Jo Huddleston

It’s author interview time again. Today I’d like to welcome Jo Huddleston. Welcome, Jo. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I like to laugh with people but not at people. The beach is my favorite vacation spot. I don’t like to see or hear about people or animals being abused. I’m a spectator fan of several sports, my favorite being tennis. I don’t like being in the dark and am fearful of snakes!

Chuckle. I’m not fond of snakes either. What types of books do you write?

The most commonly used term to label the genre I write is “Christian fiction.” More specifically, I write sweet Southern romances set in mid-20^th-century in the American South. Almost all of my stories occur in the 1950s.

I understand this new book is a Christmas story. How much time do you spend researching before you write?

I don’t research before I write. I don’t outline before I start writing a story and, therefore, don’t know exactly what research I need to do. My story ideas marinate in my mind for a while before I begin to write—I know the beginning and end of my story. I’m what writers call a “pantster”—I write from the seat of my pants. Once I establish my characters and what they want, I let them guide my writing. When I find I need more information in a scene, I sometimes stop and do research before continuing to write the story. However, most times I make a note in the text and highlight it in red to remind me to do research later.

As a historical romance author, research is always part of my process of writing. 🙂 What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:8. This verse speaks of things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report—these are the things that will bring us joy. If we occupy our mind with the things this verse mentions, there would be no room for hurtful and demeaning thoughts about others or ourselves.

That’s a great verse. Can you tell us about your new release?

A Christmas romance sprinkled with suspense!

In this sweet romance set in north Georgia, all Marilyn dreams of for Christmas is a relationship with someone who cares for her. Someone who really knows her. A stranger volunteers at the rescue shelter where Marilyn and her best friend George volunteer. George has concerns about Marilyn’s safety if she dates the stranger. When George becomes overprotective of her, will Marilyn choose the bad-boy-stranger or her best friend to spend Christmas with this year?

Read this 20^th-century story to find out which one Marilyn chooses.

Christmas stories are always fun. What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your story?

After reading Her Christmas Dream, I hope readers will take away the thought that when they get what they’ve dreamed about, sometimes they recognize that they already had what they dreamed of all along.

The best place to connect with me is my website at www.johuddleston.com. While there you can read first chapters of all my novels and novellas and also sign up for my quarterly e-newsletter. On my website there’s a contact button where readers can send me a message, which I’ll answer personally. I’m also on Facebook.

Sounds like a fun story. Where can readers connect with you?

The best place to connect with me is my website at www.johuddleston.com. While there you can read first chapters of all my novels and novellas and also sign up for my quarterly e-newsletter. On my website there’s a contact button where readers can send me a message, which I’ll answer personally. I’m also on Facebook.

Website: http://www.johuddleston.com

Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1TY4uDI

Facebook personal page: https://bit.ly/30V6rdh

Facebook author page: https://bit.ly/336Nabg

Thanks for being here today. I wish you the best with your new book.