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

Christian Book Store

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