Tuesday, March 10, 2015

HAND ME DOWN HUSBAND - Rosanna Huffman - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I met Rosanna several years ago at a writers conference in Dallas, Texas. We’ve been friends since then. Later, I was privileged to spend some time mentoring her. I rejoiced right along with her when, at another conference, an editor wanted her to send her completed manuscript to her. This is her debut novel. I read it for an endorsement before it came out, and I loved it. I know you will, too.

Welcome, Rosanna. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
My heroine is a teacher, and much of her experience is based on my own. In most other ways, she is nothing like me. I do draw on my own experiences for many of my characters, but I would say they are a compilation of many people I have met and known over the years.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Became an airline passenger for the first time when I was 16 or 17, alone, and out of the country (to Canada), and well before the days of cell phones.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Since I learned to write, I have enjoyed writing. As a teenager and into my 20s, I journaled extensively.

That’s the way many authors start writing. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Women’s fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, cookbooks, inspirational non-fiction, gardening, crochet/knit literature.

I love reading cookbooks, too. I have quite a large collection. Now I also have several historical cookbooks, since I write historical novels. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Living alone gives me more time than most to get away from the hub-bub. I have learned to say no. That helps too!

As an adult, it took me a lot of years to learn to say no. How do you choose your characters’ names?
I browse through baby name books. The Baby Name Wizard gives siblings’ names and a graph of when each name was popular.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Besides having all my dishes washed before I go to bed, I would guess? That would be a toss-up between getting Hand Me Down Husband published and my grand prize-winning afghan design in Herrschner’s National Afghan Contest a few years ago.

I’ve seen some of your afghans. They are beautiful. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Hmmm, a cat? Because they’re often introverts?

What is your favorite food?
Soup. Pretty much any kind of soup.

My husband loves soup, and I make it a lot in the winter. When we have a pot of soup, I have more time to write. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Disciplining myself to keep sitting in that chair and get the words on the page. I am still working to overcome it. I could probably teach a class on procrastination—if I could ever get around to it!

Tell us about the featured book.
Hand Me Down Husband was conceived when I decided to try my hand at writing romance. Until then, all my manuscripts were of single women who do not marry in the story and yet live happy, fulfilled lives in spite of not having their dreams fulfilled. But a romance seemed like a good way to get my foot in the door. A co-teacher was known for her determination that she “would never marry a widower. If he didn’t want me the first time, he won’t get me the second time.” I found that mindset fascinating, and so Suzanne was born. Then, of course, I had to come up with a Mitch who was awesome enough to make her reconsider her stand.

Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.
The thud, thud, swoosh outside the classroom window lulled Suzanne Bloomer into a trance as she graded English compositions. She recorded the last paper and scanned her desk. Math homework to check for the ninth and tenth graders, biology quizzes to grade, and a chemistry test to write. Poems from the juniors and seniors to read. She wouldn’t be out of here before seven tonight.

Today’s impromptu lessons hadn’t gone half bad, but she couldn’t risk that two days in a row. Tomorrow had to be planned. Her stomach growled, a reminder that breakfast had been nonexistent and lunch skimpy. Propping her head in her left hand, she closed her eyes and listened to the rhythm of Jacob Sanderson’s basketball on the concrete.

A gruff throat clearing interrupted Suzanne’s micro-nap. The other teachers and the high school students who stayed for tutoring had left, and Jacob’s ride should have come and gone by now. Then a distant whoop from the playground told her the sixth grader was still out there. Of all things, here was his aunt—who shouldn’t even have had to get out of her car—. Wait…gruff? Amazing what all could zip through her mind in the split second it took to lift her head.

The person at her desk was not Jacob’s aunt. It was his grandfather, Mitchell.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Rosannahuffman.com or Rosanna Huffman on Facebook.

Thank you, Rosanna, for sharing a little of your life and your new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Hand Me Down Husband - Christianbook.com
Hand Me Down Husband - Amazon
Hand Me Down Husband - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, 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

43 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! And I imagine she's not the only one who isn't about to be wife #2. Sounds like a great novel, Rosanna. Thanks, Lena for entering me in the giveaway.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Marianne! Hope you get to read it.

deborah said...

It was fun to read this interview! I love giveaways and books and would love to be entered!

I'm so excited for Rosanna!

Story and Logic Media Group said...

I love, love, love this book. The winner will be delighted. (Don't put me in the drawing as I already have a copy.)

Autumn said...

Sounds intriguing! Fun interview and would love a copy!

marti k said...

so excited for Rosanna.... would love to win a book....I would love to see her write many more

Anonymous said...

Sounds great! I'd love to win a copy!
J.C. -Indiana-

Melanie Backus said...

I think this sounds like a great book. Thank you for introducing it to us!

Melanie Backus, TX

Tammie Edington Shaw said...

Would love to win this book. Thanks, Lena for the opportunity. Live in Illinois.

