Bio: JoAnn
lives with her husband, Jim, and their three children in her native southern
Indiana. She's an estate administration paralegal in a Louisville, Kentucky law
firm and loves writing Christ-honoring fiction.
What are some of the
spiritual themes you like to write about?
Forgiveness and redemption are two themes I love to
incorporate in my books. They’re universal and have touched all of us in one
way or another. When we can forgive (hard though it may be at times), it’s
pleasing to the Lord and a beautiful manifestation of the love of Christ
flowing through us for others. Redemption stories, in particular, also seem to resonate
with readers. When we can “see” the journey and progression of a character and
the unique way in which they find their redemption, it brings a very
soul-satisfying resolution to a story.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
My Christmas novella e-book, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe,
from Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishers is currently available, and
priced unbelievably low at only 99 cents through Christmas Eve. I also have a
short story, Please, in I Choose You, a romance anthology from
OakTara Publishers, releasing this week. This is a wonderful book with love
stories from 38 different authors from around the globe. I’m very excited to
get my own copy and read this book! A number of my good writer friends,
including Jude Urbanski and Elaine Marie Cooper, also have stories in this book
(word has it Elaine even has a hero with the last name of Durgin!).
If you could spend an
evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would
it be and why?
This question is the last one I answered because it’s the
most challenging. I’m sure the answer would change from month to month, but in
this moment in time, the name that comes immediately to mind is Karen
Kingsbury. A few reviewers have recently compared my writing to hers, and that
was such a huge honor and blessing for my heart. My style is similar in some
ways but very different in other ways. I’d love to sit down with Karen (she now
lives in Nashville, Tennessee, so she’s not that far away) and talk books,
books and more books. Sharing a discussion with another writer who shares my
passion for writing Christian fiction thrills my heart, and I’m sure I could
learn so much from her.
I met Karen at our
very first American Christian Romance Conference. She was the speaker, and she
was very down-to-earth and friendly. What historical person would you like to
meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Yes, there are many biblical persons I’d love to meet. Going
in another direction here, I’d choose Mark Twain. As I’ve mentioned many times,
I adore his ironic wit and sense of humor. No doubt, a conversation (better
yet, a shared dinner) with him would be a hoot and nothing less than
fascinating. Because his real name was Samuel, I wonder if—somewhere in my
subconscious—I named core character in my Lewis
Legacy Series in homage to him. I actually believe it was Mr. Twain who
inspired me to write humor into my books. Abraham Lincoln and Louisa May Alcott
are two other historical persons I’d also adore meeting. Great question!
How can you encourage
authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Don’t give up! If you’re passionate about your characters and
their story, keep plugging away. As an example, I was told by both a
multi-published author and one of the most influential Christian agents out
there to basically leave Sam and Lexa Lewis (my core characters in my book
series) on the proverbial cutting room floor and move on. But they’d only seen
early versions of the first three chapters of Awakening. I knew in my
heart if someone could see the entire work, they’d see its inherent value. I
kept plugging away and the first publisher who looked it (a small independent
publisher), bought the manuscript.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Nothing thrills me more than sharp, witty bantering between
a heroine and hero. They challenge one another and in so doing, keep a reader
on her toes trying to keep up. You get a lot of that fun bantering in Daydreams
and that’s one reason it’s a personal favorite of mine. My heroine, Amy
Jacobsen, is a passionate woman: for the Lord, her family and her friends and
work with TeamWork Missions. While the book is full of fun, as in all my books,
there are the underlying themes of forgiveness and redemption as well as the
celebration of the blessing and sanctity of life
as Amy counsels an unwed, pregnant teenager. It’s a very appropriate and
timely message, especially at this time of the year when we celebrate the birth
of that precious baby born in a manger in Bethlehem.
Here’s the blurb:
What the eyes
conceal, the heart reveals.
It's early December 2002, and Amy Jacobsen is living the
dream: a job she loves with a trendy New York City
magazine, a Manhattan
walk-up inherited from her grandfather, and a busy social life without the
unwanted complication of a steady boyfriend. During dinner one evening with her
brother, Mitch, she spies Landon Warnick the next table over. He's influential,
successful and one of the youngest magazine publishers in the country—not to
mention one of New York's most eligible bachelors. After Mitch wrangles a
meeting between the two, Landon wastes little time in asking her to dinner. Amy
questions her sanity when they share a cozy carriage ride in Central Park and
she comes this close to kissing
him. Is it the joy and wonder of the Christmas season that's put stars in her
eyes or the enigmatic, intelligent, challenging and incredibly handsome man?
The following weekend, she travels to Louisiana to be a bridesmaid in a wedding
and a reunion with her friends and fellow volunteers in TeamWork Missions.
Headed down the aisle in the wedding, Amy's steps falter. Standing at the front
is a groomsman who flew into town only an hour before. . . She does a double
take. What's Landon Warnick doing in her
world, with her friends?
Perhaps more important, why does he suddenly have a Texas drawl and a
crescent-shaped scar on his forehead? Sharing a romantic dance at the
reception, she casts aside her better judgment and kisses him. She's lost her
mind and her heart might not be far behind, it seems. Let the adventure begin!
Is the Lord showing her the “right” man for her heart or is Amy in way over her head?
Please give us the first page of the book.
