JO HUDDLESTON'S

 TopA GOOD READ
Newsletter For Readers and Writers

June 2011  

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Greetings!

  

Jo HuddlestonWelcome 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: An interview with Kristin Billerbeck, author of A Billion Reasons Why.  

 

 In Writing Wisdom: Tips for radio book marketing.


In What Am I Reading?: Announcement of the winner of last newsletter's book. Review of book by Iris Johansen.

In Book Buzzings : Highlight of two recent novels, one by Lynette Eason and another by Mary Connealy.

Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on the birds and bees.   

If you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please go to my website and click the "email me" button beneath my photo. And remember to visit my blog--you can click here or at the top of this introductory block. I plan to post a new blog twice a week. If I did it correctly, at the very top of this newsletter is a small bar with the Facebook, etc. logos on it. As I understand it, if you have accounts on any of those places and would like to share this newsletter with your friends there, please click the appropriate link(s).   
 
You can take a look at earlier newsletters here. Always remember: I value your presence here and the time you share with me.


 
Quality Quote

"Worry doesn't help tomorrow's troubles, but it does ruin today's happiness."  --Anonymous

  


BookBook Buzzing

Yours and Mine

 

Update on my novel: A publisher showed interest in my novel, That Summer, but we couldn't come to an agreement on all contract points. So, that's one publisher we can check off the list --check! My agent, Lavonne J. Stevens, Vice President-Fiction Acquisition with Bruce R. Barbour Literary Management Group, Nashville continues her hard work on behalf of me and my novel.

 

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Let me know your five favorite books and their authors and I'll include them here. Your last name is optional.

 

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This month I highlight Missing by Lynette Eason (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense) and Deep Trouble by Mary Connealy (Barbour). Below is information about these books. (Disclaimer: I may not have read these recent releases yet; just letting you know about them.)  

 

 

MissingTitle: Missing      

Author: Lynette Eason 

Genre: Suspense-Romance   

Publisher: Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

Release Date: January 2011

Lynette's  website

Book available here 


When Lacey's daughter disappears, she tracks down U.S. Marshall Mason Stone, the father of her child. Her confession that their daughter--the daughter he didn't know they had--is missing shakes his carefully controlled world. They race to find their child, catch the kidnappers...and learn whether they can have a second chance at happily-ever-after. 
 

   

 

Deep TroubleTitle: Deep Trouble  

Author: Mary Connealy 

Genre: Romance 

Publisher: Barbour  

Release Date: 2011

Mary's website   

Book available here   

 

Gabe Lasley finds Shannon Dysart stranded in a mountaintop cave and saves her. She is on a quest to prove her father's research isn't the work of a madman, that he really did find a treasure in the wild west.

 


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 GuestGab Guest Gab
Interview with Kristin Billerbeck            
Author of 
A Billion Reasons Why


BillerbeckKristin Billerbeck is a bestselling author in the Christian market, with over 35 novels written. She is a two-time winner of the Carol Award and a Christy finalist. She lives in California's Silicon Valley with her family and is currently working on her next novel.

 

Kristin has graciously given a copy of her book for a drawing and one of you will win it. 

 


JO: Please tell us a little about yourself.

 

KRISTIN: I am married to an engineer for 19 years and we have four children, one dog, one hamster and a bajillion fish.

 

JO: What do you enjoying doing when you're not writing?

 

KRISTIN: Reading, watching Masterpiece Classic and spending time with the family.  Usually we're at the beach, the pool or soccer.

 

JO: Can you tell us any fun thing about you that might surprise our readers?

 

I don't know that my readers would be surprised about much, but I am interested in everything, so as my interests change, I do something new each time.


JO: How did you get involved in writing?

 

KRISTIN: I was on a medicine that kept me up during the night.  My children were young and not wanting to keep the family awake, I needed a quiet hobby that could carry me through the nights.  


JO: Where do you write? Do you have a dedicated office or a corner or nook in a room?

 

KRISTIN: My office is smackdab in the middle of the living room.  There's always a lot of chaos with four kids, but that's how I've always written.  I don't like being off alone, and the kids know to yell when they need my attention.

 

JO: Do you always know the title of your books before you write them?   

 

KRISTIN: Very rarely. My titles are usually working titles and the publisher comes up with something with me.  They're much better at it than I am, and the theme is always based on my working title, so it comes close, but their suggestions are always better.

 

JO: Please tell us about A Billion Reasons Why.

 

Billion ReasonsKRISTIN: A Billion Reasons Why is a book about regrets and how to reframe them so you understand that God's timing is absolutely perfect.  The characters are Luc DeForges, a gentleman from the French Quarter of New Orleans and his first love Katie McKenna, an Irish special education teacher who has left New Orleans in search of freedom from her past. Until her past comes walking into her present.

 

JO: What takeaway value do you hope readers receive after reading this novel?

 

KRISTIN: I think books are meant to be special to those who read them.  Every book tells a different story to a person based on their own life experiences.  I hope this book tells the reader what they need to hear at the time.


JO: Where did you get the idea for your book?

 

KRISTIN: My girlfriends from GirlsWriteOut.Blogspot.com and I brainstormed it together on a cold day in Indiana.

 

JO: Did you need to do any research for this book?

 

KRISTIN: There was a lot of research into this book because of the 1940s era tie-in.  I am an avid fan of the 40s and then New Orleans seemed like the place to set the book, so there was a lot of research from that as well. I've been there, but didn't have time to get there before this book was due. I really wanted to set up that fantasy/romantic era from the 1940s movies.

 

JO: How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?

 

KRISTIN: I've been writing since 1996 and I sold my first book in 1997.  I'm always interested in new things, so I haven't run out of ideas just yet.

 

JO: What are you working on now?   

