Janie Blue

Just over a decade ago, author Suzy Accola lost her brand-new home a few nights after her family moved in. Her children were sleeping in their new rooms when the fire broke out around midnight.

Accola and husband Jim had worked together through their design-build firm to create the home of their dreams, and to say dreams were dashed that evening would be an understatement. Built with grit and grace, Accola went into high gear to make things work for her family.

The seeds were planted that night for her debut novel, Janie Blue.

The story further evolved while Accola worked through the grief of losing her mother shortly after the fire, and the family decided to move to Florida to rebuild their lives. The book’s publishing was serendipitously completed a year after the Accolas won their decade-long legal battle with insurers and gained closure for what they lost in that devastating fire that started it all.

“It was a cathartic process to write Janie Blue,” Accola said. “Losing my mom to brain cancer reminded me of the fragility of life. But putting pen to paper, weaving bits of my own sorrow into a character’s journey — it helped me cope. Writing became a healing journey allowing me to process and work through the pain while creating something meaningful.”

Author Suzy Accola celebrated the release of her book, Janie Blue, alongside her family at a 2023 launch party. Pictured are daughter Sammi, writer Accola, son Carson and husband Jim. Photo by Hunter Burgtorf

The novel is a high-stakes psychological thriller woven with mystery, casino inner workings, politics, relationships, abuse and a touch of romance, set against the backdrops of Seattle, Washington, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

“In the aftermath of the fire, we found ourselves torn between relocating to either the Seattle area or Florida, and I just happened to start writing about Seattle,” Suzy recalled. “And because I spent a lot of time by my mother’s side in a Las Vegas hospital, I was inspired to include Vegas in some of my scenes. The juxtaposition of the intriguing and chaotic city of Las Vegas, the serenity of the surrounding desert, and the ambiance of Seattle really complemented the twists and turns within the narrative of the book.”

Ultimately, Accola’s goal through writing is to uplift women, instilling in them the belief that they possess the capacity to create positive change for themselves and others. Through Janie Blue, she has supported Thistle Farms, a nonprofit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, dedicated to aiding women in their recovery from prostitution, trafficking, abuse and exploitation.

“I was introduced to this remarkable organization by my daughter, Sammi, and it has truly touched my heart,” said Accola. “Witnessing the transformation and joy these women experience as they rebuild their lives with the support of others is incredibly moving.”

Accola is committed to ensuring that Janie Blue’s future involves continued support for organizations such as Thistle Farms. She remains actively engaged in seeking out local organizations with which to partner and is working toward certification in self-defense training to help girls and women learn how to protect themselves, build confidence and spread awareness.

Photo by Hunter Burgtorf

Recently gracing a billboard in the iconic Times Square of New York City, Janie Blue is making its way to readers around the world. Lucky for the Emerald Coast, local author Accola can frequently be found at bookstores, coffee shops and events in the area, signing copies of Janie Blue and sharing her story.

Published by The Idea Boutique, a full-service marketing and publishing agency in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, this enthralling and fast-paced tale is screaming for a spot on the big screen, with an audiobook, a sequel and a screenplay currently in the works.

“The process of publishing is, well, a process, albeit a gratifying one,” Accola said. “I am looking forward to what we’re doing in the future.

“This is just the beginning — Janie Blue’s story is not done.”

Janie Blue can be purchased on Amazon and JanieBlueBook.com. For updates, events and book signings, follow @suzyaccola on Instagram.