Welcome back, Jo. Tell
us about your salvation experience.
No one has ever asked me this. My salvation experience
remains vivid in my memory. Thank you for asking.
I was 15 years old when I was saved in a small, country
church. The sermon that Sunday morning was about the parable of the Ten Virgins
(Matthew 25) who went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them brought oil with
their lamps, but five failed to bring along oil for theirs. Their wait for the
bridegroom lasted into the night and at midnight when the bridegroom
approached, the ones without oil asked the others to give them some oil because
the flame of their lamps was going out. They refused and while the five went to
buy oil, those with oil went in to the wedding with the bridegroom, “and the
door was shut” (v. 10). The bridegroom would not open the door to the five when
they returned. They were unprepared and did not get to meet the bridegroom. I
realized I was not prepared. I prayed that Jesus would not shut the door on me
and asked for the forgiveness of my sins.
I, too, was saved in
a small country church. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only
have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
Karen Ball, Francine Rivers, James Rubart, Cassandra King.
These writers’ personalities and books have impacted my life in general as well
as my writing life. It would be a privilege to sit among them and hear them
speak of their philosophies and be encouraged by them.
A wonderful group. What
is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle
it?
As a youngster, from K-12, I changed schools 7 times. In the
10th grade, in yet another new school, I got lost in the school, ended up on a
different level, and walked into the boys’ locker room. Yes, there were boys in
there getting ready for P.E. I still wonder how I maintained my composure, but
I calmly turned and left the area. I still remember that day, although the boys
probably don’t. At least, I hope they don’t!
People are always
telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you,
too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
“If you want to write for publication, treat your writing as
a business, not a hobby. It will take a 110% effort from you. Be prepared to
accept rejection of your book, always remembering the agent, editor, or
publisher will be rejecting your book, not you.”
Very good advice. Tell
us about the featured book.
Promise Me is book 3 in the West Virginia Mountains
When war calls…faith
is tested
In 1960, civil discord in Vietnam fills the news. After his
college graduation, Patrick Fitzgerald plans to join his daddy’s South Carolina
accounting firm. But Uncle Sam may have another position in mind for Patrick—in
the U.S. Army. His family’s affluence would be no match for the persuasion of
the military draft.
Adriana Montagna’s papá ekes out a living as a coal miner in
the mountains of West Virginia .
Can a lasting relationship form with Patrick, or will his wealth become a
barrier between them?
Meanwhile, the fiber of America ’s unity stands on the precipice,
while its youth fight a no-win battle on foreign soil. What good can a young
couple hope for at such a time as this?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
August 1960 - Morgantown , West
Virginia
“Good night, Chet. Good night, David. And good night for NBC
News.” The program signed off with the Texaco Gasoline red star logo across the
screen.
In Dean Loreen Fletcher’s apartment, Patrick Fitzgerald sat
closest to the television when NBC’s Huntley-Brinkley Report ended. He stepped
to the floor-standing console and turned off the television. He took his time
returning to sit on the sofa beside Adriana Montagna. A somber silence settled
over the living room and its six occupants, interrupted only by the humming
window air conditioner.
Patrick scooted to the front edge of the sofa cushion and
rested his forearms on his legs. “I don’t want my first job after graduation to
be in Vietnam .”
No one remarked and he continued. “The situation over there
worries me. Now Washington announces we’re
sending 3,500 soldiers to South
Vietnam to help them fight against the
communist North Vietnamese. When I graduate from college in December, I hope
their mess over there has cooled down some.”
Adriana laid her hand on his back. “Patrick, hush. We don’t
want to think about you going overseas.”
Buy Link for Promise Me:
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website (Read novel first chapters here): http://www.johuddleston.com
Sign up for Jo’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/1ZFaZwG
Christian authors’ books blog: http://www.johuddleston.com
Inspirational blog: http://bit.ly/1QAPRnr
Facebook author page: http://on.fb.me/1pvJQiQ
Facebook personal page: http://on.fb.me/1Ubic69
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1SxafIK
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1QAPtFv
Thank you, Jo, for sharing this new book with us.
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