Monday, February 25, 2019

THE LONG WAY HOME - June Foster - One Free Book

Welcome back, June. Why did you become an author?
In a word, because the Lord called me. Yes, I realize that sounds cliché, but I asked for confirmation. He gave me three undeniable indications, and I was convinced. Too, the desire was so strong, I knew that I couldn't not write.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
I thought about this question for several minutes, and I could mention many. A tour guide in Israel, a makeup artist, a chef, a dog trainer. But the one that stood out is: I'd like to be a young mother again, this time knowing the Lord and living for Him.

Very good. If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
I think I would like to have lived at the time of Christ—to experience the Holy Land as it was then, but with knowledge of the Savior. I would like to see Jesus as the first century Christians did.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?
My husband and I traveled for quite a few years in our RV. We saw much of the US with the exception of the northeast. I'd love to see the New England states in the fall and the national parks in that area.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
I'd love to visit Israel. Since I can't travel back in time to actually see Jesus, I'd like to see the area as it is today. To bask in the many spots described in the Bible—the Sea of Galilee, Jesus's birthplace, the Garden of Gethsemane.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
We had an amazing revival at our church recently, and the Lord showed me I need to give over more and more of myself to Him. To love others as He loves us.

Tell us about the featured book.
David Maguire's tour of duty in Germany is over, and he's returning home to Oak Mountain, Alabama, in search of a job. After a long flight from Frankfort, he shares an Uber with Dallas resident Jada Atwood.

Jada Atwood, a registered nurse midwife, is on her way to a medical conference in Queens. If only she could live up to her father's legacy at the hospital where she works, she could prove worthy of his reputation. Marriage awaits yet her fiancé has yet to offer a ring.

When the Uber driver must make a stop to pick up a passenger at a Queens shopping center, two men who robbed a nearby bank commandeer the Ford as a getaway car. But when they discover two passengers, they have to get rid of the extra baggage.

After the kidnappers murder the Uber driver, David and Jada fear for their lives. Will they find their way home or die in a Pennsylvania forest?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

If David Maguire wouldn't look like an idiot, he'd kneel down and kiss the hot, well-traveled sidewalk outside the airport. Finally, he stood on U.S. soil. A new beginning awaited, and God willing, a new job after his interview next week. The thought thrilled him more than Christmas morning as a kid.

The silver Ford sedan described on the Uber app inched up behind a line of cars at passenger pickup. He stood on tiptoes and waved at the driver who neared the curb. Then David moved his thumbs over his cell's screen. Mom. Just landed. Can't wait to see you guys. Got a flight from JFK to Birmingham tomorrow.

The driver stopped and jumped out. "Lieutenant Maguire?" His accent hinted of Middle Eastern origins. "I'm Hadjira Khan, your driver." He whipped off his ball cap, wiped his brow, and plopped his hat on again. "Let me get this." The driver grabbed David's duffle bag and set it in the trunk next to a light pink suitcase.

"Appreciate it. I'm going to the Rockford Hotel in Queens."

"Yes, sir. I have two more passengers besides you."

"No problem." The cheaper fare suited David just fine. He couldn't be too extravagant since his army pay would end soon. He sure didn't want to sponge off of Mom and her new husband. "However I can get there is fine. I'm just glad to be home." He opened the door, tossed his backpack in, and sat.

A woman with long, dark hair and dressed in white jeans and a tight filmy blue blouse sat on the other side. She looked up, nodded, and then continued tapping her cell's screen.

David smiled then focused on his text when his phone dinged.

I can't wait to see you. Let me know what time to pick you up from the airport. Mom

Tomorrow at 3:13. See you then. Love you.

No matter how hard he tried to disguise his smile, the wide grin stretched his lips. He'd be in Oak Mountain soon.

The Uber driver pulled from the curb. "You two comfortable back there?"

"Yeah, sure." David took a deep breath and glanced toward the woman again. He tried to identify the aroma emanating from her. It wasn't likely Hadjira that smelled like roses.

"Yes, thanks." She peered at the driver then cast a quizzical look to David.

He gave her a weak smile and turned to face the front of the car, mentally kicking himself for staring too long.

Hadjira pulled off on a main thoroughfare and lifted his chin to glance into his rearview mirror. "We stop at a strip mall off 135th for one passenger. Then I take you to Rockford Hotel, sir, and you to Regal Gardens, ma'am."

"No problem," David mumbled, trying not to draw out the words into multiple syllables as his southern drawl tended to do, worse when he got nervous.

So the woman was staying at a hotel in Queens as well. He cleared away the hesitation that impeded his question. "Where you coming from?" Ugh. The most uninspired conversation starter

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you, June, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.
The Long Way Home

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20 comments:

June Foster said...

Lena, it's always a pleasure to appear on your blog. I love sharing my writing journey. Blessings and I'm glad you got your computer up and running.

Licha said...

Hi, I enjoyed the interview, and June Foster's book sounds very intriguing , I love the cover and I really loved the first page of the book, really makes me want to read it! Thank you so much for sharing this . My name is Alicia Haney and I live in West Texas.

June Foster said...

Alicia, thank you for your comment. I was interested to hear you live in West Texas. I lived in El Paso for most of my life. That's about as west as you can get. lol.

Licha said...

June , I was actually born in El Paso, we moved from El Paso when I was 5 , we move to New Mexico (Sunland Park) my dad built a house for us there, so I grew up there. When I got married my husband and I moved to Coronado, in El Paso, he got a job in NM, we lived there for almost 2 years and then we moved here to Fort Stockton TX and we have been here for 39 years, wow, that's a long time, so tis is home, so I guess I came back to TX. Theres no place like home.

Shelia64 said...

sounds like a great book! Shelia from Mississippi

Vivian Furbay said...

Sounds like an exciting mysteyr and would like to see how they escape. Vivian Furbay of CO

June Foster said...

Shelia, greetings to you in Mississippi. Thank you for your comment. I enjoyed writing my book.

June Foster said...

Vivian, thanks for your comment. There are a few twists and turns I think you might enjoy in this book.

Melanie Backus said...

Thank you for sharing! Sounds like a great read!
Melanie Backus, TX

June Foster said...

Thank you, Melanie. I am also from Texas - El Paso.

Melanie Backus said...

I am from a little town east of Paris.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Hello June, it was nice "meeting" you and your book sounds very intriguing. Thanks for sharing.
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

June Foster said...

Connie, I appreciate your encouragement and it's nice meeting you, too.

Lourdes said...

Looks like a really good read. Would love to win.

Lourdes in Long Island, NY

June Foster said...

Lourdes, It was a fun book to write! Thanks for stopping by.

rubynreba said...

I certainly want to find out what happens to the passengers!
Beth from IA

June Foster said...

Ruby, it's something you may not expect! I love to write surprise endings. Thanks for commenting.

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

I loved having you on my blog, June. Yes, I did get my computer up and running.

scibestreviews said...

So excited to continue to follow you on your new path, always loved reading your blog posts and following your adventures.thanks eabestreviews

June Foster said...

Thanks for stopping by .