Thursday, November 11, 2010

DINING WITH JOY - Rachel Hauck - Free Book

I'm thrilled to have my friend Rachel Hauck back on the blog. So Rachel, tell us about your salvation experience.


RH: I was six. My father was attending Oral Robert’s University in Tulsa and pastoring the youth at a Methodist Church. One Sunday school morning, the teacher was sharing the lesson with us, a lesson I do not remember, and I left class aware of needing Jesus in my heart. At six, I needed a Savior. It makes me tear up even now to realize His mercy and love toward me that day. He opened my eyes and my heart.

In the afternoon I asked my mother how to get Jesus into my heart. She told me and we waited to pray until that night at church. It was 1967 and Methodist pastors made altar calls. (smile) When he did, I looked up at my mother and she went down front with me. No hesitation or doubt on my part. I wanted Jesus. I prayed, eyes squeezed shut tight, hands clasped, begging Jesus to be in my heart, to forgive my sins. I knew He died on the Cross for me.

The pastor came and laid his hands on my head, and prayed for me. Oh, the sweetness of Jesus.

I'm so glad that's how it happened for you. My mother died when I was seven. Later that summer at a revival at a country church, I wanted to receive Jesus into my heart. The adults in my life told me I was too young to understand, but I wasn't. As an adult, I've always been careful not to quench the desire in a child's heart for the Lord. Now, you’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

RH: Dickens, Austin, Shakespeare and Plato. Each had an impact on their society and literature, writing stories and ideals that remain to this day. It’d be fascinating to hear their thought processes and what the world was like in their day.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

RH: I love to speak. But it’s not a big part of my life right now. I’m open, but I let the Lord lead me to the right places at the right time. I go every time I’m invited. I’ve thought of sending out pamphlets or brochures, but I don’t want to knock on doors for the sake of knocking on doors. There are so many gifted speakers. Why run with the crowd when I can wait to be sent where the Lord wants me. Less stress that way.

I agree with you on that, too. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

RH: Well, if I told you then the whole world would know! I’ve only had a few, but one recently really bothered me. The other party involved handled a situation in an insensitive manner. I remained calm, thanked her for her input, and tried to go on with the meeting at hand, but no, she had to keep rehashing the story, laughing, telling me how the others in her family laughed. I thought she was just being socially awkward, then later felt like she was making fun of me on purpose. Either way, I just moved on. Put it out of my mind. What can you do?

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

RH: Yeah, I hear that a good bit, Lena. When people say that to me, I tell them to get a plan, schedule time, join a writers group, learn the craft. The truth is, most people won’t do it. Writing is hard work. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it’s boring, and uninspired. The flame of a good idea burns down fast. Then it’s the labor of finding and maintaining the flame. I say, “Good luck, and butt in chair.” If they start giving me excuses about how busy they are or don’t have time, which I completely understand, then I know they aren’t going to get it done. Excuses are the enemy of the writer.

Tell us about the featured book?

RH: Dining with Joy is about a cooking show host who can’t cook. I had this idea about five years ago and tried to weave it into Sweet Caroline, but it was just too much story. When my editor and I were discussing my next book, she remembered the angle dropped from Carline’s story and suggested I write it for this book. It’s a great concept, but super hard to execute.

But, I plowed my way through and found the story of Joy Ballard, a cooking show host who cannot cook.

I've loved your lowcountry books. Please give us the first page of the book.

Driving the Sea Island Parkway with her windows down, the nose of her Dodge Ram cutting through the swaths of shadow and light cast through the limbs of shading live oaks, Joy surfed her hand through the textured, saline lowcountry breeze.

Yesterday, she’d been at peace, finally home from three months on the road, guesting on radio and morning talk shows, hosting food fairs, judging cooking competitions, riding in convertibles as a parade marshal, waving at the crowds standing on the curb, play a part. Always playing a part.

Joy Ballard, host of Dining with Joy.

But when she returned home to Beaufort from the spring promotional tour, she ached to sink back into being plain ole Joy Ballard, lowcountry girl, softball player, aunt, daughter, friend.

This morning she’d planned to sleep until the noon sun spilled through her window with a golden heat. Then she’d tug on a pair of baggy shorts, a tank top and wrap her hair in a ponytail, mosey outside with a lawn chair and sit under the ancient live oak with her feet pressed into thick blades of green grass, wiggling her toes down to the red South Carolina dirt.

After a few hours in the shade, Joy would move to the backyard dock, catch rays from the afternoon sun while dangling her legs over the side, breaking Factory Creek’s velvet surface with her red-stained toes.

Sounds like I'll love this one, too. How can readers find you on the Internet?

RH: I’m on Facebook and Twitter. You can check out my books and blog at http://www.rachelhauck.com/.
Thanks Lena!

And thank you, Rachel, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. New information: Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. I’m trying to get a good idea of where the people live who leave comments on my blog. (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.


If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/ 

41 comments:

Patsy said...

I love your interview. Rachel sounds like such a sweet person. I agree children can asked Jesus into their heart at an early age. My daughters did and I was so glad they did. Your book sounds really good. Would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

misskallie2000 said...

Being a GA. peach I love this story. I love water and enjoy walking on the beach when I have the chance to go. Dining with Joy sounds like a book full of humor and I do love humor in my books.
Thanks for stopping by to chat with us Rachel. Enjoyed the interview.

