Monday, July 12, 2010

SO OVER MY HEAD - Jenny B Jones

We're featuring another wonderful novel. Welcome, Jenny. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?


Right now I’m in a much-needed phase of “I’m getting out of your way, Lord. Do your thing.” I’m really guilty of giving God these multiple choice scenarios for my life and praying he’ll bless me with the one I want. I’m (re)learning that God’s plan for me is SO much bigger than anything I could come up with. So I’m excited to see what he has in store. And aside from that, I see more writing. Which means more sitting. Which means more M&Ms. Which means new pants are what’s on my expanding horizon.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Oh, for sure. And my movie and TV show watching habits. The main thing I notice is that I can rarely turn off my internal editor. I think all writers experience that. I go to a movie and come home thinking, “But if they’d just have done this. Or taken out that.” And I tend to read more for the purpose of learning craft. I’m great at buying books on craft…and then not reading them. But give me a novel, and I learn so much. My favorite author is a whiz at third person, so when I tackled that POV for my next book, Save the Date, I reread all of her stuff for the millionth time.

What are you working on right now?

I’m finishing up some editing on Save the Date, my second romantic comedy for women from Thomas Nelson, which will hit the shelves this winter. It’s about a couple who fakes a very public engagement because they both have something to gain. Of course, they are total opposites and think they are safe from love’s big snare. But. . .it’s a romance, so, nothing turns out like they expect.

What outside interests do you have?

Outside interests? I’m supposed to be doing something besides writing? Like…have a life?

Just kidding. When I do get a few moments of free time, I love to read (shock). I love to travel. So far my favorite trip was a summer vacation to Ireland. I’m a fool for musical theater. (Wicked is my absolute favorite.) I go to the movies a lot (there’s just something about being in the theater, versus on your couch). And I think we’ve established that I like to eat.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

So far I have tried to keep it Southern. It’s what I know, but most importantly, it’s what I love. For this series, A Charmed Life, Bella splits her time between the posh side of Manhattan and a small town in Oklahoma. So it was fun to mix in a little NYC with my rural town. It’s also a good representation of the two sides to Bella Kirkwood—she’s a former young socialite who is now adjusting to life on the farm. Sometimes my setting choices are about a place I’ve been or want to go. For Save the Date, I wanted to go see Charleston, SC, so that’s where the book is set.

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

Wow. I think my answer right now would be Alice Roosevelt. That girl was a firecracker, and I’d love to have dinner with her and hear all about her feisty spirit and antics as the daughter of a president. Alice apparently bored easily, and this often led to trouble. It would be fun to hear all about it.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

That I will spend a ridiculous amount of time in a seat. And my butt will morph into a shape that can only be described as Early 21st Century Office Depot Chair.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

A. Buy ad time during the Super Bowl.
B. Be related to someone in the PR department at People magazine.
C. And write the book that feels natural to you. If your spirit is resistant to what you’re writing, then there’s a problem. If you’re writing against your gift, voice, or style, it’s going to show, and you’re going to be unhappy during the process. Sometimes it’s just one element that’s off. While writing Save the Date, I felt things were really off, but couldn’t figure out why. When I got my edits back, my editors pointed out that my protagonist’s job didn’t work, and I had clearly been disconnected to it. So I went back and gave her a new job as director of a girls’ home for young women who have aged out of foster care, something I had witnessed first hand in this past year. It was something I cared about, and it made all the difference. The rest of the book just shaped up around it. All because of one wrong piece.

Tell us about the featured book?

When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella's keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered, leaving Bella no choice but to go undercover. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple. (Don’t let the five hundred dollar shoes fool you. Bella is one smart girl.) She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there's no time for a relationship crisis when Bella's doing her best to derail her father's wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer.
Clearly God is sending her a message in all of this madness. With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend's ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle--or more to risk.
Please give us the first page of So Over My Head.

Readers can see the entire first chapter at www.jennybjones.com/books/
How can readers find you on the Internet?

We have a great time on my website, where I post regularly on my blog at http://www.jennybjones.com/ . We talk about the important things—Fruity Pebbles, Lindsey Lohan, books, movies, and our mutual love for the irreverent.

Thanks for the fun interview, Jenny.
 
Readers, by using the following link to order the book, you help support this blog:














Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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47 comments:

runner10 said...

So Over My Head sounds like a great book. I think my daughter would enjoy it. She is 15. It is so hard to find good books to encourage her to read.

csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

Diane said...

My daughter would love this! Thank you for the positive,encouraging books out there.

kathy taylor said...

