Monday, October 7, 2013

Book Spotlight and Giveaway with Jody Hedlund


Jody Hedlund's latest book, Rebellious Heart is out and making a splash among historical fiction fans. I am pleased to be among her influencers - it's always a treat to get a peek at her books! Here are the details:

Book Description

A love that would shape history forever...


Because she's a woman, higher learning was always closed to Susanna Smith. But her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. And she's determined to marry well, so she'll be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Growing up with little to his name, poor country lawyer Benjamin Ross dreams of impacting the world for the better. When introduced to the Smiths he's taken by Susanna's intelligence and independent spirit, but her parents refuse to see him as a suitor for their daughter.

When the life of a runaway indentured servant is threatened, Susanna is forced to choose between justice and mercy, and Ben becomes her unlikely advisor. But drawing closer to this man of principle and intellect lands her in a dangerous, secret world of rebellion and revolution against everything she once held dear.


My Review


Ms. Hedlund's books have it all - action, intrigue, history, and a bit of romance. Rebellious Heart is no exception. It immerses the reader into life in Colonial America, and addresses tough issues related to indentured servants and the political unrest simmering above and beneath the surface. 

Rebellious Heart is loosely based the courtship between John and Abigail Adams. While the details were fabricated, I found this to be an interesting take on our nation's history. A story of this nature, while subject to the author's imagination, brings the past alive in an intriguing way. 

This book was engaging from beginning to end. I enjoyed getting to know the characters whose struggles were not so different from our own. The plot, rich with detail and purpose, offers an adventurous look at a pivotal time in America. Rebellious Heart is in my opinion, another wonderful book to Jody Hedlund's credit.



Giveaway Details:


  • You must be a Google Friend Connect follower and leave your email address with your comment.
  • Gain bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please total your entries and include links with your comment.
  • Open to residents of the United States.
  • Deadline to enter is noon EST Friday, October 11, 2013. Winner will be chosen by random.org, notified via email, and will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, October 14, 2013. 

For More Info Visit:

Jody's site
Jody's blog
Amazon
Bethany House Publishers


What's your favorite type of fiction? What are you reading this week?

Have a great week,

Karen

Please note: I was given an influencer copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

33 comments :

  1. My favorite fiction is historical fiction because it makes the past come to life - there was such strength in people during those early years!

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    1. oops - forgot my email: babykf629 at gmail dot com

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  2. I am so looking forward to readying this book. I loved " A Preachers Wife."

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  3. Love Historical fiction...failed to put email. Ewe_r_merritt( at) yahoo(dot)com.

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  4. Kim F,
    Thanks for stopping by! I agree, it does make the past come to life. :) I love it too. Can you do me a favor and follow my blog? I don't see you among the followers, and to enter, that is one of the requirements. Thanks so much!

    R Merr,
    Good to meet you! I appreciate you coming by. :) Jody's books are all good, aren't they? I need a favor so I can enter your name - would you kindly sign up as a follower? Thanks so much!

    Happy reading,
    Karen

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  5. Jody Hedlund is my favorite author. This is her only book I am missing! Following your blog (trulywaiting at gmail.com)

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  6. Tweeted: https://twitter.com/Beccaack/status/387232834965868544 (trulywaiting at gmail.com)

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  7. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction. I just started reading Rebellious Heart. Love it so far! Don't enter me in the contest. Best wishes to Jody on her success!

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  8. Shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/ladettek/status/387252787878166528
    Shared on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ladette.c.kerr/posts/10151863575768503

    Love historical fiction and Jody Hedlund!! Thanks for the review and giveaway!

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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  9. This sounds like a wonderful read. I'll check out the book and Jody's website. Thanks, Karen. scsundwall (at) gmail.com

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  10. I enjoyed the last book I read set in that time period. I need to pick this one up.

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  11. Hi Karen and Jody - it does sound an informative read .. and I imagine will make a good read .. interesting take too .. cheers to you both - Hilary

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  12. Becca,
    Thanks so much for spreading the word! It's good to meet you. :) She is one of my favorites too!

    Loree,
    It's a good read, isn't it? It has a lot of interesting aspects, I think. :)

    Ladette,
    You are welcome! I love it too. Thanks so much for spreading the word! :)

    Susan,
    I thought it was, and I think you might like it! :) If you don't win, hope you get to read it soon.

