HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY - Joi Copeland - One Free Book

 Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think every female character is either who I was, who I am, or who I want to be. :)

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

There are really so many quirky things I do. The thing that made my husband realize he was going to marry me was when I had gone to the dentist while we were dating. My mom was driving me home, and I wanted to see if I could flare my nostrils even while numb. When I discovered that I could indeed, I left a message on Chris' pager. After listening to the message, he turned to his co-worker and told her he was going to marry me!

James and I were at Six Flags Over Texas the second year the park was inexistence. He decided there that he wanted to marry me. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I don't think I'm a writer now, so I am not sure how to answer that! I think I first discovered I wanted to write when I was in 4^th grade. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to write novels.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Historical fiction, Amish fiction, contemporary, romance, non-fiction. I just really love to read!

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I stop, curl into a little ball, and rock back and forth. No, I'm only kidding. Actually, I spend a lot of time in prayer. When I am overwhelmed, I go to Jesus and His Word. I try to keep the cross as my focus. And when I need to escape? Well, I read!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes I pick names that I really like. Other times I try to see what the era is and if that name was even around. Then there are times when I use the name of the main character in the title.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Being married and having my three wonderful boys. My family is my greatest accomplishment.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

An alpaca because it would be weird!

What is your favorite food?

 Oh, I love Indian food! Send me to an Indian Buffet and I am one happy girl, especially if they have all you can eat Naan!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Iam a seat of your pants writer. My biggest road block is getting the middle of the story written. I know how it will start and end. But it's the middle that often eludes me.

Tell us about the featured book.

Brad and Kayla Musso go through a tough spot in their marriage. Kayla has a choice to walk away or forgive and move on. Sue Danes is struggling with her relationship with her sister. She, too, has a choice to forgive and trust her sister again or to turn her back on her and force her out of her life.

Please give us the first page of the book. 

Emily Sorenson was sick. She knew it. Her body wasn't right. Where could she have gotten sick? Looking over the last week, she knew she was busy. Perhaps she caught something from someone. She thought back to her week.

            Sunday she had gone to church. She volunteered in the children's area. She loved holding the babies! It was so much fun to snuggle with them and listen to their gentle coos. If only her son would make her a grandmother. Emily knew he would have to be dating someone for her to even get closer to that notion. Monday, she and Jake went on a hike. It had been a beautiful day. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky. Lovely! And time with her wonderful husband was always a plus! Tuesday, she and Jake went to the senior citizen home. She was almost one herself! But her body didn't feel like one. Just because she was in her mid-fifties didn't mean she was ready to retire yet! Emily shivered, probably due to the fever. She wrapped a blanket around her petite shoulders and slumped down lower on the couch. On Wednesday, she had spent time with Josephine Johnson.  She loved Josephine like she was her own daughter. Emily knew Josephine felt the same way about her. The two of them got along great. Jake had taken Josephine under his wing once he had met her at the hair salon she worked for. He didn't know why he had felt drawn to her, yet he did. Looking back, Emily knew it was Divine Providence. Josephine's parents had died in a car accident a little while after Jake began his friendship with Josephine. Jake and Emily had adopted Josephine's entire family as their own. Emily felt blessed they had taken them in, as well. She and Josephine spent the afternoon together, drinking tea and sharing their hearts with one another. It was a special day. Emily wondered, though, when Josephine would wise up and begin dating her only child, Steven. Emily sighed. One day soon, she hoped. And maybe then she would get that grandchild.

            Thursday was spent cleaning the house, going through closets. Every so often, Emily got a hankering for super cleaning. She would tear through the entire house, getting rid of clothing, dishes, and other odds and ends she and Jake just didn't use anymore. She had taken all of the things she collected to the Goodwill.

            Today was Friday, and Emily was exhausted. The day hadn't even truly begun yet. The sun had poked its head out already and was just beginning to dance its way across the sky. Thinking back, maybe she overdid it? Perhaps she did a little too much yesterday. That didn't seem likely, though. She was a bundle of energy. She could go days without napping and feel just as energized as when she was in her twenties.

            Emily slowly got off the couch and went into the bathroom to get the thermometer. She needed to know just what she was dealing with. When she walked into the bathroom, the smell of mouth wash assaulted her senses. She placed her hand on her stomach, willing away the nauseous sensation that threatened to consume her. She reached into the cupboard and pulled out the thermometer. As she placed the thermometer on her forehead and waited for the beep, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. Her short, gray hair was rumpled and messy. Her gray blue eyes had lost the spark they normally held. They were red-rimmed and slightly puffy. She flinched as she caught the concern in her eyes. It confirmed what she already knew: something was seriously wrong with her. Emily was used to being all natural, but this look did not suit her in the least. The beep sounded.  102.5 degrees! Emily frowned as she put the thermometer away. How in the world did the fever get to be so high? She put a hand on her stomach. She was feeling queasy again. Ugh, she groaned silently. She needed to wake up her husband. She didn't like to be doted on when she was sick, but Jake hated it when she was sick and didn't let him take care of her. Today, she needed his help and she knew it. She would give in to him seeing to her needs. That should make him happy, she thought with a slight smile. With her legs feeling like lead, she trudged her way to their bedroom.

            Jake was still sleeping. The covers were resting under his strong, tan arm as he lay on his side. His gray hair lay rumpled around his forehead. She knew when he woke up, his hair would be standing straight up. It was something she enjoyed teasing him about. Emily stole a glance at the clock.  It was a little after eight in the morning. While Emily was awake with the birds, Jake could sleep like a bear in hibernation! She sat down on his side of the bed and gently touched his arm.

            “Jake, honey,” she whispered.

            “Huh?” Jake more grunted than spoke.

            “I'm not feeling so well.”

            Jake put his hand on her arm and bolted upright. “Emily! You're burning up!”

            She nodded. “I know. I just took my temperature. It's over 102 degrees.”

            Jake shot out of bed and put Emily back into it. “Let me make you something to eat. And we need to get some liquids into you.”

            Emily rested her aching head on her pillow and closed her eyes. “I couldn't eat anything right now. I feel nauseous.”

            Jake's eyebrows came together. “That's not good. Do you think you have the flu?”

            Emily rolled onto her side, barely able to keep talking. “I don't know. Just so tired.”

            The last thing Emily remembered was Jake covering her with a blanket.

                       

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://booksbyjoicopeland.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joi-Copelands-Book-Page

Thank you, Joi, for sharing your life and your book with us.

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Hope for the Journey


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