Spotlight of June Foster’s Dreams Deferred....

We’re happy to have June Foster with us today talking about her novel Dreams Deferred. To learn more about June and her book, read on! 

Frances Matthew Hall is obedient to family tradition: all firstborn sons will serve as a priest. Now Matt officiates at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. But when on Easter Sunday, he notices a beautiful young woman who takeshis breath away, he must fight against his attraction to her or leave the priesthood and alienate his entire family.

Mary Louise Graham is a middle school teacher and devout catholic. Yet no amount of service to the community can ease the heavy load of guilt she carries. God can never forgive her unspeakable mistake. But when Father Matt tells her about a forgiving God through His son Jesus Christ, she's free. Only thing, the Godly priest now means more to her than he should.

Can two people find their way to each other amidst insurmountable obstacles? Dreams Deferred is inspired by the author's great grandfather and great grandmother's story.

Short blurb:

Father Matt Hall wants to serve the Lord. School teacher Mary Louise Graham needs freedom from her unforgivable past. They never expect to fall in love.

The Story Behind the Story

Dreams Deferred is inspired by the true-to-life story of my great grandfather and great grandmother. I chose to set it in contemporary times, nevertheless, I borrowed many of the story elements from the true story.

Frances Mathew Halbedl grew up in the European Austrian Empire and followed tradition in which the oldest son became a priest in his family's Catholic faith. After being ordained in Moravia, he immigrated to the United States in 1866 to serve in a parish in the state of Louisiana.

My aunt and mother always told the story of how one Sunday while saying mass, he spotted a young teen, much younger than my Mary Louise. He waited several years for her to grow up then stepped down from the priesthood to marry her. I wish I knew some of those rich details of their courtship, but since I don't, I fictionalized their romance.

They later moved to San Antonio, Texas, and had five children, three girls and two boys—Ida, Mamie, Alice, Roy, and Clifton, who was my grandfather. Just for fun in one scene, I imagined that Matt had a dream he was riding in a car with Mary Louise and the three youngest kids. In my story, the dream helped him realize how much he loved Mary Louise.

Mathew taught music both in the public school and privately. Later he became the first principal of a high school in San Antonio. In December of 2005, my husband and I visited San Antonio and looked up Matthew and Mary Louise's house. The large, two-story home is still there on Roseborough Drive. We weren't able to go in because it's a private residence. But I had so much fun envisioning Matt and ML's lives as they lived there with their children.

We also visited Clifton Halbedl's home, which I remember from childhood. I also had the address for Mamie's home, and we were able to go inside. A gracious lady who spoke no English invited us in. I have tons of pictures and hope to share them on my blog.

In the story, Matt gets a job at Jefferson High School. This is patterned after Thomas Jefferson High School where my mother went to school. Her name was Mary Louise, as well, named for her grandmother.

If I've learned anything from writing this book, I wish I'd probed for more information when my mother and aunt were still alive, but I'm grateful for what I do know.

About June Foster

June Foster is an award-winning author who began her writing career in an RV roaming around the USA with her husband, Joe. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next contemporary romance or romantic suspense. June's characters find themselves in precarious circumstances where only God can offer redemption and ultimately freedom. To dateJune has seen publication of 19 novels and 1 devotional. Find June at junefoster.com.

Interview with June Foster and Spotlight of The Long Way Home

We are happy to have June Foster with us today talking about her book, The Long Way Home. We'll start with a short blurb and then we'll learn more about June and the book.

Short blurb: A kidnapping and vicious murder leave David Maguire and Jada Atwood with few options—remain in the clutches of their abductors or attempt an escape. But the attraction they discover for each other could change their lives. Will they find their way home or die in a Pennsylvania forest?

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

My great grandfather was a Catholic Priest. In fact, my next book is inspired by him.

I didn't start writing until I was 65.

My granddaughter is a wrestler.

My other granddaughter is studying to be a doctor.

I lived full time in our RV on and off for 15 years.

Why did you choose to write this book?

My editor asked for volunteers to write a story where the hero and heroine meet then go on an adventure. But when I began writing, I had no idea the direction the plot would take. This is the first time I've ever written a murder into the story.

What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand? 

Authors ponder every word they pen on the page. It is tough work.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

I have to admit, it was getting rejections from editors and agents. I had to stop taking it personally and keep persevering.

What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?

The heroine in The Long Way Home asks God to save her at the point of a dire catastrophe. I'd like readers to embrace the hope that we don't have to wait until we've exhausted all resources, but we can receive God's grace even when our lives aren't in crisis mode.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?

I am proud that I had the opportunity to raise two daughters who received the Lord in their lives.

Back cover blurb:

David Maguire's tour of duty in Germany is over, and he's returning home to Oak Mountain, Alabama in search of a job. After a long flight from Frankfort, he shares an Uber with Dallas resident Jada Atwood.

Jada Atwood, a registered nurse midwife, is on her way to a medical conference in Queens. If only she could live up to her father's legacy at the hospital where she works, she could prove worthy of his reputation. Marriage awaits yet her fiancé has yet to offer a ring.