    Diane,
    You might like this one. Love the time period, so much to work with for a good story! :)

    Hilary,
    Hello to you too! I learned a lot reading it, and that's one reason I like historicals. Have a great week!

    Happy reading,
    Karen

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  13. Not entering to win, but glad you enjoyed the book!

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  14. Hi Everyone! Thank you for stopping by Karen's blog today! And a BIG thank you to Karen for hosting me on my last stop of my 20 book giveaway! Thank you, Karen! :-) Blessings to you all!

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  15. I would love to have a copy of Jody's new book. Thanks for all the research you put into each story!

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  16. Super excited about this book! And to know its ties to the Revolution and the true story of one of our first families makes it even better!!! Great review! Would love to win a copy. :) simmadar (at) yahoo (dot) com.

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  17. Alex,
    I did! Jody is a great writer! :)

    Jody,
    You are welcome. It's always a pleasure to have you visit!

    Lola,
    Sounds like you are a fan of her books! They are winners, aren't they? :)

    Natalie,
    It does have an interesting history woven through it. You might enjoy it as much as I did! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  18. I'm a long time follower of Jody. I'm so excited to see her latest book.

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  19. What is my favorite type of fiction, you say? Well, I would have to say mainly historical, with a healthy dose of mystery/suspense/thriller and fantasy. I have only read one of Jody's book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am excitedly looking forward to reading Rebellious Heart & I would be thrilled to win! Thank you for the giveaway!! Presently, I am just getting into the library books that I checked out today, mainly historical fiction ones, with the exception of two fantastical adventures in wonderland. Anyways, Karen, thank you for sharing your review. It was purely a pleasure to read. Jody, thank you for your lovely books..... I am following your blog and here are the links to my posts:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julianna.rowe.94
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicianJuli76

    Blessings,
    Juli
    emeraldelena@hotmail.com

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  20. HR,
    I didn't know you were a Jody fan! I knew I liked you. :) Hope you get to read it soon! Glad you stopped over.

    Julianna,
    It is nice to meet you! Thanks for spreading the word - I appreciate it. Thanks also for liking my FB page. :) If you do not win, I hope you can read her book soon. It is a winner!

    Blessings,
    Karen


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  21. Sounds like a good book, Karen.

    I have to admit something. Usually, I read non-fiction. (Culpa, culpa, mea culpa.)

    Right now I'm half way through Joel Osteen's "Every Day a Friday." I find him very inspirational. Susan p.s. Thanks for stopping by.

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  22. If it's anything like the first book I read of Jody's, it will be a good read. It's exciting to see her career progress! Happy Tuesday to you both.

    rschrockmt@yahoo.com

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  23. Susan,
    There's nothing wrong with reading non fiction! I do often. So many good books out there, right? :) It's always a pleasure to stop by your blog! How's your sweet grandbaby doing?

    Rhonda,
    It is a good one, that's for sure. It is exciting! I wish her all the best. :)

    Happy day,
    Karen

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  24. She sounds like just the kind of heroine I'd love to read about. :)

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  25. The John and Abigail Adams connections is interesting. Their relationship was really something, and the fact that it was used as inspiration for this book is certainly intriguing.

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  26. Lydia,
    I think she might! She's strong yet vulnerable, and grows a lot in the course of the book. :)

    Lisa,
    It is, isn't it? You don't hear as much about that kind of relationship back then either. :)

    Happy reading,
    Karen

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  27. ooh what an interesting premise! haven't read historical fiction lately but this one sounds like fun.
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  28. Awesome review! And congrats to Jody!!

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  29. I like the sound of Susanna. Congrats to Jody.

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  30. Nutschell,
    It is a fun read! Jody's such a good writer, I love taking the whole story in. :) It's a wonderful reading experience!

    Jennifer,
    Thank you! Jody's written another winner! :)

    Medeia,
    She is one strong woman. It's an interesting read. :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  31. Congrats to Jody!! She's come a long way in three years (I think it's been 3 years since her debut) and is an inspiration to many writers, me included.

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  32. Lynda,
    I think you are right, it's been about 3 years or so. Many wonderful books to her credit! She is indeed an inspiration! :)
    Happy writing,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!