Monday, November 22, 2010

Giveaway and Author Interview: The Preacher's Bride

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Jody Hedlund! Thank you for being with us today. 
How long did you write before you were published?
Forever. J No, really. I began seriously pursuing a writing career over 16 years ago. I wrote at least five books during those early years of growing and learning. Then I had a toddler and twin baby girls. Enough said! 
God took me off the writing path for quite a few years so that I could focus on my young family.  During those years I had two more children, bringing my total to five. Eventually, I felt God’s nudge to pick back up my pen. After my long hiatus, I wrote and pursued publication for over two years before I got a book contract from Bethany House.
When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?
Gratefulness. Gratefulness to God for giving me such an awesome privilege to publish and be used by him through my writing. And gratefulness to all the people along the way who helped me, encouraged me, and believed in me.
What are you working on now?
I’m blessed to have a contract from Bethany House for three historical romances.  I recently finished editing the second book of my contract, The Doctor’s Lady. Currently, I’m researching, planning, and in the beginning stages of writing the third book.
Where can readers find out more about your books?
Head over to my website: http://www.jodyhedlund.com/.  There you’ll find links for everything—for readers as well as writers. I’d love the chance to connect with you. And the best place to do that is through Twitter or my Author Facebook Page. Stop by and say hi to me!
What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?
Sometimes God will lead us down a difficult path or ask us to do hard things and he doesn’t want us to avoid them for the easy way. Ultimately he uses those difficulties to shape our character and deepen our love for Him.
The messages of this story are the lessons God has been teaching me over the past years. Through my own personal struggles, God has emphasized that he’s more concerned about my holiness than my happiness, and that I need to continue to live a life of obedience to him and walk the difficult path.

What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you?
1.  My daughters and I are nuts about squirrels (pun intended!). Last spring we rescued four newborn red squirrels that dropped out of tree in our back yard. The momma squirrel had apparently abandoned them or been hurt. Since we saved those babies, we’ve been helping out with other baby squirrels now. Our back yard looks like a mini squirrel city!
2. My dad was a pastor. That means I grew up a PK (pastor’s kid).  And yes, I did have a period of typical PK rebellion, but ultimately, my parents transferred to me a wonderful spiritual heritage for which I’m deeply grateful.
Thank you for being with us today.  Any final words for readers?
It’s my desire you’ll be inspired by the lives of the incredible women of the past that I’ve portrayed in my books. May their enduring faith encourage you to persevere in whatever circumstances you may find yourself.
Here are a few ways you can connect with me further:

Jody Hedlund is a debut historical romance novelist who was a double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children.
She’s represented by agent Rachelle Gardner and her debut book, The Preacher’s Bride, is currently available for order on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other internet sites. It’s also for sale in most bookstores.


Okay readers, here is your chance to win Jody's FABULOUS debut novel, The Preacher's Bride.

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.


For extra entries:

~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

And a NEW one:
"Like" my Bug's Beads Jewelry Page on Facebook (contest details there to!)


Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on December 4th.

72 comments:

  1. What a interesting interview that wsa. Five children including a set of twins and you still found time to write. Awesome! Thank you for the opportunity of putting my name in the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(do)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm a follower

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm s subscriber

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Casey, thanks for the great interview. I actually learned something new about Jody. I didn't know she was a PK. =)

    I thoroughly enjoyed The Preacher's Bride. Jody transported me to the period with her great descriptions and dialogue, made me care about her well-crafted characters, and kept me turning pages with her action-packed plot. As her CP, I've had a sneak peek at The Doctor's Lady and know her readers are in for another treat when it releases next year.

    Please don't enter me in the drawing. I have an autographed copy of TPB. =)

    Happy Blogversary!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Although a difficult premise, I love the spiritual premise of your book. Opportunity for spiritual growth.

    I'm a follower.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've wanted this book for awhile! Please enter me!

    I am a follower.
    I am a subscriber.
    I liked the Bug's Beads fan page.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Please enter me.
    I'm a GFC follower
    bkhabel at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've heard such great things about this book, and I'd love the opportunity to win it! :D

    Lovely interview!

    I'm a follower. :)

    Thank you!

    ~Amber

    stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

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  9. I just stopped by to say, I so enjoyed The Preacher's Bride. I was glad I grabbed a copy for myself back when I first heard about it! Thanks for penning such an inspiring story, Jody! I had read about Elizabeth Bunyan in preparation for a teaching unit (high school English). I've always wanted to know her better. This book definitely helped me imagine what she may have been like.

    Don't include me in the drawing, Casey, since I have a copy. But thanks for offering one anyway! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  11. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  12. email subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like Bug's Beads on Facebook

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  14. Thanks for stopping by today, everyone!! And thank you for hosting me, Casey! Hope you'll all have the chance to read The Preacher's Bride. And once you do, stop by my Facebook Page and let me know what you thought or just say hi!

