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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Author J. M. Hochstetler - WIND OF THE SPIRIT - Free Book

Welcome back, Joan. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Ultimately, God led me to writing and has given me the stories to write. Since I come from an Amish/Mennonite background, I was steeped in history from day one. Faith, family, church, and community are very important to the Amish and Mennonites, and the Hochstetler family has an especially interesting history that’s well known in the community and is regularly recounted. So that had a powerful impact on my life and interests.

I love to research and learn about the lives of people in earlier times, and then bring the past to life for readers, especially for those who think they hate history. And over the years, I’ve grown very concerned that Americans today know so little about the founding of our nation. I’d hate to see us lose the legacy handed down to us by those who laid everything on the line to ensure our freedom, but I genuinely believe we’re in danger of that happening.

With the American Patriot Series, my goal is to write the only comprehensive fiction series on the American Revolution—portraying all aspects of it, including the experience of colonists, African Americans, Native Americans, and women. It’s been fascinating and fun—not to mention a real education!

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’d have to say the day I was baptized. That’s the most deeply meaningful experience I’ve ever had—to come before the church, the body of Christ, and make that confession of faith in my Savior.

I agree. Most of the really meaningful times in my life have been related to the Lord. How has being published changed your life?

Oh, goodness, it’s gotten a whole lot busier! On the plus side, I’ve met many so wonderful people and gone places I wouldn’t have otherwise. I’ve also become more confident out of sheer necessity. On the minus side, my writing time and family time are more limited than I wish they were.

What are you reading right now?

I’m just finishing up Michelle Griep’s Gallimore. Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus, who is a dear friend, is next on my list. I read the rough draft, and I loved the story, so I’m really looking forward to reading the published version.

I just finished reading Stand-In Groom. There'll be a review in my March newsletter. http://lenanelsondooleynewsletter.blogspot.com What is your current work in progress?

I actually have 2 that I’m working on: Northkill, a fictionalized version of the story of my Amish Mennonite ancestors, and Crucible of War, book 4 of my series.

What would be your dream vacation?

Hawaii. Or the English Isles. Or Germany. Or Italy and Greece…. Sigh.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

For the series, that’s easy. Each volume is set in the time and place the actual events I’m covering occurred. So is Northkill. One Holy Night was more of a challenge. First I had to decide when to set the story. I finally settled on 1967, during the Vietnam War, because I was in high school and college during most of those years, and like other young people of the time, the war had a big impact on my life. Then I needed a location where a blizzard could plausibly take place. Since I’d been to Minneapolis some years earlier, I finally decided to set the story in that area because it was somewhat familiar.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Oh, that’s a difficult one. Hmmm…I think probably Sarah Palin. Anybody who, in just a few years, can go from being a hockey mom to being the governor of a state, and then to running for vice president has my admiration. I totally agree with her pro-life position, and she also seems to be a hoot. I think we’d share a lot of laughs and have some pretty profound conversation too.

I'd love to be at that meeting. I share that strong pro-life position, too. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to garden and do crafts. Last summer I started scrapbooking, and it’s driving me crazy that I haven’t had time to work on my projects this winter. I also have a great deal of interest in interior decoration. HGTV is one of my favorite channels. I’d redo my house every other year if I could afford it. And I love to travel.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I’ve never had writer’s block, and I love to do research, so those have never been obstacles for me. Dedicating time to writing is the greatest hurdle I’ve faced. I’m either too covered up with other business to write…or I fritter my time away with all kinds of unimportant little projects. I suspect most writers relate to that! I need to have a deadline hanging over my head to keep me motivated!

I'm a lot like that, too. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Never give up! I know you’ve heard that before, and you may be wondering, what’s the point? Well, I’ve been on the verge of quitting more times than I want to admit, even after I had a couple of books published, so I totally relate to the pain of rejection. But if writing is your calling from the Lord, then remain faithful no matter what the cost. He has a plan and a purpose for the stories he gives you, and it will come to pass if you endure. If you quit, I guarantee that the blessing he meant for you will go to someone else who refuses to give up.

Tell us about the featured book.

Wind of the Spirit is the 3rd book of my American Patriot Series, which is set during the American Revolution. The story resumes with Elizabeth Howard scrambling for crucial intelligence General George Washington must have if the Americans are to stop the British from capturing New York City. Elizabeth’s assignment leads her into the very maw of war at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, where disaster threatens to end the American rebellion.

Yet all the while her heart is fixed on Jonathan Carleton, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than a year after he disappeared into the wilderness while on assignment for Washington. She has no way of knowing that Carleton, now the Shawnee war chief White Eagle, is caught in a bitter war of his own. As unseen forces gather to finally destroy him, he leads the fight against white settlers encroaching on Shawnee lands—while he battles the longing for Elizabeth that will not give him peace.