Linda Kish said...

Sounds good. Count me in, please.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I hope all of you have as much fun reading Hand Me Down Husband as I had writing it. Blessings on your week with the God of love who makes all things new!

KayM said...

This sounds like a fun novel to read. Thanks for offering a copy.
Tennessee

Kathryn said...

Frankfort, IN Would love to win!

Deanna Stevens said...

Dee from NE would love to read this book. Nice to learn a little about you :)

Trixi said...

Hi Rosanna! I really enjoyed getting to know you through this interview. I think the best part, that part that made me laugh is when you said "I could probably teach a class on procrastination—if I could ever get around to it!". Because I can certainly relate to this. I'm trying to be better about doing things & not putting off, but it sometimes is a hard habit to break! Motto: Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today...easy to say but harder to do at time, isn't it?
Your book sounds like one I'd very much enjoy reading. Thanks for the chance! God's many blessings on you :-)

Mary Preston said...

A fun title & I enjoyed the first page thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Cindy W. said...

I enjoyed the interview and excerpt. Would love to win a copy of Hand Me Down Husband, Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

I live in California.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

Robin in NC said...

Just by reading the excerpt, I was transported...that is a winner in my opinion! I also enjoyed the interview! Thanks for sharing!
Robin in NC rw620 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

To all the readers of A Christian Writer's World who commented here, thank you. I hope you all get to read Hand Me Down Husband. Although it is a contemporary novel, it is set in a rural southwest Ohio farming community in a small Christian day school. The world rushes by, largely unnoticed, as my characters live with loss, love, and laughter.
And thank you, Lena, for the chance to chat with you on your blog. You are a great friend and author. I am blessed to know you and count you as my sister and friend!

Daphne Woodall said...

Great job in getting us to want to read more. I think I met Rosanna while sitting around the dining table at Blue Ridge. I love the book cover too.

Thanks for sharing more about Rosanna. And best wishes for "Hand Me Down Husband"

Carol Heilman said...

Congratulations, Rosanna! Many blessings to you on your writing journey. Thank you, Lena, for the chance to win a book. Love the opening page.
I live in SC.

Daphne Woodall said...

Oh, I forgot to mention my state. I live in NC. Hope to see Rosanna at BRMCWC this year.

And would love to win a copy of her book.

Cynthia A. Lovely said...

Rosanna,
Oh congrats, I am so happy for your success! Hope to see you at Blue Ridge Conference this year.
-from NY
cllyrics@gmail.com

Patty said...

Thanks for sharing Rosanna! I enjoyed the interview and getting to know you a bit. Congrats on your new release.

Patty in SC

Beth Gillihan said...

Sounds like an interesting read! Thanks for the chance to win!

Beth in Montana

sm said...

An interesting thought about marrying a previously married man. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Vera Godley said...

Sounds like a sweet book.

Vera in NC

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me for your awesome book!!
Conway, SC.

Unknown said...

Daphne and Cynthia, I would dearly love to be at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference this year after missing last year. However...my schedule is not looking positive. Oh well, guess we can't do everything in life, huh?

kam110476 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kam110476 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kam110476 said...

Hi Rosanna & Lena! Congrats on your first published book, which sounds pretty darn cute so far. I can't wait to read it one day soon! I'm definitely interested in your books about the women who stay single and find peace in it - something I'm not having much luck with in my own life!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

sounds like a great read...
Rita from WI
rita dot navarre at yahoo dot com

Abigail Mitchell said...

Sounds Interesting! :) Please enter me! :)

Blanch, NC

Unknown said...

Kristin in OK,it is hard, isn't it. Some days I think I may just learn to deal with it. Then I find out just how wrong I was!

Jackie Tessnair said...

This book sounds great!Thanks for the chance to win and read it.Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

Unknown said...

Such a pretty cover!! thanks for the giveaway!

Sierra
Indiana

Library Lady said...

My husband is truly a "Hand Me Down Husband" but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Unknown said...

This sounds like a great book! Thanks so much for the giveaway! Sydney Harries GA

Anonymous said...


Hi Lena. Thanks for having Rosanna. She is new to me. Her book sounds like a good read. I would love to win. Thanks and GOD bless you both.
Maxie (TX.) > mac262(at)me(dot)com

Pam Graber said...

This book sounds great, Rosanna! I like that your heroine is a little older than the norm (or maybe a lot older than the norm!) It's good to let your readers know that there is still life after 30 (40, 50, etc.) Would love to win the book!

Thank you for the interview, Lena! Great job as always.

Pam in Ohio

rubynreba said...

I love the catchy title! I enjoyed the interview and first page of the book.
Beth from IA

Ava said...

I loved reading the interview. The first page of the book is a delightful tongue wetter! Great job, both of you!

It's fun to know a real author in person, Rosanna. Congratulations on this great accomplishment.