 Welcome and thank you for sharing your time with me. Those of you who signed up for my newsletter since last month, thank you for subscribing.
This month in Guest Gab I interview Susan Howard, designer and goldsmith of inspirational jewelry. Our Writing Wisdom tips come from HarperStudio's blog. In What Am I Reading? I announce the winner of last month's book giveaway, I have jewelry you could win and I review a book I've read. In Book Buzzings I include another reader's five favorite books and also give you an update on my novel. Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on choices.
If you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please email me. Feel free to share this newsletter with your friends (they won't be added to any list). At the bottom of this page you'll see a place where you can conveniently forward this newsletter. Always remember: I value your presence here and the time you share with me.
You can take a look at earlier newsletters by clicking the Archive box on my website.
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| Quality Quote |
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"I think there is choice possible at any moment to us, as long as we live." -Muriel Rukeyser (1913-1980), U.S. poet
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 Book Buzzings |
| Yours and Mine |
Below is another of your lists of five favorite books; keep sending your lists and I'll include them here.
This list comes from Linda. Thanks, Linda.
Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers
Color the Sidewalk for Me by Brandilyn Collins
A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick
Roots by Alex Haley
Savannah by Eugenia Price
Update on my novel, Caney Creek: On a recent email forum someone raised the question of how to get an agent and get published. A multi-published author answered, referring to the process of getting an agent and getting published as "the inevitable long wait." That answer makes my efforts credible because I'm still waiting . . . . . . . .
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Below I'm highlighting my novel, Caney Creek. I know, I know, it's not published yet, but here goes....
 Caney Creek
Jo Huddleston
Publisher: Whoever
Release date: Whenever
Historical romance
Life is all about choices . . . and their consequences. Jim exchanges the imprisoning poverty of Southern Appalachia for an imagined urban life of prosperity where he can control his destiny. When he finds the love of two girls, Jim wrestles with social and moral dilemmas as he makes a choice that will forever affect the entangled lives of five people.
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| Guest Gab |
| Interview With Susan Howard
Designer and Goldsmith of Inspirational Jewelry
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 This month I interview Susan Howard, designer and goldsmith of an inspirational line of jewelry she calls Comfort Wear Jewelry. Susan is offering a sterling silver piece of her jewelry to the winner of my drawing this month. The winner may select the piece of her/his choice.
JO: Susan, please tell us a little about yourself.
SUSAN: I have been married to my husband Shawn for 12 years and we have three beautiful daughters: Hannah 9 years old, Rebecca, 8 and Sarah, 6. We have a dog named Prissy; she is part beagle and Jack Russell terrier. We also have a cat we adopted named Lucky.
JO: What do you like to do in your spare time?
SUSAN: Most of all I love to spend time with my daughters. I enjoy watching them play soccer. I love to garden and enjoy nature. We also enjoy camping. One of my passions is the study of Biblical prophecy.
JO: Susan, you design and create inspirational jewelry. Tell us how you got involved in that.
SUSAN: The very first piece I designed in my jewelry collection is 'My Beautiful Child' pendant. I wanted to create a piece of jewelry that would represent the love I felt for my daughters. I had the idea of a woman holding a child for the design and had sketched it out. I wanted this piece to be emotionally moving to the woman wearing it. During this time, a dear friend was having difficulty conceiving a child. It was just heart breaking to see someone go through that struggle.
At this time I was already a mother of three beautiful daughters. I could not imagine not having my children. I urged my friend to trust in the Lord and told her I would be praying for her. During that phone conversation I wrote the now popular prayer found on the back of 'My Beautiful Child.' It reads: 'My beautiful child I love you so. How much I prayed for you I want you to know. A precious gift from the Lord up above. Never have I felt a greater love.' My friend did eventually give birth to a beautiful baby boy.
JO: What is the overall theme of your Comfort Wear Jewelry?
SUSAN: The overall theme behind Comfort Wear Jewelry is trust in the Lord during your difficulties, lean on God and seek his comfort. Believe that through your adversities God is molding you for his plan for your life. Stop being the victim, trust in God and become victorious!
 JO: Shown on the right is Susan's beautiful pendant that I purchased, called 'Overcoming Difficulties.' Let me say, the delicate chain included goes really well with the pendant.
JO: What is the mission and purpose you have for your jewelry?
SUSAN: The intended purpose for creating Comfort Wear Jewelry is simply to bring comfort to the wearer. However, my long-term mission goal is for a non-profit organization that focuses on helping people heal from emotional pain would use Comfort Wear jewelry for fundraisers to help financially support their cause.
My vision of these types of organizations and missions would be those that help women heal from the pain of a past abortion; groups that help women and children heal from sexual abuse, recover from domestic or substance abuse. Also, organizations that are dedicated to helping people heal from the loss of a loved one and organizations that help encourage handicapped and disabled people. JO: As the designer of your jewelry line, do you have favorites among the pieces you've designed?
SUSAN: An unusual friendship over the internet led me to meet an amazing woman. She is my angel and my treasure. Using one finger and a backscratcher, this woman, who is quadriplegic, communicates with me via email. Terry and I have never met but a friendship of five years has strengthened as we have emotionally supported each other during difficult times. Terry was there for me when my youngest daughter was hospitalized as I was her support during her recovery from pneumonia, which almost took her life. We also communicate by phone and are able to share our deepest feelings with each other. She was my greatest support during the years I was creating Comfort Wear Jewelry. She encouraged me on days I was discouraged and shared in my joy when I pitched Comfort Wear Jewelry to the largest jewelry manufacturer in the USA. My favorite piece of jewelry I've designed is a piece I call 'A Beautiful Treasure.' It is a tribute to the abilities of those with disabilities. 'A Beautiful Treasure' carries the inscription, 'A beautiful treasurer that is precious and rare, an angel that relies on others for care. The people you have touched are thankful to you. God bless for all that you can and can't do.'
