Today I’m chatting with a new friend from my historical writing group, HisWriters. Jody Hedlund’s debut novel, The Preacher’s Bride, is set to release in a month, and it sounds so awesome that you should SO pre-order a copy if you don’t win.
Which of course brings us to entering-to-win. Usual drill. Leave a comment with an email address–but that’s not all! Jody has a special request too, at the end of the interview. You’ll just have to read it to see what question she’d like you to answer. And so, without further ado . . .
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About The Preacher’s Bride
In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher—whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John’s protests of her aid. She’s even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.
Yet Elizabeth’s new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John’s boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher’s enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she’s more determined than ever to save the child—and man—she’s come to love.
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About Jody
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 central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children.
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What’s your latest book?
The Preacher’s Bride releases from Bethany House Publishers in October 2010.
Oo, we get a sneak peak! Fun. =) And it sounds awesome–can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! Is there a theme?
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 that 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.
That’s sometimes a tough lesson to learn–but I fully believe the difficult path leads you to the most amazing discoveries. But back to books. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
I admit! I’m a historical romance junkie! I rarely read anything but historical romance and I adore historical romance movies (my latest favorite Young Queen Victoria—it was divine!). I’m also a bit of a history geek—I love reading biographies and finding interesting but little-known facts and people from history. All of that naturally leads to my passion for writing historical romances and I honestly can’t see myself writing anything but that.
Huzzah! Three cheers for historical romance! (FYI, we met through a historical writing group, LOL.) So what would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
What I wouldn’t give for a private, quiet, spot. Nothing fancy or special. Just a quiet place where I could go without any interruptions! But at this point in my life I’m a busy mama-writer. I have 5 beautiful children ranging in ages from 5 to 13, and so the word “quiet” doesn’t exist in my house. My REAL office is smack-dab in the middle of my home at the kitchen table. There I can still see everything and everyone (because we all know moms have invisible eyes in the backs of their heads!). Amidst the chaos, I somehow manage to eke out my daily word count.
FIVE kids? You have my awe and total respect. I can barely keep up with my two. And I totally hear you–any quiet spot would do! LOL. Are there any people who you rely on when writing?
This past year, I was able to come up with a system that helped me minimize distractions (by minimize I mean take it down from 100 interruptions an hour to 50). =) I hired my older children to babysit my little ones. Every afternoon during my writing time, one of my big kids would occupy and play with the youngest of my bunch, which freed me up to concentrate a little more.
My husband is also incredibly supportive. This past year we worked out a plan where I was able to get away to the Library on Saturdays for more extended writing time. He took charge of all the kid’s activities and even cooked dinner (most times successfully!) and had it on the table when I arrived home.
That is awesome. And obviously necessary. Five! Sheesh. 😉 Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
I’m a full time teacher to my children, so the large majority of my day is spent grading math papers, giving spelling tests, overseeing crazy science experiments, and re-learning everything I never learned during my childhood education (five times over!). Occasionally I try to squeeze in load of laundry—but only when the kids complain that they’re out of underwear. =)
LOL–I just started homeschooling, but my oldest isn’t quite five. We’re not to the grading papers stage, but it did take me three days to fold one load of laundry this week. Who needs clean clothes, anyway? 😉 What are you writing right now?
At the beginning of the summer I finished writing my next book which is scheduled to release in 2011. And now I’m in the process of researching and plotting a new story.
Can’t wait to hear about it! It was great chatting with you, Jody!
Thanks for having me today, Roseanna! I would love to hear from all your readers! Please stop by my Facebook Page or Twitter and say hi.
For a chance to win a copy of The Preacher’s Bride, leave your email and then also tell me your favorite romance movie! (And if you don’t have a favorite romance, then shame on you! =) Tell us your favorite movie instead.)
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Be sure to check out Jody’s website and blog! You can find The Preacher’s Bride at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ChristianBook.com.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning depends on number of entries. Contest ends 9/9/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Ghost, that movie makes me cry everytime I watch and I have the DVD so watch several times a yr. My second would be Gone With The Wind. It would be very bad for me not to include GWTW since Margaret Mitchell lived and wrote only a hour away from where I grew up.