 

KRISTIN: I'm working on a book with a working title of Sacred Fragrance.  It will be something different in the end, but it's about an expert perfumer or "nose" who discovers that her life has to be open to "notes" and a solid foundation, just like the scents she creates.

 

JO: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

 

KRISTIN: Learn to take rejection as constructive criticism, but listen to your gut as well.  Don't be rude.  Define what concepts make you passionate and learn to channel them into a novel.  Your passion will convince others.

 

JO: Please tell our readers where they can get your book.

 

KRISTIN: They can get my book at any Christian retailer or online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com

 

JO: Where can our readers find you?   

 

KRISTIN: They can find me on my website:

KristinBillerbeck.com

Or at my daily blog:  www.girlygirl.typepad.com 

 

Thanks for the great questions!  Kristin


 

JO: Thank you, Kristin, for spending time with us in this interesting interview!

   

 

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WhatReadingWhat Am I Reading?
 

Bible Verse of the Day. Each day a Bible Verse of the Day appears on the home page of my website and also on my blog.  In the upper right hand corner of the verse box you'll see the letters CWO (Christian Women Online). Click the letters and it will take you to their website.  

 

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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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If you enjoy this newsletter pass it on to someone else who might also enjoy it: at the end of this email just click "Forward Email."


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To select winners in my drawings I use a computer program that randomly selects the winners. No pulling names out of a hat!! If you're a winner, the rules are simple: I'll email winners asking for their mailing address and get the book out to them right away. You can win only once in a calendar year.


The
winner from the last newsletter of a copy of The Fire in Amber by DiAnn Mills is Linda.
Congratulations! I'll email you for your mailing address.

If you didn't win this month, see below for news about another book giveaway.

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On June 25, I'll draw a winner from all current subscribers for a copy of A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billberbeck.


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Chasing NightI've recently read Chasing the Night by Iris Johansen, St. Martin's Press, 2011, 362 pages. This is the next to latest in the Eve Duncan series of thrillers (I've read them all), and is about a child who has been missing for nine years. Leaping from Atlanta to Washington, DC to Moscow, the search for the boy brings together a mix of good and bad people who both want the boy. The good people want the boy rescued and returned to his mother and the bad people want to lure his mother to them and sacrifice the boy in her presence before killing her. This is not Christian fiction and the boy's captor is a crude character who says and does foul-mouthed and offensive things. But it is a suspense-filled plot that is packed with fast-paced action, which keeps the reader guessing until the very end. A good read.

 

   


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 WritingWisdomWriting Wisdom

Radio Book Marketing       

by Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin is author of The Thrifty Author's Guide to Gail Z. MartinLaunching Your Book, [email protected], www.GailMartinMarketing.com

 

 

Remember that radio is an audio medium, so make sure your speaking voice is pitched to avoid squeaks, awkward pauses and obsessive throat-clearing. You may want to practice by having a friend interview you so you can hone your on-air voice. Avoid nervous gestures like pen clicking, tapping fingers or chair swiveling--they'll be heard over the audio connection. One of the best things you can do during a radio interview is to smile. Why? Smiling makes your voice sound friendlier. It really makes a difference. Always thank your host, and be a polite guest. Have your top three tips written down--radio interviews now are only two to three minutes long.


 

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Clean Chuckle
 

Dearest Redneck Son...

 

hillbillyI'm writing this slow because I know you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Your Dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 miles of your home, so we moved.

 

I won't be able to send you the address because the last family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved so they wouldn't have to change their address. 

 

Bubba locked his keys in the car yesterday. We were really worried because it took him two hours to get me and your father out.

 

Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pickup truck.
Butch was driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. The other two were in the back. They drowned because they couldn't get the tailgate down.

 

There isn't much more news at this time. Nothing much out of the normal has happened.

 

                                    Your Favorite Aunt

 

 

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InspThoughtsInspirational Insight
The Birds and Bees
by Jo Huddleston   


With warmer weather I find I'm spending more time looking out the windows. With better weather I'm seeing more activity outside. I suppose some of God's little creatures hid away somewhere during the winter months. I've always wondered where they go. And one important thing I would like to know is how the birds hang onto the wires or tree limbs during wind storms. Does anybody know? Their little feet must be awful strong to keep them wherever they choose to be. Birds I can enjoy watching and listening to their concerts. But guess I'll leave the bees to themselves. The yellow jacket sting I received in elementary school taught me to keep my distance from bees. 

 

But now outside I see increased little-creature activity. Recently a dozen or more baby birds were on the ground pecking away, looking for something to eat, maybe for the first time out of the nest. Although their task was more difficult than waiting for Mother to bring their food to the nest, they tackled their hunt with gusto. And how protective those mother birds are. When we go in the garage to get into the car, you've never heard such commotion from one bird. She's speaking her mother-bird language to her babies to gather round because the big humans are near.

 

If these little creatures have any capacity for mental reasoning, do you think they worry? I don't think so. Of course they can't read but if they could they'd know Jesus said His Father would take care of them: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them" (Matthew 6:26).

 

Jesus extends this advice for us as well: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life" (Matthew 6:25); "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" (Matthew 6:27). I've heard it said that worry and faith in God cannot coexist. But you ask how you cannot worry about everything with the economics of today; I agree but I take the Bible at its word. Further in this lesson from Jesus he says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). These words mesh with the greatest commandment, which Jesus gave in the New Testament: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).

 

Okay, I'm off my soapbox how. Where did I start with this? Oh, yes, seeing more little creatures out and about now that the weather is improved. I love to watch them all: birds, squirrels, chipmunks......not snakes for sure, but if you want to see an unwanted snake story (with pictures) from a sweet lady, go here.



 

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� 2011 Jo Huddleston. All rights reserved.


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