Guest Post with Jo Schaffer - The Winnowing ~ JeanBookNerd

Photo Content from Jo Schaffer

Jo Schaffer was born and raised in the California Bay Area in a huge, creative family. She is a YA novelist, speaker and a Taekwondo black belt.

She’s a founding member of the nonprofit organization that created Teen Author Boot Camp, one of the nation’s biggest conferences for teens where bestselling authors present writing workshops to nearly a thousand attendees.

Jo loves being involved in anything that promotes literacy and family. She is passionate about community, travel, books, music, healthy eating, classic films and martial arts. But her favorite thing is being mom to three strapping sons and a neurotic cat named Hero. They live together in the beautiful mountains of Utah.

The Winnowing (Stanley & Hazel #2) by Jo Schaffer
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Publisher: Month9Books
Print Length: 268 pages
Publication Date: February 26, 2019

Darkness descends over St. Louis, a city already rocked by the Great Depression,Stanley and Hazel must fight their way back to one another and stop The Winnowing from destroying everything they love.

WHAT'S ON YOUR DESK BY JO SCHAFFER

My desk is usually pretty tidy but I do like to have certain things handy. My record player provides great tunes as I write. I like the quality and sound of vinyl—especially for old recordings like the kind that Stanley and Hazel would have enjoyed in their day. My Himalayan salt lamp provides a cheery glow and good vibes. Poster sized copies of my book covers are a fun decoration and I take them with me to book signings.

I like using a cushy chair and a pillow for my back. I have notebooks and plenty of post-its nearby, as well as pens, mugs with important beverages and a supply of dark chocolate. My mini porcelain typewriter melts scented wax for a pleasant olfactory experience. A small cabinet on my desk is stocked with essential oils for aromatherapy and aches and pains.

Of course it’s always smart to have some good books on hand as well as small artsy items that spark the imagination. Seen above is a portrait painted for me by a wonderful teen reader! I am so inspired by the feedback and comments I get from my readers. I like to keep them in mind while I write.

Darkness descends over St. Louis, a city already rocked by the Great Depression. More and more people are disappearing, and some have turned up dead. A sinister secret society is putting forward their plan known as “The Winnowing,” designed to wipe out those they consider “undesirable.”

After Stanley and Hazel foil the diabolical plans of Charles Chouteau, they become instant celebrities. Hazel is thrust into the role of debutante, and risks loses herself in it. Meanwhile, Stanley must deal with the horrific tragedy of his best friend’s death while being threatened by the unseen forces of the Veiled Prophet.

With things spiraling out of control, Stanley and Hazel’s relationship is tested, possibly beyond repair. As bodies pile up, people become more desperate. The divide between wealthy and poor grows ever wider, threatening to tear their worlds apart. Now, the two must find a way to work together if there is any hope at all of saving their relationship and their futures.

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