Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Big News! But It Doesn't Have Much to Do with Cookstoves

I have hinted to some of you that I haven't been posting on this blog as regularly as I liked because I was spending all of my writing time working on a different extensive writing project that I would share with you all later. Well, it is later!

I have written and published a novel, and it is now available for sale. Published through WestBow Press, it will be available in bookstores soon, but it is already available online in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.  Copies can be purchased at the following links:

https://www.westbowpress.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001235728

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973670461/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1565101746&sr=8-1

Here is the back text:

On the run after committing a crime and deserting the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1935, Harlan Jensen has been riding the rails and living in fear that someone will recognize him. Hunger causes him to jump off a train at the Meyer farm in rural West Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he plans to work just long enough to earn a square meal and then be on his way. Elsie Meyer, the farmwife who feeds him, knows more about God's plan for his life than he does, though. Harlan is the answer to her prayers. Just before harvest, her husband suffered a stroke which left him paralyzed and mute, so the Meyers had asked God to send a farmhand. Harlan is surprised to discover a family's love, an unexpected romance, and the grace of Jesus. But everything in his life changes as he learns the truth of Proverbs 28:13: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."

The cover looks like this:



As it is set on an Iowa farm in 1935, I do mention the woodburning cookstove a couple of times because I couldn't resist, of course.  However, it is certainly not the main focus of the novel.

We will be having the formal book launch on Monday evening, Sept. 9, at the Underwood Monday Market, which runs from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. south of UMBA Hall in Underwood, Iowa.  Copies will be available for purchase there, but if you can't wait that long to get yours, just bring your copy to the market and I will be glad to sign it then if you wish.

I apologize to any of my readers who may be offended that I used this post as a shameless plug rather than writing about wood cookstoves, but I promise that more on-topic posts are coming!

8 comments:

  1. Congratulations! This is a wonderful accomplishment. I hope you enjoy the launch festivities!

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    1. Thanks, Robin! It's been a long time coming, but I'm really pleased with the results.

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  2. Hey Jim, I'm reading your book. It's quite riveting. I'm enjoying it a lot. It's tempting to stop by on our way to our daughters in Nebraska to have you sign my copy, but we're traveling through on Thanksgiving Day. Thanks for the good read at a time I especially needed just such a diversion.

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    1. Hi, Arla! Do you have any idea what time you'll be passing through? We are having only a small gathering at our house that day as our main family gathering will be on Friday (this is the year for my brother and sister to go to their in-laws on Thanksgiving Day). You are more than welcome to stop at our home for me to sign your book; just be aware that our house is not nearly as pretty as yours. It would be fun to meet you in person. Glad you are enjoying it!

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    2. I loaned my book to an aunty to read who just had a knee replacement so I guess it wasn't meant to be this time. Thanks though. We wouldn't be coming to compare houses,btw. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

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    3. Well, fiddlesticks! I was looking forward to meeting you and Elv face-to-face. Hopefully, we will be able to catch you sometime on your trips back and forth to Nebraska. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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