So Over My Head looks really cute, and I am hoping that it sells really well. I love Southern Christian writing.

Coolestmommy said...

I'm so excited to learn about teen books that are decent for girls to read. Jenny, hope you find much success!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot c om

Shauna said...

It's been a long time since I've been in my teens, but I still love Jenny's books and her fun sense of humor. Don't think that you wouldn't enjoy them yourself just because you're a grown-up!

Nancye said...

This sounds like a book I would truly enjoy. Please include me!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Laura L. Kirk said...

Southern Christian Writing is my favorite! I have enjoyed all your other books, so I am sure I will love this one! Sounds very provocative!

Author and Editor Sandra D. Bricker said...

Jenny, I just love your writing! Thanks for stopping in to this blog today!

Sandie Bricker

apple blossom said...

Oh, my teenage daughter would love it if I won this book. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot]com

fredamans said...

Sounds like a great book, both my daughter and myself could enjoy. Thanks for hosting!

H said...

Ahh I want to win this! I just finished Just Between You and Me, and it was spectacular! You rock, Jenny!

Lynette Eason said...

Ooh, ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!

lynetteeason at lynetteeason dot com

A J Hawke said...

I've read SO OVER MY HEAd. It's a page turner and a laugh out loud good read. If you have a tween, teen, or young adult, any of Jenny's books will make good gifts.

Keep writing, Jenny, you have the gift.

Don't enter me in the giveaway as I have the book.

A J Hawke

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read jenny's fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Sandy henson said...

Can't wait for my daughter AND myself to read it! Thanks for the awesome interview!

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to tread this and share it with other family members. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

holdenj said...

So Over My Head sounds great--an undercover clown? Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to read so over my head! Hopefully I will get to soon!

Gracie Lou said...

You are a great author and I can't wait to read So Over My Head! Hopefully I can soon!

Bluerose said...

I'm barely hanging on to my 20s, but I still really want to read this book! :) I love young adult books. (and southern ones) Please enter me.
bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

Naasom André said...

Great interview. Sounds like a great book. Please count me in. I can't wait to win and read it.

letrassantas[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I love Jenny's books! I read So Not Happening and ever since then I have been hooked. Now, I'm encouraging my friends to read them and we're all wanting to read the second one. Thanks Jenny for using your God-given talent to inspire and teach young girls everywhere!

hcurry9@yahoo.com

Gracie Bea Winterton said...

I would so love to be entered!

graciebeawinterton[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered thanks
trishbazin@yahoo.com

Cindy W. said...

Thank you for the great interview. So Over My Head sounds like a great read and I know just the young lady that would love to read it. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a fun book. Count me in, please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Anita Yancey said...

This book sounds so good. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Janet Sketchley said...

I'd love to read So Over My Head. Bella's first book was so much fun.

And Jenny, I'm glad to hear you have another adult book in the works. Just Between You and Me really stuck with me.

Lena, thanks for faithfully introducing us to so many fine books!

Bakersdozen said...

I have two teenage daughters who would love to read this. I have gotten them into Christian fiction. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Would love to read the book, the book sounds fabulous!

dancealert at aol dot com

Cynthia A. Lovely said...

This upstate New Yorker would love
some Southern Christian writing -
please enter my name, thanks!

Jenny B. Jones said...

Thanks all! You made my day. : )

Lady Araujo said...

I just love Jenny's books.
Please, enter me.
marta(dot)pereir(at)hotmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

misskallie2000 said...

Jenny, So Over My Head sounds like a very entertaining book. I can't wait to read and my grandaughter will also enjoy reading.

Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
Pls count me in.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Kristen said...

Thanks for the interview!!
Please enter me:)

~Prism~ said...

Sounds awesome! Please enter me. :)

Blessings,
~prism~
agirlofmanycolors *at* gmail *dot* com

Carman said...

please enter me! I would love to win a copy of this book for my neighbor. I loaned her my copies of this series and she has loved them! :)

booklovercb[at]yahoo.com

wmmahaney said...

Please enter me. It sounds great.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Cara Putman said...

Can't wait to read the book, Jenny!

Unknown said...

Hello Jenny, This story appeals to me for my granddaughters. I enjoy watching them to be interested in reading and encourage them/ Thank you for this chance to possibly win this story.

Blessed Be in Christ,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10@tx.rr.com

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! I would love to win it. Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a really good book!

parisakins@gmail.com

Marla said...

Please enter me. One of my daughters would love this book. Thank you.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com