C.M. Jones' "He Left Me"

We're happy to have C.M. Jones with us today talking about her book, He Left Me. To learn more about C.M. and her book, read on!

Title: He Left Me

Publisher: HortonJones, Inc.

Cover blurb: “I need ice, coffee, and milk, and don’t forget the chopper, Jessu.” It’s the middle of the summer in Ghana, West Africa and boy is it hot today. It’s almost 38°C. Although, yesterday wasn’t so bad, it was only 32°C. I made coffee cakes early this morning before the sun became too hot and boy am I glad that I did. More than that, I’m fortunate that at 32 years old, I am so skilled in the kitchen. Not because it’s uncommon amongst my people, because in Africa before you become a married woman, with five children such as myself, cooking is only one of the many things that you’re able to do well. I’m fortunate however because my mother passed away when I was 13 years old, she had AIDS.

1) How did this story come to you?

I first wrote it as a short story for a writing contest. When I saw the contest I spoke with my husband/manager about the idea that I had for the story and he said, “write about something that will take the readers by surprise, infidelity is so common,” and so I did. After all, the destruction of marriage is not always about infidelity. The readers of the short story loved it so much that I decided to turn it into a novel.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
 This is my third published book and I have to say by far it was the most difficult but only because I seemed to have so many other things going on. Also, I lost my uncle, my father’s brother who helped to raise me when my father passed on, right at the time when I was supposed to do the final edit. With so much going on I pushed the date back to February 25 which is my father’s birthday and symbolic of the relationship that I had with my uncle. I can only attribute all of the obstacles to the impact that God must have planned for this book to change people’s lives because that is why I write in the first place. It is my mission to help change lives through the power of Jesus Christ.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
My family owns HortonJones, Inc., an independent publishing company, I live in Germany on a military base and I’m a high school teacher.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Well I have quite a few manuscript ideas but I am getting ready to take a break from writing to work on my Doctorate degree. While working on my doctorate I will continue to promote the three books that are published and maybe write a poetry e-book.

5) Parting comments?
To all aspiring authors, keep writing! Your dream is only a few keystrokes away. Also pick up a copy of my first two books, I Still Do and Nothing Is Too Hard For God. It’s a series that you will love. The books are available in a few U.S. bookstores and libraries as well as www.Amazon.com and www.Barnesandnoble.com

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.cmjonestheauthor.com/ and www.facebook.com/cmjonestheauthor