JoAnn Durgin's "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe"

Title: Meet Me under the Mistletoe
Publisher: Pelican Group Ventures/White Rose Publishing, November 2012

Cover blurb: Captain Jacob Marston, Starlight, Iowa's wounded hometown hero, made a long ago promise to the Lord: he won't kiss a woman until he knows she's "the one" he'll marry. Now, at age twenty-eight, the rugged firefighter questions if it'll ever happen. Then he meets his best friend's sister, Julia Sinclair, and Jake believes he's found the woman of his dreams—but she’s promised to another. When Julia makes an unexpected confession on Christmas Day, Jake shares his secret with her, and it looks as though happily-ever-after will make a holiday appearance. But somehow, everyone in the tiny town learns Jake's secret and he's transformed from town hero to laughingstock. Did Julia reveal his secret? Can Jake and Julia find their way under the mistletoe for a forever kiss?    Theme verse: Psalm 62:1-2

1) How did this story come to you?
It’s based in part on my love story with my husband, Jim, the inspiration for Jake Marston and his vow to the Lord. As I say in the book’s dedication, I’m so thankful Jim kept that special promise. Since the hero is a firefighter, I spent 3-1/2 hours one summer evening with my local firefighters, and the book is also dedicated to them and others around the country. They, and all public servants, are true heroes: selfless, humble and the solid backbone of America.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Intrigued by the idea of writing a shorter novel and because I adore Christmas stories, I decided to try and pen one. I submitted the proposal in the spring and received the e-mail from my editor, Fay Lamb, on May 1, 2012, that Meet Me under the Mistletoe had been accepted for White Rose’s 2012 Holiday Extravaganza of holiday stories. The first day of May in 2010 was also the day I received my very first publishing contract for my debut novel, Awakening (Torn Veil Books).

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
(1) I work with numbers most of the day in my paralegal position (doing estate tax and inheritance tax returns); I used to question how I ended up doing this work, but I think it fuels my creativity for words during my after-work hours.
(2) I’ve never had writer’s block and hope saying this “out loud” doesn’t bring it on!
(3) I was the one who bought the Saturday Night Fever album and helped teach others the line dances; we’d line up along the long hallway in my freshman dorm (yes, I’m that old, believe it or not) and boogie the night away. Wore that album out, but it was sure fun.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Daydreams, Book #4 in The Lewis Legacy Series (Torn Veil Books) releases in about three weeks and definitely in time for holiday reading enjoyment.

5) Parting comments?
I hope readers will have the opportunity to pick up some of the Holiday Extravaganza titles from favorite and new (like me) White Rose authors. I’ve read most of them, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend a cold winter’s afternoon—in the midst of holiday shopping, decorating, baking—than cozying up with a blanket, a favorite hot beverage and one of these heartwarming, romantic novellas. They are such wonderful stories of love, faith and family.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’d love for readers to visit my website at www.joanndurgin.com and I’m on Facebook.