Author Jo Huddleston

Sweet Southern Romance

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Win a Book!

Thursday Thoughts on Reading and Writing

When you leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, April 21, 2013 you'll be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book I review below. If you mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left column “Join This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I’ll add your name a second time in the drawing. You must be eighteen, have a U.S. mailing address, void where prohibited. You can read details about my book giveaways at Disclaimers.


Terri by Sharon Srock


Our guest today is Sharon Srock and she has graciously offered a copy of her book to the winner of a random drawing from commenters to this blog post. Sharon lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday school teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s debut novel, The Women of Valley View: Callie, released in October 2012. The second in the series, The Women of Valley View: Terri releases in April 2013.

JO: Welcome, Sharon. Please describe yourself with three words.

SHARON: Determined, Organized, Busy

JO: Please tell us a little about your novel, Terri.

SHARON: A day care worker hungry for a family of her own falls for a writer with all the family he needs.

Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.

Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child.  She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.

Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive Kelsey’s family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve? Or does God have another plan in store?

JO: Is Terri’s character based on any “real live” person?

SHARON: Nope. You will find me in Terri’s struggle to accept God’s will in her life, but she’s her own person.

JO: Tell us about your journey to getting this book published.
SHARON: Writing Callie (the first book in the series) was such a compulsion for me. I couldn’t get away from it, and I did try. I thought once it was “out of my system” things would go back to normal in my organized little life. I thought that all the way up to the morning I woke up with Terri’s whole story in my head. I was pretty convinced I was going crazy. Told some friends that “I quit”. That lasted about 24 hours.

JO: What takeaway value do you want your readers to have?

SHARON: That God knows our beginning and our end. That just because the path may look different than we imagined, it’s the final destination that counts.

JO: What novel have you recently read that impressed you that both teens and adults could enjoy?

SHARON: Vanished by Irene Hannon. Great suspense for all ages.

JO: I have a list of my 5 favorite novels I’ve read. Please tell us your 5 favorite novels of all time.

SHARON:
To Kill a Mocking Bird
I love the legend of Merlin and Arthur. This is a 4 book series by Mary Stewart that for me defines the “history” of these characters.
The Crystal Cave
The Hollow Hills
The Last Enchantment
The Wicked Day

JO: What people have inspired you in your writing career?

SHARON: My critique partner, Robin Patchen.
My good friend, Kaye Whiteman. She has been my chief cheerleader, prayer warrior, and designated encourager since I first picked up a pencil.

JO: If you could have dinner with one person from today or history who would it be?

SHARON: Merlin

JO: What do you find the most enjoyable about writing?

SHARON: The whole process amazes me. There are parts I don’t like (rewriting & editing) but watching words become characters and worlds, watching readers enjoy what God and I created…
What’s not to love?

JO: Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

SHARON: Find a critique partner. Writing is not a solitary journey. Find someone that understands you and work together.

JO: Where can readers find you online?

 SHARON:
Visit my BLOG.
Connect with me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
Find me on Goodreads.

JO: Where can readers purchase Terri?

SHARON: 
Here are purchase links for the eBook version of Terri:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Pelican book group


JO: Any parting comment?

SHARON: There is also a free 39-page PDF file that my publisher and I put together to introduce my women to readers. It can be downloaded here.

JO:  Sharon, thank you for spending time with my readers today and telling us about Terri. One of my readers will win the random drawing for a copy of Terri.

Remember: leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, April 21, 2013 and you'll be entered in the drawing for a copy of Terri by Sharon Srock. You must be eighteen, have a U.S. mailing address, void where prohibited. Please, please remember to leave your email address so that should you be the winner I can get in touch with you for your mailing address. I’ll announce the winner in Monday’s blog.
Till next time ... keep on smiling.
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50 comments:

  1. SharonApril 18, 2013 at 5:31 AM

    Jo, thanks for hosting me today. I look forward to visiting with your readers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 18, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    Sharon,your book seems to speak for a lot of women now who want a family of thier own but due to things beyond thier control can't have one! Love to win your book! e-mail is sheliarha64@yahoo.com Shelia Hall

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 4:46 PM

      Shelia, thanks for coming by and reading about Terri and leaving your comment.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 18, 2013 at 4:55 PM

      Shelia, I hope my books will touch women on many levels. Good luck!

      Delete
  3. UnknownApril 18, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    If you really like stories about Merlin and Arthur, you should try watching the tv show, Merlin, on the Syfy channel. It is really enjoyable. Thanks for having the giveaway. I'm a follower by email.

    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 4:47 PM

      Rose, you're welcome. Thanks so much for being a follower of my blog. Glad you came by and left your comment.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 18, 2013 at 4:57 PM

      Rose, I've heard of the show, but I have so little time for TV theses days. Maybe there will be a DVD set I can watch here and there at some point. Good luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 18, 2013 at 3:52 PM

    Sounds like a good book. Thanks for another giveaway.

    I am a follower.

    deamundy(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 4:49 PM

      Deanna, you're welcome. Thanks for coming by and reading about Terri and leaving your comment. I appreciate you being a follower of my blog.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 18, 2013 at 4:58 PM

      Deanna, I hope you enjoy if you get the chance to win it.

      Delete
  5. squiresjApril 18, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    I have attempted to win one of your books in more than one place. I would love to win, get to know you as an author, review the book, and share it with someone.
    jrs362 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SharonApril 18, 2013 at 6:58 PM

      I hope you'll take advantage of the free PDF and read the books, even if you don't win. Good luck.