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  15. I'm a preacher's bride and have been wanting this book since the first review hit the blog circuit. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Please include me in the drawing. I have heard a lot of great things about this book! gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh, I know I would love this book. Looks like my kind! Looking forward to reading this one.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sign me up for the giveaway! rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

    I'm now an official follower. Though I have been in FeedDemon, I realized you probably want my little number to show up in the margin. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am a follower and email subscriber. Its amazing with all those children she still found time to write. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love the new blog fonts!

    I'm a follower and a subscriber and would love to win!

    blessings,
    Doreen

    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am a follower and a subscriber. Thanks for the chance to win. This sounds like a great book!

    Jennifer

    jmschwindt at cox dot net

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am a follower and a subscriber.
    I am excited to read this book. Thanks for offering it.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  23. The cover itself is very intresting. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I subscribe by e-mail ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Public follower on Google Friend Connect. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Liked Big's Beads and Jewerls on FaceBook. yutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ever since I read about this book, I've wanted o read it. :)

    Horseluver120@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, this was a great interview! I love hearing the story of the author of a good book. It makes reading it twice as fun and meaningful.

    perhapsthatridiculous at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm a follower :)

    perhapsthatridiculous@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. And I've subscribed!

    perhapsthatsridiculous@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I enjoyed getting to know Jody through this interview. I love it when a new writer is published and the reviews of The Preacher's Bride make me eager to read it. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Squirrels are so cute, I'm glad you rescue them! Thanks for sharing that interesting fact, Jody.

    +1 Follower
    +1 Subscriber

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congratulations!!
    Please enter me in the drawing!
    I enjoy inspirational historical fiction!
    Thank you,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wonderful interview! I've been trying to get this book since it came out - it looks great! Maybe I will for Christmas! ;-) It's on my wishlist already!

    I'd love to be entered into the giveaway!

    - Katie

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am a follower and subscriber!

    - Katie
    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Don't enter me in the contest as I've already read and loved Jody's book. My twenty-year-old daughter read it first and recommended it to me. Now, it is making the rounds in our youth group.

    Jody is an excellent writer. Bravo!
    AnnLeeMiller.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Please enter me! I am a follower and a subscriber!


    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would LOVE to win this book:)
    Thanks for the opportunity!

    chakasa58 at gmail dot com

    I am a follower.
    I am a subscriber.
    I am a Bug's Beads fan

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have been hearing a lot about this book. I'm putting it on my list to read...great interview! Thanks!

    umdmaurer at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance, casey :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Please enter me! I still haven't gotten a chance to read this book. And I want to so badly... ;)

    booklovercb[at]yahoo[.]com

    I am a follower.
    I am also a subscriber.
    I am going to go right now and "like" Bug's Beads on FB. :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'd love to win this book!

    I'm a subscriber.

    I'm a follower.

    I liked your page on FB.

    ReplyDelete
  42. It would help if I left my e-mail, wouldn't it? ;-)

    leanniegehrke(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'd love a chance to read this,

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm a gfc follower, a subscriber and I really like your FB page! Too Cute!

    Carman sent me today

    latawniakintz [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  45. The Preachers Bride sounds like a great book and I would love to win.

    I am a GFC Follower

    I am an email subscriber

    I Like Bug's Beads on FB

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Please enter me, thanks!

    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'd love to enter!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. "Like" the Bug's Beads Jewelry Page on Facebook [Aik Chien]

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thx for an awesome giveaway! Loved the interview.
    jacque
    twinmomx5@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I enjoyed this interview. We also saved a pair of gray squirrels. What fun...they used to climb around us like we were trees.
    I would love to read this book.
    Carman sent me.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I am a subscriber.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I am a follower


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am already a member of your Bug's Beads Facebook page.


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I would love to win this giveaway. I am GFC follower of your site. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm an email subscriber and enjoy your blog very much. Thanks for the entry in your giveaway. I'd love to read The Preacher's Bride.

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  57. This looks really good! Thanks for the chance to win! I'm a follower!

    Kait
    momiswayweird(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I enjoyed the interview and look forward to reading this book. I too am a preachers bride.

    jenmmcclure(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  59. I follow with google reader.

    jenmmcclure(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. This sounds like a really great read and should be a book that makes you think.
    I'm a follower and subscriber.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Sorry, forgot my email. Its:
    tressa[dot]sherman[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Would absolutely love to read this.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I follow as Renee G on GFC.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Please enter me in the drawing!
    I enjoy inspirational historical fiction!
    Thank you,

    gjac444(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I would love to read this book. I've entered several contests promoting it :)

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  66. I would love to win this book, it sounds fascinating! Plus, it ends on my birthday!!! = )
    I am also a follower!
    martha(at)lclink(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I'm a new follower and would love a chance in the drawing for this book.

    Pegg
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I've heard of this book many times on reviews and giveaways and I'd very much like to read this story. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win. I hope I do!

    Blessings of Joy,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am a follower.

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I am a subscriber.

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I like Bug's Beads Jewelry Page on Facebook.

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)