JO HUDDLESTON'S

 TopA GOOD READ
Newsletter For Readers and Writers

October 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 time, thank you for subscribing.

This
month ...  

 

In Guest Gab: An interview with Penny Zeller, author of Hailee.  

 

In Writing Wisdom: Making Your Blog More Viral


In What Am I Reading:  Announcement of the winner of last newsletter's books and review of a book by Amanda Cabot.

In Book Buzzings: Highlight of two recent novels, one by Mary Ellis and one by Gina Holmes.

Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on things to think about.   

If you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please go to my website and click the "email me" button beneath my photo.
 
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Thanks to all who have been reading my BLOG. For a while I've used some posts written by other people; these articles don't seem to be of interest to you, my blog readers. So I won't have them on my blog again.

 

From today I'll be blogging on this schedule:

Monday Musings on This 'N That

Thursday Thoughts for Readers and Writers.

Once a month I'll include a blog post by Tiffany Colter, a writing career coach.

I might occasionally repost a blog article from someone else if I think it fits your reading interests.

 

Thanks again for being a loyal reader of my blog. If the articles written by others caused you to stop visiting my blog, please return; you'll find the blog the way it used to be. To visit my blog--you can click here or at the top of this introductory block. If you like what you see, please look at the column on the left and subscribe.

 

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Above the very top of this newsletter is a small horizontal bar with the Facebook, etc. logos on 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

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." 

-Anne Frank

 

BookBook Buzzings

Yours and Mine

 

 

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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My books Amen and Good Morning, God: A Book of Morning Prayers and Amen and Good Night, God: A Book of Evening Prayers are now available (dirt cheap!) for the Kindle here, for the Nook here, and for other e-readers hereThe paper version of these books are also available--see the "Books" page on my website

 

If you like the eBooks I'd appreciate your writing a review on the book's Amazon page. If you've never done this, it's simple; go to Amazon, click on a book then just below the title you'll see the word "review." If you don't have an Amazon account it's easy to set one up; fill in your email address and a password then you're ready to type your comments. Thanks.

 

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This month I highlight A Marriage for Meghan by Mary Ellis and Dry As Rain by Gina Holmes. Below is information about these books. (Disclaimer: I may not have read these recent releases yet; just letting you know about them.)  

 

 

Marriage MeghanTitle: A Marriage for Meghan       

Author: Mary Ellis  

Genre: Romance    

Publisher: Harvest House 

Release Date: October 2011

Mary's blog
Book available here

An engaging story of one girl's quest for independence and true love as social prejudice tests a community's faith in a simpler world.

 
 

   

 

 

 

Dry as RainTitle: Dry as Rain   

Author: Gina Holmes  

Genre: General Fiction  

Publisher: Tyndale   

Release Date: August 2011

Gina's website     

Book available here     

 

Undercover Cops: Behind every broken vow lies a broken heart. A richly engaging story of betrayal and redemption, Dry as Rain illuminates with striking emotional intensity the surprising truth of what it means to forgive.  

 

 

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 GuestGab Guest Gab
Interview with Penny Zeller                                                                                  Author of Hailee


ZellerOur guest this month is Penny Zeller, author of Hailee. Penny is a wife, mom, and author of several books. An active volunteer, she devotes her time nurturing women into a closer relationship with Christ. She has given me a copy of her latest book and one of you readers will win it.

 

 

 

JO: I am excited about your latest novel, Hailee. What is the hook?

 

PENNY: Hello, Jo! Thank you for allowing me to be your guest. Following is the blurb for Hailee, the third book, following McKenzie and Kaydie, in my Montana Skies Historical Romance Series:

 

HaileeFor years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin in the Cincinnati streets, stealing food to keep her two younger brothers fed. Her thievery landed her in a home for delinquent youngsters, where her life was changed, thanks to her teachers. Now, nineteen-year-old Hailee excitedly heads to Montana to be a teacher, yet she's still plagued by her shameful past and the fear of never seeing her brothers again.

Based on his upbringing in high-society Boston, no one would have guessed that Maxwell Nathaniel Adams Jr. would attend seminary and become a church pastor in rugged Montana. Even now, Nate's parents refuse to put aside their own plans for his future and accept his calling.

When their paths converge, an immediate attraction draws Hailee and Nate together, even as the pressures and demands of others pull them apart. Can the unlikely pair come to terms with their pasts and face the future together?

 

JO: Who is your favorite character and why?

 

PENNY: My favorite character would be my heroine, Hailee Sophia Annigan. I love Hailee's character for her fierce determination and her spunk. I love her compassionate heart, her strong faith, and her sweet spirit.

 

JO: What do you want readers to take away from the book?

 

PENNY: My passion is to write books that impact lives for Christ. Readers can expect to share in Hailee's pain and sorrow, as well as the joy she experiences. They will watch as her faith wavers and her heart breaks at the losses she experiences in life. They will share with Nate as he struggles to release to the Lord burdens he was never meant to carry. My books are character-driven, and as such, throughout the book and with a variety of characters, readers will catch a glimpse of struggles with forgiveness, Salvation, rededication to Christ, and the hope of a new life.

 

JO: How long does it take you to complete a novel?

 

PENNY: This is a great question! Actually, it really varies. Sometimes it can be as little as two months and sometimes as long as five or six months. I think my average would be about three months for the first draft. However, I give my books and my writing to the Lord, so I'm learning to write on His schedule.

 

JO: What advice would you give to a fledgling author?

 

PENNY: I offer several writing helps on my blog, at http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/sticking-with-writing/ including how to stick with writing and information about how to prepare for a writer's conference.

