Readin N Writin with Patricia

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund (and GIVEAWAY)

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 04:00 AM PDT

In the past few years, I've had a chance to get to know some writers online who have gone from hoping to publication. Some are making a name for themselves, as is today's guest blogger, Jody Hedlund. Jody writes inspirational historical fiction, and does it well. She also journals her publication experience and shares the wisdom she's acquiring about this industry via her popular blog. Her first book, The Preacher's Bride, was published to acclaim. Her sophomore effort, The Doctor's Lady, shows why Jody is a writer to watch (and read).

Jody is here today for an interview and a book giveaway. So let's get on with it...

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Jody, thanks for taking a few moments out to answer some questions. I love what you've accomplished in your writing career to date.

Your writing most reminds me of Julie Lessman's (author of A Passion Most Pure). Do you get that comparison from others? What kinds of reader feedback have you gotten about the sensuality in your writing?

I'm honored that you're comparing me to Julie! I adore her books! You're actually the first to liken me to her—so thank you!

Occasionally, I get reader feedback commenting about the sensuality. One reader didn't feel that I had enough of the relational tension. But most people have seemed to enjoy my style. Recently, a reader said, "For a story with no sex scenes, you have some very sexy moments in there. Love that."

I've resigned myself to the fact that I won't be able to please everyone all the time. I'm mostly writing with a level of sensuality that I enjoy, but also one that I would eventually feel comfortable allowing my daughters to read.

REad more : http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/2011/09/doctors-lady-by-jody-hedlund-and.html

During the month of September, I'm running an epic contest with a prize package worth $300. Here's the link to the contest page: http://jodyhedlund.com/contest/.

Thanks, Jody, for letting us in on your blog contest in addition to your giveaway here. And thanks much for taking time out to chat with us.

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Check out the trailer for The Doctor's Lady:

REVIEW

Jody Hedlund's The Doctor's Lady, similar in vein to her debut novel, The Preacher's Bride, reminds me moreso of the work of another historical inspirational romance author, Julie Lessman, author of A Passion Most Pure. Both Hedlund and Lessman write romance steeped in history and infused with a sensuality not often seen in the inspirational literary realm.

In The Doctor's Lady, Hedlund again writes based on true-life figures. This time, the story of Dr. Eli Ernest and Priscilla White is based on the true story of Doctor Whitman and his wife Narcissa who became the first white woman to travel overland west and cross the Continental Divide. Dr. Ernest and Priscilla travel from upstate New York to Oregon, a harrowing adventure that takes seven months by wagon, boat and horseback. But both are willing because they each feel called to serve as missionaries. Priscilla's plan to serve in India is thwarted when the American Mission Board requires all missionaries to be married. Likewise, Eli's plan to go West and build a mission in Indian country is hampered by his lack of a wife. A business partnership gets them each what they need, with Priscilla setting her sights on domestic mission work, but they find that God has much more planned for them than the mission work they have their hearts set upon.

Again, Hedlund educates her readers through a beautifully written suspenseful, romantic tale. There's no doubt that neither Priscilla nor Eli want this marriage of convenience. What is in doubt is whether the marriage--and their dreams--will survive the journey. Hedlund keeps her readers in the dark until the very end by throwing obstacle after real-life obstacle at this couple. If I never considered what it might be like to travel from one end of America to the other, after reading The Doctor's Lady, I have a pretty clear picture of the dangers and duration involved. Hedlund's storytelling is vivid and intense and captivating. Not once did I want Eli and Priscilla to hurry up and get to the other side of America. The story of their journey, as deftly conveyed by Hedlund, more than captured my attention.

Jody Hedlund has written novels for the last 18 years (with a hiatus when her children were young). After many years of writing and honing her skills, she finally garnered national attention with her double final in the Genesis Contest, a fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

Her first published book, The Preacher's Bride (2010 Bethany House Publishers), hit the CBA Best Seller list on two different occasions and has won multiple awards. Her second book, The Doctor's Lady, releases in September of 2011. She has completed a third book which will be released in 2012. She's currently busy researching and writing another book!

Jody is giving away one copy of The Doctor's Lady to one lucky commenter. Leave a comment and make sure we have way to get in touch with you, should you win. (You must have a U.S. mailing address.)