Thanks for hosting giveaway Lena and please add my name to the drawing.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I knew Rachel sounded familiar when I started reading this interview, once I got to the bottom and realized she wrote Sweet Caroline I was like yes! I love her she's a great author (I also read Love starts with Elle) I also enjoyed reading her salvation experience, I dont think you are ever to young to reach out to learn about God or want him in your life, the church I go to loves when the children want to know more about God and want to have him as there Savior! Thanks for sharing your story Rachel it was great to read!

Thanks for the chance into this giveaway.
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

Renee Ann said...

Please include me in this giveaway! I'm reading one of Rachel's books for my book club--The Sweet By and By. I'd love to read this one, also. (I'm in upstate NY.)

grannyvon said...

What a great interview. Children understand what it means to be saved at an early age if they have always been in church. They hear much more and obsorbe it a lot more than people think they do. Most of my family accepted Jesus at a early age and all of them are grown now and still living for God. I would love to win this book. It sounds like something very different. ybutler@oppcatv.com

cynthia said...

This sounds like an interesting book. I love books about people in the food business or anything related. It sounds like a good read. Thanks for having the book giveaway. I'm from California.

fredamans said...

Please include me from Ontario, Canada. Thanks.

Happy remembrance day!

Michelle said...

Would love to read this one! Thanks for entering me!

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Rachel Hauck said...

Hey everyone! Thanks for posting to enter. I hope you like this book. I posted a video about it today too!

http://www.youtube.com/user/rachelhauck?feature=mhum

If you read Caroline or Elle, you'll like this one. We see a bit of what's going on with those two, also!

Thanks for having me, Lena!

Rachel

Toyin O. said...

Sounds like a great read, also an awesome interview.

Anne Payne said...

This one sounds like a fun read. Enter me!

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Giveaway Lady said...

I have been really interested in trying one of Rachel's books. Maybe I can win one:) Please enter me. Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Nauvoo, IL

holdenj said...

What a nice interview. I think the twist of Joy not being much of cook is a great idea and it looks like a great story! Thanks!

karenk said...

would love to read rachel's latest novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Jaedyn said...

Ooh, this is so exciting! I love Rachel Hauck's books (yep, yours! lol) and I really love the storyline idea, too. I think... I would probably be able to relate to her, at least in not being able to cook. ;-) I would love to be entered, but even if I don't win I'll be buying this one.

Lindsey
ladyufshalott at yahoo dot com

apple blossom said...

I have seen this one around on different blogs. I'd love to win. I've read some of Rachel Hauck's books thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Pam K. said...

I haven't yet read any of Rachel's books but she sounds so nice and the book so interesting, that I'll have to add her to my list of books/authors I want to read.
Please enter me in the book drawing. Thanks from Kansas.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved the books by Rachel that I have read so far! This one has already been on my wishlist for a while. Thanks for the chance to win!

I live near Branson, MO, and we are already thick into Christmas down here. :-)

Ann Lee Miller said...

I adore Rachel's books and would love to read one for free. :)
Ann Lee Miller

Edna said...

please enter me


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Linda Kish said...

Please include me.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Charlotte Kay said...

I am from OHIO:)
I am grateful to be included in this book giveaway!
THANKS so much!

Unknown said...

Rachel's book looks like fun to me. I really would like to find out how someone who can't cook can star in a cooking show. LOL! Rachel is new to me as are her writings. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win Rachel's good book. I hope I do win!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

hippmom said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed Rachel's previous books. Look forward to this one, too! Thanks for the lovely interview.

angelahipp (at) charter (dot) net

Julie Arduini said...

I love the premise of this book and enjoy Rachel's work. I look forward to reading this one.

I'm from Ohio.

jarduini(at)zoominternet(dot)net

Kristen said...

This sounds like a fun read. Please enter me:)

Rachel Hauck said...

Wow, thanks for stopping by everyone! I appreciate it. I do hope you like the book.

Blessings!
Rachel

Jan Marie said...

This sounds like a fun book - I would love to read it too.

Thanks for the great interview and the giveaway. Please enter ny name.

janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I can just picture a Cook Show host who can't cook. Interesting idea!!
Please include me.

Emma said...

Good interview.Dining with Joy sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

Wendy said...

I love her books. Thanks for offering it.

Trinity Rose said...

Great interview and book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Many blessings,
Trinity Rose from Ohio

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me!
dancealert at aol dot com

Theresa N. said...

The book sounds wonderful reading and food are two of my favorites.:)
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

I have some of Rachel's books on my wishlist. I would love to win. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com I live in S. California.

Carole said...

I'm not a writer, but I can appreciate how difficult it would be to pick up a dropped storyline and make a new novel from it. However, I'm glad that's what Rachel's publisher asked!

I have always loved southern fiction, maybe because I live in Georgia, and have enjoyed Rachel's lowcountry books very much. I look forward to reading Dining with Joy and appreciate the chance to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

wmmahaney said...

I love the story line! I would love to read this.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Merry said...

Dining With Joy sounds like a delightful book, I'd love to be entered for it. Thanks.

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Sounds great! Please enter me in the giveaway! - Anna W. from GA

Nancye said...

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

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Coolestmommy said...

Thanks for the opportunity. It was fun to learn about you.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
I'm from the midwest.