Local Lexington journalist and author Jessica Brodie celebrated her newly published Christian fiction novel, “The Memory Garden,” released on May 6, 2025. It has received a lot of love and attention within its first few weeks on the market, she said.

Within the first week after its release to the public, “The Memory Garden” reached #8 in Christian women’s fiction and #10 in Contemporary Christian fiction on Amazon. In a press release shared with the Chronicle, Brodie said that she was humbled and staggered by the rapid success of her first published novel. 

“So many aspects of the book were inspired by people and organizations right here in this community, from Mission Lexington to the countless churches and groups that come together to help our neighbors.” 

“The Memory Garden” may be her first published novel, but Brodie is no stranger to the world of writing and journalism. Shortly after relocating to Lexington about 15 years ago, she took a job as the editor for the faith-based monthly newspaper, The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate. 

“I have always worked as a professional writer in some capacity,” Brodie said. “I have been writing my whole life. My mom recalls my childhood passion for writing and my first toy being her old typewriter. I would press down on the keys and pretend to write stories. Those pretend stories then turned into real stories.” 

She wrote her first novels at the ages of 21 and 30. While those novels were not published, she prides herself on those being her “practice novels.” After relocating here, Brodie said she fell in love with the Lexington community, having been a part of different local churches, organizations and non-profits, each directly inspiring her writing. 

“We have been blessed to be involved in many local organizations like Mission Lexington and Lighthouse for Life,” she told the Chronicle. “Seeing different organizations and churches come together to help people has inspired a lot of my work. The Lexington community and people are just the best. … My book is woven so much into me moving here. … It really changed me as a person.” 

Brodie attributes her gift of writing and telling stories to her faith. 

“I have always been fascinated with other people’s stories,” she said. “I try to be a conduit so other people can tell their stories. I just try to take myself out of the way so their light can shine, and their stories can be heard. … I see that I have been given this gift, and it is a huge blessing.” 

Tying her love for fictional writing back to her faith, Brodie shares the link between the teachings of Jesus and life application. 

“Jesus taught in parables for a reason. We, as humans, relate to stories,” she said. 

Brodie attributes the success of her book to God’s prompting. 

“God knew the plan along; I just had to trust and step out in faith. … He knew that hearts needed this message. I don't care about my name being on the book or making money from this, it’s not about that,” she said. “If my book would help open the door to faith for someone reading it, that is the goal and would be a dream come true.” 

Following “The Memory Garden,” Brodie will release her second novel this coming fall and anticipates a book signing event in the Lexington area soon, but dates are still being finalized.

About the book, as written in the press release: 

Set in the fictional town of Dahlia, South Carolina, "The Memory Garden" shares the hope-filled and inspirational story of a shattered journalist who moves from New York to a small Southern town, where her friendship with a young boy not only helps her heal but also rescues him from secrets he’s been carrying far too long.

As the description notes, sometimes hope blooms in the most unexpected places. Rock-bottom has a name for Rebecca Chastain, and it’s Dahlia, South Carolina. Once a celebrated big-city journalist with a promising future, Rebecca now finds herself shattered—jobless, abandoned by her fiancé, and haunted by her own desperate attempt to escape it all. The small-town newspaper job in her granny’s hometown isn’t just a step down but a humiliating reminder of everything she’s tried to outrun. If not for reconnecting with her childhood friend, Josh, she’d already be gone.

Then there’s Devon—an 11-year-old boy with eyes too old for his years, caring for his ailing Memaw while hiding stories he’s terrified to share.

When Rebecca’s reporting brings their lives together, something unexpected begins to take root in the barren soil of her heart. But Devon’s dangerous uncle is closing in, and time is running out for Rebecca to open her eyes and see what’s going on before it’s too late. As shadows lengthen over Dahlia, Rebecca must decide if she’ll retreat to safety or stand her ground for a boy who’s fighting his own battles—and perhaps find healing for herself in what she once called the last place on earth she’d ever return to.

Some gardens only bloom after the harshest storms.

"The Memory Garden" is book one in the "Dahlia Series," where grace meets grit in a small Southern town where faith is tested, hearts are mended, and hope refuses to stay buried.

The book is available as a paperback ($15.99) and ebook ($2.99) on Amazon at https://a.co/d/9k5qnIq  and from other major retailers.