Featured Interview With Janelle Martin
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in rural northeast Iowa as one of seven kids in a blended family—which I didn’t realize until much later wasn’t exactly “normal.” I now live in a small town in the Texas countryside, where I’ve come full circle raising my own children with a mix of small-town values and hard-earned perspective. I’ve worn many hats in life—geneticist, stay-at-home mom, fitness instructor, business manager—but my most transformative role came through experiencing addiction and recovery with my daughter. That journey led me to become a licensed counselor and now, an author. I currently share life with my husband, daughter, and our two dogs, Charlie and Bosley, who keep me laughing and full of love.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been an avid reader since second grade—starting with horse stories, then devouring the Ramona books, and eventually falling in love with Judy Blume’s writing. I never really saw myself as a writer—and in many ways, I still don’t. This book was born out of a deep personal need during one of the hardest seasons of my life. It’s the book I was searching for but couldn’t find. Now, in my mid-50s and with a lot of life behind me, I just might pick up the pen again and write a second.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
These days, I mostly read nonfiction—I’ve developed a deep curiosity and a hunger for knowledge that may never be fully satisfied. Lately, I’ve been diving into the works of Dolores Cannon, Sarah Breskman Cosme, and others exploring spirituality, truth, and the deeper meaning of life. This journey has not only shaped how I see the world, but it continues to influence my work as a counselor and the stories I feel called to tell.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Losing Her, Finding Us: A Mother’s Fight, A Daughter’s Journey and the Road to Recovery is a dual-perspective memoir about addiction, healing, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter. Told through my voice and my daughter Regan’s, it offers a raw, honest look at what it’s like to love someone through addiction—and what it takes to begin healing on both sides.
This book isn’t just our story—it’s the story I desperately needed to read when I was in the darkest part of that journey. It took over five years to write, because every word came from a place of deep emotion, reflection, and truth. We didn’t sugarcoat anything. Readers will meet a younger version of Regan as she battles substance use, and a mother who’s doing everything she can to hold it all together, not realizing she needs healing too.
Whether you’re a parent, a loved one, or someone walking the recovery path yourself, this book was written to remind you: you’re not alone—and there is hope, even in the hardest moments.
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