With Washington poised to make a last-ditch gamble to save the American cause at Trenton, and the British closing in on Carleton’s whereabouts, Elizabeth rejoins Colonel Charles Andrews on a desperate journey to find Carleton before he is captured and executed for treason. They find him at last . . . and all three of their lives are changed forever.

Very interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My Web site is www.jmhochstetler.com .

I have several blogs, which I update when I can find the time: http://americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com
http://oneholynight.blogspot.com
http://lampofhistory.blogspot.com
http://northkill.blogspot.com.

You can also learn more about my books on the Sheaf House Web site at www.sheafhouse.com .

Thank you for spending this time with us, Joan.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.

20 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:06 AM

    I enjoyed the first two books in the series and could hardly put them down. I am very excited to see a third book in the series.

    Thanks for keeping these books clean and Christian!
    Ang M.

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  2. Thanks so much, Angela! I'm certainly having a blast writing them. lol! It's really amazing to me to see how much the Lord's hand was on the founding of our country and how many of our early leaders were committed Christians.

    That's something the world doesn't want us to know, and unless we turn that around, I'm afraid we're going to lose the precious heritage they handed down to us. My main goal in writing this series is to educate readers on the godly principles our nation is really founded on.

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  3. This is an amazing series and I'm glad Wind of the Spirit is finally out!

    For those of you that are new to this author make sure and check out ALL the books that are published by Sheaf House. It may be a realtively new publishing company but they know how to pick winners with every book they have published. Too bad I read faster than they can get them published! Tee Hee!

    May God continue to bless you as you write and Sheaf House as they publish.

    Michelle

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  4. Thank you Joan!

    I really needed the encouragement to keep plugging away at the keyboard. Sometimes I forget that sucess, for a Christian, is did I do the best I could at what God has asked me to do--not did I achieve fame.

    Your words and writing are an inspiration to me.

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  5. I have read some of Hochstetler's other books and I'd love to be in the drawing for this one. Sounds good. Thanks.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  6. Anonymous8:52 AM

    This sounds like a fabulous book!

    Please enter me in the contest.

    Thank you,

    Becky C.

    rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

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  7. Thanks for the encouragement to beginner writers. I've not read any of your books, but they sound interesting. Most of my American history comes from fiction or from helping my sons study for exams. Hope you get to England sometime.

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  8. I find that part of our history always interesting. Would love to win the book to see how you weave it all together.

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  9. Michelle, you're a sweetheart! Thank you so much for that vote of confidence. We'll keep those books coming and keep you reading! lol!

    Blessings to you, Randy, and the boys!

    Hugs,
    Joan

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  10. Lisa,

    I'm so glad my story encourages others to keep on writing! Your words are such a blessing to me. Don't ever give up! The Lord has a purpose for your work and your dreams, and he WILL fulfill it!

    Hugs,
    Joan

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  11. Abi and Becky, I hope you'll enjoy this installment of the series. I seem to be making a career of the American Revolution. lol! There's just so much fascinating material to work with, and I'm having a blast trying to bring it to life!

    Hugs,
    Joan

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  12. Sheila, personally I think well-written historical fiction is a fabulous way to bring history to life for students, but then I'm prejudiced. lol! I sure hope I get to England someday too! That's one of my ambitions.

    AJ, the American Revolutionary era is one of the most facinating periods in history--to me at least. I'm having a blast weaving it all together. There's so much terrific material to work with that the possibilities are endless.

    Hugs,
    Joan

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  13. Anonymous8:34 AM

    Please enter me in the contest! :)

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  14. This sounds so interesting and would love to get entered in the drawing. I haven't read the first 2 books but plan on doing so.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. You are a new author for me! I willlove to see if I can get some of your books!
    martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  16. Staci, Dana, Jo, and Martha, the first 2 books in the series are available online at amazon, barnesandnoble.com, and christianbook.com. They're also available on the Sheaf House Website www.sheafhouse.com.

    Once we sell the old editions out, we plan to do new editions with covers consistent with Wind of the Spirit, but that's a couple of years or so in the future. And of course, there are several more volumes in the series left to go. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I'm enjoying writing it!

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  17. Thanks for the interview! Please enter me in the giveaway!

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  18. Anonymous6:49 PM

    I've been able to read two Sheaf house publications. (one of which was by this author) I loved them both, and passed them on to another reader :)
    I'd love to read this one!

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  19. Hi, Jodi! Thank you for entering the drawing!

    Sarah, I'm delighted to hear you're enjoying Sheaf House books! Our goal is to meet readers where they are and bring them a message of hope and God's love.

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