Meet the Last Character For Now

I want you to get to know some of the characters of my novel Claiming Peace, Book 3 in the Caney Creek Series. This is the last interview of characters in Claiming Peace. You can leave comments if you want. I think this might help you when you read my novel to know how these characters feel as they move through the story. If you leave a comment on this blog that is totally related to the interview I'll give you an extra entry in the next Thursday book drawing.

Today I’m talking with Callie Gray in Newton, Tennessee.

Hello, Callie. Is Arthur Gray your husband?

Yes, he is.

Are Jennifer and Art Gray your children?

Yes. They are blessings from God.

I’ve talked with them. They seem to be good kids.

They are. We’ve had a little trouble with Art but we think that’s all behind us. And Jennifer has given us no problems at all – yet.

I understand you’re related to Jim Callaway who owns the hosiery mill.

That’s correct. Jim married my sister, Louisa. She died when their daughter, Lynn, was two years old. Besides us, Jim has a lot of family and friends here. We all helped him raise Lynn and now she’s in college at Knoxville.

I believe you have a college student at your house as well. How’s Art doing?

Such a turnaround he’s made. He’s doing well in college. That’s especially significant since he admitted to hating high school. He’s studying now and even his personality has changed for the better.

Good news like that is always welcome. However, Arthur and the children tell me you’re dealing with some personal health problems. They didn’t go into any details but how are you doing?

I’ll give you a few details. Last spring a neurologist is Birmingham diagnosed me with a rare, progressive brain disease. There is no known cause and no known cure. The doctor tells me my disease is progressing faster than he expected.

I’m sorry you’re experiencing that.

Thank you. I have good days and bad days, just like everyone else. The family and I just take it day by day. My family and friends are being helpful.

Yes, I spoke with Emmajean who said she and Caroline were spending time with you.

That’s right. I’m grateful for their help. Everyone in our family is eager to help when I’m having a bad day. A bad day for me is when I lose my balance so badly that I fall. It’s really humiliating to depend on help at a time like that.

It probably is. But those around you want to help. They expect you to call on them when you need them. I hope you will do that.

I’ve promised them I will. I don’t know how long it will take for the end to get here. That’s why it’s so important for my family and me to take each day as it comes and pray for God’s strength and comfort for what lies ahead.

Callie, you have such an upbeat attitude. I can hear it in your voice. I hope you have many good days ahead.

Thank you. By the way, that’s Arthur and me on the cover of the book.

The winner of last Thursday's blog post for a copy of Crossfire by Jodie Bailey is rubynreba. I'll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

If you have any suggestions for content of my Monday blog posts, please leave them in the comment section below.

Till next time … keep on smiling.

Book Drawing

When you leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, December 29, 2013 you'll be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book I mention 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.

Crossfire by Jodie Bailey

Our guest today is Jodie Bailey. Jodie is an Army wife, a mom, and a teacher who believes Mountain Dew, dark chocolate and a trip to the Outer Banks will cure all ills. In her spare time, she reads cookbooks, rides motorcycles, and searches for the perfect cup of coffee. She is the author of Freefall and Crossfire, from Love Inspired Suspense, and Quilted by Christmas, coming from Abindgon Press in October 2014.  Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband and her daughter.

Welcome, Jodie. What fun or unique things can you tell us about yourself?

    I’ve lived in 26 houses/apartments in my lifetime, not including various college dorm rooms.  May I never move again!

    My cousin and I play a “game” where he gives me a word or object that has NOTHING to do with my whatever book I’m writing, and I have to find a way to work it in.  So far, it’s been radiative transfer, giant robots, and graupel.

Please describe yourself with three words.

loud, quiet, curious

If you could have dinner with one person from today or history (except Jesus), who would it be? Why?

Mark Twain.  I’m honestly curious to see if he sounds anything like Hal Holbrook. Seriously though, don’t you know that would be an awesome conversation?  He had so many stories and so much wit, it would not be boring!    

Please tell us about Crossfire.