I love the story line in The Preacher's Bride. I am sure I will enjoy reading and have already added to my wish list. Thanks for stopping by to chat and really enjoyed your interview. 5 Children seems like alot when I had only 2 but I do know others who have 4-6 and they have less problems with them that I had with only 2. lol I think if we only have 1-2 children we tend to spoil and when you have more you have to learn to delegate and they can't always have everything they want. lol
misskalllie2000 at yahoo dot com
My favorite romance novel is "The Notebook", I love the movie as well. They are both tear jerkers. I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Pride and Prejudice is my favorite romance movie, although Romancing the Stone was my favorite when I was younger, and it still a classic!!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com
My favorite romance movie has to be "The Princess Bride"…It's been one of my faves since KINDERGARTEN! Thanks for the giveaway!
TaraTagli at gmail dot com
*Carman sent me!
Greetings,
My favorite romance movie would be Love Comes Softly. Sounds like a great book. Enter me please.
Thanks,
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com
I love the description of The Preacher's Bride and will definitely read it. Political and religious leaders upset with a preacher in the 1650s? Imagine that! Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy.
I am also a fan of historical romances. I could name many favorite movies, but "The Sound of Music" would probably top my list.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
one of my favourite romance movies is…love affair w/ warren beatty & annette bening.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Jody, I love the line, God is "more concerned with my holiness than my happiness." Well said.
Like Casey and Deb, my favorite romance movie is The Magic of Ordinary Days. However, I've heard that Redeeming Love is being filmed. If the movie does the book justice, I may have a new favorite. =)
Please don't enter me in the drawing. My copy of The Preacher's Bride has been on pre-order for months. I'm sooo eager to read it.
Looks like a good book! *Please enter me* My favorite romance book would have to be… "The Raven Saint" by M. L. Tyndall.
gracethorson[at]gmail.com
Thanks! =)
Let's see there are so many wonderful romance movies that have been done. Gone With the Wind is one of my favorites. Another would be Sound of Music. I also love the love story in Beauty & the Beast. I also loved Sleepless in Seattle & You've Got Mail.
Smiles,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I have a lot of favorites! Anything Jane Austen, especially Sense and Sensibility. And i really love A walk to Remember! Please enter me in to win. randomness.is.awesome[at]gmail.com
My favorite romance movie? I would have to say Hidden Places was one of my favs.
Please enter me!
Jreilly316@verizon.net
I'd have to say my favorite romance movie would be Sense and Sensiblity.
Looks like a great book!
jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com
Hmmm… favorite romance movie? Well, that's a hard one… I think I'd have to say one of my favorites would be Love's Enduring Promise.
lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Enjoyed the interview. Amazing lady,that Jody! Jody and her writings are new to me, and I would certainly like to know her better. I definitely want to read her book! At my age, there are plenty of favorite movies…Jane Austin movies, Gone With the Wind, and the lighthearted musical romances of the 50's. I really dated myself!! The cover of the book is very appealing to me. A plug for Roseanna – I'm currently reading her book, "A Stray Drop of Blood," and it is incredible. She writes and the scenes run through my imagination like a big Cecil B. DeMille's spectacular movie. Great book and I'd recommend this as a good read. Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway, I appreciate the opportunity to win. Hope I do!!
Sharing Christ's Love,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
The Magic of Ordinary Days would be my favorite. Although, I'm not sure if it counts as a true Romance, it would depend on what you consider to be a romance.
The book looks awesome.
Dreilly316[at]gmail.com
Um, my favorite romance movie? Well, I think I would have to say Pride and Prejudice as well.
Emreilly303[at]gmail.com
I would love to win this book! My favorite romance movie is (still) the A&E version (with Colin Firth) of Pride and Predujice. 🙂
showcasesisters at gmail dot com
Pride and Prejudice. Yupp.
parisakins[at]gmail.com
I love Ever After!
stinarose(at)bell(dot)net
This book sound great. One of my favorite movies is EverAfter. I just love a happy ending. Looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for giving away a copy. Carman sent me.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Thanks for the chance to win. My fave romance movie is probably EVER AFTER…at least one of them.
Amy S.
artsyrockerchick at aim dot com
sounds like a great book.
please enter me in the drawing.
Carmen sent me.
jennifer
avidreader at middleswarth dot net
Hi Everyone!! It's been wonderful to read through all of your comments and hear your favorite movies!! I'm pleased to meet all of you (and see some familiar faces too!) Hope you will all enjoy the book!
My favorite romance movie is Pride and Prejudice(2005). I would love to be entered. 🙂
bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com
Even though I regularly read Jody's blog, I still managed to learn more. 🙂 Thanks for sharing ladies!
Great interview and the book sounds awesome too! I love romances but don't watch too many movies. I did recently see "When in Rome" and I enjoyed watching it. I watched "Leap Year" too and I love the foreign settings for both of these movies.
Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
Sheri
hspruitt [at] juno [dot] com
My favorite romance movie is First Knight. Please ente me in the drawing.
pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'd like to enter your giveaway for this lovely book…the cover is really nice. Thank you!
My favorite romance movie is "Titanic"…and also "Pavillon of Women"…a movie based on one of Pearl S. Buck novels, and its really good, but keep the tissues nearby. Another one I just thought of is…"Serendipity". Probably could name alot more, but for now, this is it.
Blessings,
Sandee61
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
Not entering again, but I just wanted to say that my favorite romance movie (how could I have forgotten?!) is Anne of Green Gables & the first sequel.
hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds interesting–please enter me. My favorite romance movie is…hard to decide, but I think it's a toss-up between Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, Emma, Wives & Daughters, and Little Women. I also like North and South and Cranford. 🙂
hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com
I can't wait to read this book! I love historical romance. My favorite romance movie is BBC's North & South, based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel!!! I could watch it over & over…oh wait, I have 🙂 And of course, any of the BBC's Jane Austen adaptations.
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
This book sounds like a must read…wow! Please enter me!
One of my favorites…"Sarah Plain and Tall"!
alekee02{at]yahoo[dot]com
Great Interview! I cant wait to read the book! Jody is an amazing woman! She is so kind to answer me when i have a question on Twitter! I wish all authors were like her.. humble and sweet! God Bless her work as it glorifies God!
Hi Renee! Great to see you over here on Roseanna's blog today!! I remember watching the North & South quite a few years ago, but it might be time to check that one out again! I just love those sigh-worthy moments! 🙂
I love book from this time, Can't wait to find out how she saves the baby.
Oh my gosh I am a historical romance lover too! I even majored in history in college because of my love of all things historical! Sooo I'm excited for Jody's book but she already knows that from my Twitter comments LOL! I just watched The Young Victoria with my cousin last week…that movie just gets better and better every time I watch it but I have to say my favorite historical romance film is North and South, the BBC production based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. There are so many sigh worthy moments, you can't help but fall in love with Thornton as played by Richard Armitage (what a hunk)! If you haven't seen it you need too! Of course I also love Pride and Prejudice and I do love the movie that Casey mentioned, The Magic of Ordinary Days. Chances are if it's a historical romance I've seen it LOL!
XOXO~ Renee
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com
I was gonna list P&P too. Both versions. (Not that I'm entering to win the contest I'm hosting, but you know.) 😉
Thanks, Julia! So glad my blog has been helpful!! I'm gearing up for another school year and always amazed at how God gets me through day by day!
And Katie, I just love Jane Austin movies too! I think I own most of them! They're actually my favorite to watch when I'm sick. Guess it's like comfort food for the mind! 🙂
I'd love a chance to win this book!!!
I have two favorite romance movies – I hope it's okay to have two! lol – and they are Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility!! They're both just SO good, idk which is better on my 'fav' lis I could watch the BBC versions ALL DAY LONG!!! 😀
legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com
No need to enter me for this one as I'm already planning to read it as soon as it gets here 🙂
Jody, as a new homeschooler, I am in awe of you!!! Your tips have been so helpful. I am a fly by the seat of the pants gal but learning to be organized I'm finding is such a necessity right now. Your blog has been so helpful to me.
Thank you for the chance to read this book, it looks like a great read.
herrins1@harneyesd.k12.or.us
I think this book looks so good! Favorite romance movie? Probably Loving Leah or Magic of Ordinary Days by Hallmark.
caseymh18(@)gmail(.)com
My favorite romance movie is While You Were Sleeping. Deep sigh.
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com
I would love to win this book.
My favorite romance movie is Ever After!
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com
I'm excited for your release, Jody!
Thanks for stopping by, everyone! I'm loving the movies you're all listing this morning! I haven't watched Robin Hood in ages. Thanks for the reminder on that one!
This book sound so good!
I have to pick just one??? I have so many favourite romance movies! haha =)
Umm, Young Victoria is one of my favourite movies as well! Watched that one twice and I want to watch it again! 🙂 Pride and Prejudice is also one of my favourites as is Fireproof. 🙂 I could go on, but I'll stop there! 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com
Hmm…my favorite romance movie would have to be Gone with the Wind.
Thanks for this chance!
Connie
Connieed53(at)aol (.)com
The book sounds great! My favorite romance moview would be Robin Hood, perfect mix of romance and action.
natalie_mclean1[at]yahoo.com