An inspirational Southern Historical with Threads of Romance
Emmajean Callaway’s life in Atlanta plummets from bad to worse. Can big brother, Jim, lead her back to the family who loves her and also hold the imploding Callaway family together?
Jim Callaway looks forward to 1951 and the chance to forge a relationship with Caroline after twenty years apart. He’s sidetracked when his sister and his best friend need his help. His baby sister, Emmajean, skids into jail on drug charges in Atlanta. The ordeal of incarceration and trial diminishes her and she needs rescuing, not only physically but spiritually. She struggles toward recovery and restoration with her lawyer’s help as he champions her inside and outside the courtroom. Jim’s nephew Joe is one step ahead of the truant officer, wrecks his car, and officials suspect alcohol is involved. Joe awaits his fate at the hands of the juvenile court judge. Jim and Caroline continue their bumpy journey as they seek realization of their dreams, wondering if they really can overcome obstacles to their being together after so many years.
1) How did this story come to you?
Beyond the Past is book #2 in the Caney Creek Series. The series is set in the Southern Appalachians of East Tennessee where I and my ancestors grew up. At annual family reunions as a little girl, I’d listen to my relatives’ stories about time before TV and air conditioning. All those stories stayed in my mind from year to year. Those stories needed to be told. This book is fiction but it came to me from listening to real people.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
The first book in the series, That Summer, started simmering in my head in the late 1990s. In 2001 I was diagnosed with a health problem that prevented me to write, either by hand or computer (this was before speak-to-type). I thought my writing career was over. In 2008, I regained ability to hold my fingers on the home keys of the computer and finished book #1 soon thereafter. But getting an agent or a publisher for a first time novelist seemed impossible. I discovered ACFW, joined, and found my publisher on ACFW’s list of recognized publishers. I couldn’t write That Summer and not have a book #2 so I wrote book #2, Beyond the Past.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Well, not much surprises folks these days, but here goes:I played varsity basketball in high school
I am claustrophobic
I chew my ice cream
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve begun book #3, Claiming Peace, in the Caney Creek Series. I hope to be able to start another series but that’s not settled yet.
5) Parting comments?
Dawn, it was my pleasure to visit with you and your readers on your blog. Thanks for having me.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website/blog: http://www.johuddleston.com
Dawn, thank you so much for having me for a visit with you and your readers.
ReplyDeleteOh, I learned something new about Jo today...well actually 3 things. lol. How does one chew ice cream?
ReplyDeleteI have That Summer on my TBR stack and so look forward to it and to Beyond the Past.
pat at ptbradley dot com
Pat, I chew real ice cream that they scoop and put on cones but not the soft serve or homemade ice cream--they melt too fast. Glad you have That Summer on your TBR stack. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteLoved "That Summer." Looking forward to reading, Beyond the Past. I'd love to win a copy of it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Judy B
Judy, thanks for coming by Dawn's blog and for leaving your comment. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteSorry to hear that you struggle with health issues, but glad you are able to write again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to enter the contest.
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Cindi, you're welcome. Thanks for stopping by Dawn's blog and reading the interview. Glad you came by and left your comment.
DeleteDo not enter me to win this book as I already have it in my tbr stack. But I wanted to say "Hi". I am enjoying getting to know this author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Dawn's blog and getting to know me better. I appreciate you having my book on your tbr stack. Thank you.
DeleteI enjoyed THAT SUMMER very much...thanks for the chance to read Jo's latest novel :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Hey Karen,thanks for coming by Dawn's blog and leaving your comment. So glad you enjoyed That Summer.
Delete'Beyond The Past', certainly sounds like a very inspirational book, that I would be thrilled to read! Please enter me in the free drawing. Thank you! And, Ms. Huddleston, I'm terribly claustrophobic also, especially with elevators and watching people on tv in confined places makes me sooo uncomfortable to the point of making me feel ill, such as when there is a tight scene in a spacecraft. God bless you and your writing career! Dawn
ReplyDeletecrashingoceanwaves@aol.com
Dawn, It's difficult to get past those claustrophobic feelings, isn't it. And, to think, when I was younger I wanted to be an astronaut. I would have never made it. Can't you see me up there pounding on the little window, "Get me out of here"? Thanks for your kind remarks. I love your email name and being at the ocean.
DeleteJo, it good to see you featured here. I am so looking forward to reading your books, but have been continuing to whittle away at my TBR pile.
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
Kay, glad you stopped by Dawn's blog. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI enjoy reminiscing about "the way it was" in the 50's & would enjoy reading your book - thanks for the opportunity to win one!
ReplyDeletebonnieroof60@yahoo.com
Bonnie, thanks for visiting Dawn's blog and leaving a comment. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteThe 1950's were a decade of great change. A time period you don't read a lot about. I look forward to reading BEYOND THE PAST.
ReplyDeleteI think chewing ice-cream would be an almost impossible feat.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Mary, not really if it's pralines and cream. Hope you get to read Beyond the Past.
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