Crossfire is the story of Andrea Donovan and Josh Walker.  Andrea is a counselor working with addicted soldiers, trying to assuage the guilt she feels over her brother’s death from a PTSD-induced heroin overdose.  Josh was her brother’s best friend, and he has his own guilt and secret about the night her brother died.  When one of Andrea’s soldiers—who is also in Josh’s unit—vanishes, she has to team up with Josh to find out why he disappeared.  In the meantime, someone is stalking Andrea and threatening her livelihood.  What is happening in Columbus, GA that centers around Andrea’s counseling center? And why is someone willing to kill to keep it quiet?   

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

We have members of our military who come home from war with “silent wounds.”  Some get the help they need, but many suffer in silence or turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate.  Our military men and women need our understanding and our support.  After I finished Crossfire, it hit home because I lost a former student to a drug overdose after he came back from Iraq.  He had a family who loved him, friends who supported him… but in the end, the pain was too great.  Real help is needed for our [military] men and women.

Please tell our readers where they can get your book.

In January, it will be on store shelves in many chain stores. And it’s always online at CBD and Amazon!

Please tell our readers where they can find you online.

www.jodiebailey.com

https://www.facebook.com/writerjodiebailey

twitter.com/jodiebailey

Any parting comment?

Thanks for having me!  I really enjoyed it!

Jodie, thanks for visiting with my readers and me. Thank you for offering a copy of Crossfire that one of the commenters to this blog post will win in a random drawing.

Remember: leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, December 29, 2013 and you'll be entered in the drawing for a copy of  Crossfire by Jodie Bailey. Please, please remember to leave your email address. I’ll need your email address so that should you be the winner I can get in touch with you. I’ll announce the winner in Monday’s blog. Please leave any suggestions you have for Monday blogs in the comment section below. Thanks.

The winner of last Thursday’s blog post appeared in this past Monday’s blog. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

Till next time … keep on smiling.

Meet the Characters

I want you to get to know some of the characters of my novel Claiming Peace, Book 3 in the Caney Creek Series. For several Mondays I’ll interview one of the characters and you can leave comments if you want. I think this might help you when you read my novel to know how these characters feel as they move through the story. If you leave a comment on this blog that is totally related to the interview I'll give you an extra entry in the next Thursday book drawing.

There is one last character I want you to meet--next week. As a favor to me, please think about what you'd like to see in my future Monday blogs. I plan to continue doing book giveaways on Thursdays. I'd appreciate some ideas from you as to what you'd enjoy reading on Mondays. Please leave your thoughts on this in the comment section any time for the next three blog posts. Thank you.

Today I’m talking with Art Gray in Newton, Tennessee.

Hello, Art. I talked with Arthur Gray a while back. Is he your father?

Yes, ma’am, he is.

And I remember talking recently with your sister, Jennifer. According you her, your family is related to the Callaway family in a roundabout way.

That’s right. We’re included in all their times together. I really like my Under Jim. I’m really kin to him through my mother’s side of the family. I don’t really know much about it, just what I hear them talk about.

What is it about your Uncle Jim that you like?

He’s just a good guy—all the time. My senior year in high school I got into a heap of trouble. When I had to stand before the juvenile judge, Uncle Jim was there with us. He couldn’t do anything about changing the law in my favor but it was good to know he was there backing me.

Art, did you get out of your trouble without too much trouble?

Well, it’s a really long story. Just let me say this: It’s the best thing that ever happened to me when that judge sent me to a residency rehabilitation place. See, I hated school and anybody who told me what to do. The place where he sent me was great for me. My counselor there, Amy, knew how to get me turned around. She worked with my high school to get my school work with her verified and I got my diploma.

Congratulations. I’m glad you received your high school diploma.

That’s not really all the story. The ending up to now is that I’m enrolled in a small 4-year college near here. Amy convinced me that my future was up to me. I could study or not, but I had to choose. So, I’ve had two years of college and my sister is probably going to enroll in my college also.

When I spoke with Jennifer she mentioned that. Y’all seem to get along well.

Yes, ma’am, we do.

Art, you look sad. What’s bothering you?

Our mom is very sick . . . she will probably never get well. I didn’t know about it until I returned from the rehabilitation place. I was sure my juvenile, stupid ways had caused her to get sick. But Mom assures me that I was wrong. We’re all trying to be helpful to her around the house—even Dad.

I’m sure your mom appreciates your help. Maybe with everyone’s help, she will get well.

The doctor says she won’t. But she doesn’t want us to see her when she is really sick. During those times she stays in her bedroom.