Amy Jacobsen’s breathing slowed to
a crawl. Swiveling on the counter stool at the upscale Manhattan eatery, she
craned her neck to get a better view. Outside the large picture window of Café Eduardo, holiday shoppers crowded
the sidewalk as the tall, dark-haired man made his way toward the entrance. Landon Warnick. Tuning out the clink of
glassware, piped-in holiday jazz and animated conversation all around her, Amy
observed with unabashed interest as he held open the front door and ushered two
austere businessmen inside. She’d seen his photo on the masthead of his
magazine and splashed across the society pages enough times to recognize the
founder and editor in chief of New York
Scene. The majority of men in her industry who’d reached Landon’s status
were well past fifty with paunchy middles, deeply-grooved faces and more hair
on their chins than their heads. Stereotypical or not, unfair or not, most
smoked or drank like fiends. None of them looked like this. Ever the literary groupie, Amy catapulted the well-respected
figure to the top position on her list of “Publishers I’d Like to Meet
Someday.”
Today
might be that day.
Closing the door against the
onslaught of blustery, early December temperatures, Landon peeled off his
gloves and greeted a man by the door with a hearty handshake and matching
smile. No doubt, the publisher knew half of Manhattan, or the other way around.
In person, he appeared younger and more personable than she’d imagined. All he
needed was a baby to kiss and he’d be a worthy political candidate—towering
over most men and seemingly in complete control of his world. The erratic
rhythm of Amy’s pulse testified to his good looks. Hardly what she’d term a
pretty boy—in spite of his impeccable clothing and slightly long but stylish
haircut—he radiated a rugged masculinity in the way he moved, his posture and
the set of those broad shoulders.
When Landon removed his black
overcoat—revealing a dark suit, white dress shirt and pale blue tie—it was
impossible to ignore the dozens of women turning their heads in his direction.
A disgustingly thin, bubbly blonde hostess bounced forward and greeted the
group with a cloakroom attendant in-tow. After gathering their coats, the
attendant hurried off as the hostess marched them past the small crowd already
waiting for tables. All that and clout to
spare.
Lost in thought, Amy twisted back
around to the front. She startled when the bartender placed a napkin beneath
her half-Coke, half-Diet Coke and slid it across the bar. Resting his elbows on
the highly-polished wood, he lifted velvety-brown eyes—fringed with insanely
long lashes—to hers. New York City had enough cute, suave bartenders to fill
Yankee Stadium, but she didn’t want or need one flirting with her. “Afraid he’s
taken, sweetheart.”
Her father was the only man allowed
to use that endearment, but she hadn’t heard it from him in over four years. A
wave of nostalgia swept through her and tears stung her eyes. Swallowing a
sharp retort, she raised her chin. “I don’t know what you mean.” Glancing at
the clock on the wall, she willed Mitch to be on time for once. Too bad this
was the only semi-warm place to wait for her brother or an available table,
whichever came first. Next week, she’d
choose the restaurant.
A low chuckle escaped as the
bartender wiped a dry cloth over the bar, buffing it to a high shine. “Landon
Warnick. He’s always a hit with the ladies. Gets ‘em all stirred up, but that
guy’s married to his work.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Please visit my website at www.joanndurgin.com or I’m on Facebook
and have a new Author JoAnn Durgin Facebook page, as well. I love nothing more
than to interact with readers, so please stop by and drop me a note.
And thank you, JoAnn, for sharing your new book with us. I'm sure my readers will really enjoy it.
Readers, l
eave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 4 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
22 comments:
If you want to read uplifting God honouring books you should read The Lewis Legacy series. I have not been disappointed and I am really looking forward to the 4th book in the series " Daydreams" and can't wait to see what Sam, Lexa and Teamwork are up to next. Dona from Australia
I love the cover - it's so pretty & whimsical & fits the title perfectly. Sounds like a fun book, too.
from the black hills of SD!
Hi Dona! You'll see this name in a character in Daydreams, readers, and it's in honor of this same lovely Australian friend. Can't wait for you to read it! LadySaotome, thank you for the compliment on the book cover. I work closely with the designer (same as for the first three books in the series), and each cover perfectly represents the book's themes. The magazine pages shaped like the heart with the twinkly stars (my daughter's excellent suggestion) worked very well. I hope you get a chance to read it! Breanna, thanks so much to my fellow Hoosier! I sincerely appreciate your comments. Blessings to you all!
The book looks fun!
Hannah P
CA
JoAnn is a very special lady, and her philosophy for life is so positive. I love the way that she uses her faith in her writing. Thanks for sharing her with us and offering this giveaway of "Daydreams!"
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Wow, this book is a definite on my wish list. It sounds great! Please enter me!
Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
I always welcome the opportunity to read a "new" (to me) author.
Thank you!
Jean
West Palm Beach, FL
ok I really really want to read this book.
Oops forgot to put Lourdes from Dix Hills NY
ok I really really want to read this book.
That's a great author photograph.
DAYDREAMS looks like such a wonderful read.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Looks like a wonderful read. Blessings, Susan Fryman New Mexico
Daydreams is certainly a book I look forward to reading. The cover is beautiful.
Beth from IA
I like your picture with the flower in your mouth! Looks like you write fun books. I'd love to win DAYDREAMS. sharon, san diego
This book sounds very intriguing and I would love to win a copy. I met JoAnn a couple years ago at the ACFW conference and she is delightful in person, and I'm sure this book will be a delight to read! rose from KY
This sounds intriguing; please sign me up!
kandra in TN
This sounds really good! I'm in MN.
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth12@gmail.com
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book!
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx
Thanks for your comments, everyone! I appreciate the interest in Daydreams, and your support of Christian fiction. Your comments and encouragement mean the world and we authors couldn't do it without you! Many blessings.
Hi JoAnn, and Lena,
Thank you for giving me a chance to win this book " DayDreams " It sounds like a wonderful book can't wait to read it and find out what happen to Amy Jacobson and Landon Warnick. Hope you have a Merry Christmas. God bless you both.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio
Daydreams sounds like a delightful book, I love witty bantering!
Merry in TX
Post a Comment