When the Uber driver must make a stop to pick up a passenger at a Queens shopping center, two men who robbed a nearby bank commandeer the Ford as a getaway car. But when they discover two passengers, they have to get rid of the extra baggage.

After the kidnappers murder the Uber driver, David and Jada fear for their lives. Will they find their way home or die in a Pennsylvania forest?   

Chapter One

If David Maguire wouldn't look like an idiot, he'd kneel down and kiss the hot, well-traveled sidewalk outside the airport. Finally, he stood on U.S. soil. A new beginning awaited, and God willing, a new job after his interview next week. The thought thrilled him more than Christmas morning as a kid.

The silver Ford sedan described on the Uber app inched up behind a line of cars at passenger pickup. He stood on tiptoes and waved at the driver who neared the curb. Then David moved his thumbs over his cell's screen. Mom. Just landed. Can't wait to see you guys.. Got a flight from JFK to Birmingham tomorrow.

The driver stopped and jumped out. "Lieutenant Maguire?" His accent hinted of Middle Eastern origins. "I'm Hadjira Khan, your driver." He whipped off his ball cap, wiped his brow, and plopped his hat on again. "Let me get this." The driver grabbed David's duffle bag and set it in the trunk next to a light pink suitcase.

"Appreciate it. I'm going to the Rockford Hotel in Queens."

"Yes, sir. I have two more passengers besides you."

"No problem." The cheaper fare suited David just fine. He couldn't be too extravagant since his army pay would end soon. He sure didn't want to sponge off of Mom and her new husband. "However I can get there is fine. I'm just glad to be home." He opened the door, tossed his backpack in, and sat.

A woman with long, dark hair and dressed in white jeans and a tight filmy blue blouse sat on the other side. She looked up, nodded, and then continued tapping her cell's screen.

David smiled then focused on his text when his phone dinged.

I can't wait to see you. Let me know what time to pick you up from the airport. Mom

Tomorrow at 3:13. See you then. Love you.

No matter how hard he tried to disguise his smile, the wide grin stretched his lips. He'd be in Oak Mountain soon.

The Uber driver pulled from the curb. "You two comfortable back there?"

"Yeah, sure." David took a deep breath and glanced toward the woman again. He tried to identify the aroma emanating from her. It wasn't likely Hadjira that smelled like roses.

"Yes, thanks." She peered at the driver then cast a quizzical look to David.

He gave her a weak smile and turned to face the front of the car, mentally kicking himself for staring too long.

Hadjira pulled off on a main thoroughfare and lifted his chin to glance into his rearview mirror. "We stop at a strip mall off 135th for one passenger. Then I take you to Rockford Hotel, sir, and you to Regal Gardens, ma'am."

"No problem," David mumbled, trying not to draw out the words into multiple syllables as his southern drawl tended to do, worse when he got nervous.

So the woman was staying at a hotel in Queens as well. He cleared away the hesitation that impeded his question. "Where you coming from?" Ugh. The most uninspired conversation starter he could've thought of. And to make things worse, this lady was probably a big city woman and resented his intrusion into her space.

 What do you do for fun when not writing?

I love to go shopping and to lunch with my daughters. I work out at the gym, and I love to watch Hallmark movies.

What are you working on now? 

I am just about to begin my next novel which has no name at the present time. It will be a contemporary romance inspired by my great grandfather's romance. A Catholic priest and a young parishioner fall in love.

Where else can readers find you online?   

junefoster.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/junefoster

https://twitter.com/vjifoster

https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster

Bio:

June Foster is an award-winning author who began her writing career in an RV roaming around the USA with her husband, Joe. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next contemporary romance or romantic suspense. June's characters find themselves in precarious circumstances where only God can offer redemption and ultimately freedom. Find June at junefoster.com.

June Foster's "Give Us This Day"

    Give Us This Day is June Foster's debut novel, the first in The Bellewood Series. Jess Colton gave his life to the Lord but failed to surrender an old habit. Fueled by alcohol, he spent the night with a former girlfriend, ignoring his Christian principles. Convicted of his wrong doing, he quit drinking but discovered another addiction. Now he can't manage his life as his weight soars and diabetes threatens to claim him. Jess is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison declares her love.

    Holly Harrison lived  to please herself. But everything changed when a deadly motorcycle accident altered her life forever. Nowhere else to turn, she looked to God for answers. Now, she's convinced no Christian man would find her attractive. She doesn’t plan on falling in love with  the handsome Jess Colton, seeing past his bulk to the godly, tender man within. When Jess drives a wedge between them, she loses hope of a future together.
  
  Can Holly overcome her handicap? Does Jess find control over his eating and his life? Only God can provide the answers.
  
  June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She's  written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day – February 1, 2012, As We Forgive – September 1, 2012, and Deliver Us – April 1, 2013, and Hometown Fourth of July – July 1, 2012. June's book, Ryan's Father, will be available from WhiteFire Publishing January 2014. For All Eternity, Red and the Wolf, and Misty Hollow, God willing, will be published in the near future. June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the issues in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives.