JEANETTE'S GIFT - Blossom Turner - One Freebook

Bio: Blossom Turner is a freelance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger and published novelist of the Word Guild semi-finalist Anna’s Secret. However, she has found her home in the writing of historical fiction. The power of love and romance is authentically woven into the Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their love stories. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada.

Author Links:

https://blossomturner.com

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/blossom-turner

https://www.facebook.com/BlossomTurnerAuthor/

http://twitter.com/blossomhoneybee

Welcome, Blossom. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. In this last book of the Shenandoah Brides series, Jeanette’s Gift, I would have to say I wrote myself into the book more than any of the others. This book in particular is near and dear to my heart because it deals with the age-old problem of feeling inadequate and struggling with low self-worth. So many women battle to feel good about themselves, as I did. I pray through the character of Jeanette that God’s message on how to overcome in this area will shine bright and resonate with the reader, for His truth is ever timeless.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Hmm, let me think. I’ve jumped out of a plane skydiving tandem with a guy who said, “good thing I’m not feeling suicidal today” just before we jumped. Is that quirky or just crazy?

Maybe a little of both. When did you first discover that you were a writer? I have always enjoyed journaling, playing with poetry, and working with the wonder of words, but I did not discover the adventure of writing and the depth of my imagination until I was slowed down by sickness in my forties. Out of sheer boredom my writing career sprouted wings and took flight.

Actually, I started writing books in my 40s, too. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I enjoy the Bible and reading commentaries on the history and profound multi-faceted meanings found within its pages.

I love clean romance with the same kind of spice the Song of Solomon exemplifies.

A good mystery with a splash of romance is always enjoyed.

Poetry

Chicken Soup short stories

June Cotner’s anthologies of quotable quotes.

And anything that makes me laugh. Phil Callaway tickles my funny bone.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? Spending time with Jesus grounds me. I notice on the days I think I’m too busy for my devotions how scattered my day goes. I have this little reminder I tell myself. “Spending time with Jesus, saves scattered, schizo, stormy moments of self-inflicted chaos.”

How do you choose your characters’ names? For my historical romance I often go on-line and read documents written during that time period to find the names most readily used. But my hero and heroine must have names I absolutely love regardless of the time period.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Loving my family well.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be a dog. They are fun-loving, always up for a walk, and get to sleep lots.

What is your favorite food? Bread…all types with fresh butter.

I love bread fresh out of the oven when the butter melts quickly. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? Finding time is the greatest roadblock. I had to quit a well-paying job to make the time to write.

Tell us about the featured book. The theme of the featured book, Jeanette’s Gift, is near and dear to my heart. I write each book with a message of hope. My desire is to share an authentic walk with Christ through the characters of my book, all the while maintaining an entertaining read. This fifth in the Shenandoah Valley Series is special because the struggle of having good self-worth seems to be an area in which Satan attacks women on a large scale. No matter how beautiful they are on the inside, the outside seems to trump the narrative. It took me many years and traveling a very hard road to come to the place where I see myself the way Christ does…fearfully and wonderfully made. I pray this message through the enjoyment of a love story will speak into the hearts of women and they will find the beauty that lies within them.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Spring 1881 Shenandoah Valley

Jeanette Williams’s body wilted and sagged, pulling her thin shoulders forward. Twenty-nine felt like ninety-nine. Until this birthday, Jeanette had held a smidgeon of optimism that she would someday marry and have a family of her own. All hope was gone. God had somehow forgotten her. The cheery frosted cake that sat on the table seemed to mock her dreary existence.

“Auntie Jeanette?” Her four-year-old niece, Geena, pulled on her hand. “Can I help you blow out the candles?”

The child could extinguish them all for all Jeanette cared. At her nod, Geena jumped up and down and smiled, the mirror image of her raven-haired, blue-eyed mama, Katherine. Seemed everyone from the youngest to the oldest was attractive—except Jeanette.

“Not until it’s time, Geena,” Colby said. “So quit bothering your auntie.”

Jeanette glanced at the child’s father before she lifted Geena into her arms. “You’re not a bother, are you pumpkin?”

Geena wrapped her chubby arms around Jeanette’s neck and pressed in a hug. An ache rose within. Oh, how she wanted one of these little ones of her own.

She gazed around Katherine’s parlour at those trying their best to give her a birthday celebration and forced a smile. Tears bit behind her lids, and she pushed her glasses higher on her nose glad she could hide behind Geena to conceal the watery flow. Present were Pa, Katherine and Colby and their brood of kids, Lucinda and Joseph with their family, and Gracie and Matthew visiting from Richmond with their four-month-old baby. Despite being surrounded by those she loved most, Jeanette’s throat constricted to an impossible ache, and acute loneliness crushed in. She stooped down to let the squirming Geena go and stood with her shoulders squared. She best get used to spinster‐ hood. She had a lot of living yet to do. Didn’t she?

How can readers find you on the Internet? Readers are welcome to go to https://blossomturner.com/ and sign up for my monthly newsletter. I also love to communicate one on one with my readers and have a section under contact at https://blossomturner.com/contact to discuss any topic that is important to them.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SM85TRR

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jeanettes-gift-blossom-turner/1141015588?ean=2940166241412

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/jeanette-s-gift

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1610447357

Thank you, Blossom, for sharing Jeanette’s story with my blog readers and me.

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