Monday, November 19, 2012

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.

22 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this interview with JoAnn. I learned a couple of new things about her. She is a great author and I am looking forward to reading Meet Me Under The Mistletoe.
    I have read her other books "Awakening", "Second Time Around" and I just finished "Twin Hearts". These are wonderful reads. I encourage everyone to read these books. You won't be disappointed.

    Blessings!
    Judy
    judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Just caught your review of Twin Hearts, Judy. Thank you so much, my friend! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. May you and yours enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  2. This will be my first book by this author. JoAnn sounds like an author that has gun writing her books making them more enjoyable by the readers. I would love to win this book

    Thanks

    Cathy Weber
    Cdweber20@hotmail.com

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    1. Hi Cathy and thanks for leaving a comment! You know, I have a blast writing my books and I like to think I bring that spirit into my stories, as well as some drama and emotion and lots of romance. Blessings to you this Thanksgiving week!

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  3. thanks for the chance to win this book

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Blessings at Thanksgiving.

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  4. Blessings to You JoAnn this Thanksgiving.
    I love reading your books. Would love to be a winner.
    Carolyn
    carolynj63@att.net

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    Replies
    1. Hi Carolyn! Thanks so much for being one of my readers. I treasure your comments. May you enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving with your family.

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  5. I would love to win this book.Love your books.Thanks.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jackie. I appreciate your stopping by and leaving a comment. Always love, love, LOVE (did I say love?) to hear from readers! Many blessings to you during this special time of year.

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  6. I love JoAnn's books d old would love to read this one!

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    1. Hi Edwina! Trust me, you will read this one, my friend. And schedule time in your busy holiday schedule for Amy's story in Daydreams. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Blessings.

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  7. I also "adore" Christmas stories!
    cllyrics@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Cynthia! I hope you'll get a chance to read Meet Me Under the Mistletoe and meet my Jake and Julia! I adore Christmas stories, too, and had a ball with this one. Blessings to you!

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  8. Great interview and I am a sucker
    for Christmas love stories. It is
    just a time of love no matter
    what you may go through. I believe
    each of us should do something
    to bless someone in need whether,
    physically or spiritually.
    Pass on the Love of Jesus.
    ybutler@oppcatv.com

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    Replies
    1. I wholeheartedly agree! My firefighter Jake in the story fixes toys for kids at Christmas (as his father did before him) and serves his small Iowa town in mamy ways on an ongoing basis, and his love interest is a pediatric nurse. It's important to show characters who invest themselves in others, and not only during the holiday season. Many blessings to you, and thanks so much for the comments!

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  9. Looking forward to reading one of your books - please enter me in the giveaway! Thanks!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Bonnie, and thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I hope you get to read one of my books soon. Blessings at Thanksgiving!

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  10. MEET ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE looks absolutely wonderful. I'm no good with numbers, so hats off to you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  11. Thanks for leaving a comment, Mary! Tell you a secret: I've never considered myself that great with numbers, either. I'm grateful I have the accounting department on our floor and programs that automatically perform some of the calculations. It's just up to me to gather all the numbers and know which schedules to put them on! Many blessings to you.

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  12. Such a sweet sounding story line!! I would enjoy reading your new book "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe". Thank you for the free book giveaway! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! -Dawn
    crashingoceanwaves@aol.com

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  13. Thanks, Dawn. Meet Me Under the Mistletoe has a lot of my characteristic humor and some really fun, quirky characters (even a conconcurrent "senior" romance between cranky Ben Picasso and Miss Caroline). Lots of smiles and sweet moments in this one. Blessings to you and your family as well, Dawn, at Thanksgiving and during the wonderful Christmas season!

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