SMALL-TOWN DAD - Jean C Gordon - One Free Book

Welcome back, Jean. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
To make people feel good. My short contemporary Christian romances share the joys (and trials) — and God’s hand — in romantic love.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day my husband proposed to me on bended knee at Letchworth State Park in Western New York.

How has being published changed your life?
I can’t say that it’s made any kind of radical change to my life. It has allowed me to meet and get to know a lot of wonderful people — readers, other authors, my agent Diana Flegal, and people in the publishing industry.

What are you reading right now?
Since the beginning of December, I’ve been reading Christmas stories and novellas.

What is your current work in progress?
I’m working on a new proposal for Love Inspired, working title Small-Town Midwife. It will be the third book in my Paradox Lake series.

Blurb: After an unforeseen tragedy, midwife Autumn Hazard feels her purpose in life has deserted her. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell Hanlon sees his new position as director of the Ticonderoga birthing center as a stepping stone to achieving his. What neither realizes is that they can’t move forward without each other.

What would be your dream vacation?
I’d like to visit both Scotland and see where my husband’s family and my mother’s family came from and the Czech Republic to see where my father’s family came from.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I use places I’m familiar with. I have books set in Western New York, where I grew up, the Albany, NY, area where we live, and the Adirondack Mountains north of us. My “odd book out” is the one historical I’ve written, which is set in the highlands of Scotland.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I may be treading on thin ice choosing a political figure, but I would like to talk with Former President Jimmy Carter. Showing my age, I may be the only American voter who voted for him for a second term as President. I admire him for his Habitat for Humanity and other humanitarian work and his strong Christian beliefs, both in and out of office.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
With my full-time day job and trying to write two books a year, I don’t have much time for reading, let alone other hobbies. I do volunteer at the Book Nook at my church and spend as much time as I can with my children and grandchildren.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
My day job and finding the time I need to write. But since I haven’t reached a point in my novel writing where I can give up my other job, I’ve had to consciously block out writing time at home and set page/word goals for myself. Deadlines set in my book contracts help. And my critique partners help keep me in line. We set goals for the next month’s meeting, and if a member doesn’t meet her goals, she has to pay a penalty to the other members who have made theirs.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Learn as much as you can about writing and what publishers that publish the type of book you want to write are looking for. The best way to do the latter is to read books in that genre and talk with other writers. I recommend joining a writer’s group like the American Christian Fiction Writers or/and the Romance Writers of America. Also, editors want to help you get your book published/make your book a better book. Respect what they have to say. They aren’t criticizing you or taking over your story.

I love your cover. Tell us about the featured book.
Small-Town Dad is my second Love Inspired romance. Small-town electrician Neal Hazard has declared no more babies for him. The North Country electrician wants to recapture the life he lost by choosing to raise his now-college-age daughter alone. Now it's his turn to make those dreams a reality, starting with the college education he’d wanted. But when his community college advisor turns out to be his high school prom date, he can't believe his eyes. Widowed Anne is more beautiful than he remembers, and completely wrapped up in her career. But when she suddenly becomes guardian to an orphaned toddler, it's Neal's turn to teach Anne a few things. Maybe together, they’ll learn how priorities, parenthood and love truly fit together to create a family.

Please give us the first page of the book.
His Guard unit’s tour of duty in Afghanistan had prepared Neal Hazard to face just about anything. Except, evidently, returning to the classroom after seventeen years. He looked down the hall of the main building of the Ticonderoga campus of North Country Community College and wiped his hands on his jeans. How had he ever let his daughter, Autumn, talk him into starting college?

“Hey, Dad,” Autumn called from behind him.

Just what he didn't need, more of her help.

She hurried over, followed by a young man and woman. “This is Sean and Lindsay.”

He nodded to the couple. He wanted to know Autumn’s friends, but he wanted to get this advising meeting over with.

“So, did you meet with your advisor?”

“No, I'm on my way to her office now.” He took a step toward the room.

“Have you gotten your books yet?”

Autumn’s voice took on the oh-so-patient tone he’d often used with her when she was small. “You know NCCC has a virtual bookstore. You could order them online and have the books shipped to the house. I could stop by later and help you.”

“I don't even have my schedule finalized yet. But I'm sure I can handle it.” I handled the transport of supplies for hundreds of troops. I can order a few books online.

This sounds like a really fun book to read. How can readers find you on the Internet?
You can keep in touch with me at www.Facebook.com/JeanCGordon.Author, https://twitter.com/JeanCGordon or www.JeanCGordon.com.

Thank you, Jean, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Small-Town Dad (Love Inspired)


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