Thursday, November 14, 2013

CLAIMING PEACE - Jo Huddleston - One Free Book

Welcome back, Jo. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
At family reunions I’ve listened to the older generations swap stories of their experiences before telephones and automobiles. Their stories motivated me to write about life before I was born.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day my first grandchildren were born—twins!

How has being published changed your life?
I don’t have as much spare time. I’m either writing, brainstorming, or promoting, and marketing.

What are you reading right now?
Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

I love that book. What is your current work in progress?
I’ve finished my Caney Creek Series and am promoting it now. I have ideas for another series but nothing yet is official.

What would be your dream vacation?
At a beach any place on the Gulf of Mexico, preferably the Florida panhandle or Florida western shore.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I write Southern stories, and the south is familiar to me. I choose a place in the south that I’ve visited or met someone from that place. When I start a historical story, I have in my mind the location and date of the story. I read about both and also spend time learning the speech patterns of the locale. Learning about the way characters of the story would dress in that locale and time in history is a must to know before I start writing.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Condoleezza Rice. She is an intelligent lady who expresses herself well. I think she has no guile, and she means what she says. And I love her smile.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
All my hobbies were active sports: water skiing, bowling, a little golf. Those are behind me. Now I enjoy my grandchildren and sometimes crochet.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I write historical novels. The most difficult obstacle for me is research. If I stop writing to research something in question, I stop the flow or words I had. I’ve tried leaving a symbol where I can go back and do all the research at one time. Neither work well for me so I’ll probably continue doing one or the other all the time.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
If you’re a Christian author and you feel God has given you a story to tell, continue to write. There will be obstacles if you are writing for publication. Be patient and don’t give up.

Tell us about the featured book.
Claiming Peace is book 3 in the Caney Creek Series. It is a Southern inspirational historical romance novel.

Facing her lowest moments, Callie’s life begins to crumble.
As he’s done with others of his extended family, can Jim help her find peace?

Visit again the Callaway family and friends in 1951 who live in the Southern Appalachians of East Tennessee. Why did Callie have an appointment with a neurologist? Will she work her way through whatever lies ahead for her and her family? Does Emmajean’s attraction for the young lawyer, Terry, blossom further or die on the vine when he wants her to meet his parents? Can Caroline and Jim find happiness in their long-delayed marriage? You’ll meet some new characters as the Callaway saga continues. Follow the Callaway family throughout the Caney Creek Series—live their triumphs, sorrows, achievements, and losses.

Please give us the first page of the book.
August 1951
East Tennessee

Callie had not wanted to see her son. Not in that place. The Gateway House. Residency rehabilitation, the judge called it. Family weekend visits.

Returning home and leaving Art behind tore away jagged chunks of Callie’s heart.  Miles sped by in silence. Callie could hardly breathe past the lump of grief in her throat. How long must Art stay there? The judge said that would be up to Art. He could turn his life around anytime he chose.

Her husband, Arthur, and their daughter, Jennifer, tried to carry on a conversation that would coax Callie out of her remorse. That didn’t work. Her son remained in that place, and the car took them farther from him with each turn of the tires. Despair crouched in a corner of her heart over the recent life-threatening health diagnosis from her neurologist. A diagnosis she and Arthur had not revealed to their children.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Shoutlife: http://shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=134777

Thank you, Jo, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Claiming Peace (Caney Creek Series) (Volume 3) - Amazon
Claiming Peace (The Caney Creek Series) - Kindle

Leave 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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

would love to win. Angela in ky

Melanie Backus said...

Jo sounds like a wonderful person. I love her interview. I love that she mentions the sports that were once a part of her life. Our lives certainly change and we just accept them and go on. Grands are the best things that happen to us. I would love to read Claiming Peace. Thank you for the opportunity.

Melanie Backus, TX

Britney Adams said...

Thank you for the introduction to Jo Huddleston. I look forward to reading her books!

Britney Adams, TX

Jo Huddleston said...

Angela, thanks for leaving your comment.

Jo Huddleston said...

Melanie, glad you liked the interview. Thanks for commenting. Yes, our lives change and mostly for the better blessings God sends.

Jo Huddleston said...

Britney, glad to meet you. Lena, thanks for bringing a new author to Melanie. Britney, I'm glad you left your comment.

Jo Huddleston said...

Ooops...Lena, thanks to bringing a new author to Britney.

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Jo Huddleston said...

Linda, hey way out there in California. Thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.

sm said...

Now that's an interesting topic for a book. A pastor who is a handyman and a girlfriend who gets drunk. Love to win it. sharon, ca wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

sm said...

I goofed and left a comment on the wrong book!!!! I would love to win your book CLAIMING PEACE. Thanks for your blog. sharon,ca wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jo Huddleston said...

sm, thanks for leaving your comment. The other book you mentioned does sound interesting.

Mary Preston said...

CLAIMING PEACE sounds like such an emotional read.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Jo Huddleston said...

Mary, thanks for leaving your comment. If you win the drawing, I hope you enjoy Claiming Peace.

Unknown said...

Thank you for featuring Jo. I am not familiar with her books but would like to add to my list. Love the title Claiming Peace. Thank you from Ohio reader.
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

Jo Huddleston said...

Jackie, glad you visited the blog. Thanks for leaving your comment.

sam said...

I think this book will be great- southern historical fiction! thanks for the interview. sharon, ca wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love Jo's books, but I don't have this one. Jo, you're great and I'm looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for the chance to enter this giveaway and please enter my name.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jo Huddleston said...

Barbara, thanks for your kind words about my me and my books. Glad you enjoy the books. Thanks for leaving your comment.

Unknown said...

Jo your books sound interesting. Living in south west Virginia I know I would love to read your books!
Tonja (VA)

Jo Huddleston said...

Tonja, thanks for leaving your comment. My next novel is set in West Virginia!

Rhonda's Doings said...

I loved Jo's earlier book and would love to read this and continue the lives of the characters. Thanks,
Rhonda from VA

Jo Huddleston said...

Rhonda, so glad you read That Summer, the first book in my Caney Creek Series. Thanks for intending to read the others in the series. Glad you left your comment.

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Jo Huddleston said...

Sharon, thanks for dropping by and leaving your comment.