      Delete
    2. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 9:11 PM

      Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousApril 18, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    Jo, thanks for having Sharon. I love her blog. I would love to win her new book, Terri as a gift for my daughter. Thanks! I am a follower of this blog and I commented on MOn.'s blog. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 9:12 PM

      Maxie, you're welcome. I so appreciate you being a follower of my blog. Thanks for leaving your comment. I got you down for that extra entry because you commented on my Monday blog--character interviews from my book.

      Delete
  7. SharonApril 18, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    Hi, Maxie, always great to see you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. karenkApril 18, 2013 at 7:42 PM

    thanks for the chance to read terri's story :)

    i'm a follower, too!

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 9:12 PM

      Karen, so glad you're a follower! Glad you came by and left your comment.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 5:18 AM

      Karen, Good luck!!!

      Delete
  9. AnonymousApril 18, 2013 at 8:34 PM

    Would be awesome to win. Bonnie Traher momtr3@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 9:13 PM

      Bonnie, thanks so much for stopping by to read about Terri and leave your comment.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 5:19 AM

      Bonnie, thanks for taking the time to say hello.

      Delete
  10. Patricia BradleyApril 18, 2013 at 9:00 PM

    Thanks, Jo, for letting us get to know Sharon better. I'm completely opposite Sharon when it comes to rewriting and editing. lol. I keep telling myself, I can't edit what I haven't written.
    Terri sounds like a great book.
    I'm a follower. pat at ptbradley dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 18, 2013 at 9:14 PM

      Pat, you're welcome. Thanks for coming by to meet Terri and Sharon and leaving your comment. I appreciate you being a follower of my blog.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 5:20 AM

      Pat, thanks for much for stopping by today

      Delete
  11. Wanda (A Book Lover's Retreat)April 18, 2013 at 9:21 PM

    HI Jo! Hope all is well. Your book sounds great Sharon and I'd love to read it. Thank you for the opportunity!

    Wanda Barefoot
    Flghtlss1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 5:21 AM

      Wanda, I hope you'll find the time to enjoy my stories, winner or not. Good luck!

      Delete
    2. Jo HuddlestonApril 19, 2013 at 1:37 PM

      Wanda, thank you, and hope you are well also. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.

      Delete
  12. UnknownApril 18, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    Thanks for a great post Jo and Sharon and the giveaway.

    mitziUBDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 5:22 AM

      Good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
    2. Jo HuddlestonApril 19, 2013 at 1:37 PM

      Marianne, you're welcome. Thanks for coming by and reading about Terri and Sharon. Also thanks for leaving your comment.

      Delete
  13. jojoApril 19, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    Love that Sharon's goal for readers is the fact that "God knows our beginning and our end". Our life is written by Him, we see one page at a time and He knows the "finale" and everything in between. I haven't had the privilege of reading her books,but will in the future after reading the interview. Thanks for the giveaway and I signed up to be a follower of you Jo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 19, 2013 at 1:52 PM

      JoJo, So glad you've found a new author you like. I appreciate you signing up to be a follower of my blog!

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 4:59 PM

      Jo Jo, Our lives would be so much easier if we let God do the steering! I hope you enjoy my stories when you get the chance,

      Delete
  14. Carrie Fancett PagelsApril 19, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    Fascinating interview, Jo! Thanks for telling us more about yourself and your story, Sharon! Many blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 19, 2013 at 1:53 PM

      Carrie, I'm glad you came by and read about Terri and Sharon. Thanks for leaving your comment.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 5:00 PM

      Carrie, thanks for stopping by. We're just blogging around together. :)

      Delete
  15. AnonymousApril 19, 2013 at 4:55 PM

    I have not read any of Sharon's books. I'd love to read this one. Martha

    marthamusic@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SharonApril 19, 2013 at 5:01 PM

      Martha, I hope you find the time to read both Callie and Terri. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

      Delete
    2. Jo HuddlestonApril 20, 2013 at 8:37 AM

      Martha, thanks for reading my blog and learning about Terri. Glad you left a comment.

      Delete
  16. AnonymousApril 19, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    Oops, I left out part of my e-mail. It's marthamusic17@aol.com. Sorry. Martha I signed up to be a follower.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 20, 2013 at 8:37 AM

      Martha, I appreciate you signing up to be a follower of my blog!

      Delete
  17. rubynrebaApril 19, 2013 at 7:26 PM

    Thanks for the chance to win this book. I've heard great things about this!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 20, 2013 at 8:38 AM

      Hi, glad you came by to read about Terri. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
    2. SharonApril 20, 2013 at 11:17 PM

      Pat, you made me smile. I Love it when people say good things about my women.

      Delete
  18. AnonymousApril 21, 2013 at 12:43 AM

    THANKS FOR THE REVIEW OF THIS BOOK! IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD READ.THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY.I ALSO DO NOT HAVE A FAMILY OF MY OWN. IM A FOLLOWER OF THE BLOG. SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 21, 2013 at 10:33 AM

      Shelley, you're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the book review. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. I appreciate so much you being a follower.

      Delete
  19. SharonApril 21, 2013 at 7:40 AM

    Thanks for taking the time for a visit. Good luck in the drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Martha J. SturmApril 21, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    Excited to download the pdf file. I am new to your writing. so even if I win your latest book, I will be purchasing the other one. Good luck in your writing.
    josieringer@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo HuddlestonApril 21, 2013 at 7:03 PM

      Martha, glad you came by and discovered an author new to you. Thanks for leaving your comment.

      Delete

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