JO: What do you hope your jewelry reflects to the wearer or recipient of one of your pendants?
SUSAN: I hope my jewelry reflects that I am not an ordinary jewelry designer. That the wearer sees that Comfort Wear Jewelry is far deeper than a fashion statement. I am hopeful that my jewelry is seen as a message of God's love and comfort.
JO: Where can our readers find you on the internet?
SUSAN: At www.comfortwearjewelry.com you will find a list of stores, as well as online companies that are carrying my jewelry. JO: One of the online stores Susan lists is Classic Creations Religious Jewelry, which is Susan's brother's site. On that site on the left you can click on Comfort Wear Jewelry to see Susan's designs. I purchased my pendant from his site and am completely satisfied with the prompt service and efficient mailing of the jewelry. You can go to Susan's brother's site at http://www.classic-creations-religious-jewelry.com and also go to it from Susan's website.
JO: Thank you, Susan, for this interesting interview and your offer for one of my readers to receive a sterling silver piece of your jewelry. Back to Top
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| What Am I Reading? |
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| In each issue of A GOOD READ I will tell you about what I'm reading or have just read. Let me know what you've read that really impressed you, tell why in about 100 words and I'll include it here; giving your name is optional.
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Below is what Linda Wagner wrote me about enjoying Color the Sidewalk for Me by Brandilyn Collins. Thanks, Linda.
 In Color the Sidewalk for Me, Celia is an adult working for an advertising agency miles from her parents. She gets a call that her father has had a stroke. She feels she must go home and help out with his care. But her mother is still living, and Celia has always felt rejected and unloved by her mother. Her brother was born when she was six, and Celia even colored a 'welcome home' picture on the sidewalk for her mom and brother. She got scolded for that! She stays to help with her dad, but the tension grows and grows between her and her mom. Read and see how God works to restore the relationship. It's a way you would never imagine! It really touches your heart in a way that you'll never forget. ----------  The winner of last month's personally autographed book, Scent of Murder by Virginia Smith is bggree...@... Congratulations! I'll email you for your mailing address and get your book out to you right away. If you didn't win this month, check back in the next issue for news about another giveaway.
This month on August 25, I will randomly draw from the names of all subscribers to this newsletter at that time. The winner will receive his/her choice of a sterling silver piece of Susan Howard's jewelry. I will announce the winner in the September issue and will email him/her for a mailing address and details about choosing and receiving the jewelry.
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 I've just read The Returning by Ann Tatlock, Bethany House, February 2009, 368 pages. This is the story of a father's alcoholism shattering a family that struggles to put the pieces back together when he returns from five years in prison. When Andrea married John Sheldon she knew she loved him more than he loved her. In his five-year absence Andrea and their three children have adapted to a life without him around. His impending return from prison becomes as strong as another character in the story. Andrea is hopeful that John's return will bring a second chance for a happy marriage. While in prison, John commits his life to Christ and struggles to keep his faith. Andrea is skeptical of John's conversion. Will their future hold a happier marriage than they've known? Once again, Tatlock has developed characters that will stay with you long after you finish this compelling book. A good read. |
| Writing Wisdom |
Bookstore Signing Tips
from HarperStudio's blog
 On HarperStudio's blog, The 26th Story, Sarah Burningham, Associate Director of Marketing, offers writers preparing for a bookstore signing five tips from Bookseller X "to make a local event work . . . and keep your local booksellers happy." 1. We are investing in you. Invest in us!
2. Don't spread yourself too thin.
3. Please don't second-guess the bookstore.
4. Stay calm; do not panic!
5. Enjoy your big day!
For details on these five tips, go to The 26th Story.
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Clean Chuckle |
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 A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?" The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and then all mankind was made." Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, "Many years ago there were apes, which evolved into monkeys, from which the human race evolved." The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from apes?" The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family, and your father told you about his."
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| Inspirational Insight |
Choices
by Jo Huddleston
Choices are required of us every day. The first recorded choice made by human is that made by Eve when she decided to bite into the apple. And then the second was made by Adam, and on and on. In the evening do you ever review the choices made that day? Where did those choices lead? What resulted because you made a choice the way you did? As you review your choices made, do you ever have regret that you may have made the wrong choice? (Regret? Oh, discussion of regret is for another time.)
Once we make a choice, it's made, no second choice in that particular instance. But if we're smart enough, we can learn valuable lessons from even our wrong or questionable choices.
In the movie, "The Renaissance Man," Danny De Vito's character makes a profound statement: "The choices we make dictate the lives we lead." To paraphrase, what he's saying appears to be "Where you are today is the result of all the choices and actions that you have made thus far in your life." If that's the case, and I believe it is, we might need to thoroughly weigh our decisions on all our future choices. We probably won't always make a correct choice. Who could? But it sure wouldn't hurt to strive to be diligent in our efforts to make right choices. Especially if we think that what we become, say, a year from now will be the result of the choices we make between now and then.
Wonder what choice Eve would make today if she could go back and have a second choice? We won't be presented with a choice of the magnitude of Eve's but our choices are just as precise to the outcome of our lives as hers was to the outcome of humankind.
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© 2009 Jo Huddleston. All rights reserved.
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