What’s a woman to do after her beloved spouse breathes his last? That’s the question Clarice James tackles in her latest novel, Party of One.

Party of One is about a straight-laced widow who starts a dinner club for single strangers. (Tweet that!) You can read my review of this heartwarming women’s contemporary novel here. 

I was blessed to meet the author at the Writer to Writer conference in 2015. While there, Jerry Jenkins announced we both won his Operation First Novel contest (Clarice for Double Header and me for Snow Out of Season). Ever since, Clarice has been cracking me up with her comical writing. 

Me and Clarice G. James with New York Times bestselling author Jerry Jenkins

Clarice, after reading Party of One, I feel I know you better and some of what you went through after your first husband passed away. Is the main character based on you?

Sometimes I’m embarrassed to say she is, Christy. In fact, the opening restaurant scene actually happened to me and was the inciting incident for Party of One.

I even did some of the same silly things Annie did, trying to get a handle on my life. The difference is I was already a Christian, so I leaned on God instead of my own wisdom—most of the time.

Is Annie’s late husband based on your first husband?

Not so much, although my late husband did work in the corrections field.

After your first husband died, did you ever start a dinner club or singles group like Party of One? If not, how did you come up with the idea for this story?

I actually toyed with the idea back then, but never went through with it.

After I had remarried and turned my memoir into a novel, the Holy Spirit prompted me to finally begin the Party of One fellowship. I realized I didn’t have to be single to reach out to the lonely. (I added some information on how to start one in your area in the back of my book.)

How did you meet your second hubby? What were your first impressions? How is he like and unlike your first mate? 

Clarice G. James

In Party of One, I described the difference between the protagonist’s first husband and her new love interest this way: “It would be like comparing apples and snow globes or oranges and moon rocks. It’s more of a contrast than a comparison. One isn’t better than the other, but they’re both different.” That’s pretty much the truth.

Want to learn more about Clarice James and her smart, fun, relatable fiction? Check out her website at ClariceJames.com!

Did you know loneliness increases your risk of dying early? (Tweet that!) Perhaps no one understands this better than those who have lost a spouse to death or divorce. Award-winning author Clarice James can relate. After 23 years of marriage, her husband passed away. In her latest release, a straight-laced widow steps out of her comfort zone to start a dinner club for single strangers. Learn more about this new novel for widows below!

Novel Synopsis

Two years after her beloved husband dies, Annie McGee returns to their favorite restaurant. After the waitress discovers Annie’s alone, she moves her to the bar and forgets to take her order. 

Humiliated, Annie flees and backs out of the parking lot right into a state policeman’s SUV. Lonelier than ever, Annie returns home and settles for cereal and Jeopardy.

A week later, Annie tries a new restaurant called Cranberry Fare. She’s seated by the fireplace and treated to magazines, delicious food, and attentive service. 

As she notices several other single diners there, she decides to start a dinner club called Party of One. At first determined to only see these new friends on Fridays, she soon gets way more than she bargained for. 

After several online dating disasters, she starts falling for two men who could hardly be more different. But they’re not the only ones pursuing Annie McGee’s heart. 

My Thoughts

Clarice G. James

Party of One is a heartwarming story about finding love again in the most unexpected places. (Tweet that!) Endearing, eccentric characters spring off the page making it bittersweet to finally bid them goodbye.  Add to that the candor and comedy I’ve come to expect from Clarice G. James, and you won’t want to put this book down. 

I recommend this book to women who enjoy humor, romance and contemporary fiction. Though men, young adults, and married women (like me!) enjoy it too, I especially suggest it to middle-aged and up singles and widows.

Want to learn more about this novel for widows? Check out our interview here!