Jody Hedlund ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 6 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details, the rules are a little different this time!*

Today author Jody Hedlund is telling us about her new book, The Preacher's Bride (October 2010). She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Author's bio:
Jody Hedlund is a debut historical romance novelist who was a double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest in Historical Romance. 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.

Welcome, Jody! Tell us about your salvation experience.

I grew up in a Christian family as a PK (Pastor’s Kid). My mom and dad led me to an early understanding of what it meant to know and follow the Lord. There were many ups and downs during my growing up years, and ultimately it was during my college years at Taylor University that I committed my entire life over to serving God and following his purposes and plans for me.

Are you:

A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
Scheduled. Committed. Diligent.

Stubborn, or compliant?
Those closest to me might call me stubborn. :)

Organized or completely chaotic?
I try to be organized, but with 5 kids it doesn’t always happen.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
First I stress out and cry. Then I go to my husband, who is much calmer and level-headed than me, and he usually fixes the problem for me. Case in point, just this past weekend, my laptop unexpectedly shut off during the middle of my writing time while I was at the library. I stressed, tried not to cry, and then quickly drove home and handed the defunct laptop into his hands. Within an hour he had it fixed. And I was one happy wife. :)

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
I love that I’m driven. It helps me to push myself to succeed. But there are also times when I wish I wasn’t so driven. I often push myself too hard, lose sleep, and don’t take care of myself the way I should.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I eat pie for breakfast. Yep. Anytime there’s pie in the house, I indulge myself in a piece for breakfast, especially if it has fruit in it of any kind because then I’m getting a couple servings of fruit.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
I find it difficult to objectively compare myself to other authors. But my publisher has compared my writing to Lynn Austin, Francine Rivers, and Liz Curtis Higgs. The romance in my books is PG-13. It’s on the sweeter side, but I’ve told my twin daughters (age 11) that they have to wait to read my book until they’re a little older.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
The Doctor’s Lady is scheduled to release in September of 2011 and is another “inspired-by” novel. It’s a fictionalized story based on the first white woman to travel overland West to Oregon as a missionary to the natives. It’s a marriage of convenience story, but also the tale of how a young woman overcame the odds, endured a dangerous journey, and found true love along the way. In the process, her strength and courage paved the way for all of the women who came after her.

How can readers get in contact with you?

Website: http://jodyhedlund.com/

Blog: http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Author Jody Hedlund

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JodyHedlund

Email: JodyHedlund@JodyHedlund.com

Book blurb:

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 housekeeper 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.

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
I love connecting with readers! Please take a minute to stop by my Author Facebook Page and say hi or send me an email via my Connect Page on my blog.

~~~~~

*USA residents only, please*

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of The Preacher's Bride!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+4 Comment on my interview with Janice Hanna, following the guidelines listed IN THAT POST. This will get you FOUR entries into this giveaway.
**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (October 22) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (October 28). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 29th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.