Well, whether you mom gets better or not, it’s good that your family is with her and wants to help her get through her illness.

Yes, ma’am, we do.

The winner of last Thursday's blog post for a copy of On a Summer Night by Diane Dean White is MaryB. I'll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

Till next time … keep on smiling.

Book Drawing

When you leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, December 22, 2013 you'll be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book I mention 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. 

On a Summer Night by Diane Dean White

Our guest blogger today is Diane Dean White, author of On a Summer Night. Diane started her writing career at an early age when she asked for a typewriter for Christmas. She pounded the keys writing poetry and short stories in grade school on an old black Royal manual. It wasn’t until her husband’s work took them to a Southern town she wrote her first column, “Yankee Viewpoint’s” for a local newspaper, covering hard news and feature stories in the area. Upon returning to their home-state of Michigan, she did stringer work, ancestral history, and donor appeal letters for non-profit organizations; while doing her favorite job ever, a stay-at-home Mom. She is the author of Beach Walks and Carolina in the Morning. Diane was a columnist for a weekly magazine, for four years, and her stories have appeared in a number of magazines and books. She is the author of over three-hundred short stories. Her book, newly released, On a Summer Night, is a story of suspense and romance. She and hubby, Stephen, have been married for forty-one years, and they are the parents of three grown children and three grand-gals. Diane thanks the Lord daily for her loving husband, three great kids and for giving her the desires of her heart.

What fun or unique things can you tell us about yourself?

I love antiques, and have a tea-cup collection from early years and trips to Canada with my grandmother and mother. I also collect miniature slippers and colorful eggs, and thimbles. The thimbles started after I wrote a story,
“Grandma’s Thimble.” Two of our three grown children live overseas, and they bring thimbles from all over their travels. It’s amazing what started as a special find one day, and what a small thimble turned into. J Check it out on my website.

Please describe yourself with three words.

Loyal, Loving, Caring (I asked my husband)

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

Reading and talking with our children and grand-gals; our daughter, her hubby and girl’s are in Shanghai, China for a few years, and our youngest son and wife are serving in Sochi, Russia. Our oldest son is a few states away, so we are truly empty nesters. I sure look forward to SKYPES and phone calls!

If you could have dinner with one person from today or history (except Jesus), who would it be? Why?

Maybe King Solomon…and ask him how he became so wise!

Please tell us about On a Summer night..

On a Summer Night seems the right words to describe a story that sadly continues to take place today. It starts out in the late 60s with two college-bound girls taking a trip to FL for two weeks, and what they encounter shortly after their arrival. After a few chapters it comes to present day, and goes in various directions to bring a conclusion for readers.

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

It doesn’t matter how old we are or what we’ve done in our life that we think is bad, God is always willing to forgive; we only have to ask Him. Years can be lost holding a hurt or not opening up and sharing our deepest desires with Him. I hope readers see the reality and beauty of new beginnings when we trust in the Lord. 

Please tell our readers where they can get your book.

It’s available at all online booksellers, here are two:

On a Summer Night: Diane Dean White: 9781936746682: Amazon.com: Books  

On a Summer Night by Diane Dean White | 9781936746682 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble

Please tell our readers where they can find you online.

Visit Diane on her website at www.DianeDeanWhite.com

Also at: http://simplepleasureswithdiane.weebly.com/

Diane’s ministry, Seeds of Encouragement, for hurting people: http://www.dianedeanwhite.com/seedsofencouragement.html

Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diane.d.white.75?ref=tn_tnmn

Youtube video, click below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gBYBDf5jm4

Any parting comment?

Thank you so much Jo, for the opportunity to share my new release with your readers. This has been a great experience for me with my book, and I want to wish you and yours a beautiful Christmas celebration.

Thank you, Diane, for spending some time with us and for offering a copy of your book to the winner drawn among my commenters.

Remember: leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, December 22, 2013 and you'll be entered in the drawing for a copy of On a Summer Night by Diane Dean White. Please, please remember to leave your email address. I’ll need your email address so that should you be the winner I can get in touch with you. I’ll announce the winner in Monday’s blog.

The winner of last Thursday’s blog post appeared in this past Monday’s blog. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

Till next time … keep on smiling.