 

I am humbled how the Lord has placed me in a mentoring position for new writers through a Writer's Bible Study.  When I chat with a fledgling author, I ask what he/she envisions themselves doing for God's Kingdom and how can I pray and encourage him/her in that pursuit. One of the most important things to remember in being a writer is that if God has called you to write, He will guide you, one step at a time.

 

In November of 2000, I gave my writing to the Lord. I quit my fulltime job with a social services governmental agency so I could stay home with my infant daughter. That was the start of my career, beginning with magazine articles. I would advise a new writer to give his/her writing to the Lord and to not give up! I speak from experience when I say that when He closes one door, He opens another (much better) one. 

 

JO: If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing?

 

PENNY: Probably a television talk show host for a Christian TV show. I think that would be a lot of fun! J

 

Thank you again, Jo, for having me as your guest!

 

Contact information:

 

I love to connect with my readers at my website www.pennyzeller.com

my blog www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com,

on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller, and

on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks where I post updates about new books, giveaways, events, and Just-for-Fun Fridays

Book trailer (mini-movie) for Hailee http://youtu.be/LEGoM43jtwA

 

JO: Penny, thank you for spending time with us and talking about Hailee. I appreciate the copy of Hailee that you gave me, which one of my subscribers will win.

 

 

 

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WhatReadingWhat Am I Reading?
 
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 determine winners in my drawings I use a computer program that randomly selects 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. U.S. residents only, void where prohibited. The odds of winning depend upon the number of subscribers. I and members of my family are not allowed to enter the giveaway. You can win only once in a calendar year.


The
winner from the last newsletter of a PDF copy of Kylie's Kiss by Delia Latham is Lara
and the winner of Book of Days by James Rubart is Ana. Congratulations!

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

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On October 25, I'll draw a winner from current subscribers for a copy of Hailee by Penny Zeller. Also, Penny will send a personalized bookplate to the winner.


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Tomorrow GardenI've read Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot, Revell, 2011, 384 pages. Amanda Cabot's stories transport me to her well-developed settings and bring me into the hearts of her characters. In her latest book, Harriet Kirk is a dedicated school teacher who also has responsibility for raising her four siblings while she shields herself from anyone who wants to care for her. Self-sufficient, she suppresses her feelings of love for Sheriff Lawrence Wood and definitely does not think he could care for her. Lawrence withholds his feelings for Harriet, cautious not to scare her fragile heart. A compelling story that shows how feelings can become misplaced when people cannot leave their past behind and reach for happiness. A good read.  

 

 

 

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 WritingWisdomWriting Wisdom

Make Your Blog More Viral

by Dana Lynn Smith    

 

Dana Make your blog more viral by encouraging your readers to share your content with others. First, make it easy to share by adding sharing buttons such as those from ShareThishttp://sharethis.com/ or AddThishttp://www.addthis.com/ to your site. Then ask readers to share by including text at the end of your best posts such as: "Do you know someone who might benefit from these tips? Just click the "Share This" button below to send a link by email or recommend this post on your favorite social site."

 

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Dana Lynn Smith, The Savvy Book Marketer, helps authors and indie publishers learn how to sell more books through her how-to guides, blog, newsletter, and private coaching. Get her free Top Book Marketing Tips ebook at www.BookMarketingNewsletter.com, visit her blog at www.TheSavvyBookMarketer.com, follow @BookMarketer on Twitter, and connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SavvyBookMarketer.

 

 

 

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Clean Chuckle
 

 

 

Police dogA police dog responds to an ad for work with the FBI.

"Well," says the personnel director, "you'll have to meet some strict requirements. First, you must type at least 60 words per minute."

Sitting down at the computer, the dog types 80 words per minute.

"Also," says the director, "you must pass a physical and complete the obstacle course."

This perfect dog specimen finishes the course in record time.

"There's one last requirement," the director continues. "You must be bilingual."

With confidence, the dog looks up at him and says, "Meow!"


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Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," an ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email the handy cheat sheet "89 Reasons to Send a Press Release."

 

 

 

   

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InspThoughtsInspirational Insight
Things To Think About
by Jo Huddleston   

Does your brain ever stop working?

 

I don't think it does but I have no medical proof for this. We're conscious of our brain working during the day while we're up and going. When we tackle chore after chore, when we enjoy family, sports, movies, and reading. But what about at night when we're asleep? I have no medical research to back this up but I think our mind may be the most active when we dream while sleeping. Dreaming can be done while asleep when there are no distractions to interfere, no one around to contradict our thoughts. So maybe our brain never stops working.

 

Can you ever empty you mind of all thought? Do you? I'm not sure about ever emptying my mind of all thought. The closest I may come to this is when I'm reading or typing on the computer and I need a rest for my eyes. I stop my activity and look out the window thinking about nothing in particular. I just enjoy (is that thinking?) God's creation as I look outside: breezes rustling the green tree leaves, shadows made by the blazing sun, gentle rain that will help plants and flowers grow, and the blue sky full of white, fluffy clouds.

 

When I'm resting my eyes, being still, and enjoying what I see outside my window I hear the "ringing in my ears." I have medical diagnosis for this, except they put a big medical term to it, so I just stick with ringing in ears. I hear shrill sounds like I'm in a field of crickets and/or katydids. The sounds are there 24/7 and because I'm accustomed to them they're not really pronounced until I'm quiet. I hear them especially as I fall asleep at night. And I'm hearing them now as I type this.

 

But back to the thoughts that occupy our brains every day. I hope the good ones will always outweigh the bad ones.

 

 

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or

praiseworthy--think about such things."

Phillippians 4:8, NIV

 

 

 

 

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