Win a Book!

Thursday Thoughts on Reading and Writing

When you leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, June 16, 2013 you'll be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book mentioned 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. 


Hope from the Past by Joi Copeland

Our guest blogger today is Joi Copeland who is married, has three boys, and is living the dream in Denver, Colorado. Joi loves being a wife and mom and also enjoys spending time with friends over a good cup of coffee or tea. She's been a Christian for over twenty years and is the author of Hope for Tomorrow and Hope for the Journey. Joi has graciously given me a copy of her new novel, which one of the commenters will win.

JO: Please tell us a little about yourself.

JOI: I've been married for 14 years to a wonderful man and have three boys. We've lived in Denver for almost 5 years now, and I love it!

JO: What fun or unique things can you tell us about yourself that we don’t know?

JOI: I had an extra thumb on my right hand when I was born. My parents had it cut off, but it was so rare at that time that the doctor put it in his medical books.

JO: Please describe yourself with three words.

JOI: Funny, Christian, introvert

JO: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

JOI: Reading, drinking coffee, spending time with family and friends.

JO: How did you become involved in writing?

JOI: I've always loved writing. When I was younger, I wrote stories all of the time. My family sat me down one day in 2008 and told me it was time for me to write. I went to bed a few nights later and woke up with my first novel in my head, Hope for Tomorrow.

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

JOI: I normally sit in the corner of my couch with my laptop or go to Starbucks. :)

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

 

JOI: Nope. Sometimes it takes me a while.

JO: Please tell us about Hope from the Past.

JOI: My newest title is Hope from the Past.  It's the third and final book in my Hope series. Arthur Hendrickson is running from his past while Steven Sorenson plans his future, and his dad, Jake, just wants to treasure each moment with his wife before the inevitable happens. Three men, three lives, three stories combined into one.

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

JOI: Hope. That's what I desire for this series.

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

JOI: My father was in Vietnam. This book is dedicated to him.

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

JOI: A little bit. I had the opportunity of doing research for Emily's cancer and my dad's time in Vietnam.

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

JOI: I've been writing since 2008. My first book was contracted in 2010. :)

JO: What advice would you give to writers who have been writing a few years but still haven’t interested an agent or publisher in their novel?

JOI: Don't give up! God has a plan and a purpose.

JO: What are you working on now?

JOI: I'm working on When Mercy Found Me and Sunshine in Spring. When Mercy Found Me deals with a woman who will never get married and the struggles she has. Sunshine in Spring is the sequel to Christmas Rayne. It's a novella.

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

JOI: Join a critique group! They are so vital.

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

JOI: You can get any of my books on Amazon.com.

JO: Please tell our readers where they can find you online.

JOI: You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog.

JO: Thanks for visiting with my readers today. And thank you for giving me a copy of your new book, which one of the commenters to this post will win in a drawing.

Remember: leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, June 16, 2013 and you'll be entered in the drawing for a copy of Hope from the Past by Joi Copeland. 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.