come from different backgrounds, they both carry specific advantages they take for granted. John is known by many but lacks belonging. Adanne has deep roots in her community but doubts her significance.

Though stories about interracial couples are more common than they once were, there are still few interracial romances on the Christian fiction shelves. What made you want to write a romance about an interracial couple?

I wanted to write a sweet romance that reflects the people we see in our churches, in our communities, and in families like mine. As followers of Christ, we are part of a diverse, colorful, and culture-filled kingdom. It’s nice to be able to place a book on the shelves that represents that and that readers can relate to. I also felt it was important to tell a story in which the differences of race weren’t emphasized, just the beauty of finding love and belonging where it may not be expected.

Between her family and the community center her parents started, Adanne has lots of responsibilities to other people in her life. How does this affect her ability to follow her own dreams and plans?

Adanne feels the pressure to carry on what her parents started—to preserve their legacy. With her brother dealing with his son’s illness, she works overtime to step into her mother’s shoes, even though she doesn’t feel equipped to do so. For Adanne, pursuing her dreams takes a back seat to making sure her parents’ dreams don’t crumble. And because of how her career was affected by John’s decisions, she’s afraid to step out of the shadow of those responsibilities. It’s all she thinks she has.

As the story opens, John is trying to make some needed changes in his life. What challenges linger from the way he used to live that make it hard for him to move forward in a positive direction?

Because of John’s role, his successes and failures have often been for public consumption. But what is not visible are the scars he carries from rejection and broken relationships. As he navigates the tension of past addictions and the need to revitalize his career, he is cautious about relationships but also desperate to anchor himself somewhere that feels like home.

What does Adanne have that John’s been missing? And what does John have that Adanne’s been missing?

For John, he is really drawn to how authentic Adanne is, unlike his acquaintances in Hollywood. Adanne has roots in Hope Springs and the kind of tight-knit family that he really longs for. And even with Adanne’s sometimes feisty nature, he feels safe in her presence, and her words linger with him—change him. For Adanne, she doesn’t want to admit it, but she likes that John works hard to bring her out of her shell. As she spends time with him around Hope Springs, she gets a glimpse into a man who is kinder and more compassionate than she thought he was. She likes who she feels safe to be around him.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading Her Part to Play?

I hope that readers are encouraged to cherish their roots, to forgive well, and to value the community that God has placed around them as they step into Adanne and John’s sweet and spicy story. I want them to remember that God is always in the business of making things new and that answers to prayers can sometimes be found in the places you least expect.

Where can readers purchase a copy of Her Part to Play?

You can order Her Part to Play from your favorite book retailer, but the best place to order is through Baker Book House, where you will receive 30% off and free US shipping. You can also go to my website to find these retailer links. Thank you so much for ordering, reading, and sharing Her Part to Play!