The Light of Stars Author Q&A with Jenelle Hovde
Jenelle Hovde, an accomplished illustrator, author, pastor’s wife, and homeschooling mother, ventured off the beaten path when she transitioned from her career as a doctor of audiology to pursue her passion for writing. While her nine novels span different eras—from the ancient world to World War II—her favorite genre is sweet Regency romance that enchants readers with tales of love and intrigue set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century England.
Drawing inspiration from timeless treasures found in antique stores, Jenelle pens historical romance novels that captivate readers with vivid storytelling and gentle messages of faith. Her stories have garnered impressive showings in multiple writing contests. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she navigates life with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.
To stay updated on Jenelle’s latest works or subscribe to her newsletter, visit her online at jenellehovdeauthor.com.
FF: What about the Regency era drew you to write about it?
The Regency era sits at a fascinating crossroads of elegance and upheaval—strict social rules paired with enormous political, scientific, and moral change. I love exploring how deeply personal stories unfold within such structured constraints. It’s a perfect setting for courage, restrained emotion, and meaningful romance.
FF: What is the East India Company? What did you find most interesting when researching it?
The East India Company was more than a trading business—it shaped global commerce, politics, and daily life in Britain, especially through commodities like tea. Tea became a symbol of refinement and comfort at home, even as its production and trade were tied to immense power, moral compromise, and human cost abroad. That tension between domestic gentility and unseen injustice fascinated me, and it forms an important backdrop to the moral questions my characters face. Reformers such as William Carey and William Wilberforce often found themselves at odds with company policies, creating political tension over how best to engage with other cultures and nations.
FF: What makes Kitty and Sebastian an interesting couple?
Kitty and Sebastian begin their relationship with firm, and often flawed, preconceptions about one another—assumptions shaped by class, reputation, and past wounds. As they are forced into closer proximity, they must learn to look beyond surface judgments and truly see the person beneath. Their romance grows not through grand declarations, but through humility, listening, and the willingness to be changed by what they discover in each other.
Sebastian, a former rule-breaker, longs for respectability and is determined to prove he is a changed man, even if it means restraining his truest instincts. Kitty, by contrast, yearns for freedom and independence, chafing against expectations and breaking the rules that seek to confine her.
FF: What is the significance of the title The Light of Stars?
The title reflects both Kitty’s love of astronomy and a deeper spiritual truth. Scripture tells us that God names the stars and governs their paths, holding the universe in perfect order. In the same way, The Light of Stars speaks to God’s care over our lives—guiding, sustaining, and keeping us, even when circumstances feel chaotic or beyond our control.
FF: What is a sweet romance? Why is this genre important today?
Sweet romance emphasizes emotional intimacy, respect, and meaningful connection rather than explicit content or toxic relational dynamics. In a culture often saturated with cynicism, these stories offer hope, tenderness, and moral clarity with characters to root for. Readers are hungry for love stories that uplift rather than exhaust or demoralize them.
FF: What authors have impacted you the most?
Writers like Janette Oke, Linda Lee Chaikin, and Gilbert Morris shaped my love of historical fiction early on. More recently, authors such as Mimi Matthews, Laura Frantz, and Roseanna M. White have influenced my appreciation for restraint, depth, and emotional nuance in romance. I admire stories that dive deeper into faith struggles, allowing the characters to grow closer to God as the novel progresses.
FF: You transitioned from a career as a doctor of audiology. Why did you make the switch? What has been most challenging and rewarding?
Storytelling had been part of my life for years, but eventually I felt called to pursue it fully. The most challenging part was stepping away from a stable, well-defined profession. The most rewarding has been discovering how stories can encourage faith, healing, and hope in ways I never anticipated.
