An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund - Spotlight and Giveaway

Be sure to visit Jody's Events page for more giveaway opportunities and unique content on the Noble Knights Blog Tour Jody's page (click here)

Today we are going to visit the castle where An Uncertain Choice takes place. So let's get going.

Lady Rosemarie's Castle

Inside the castle

How would you like to dine here? The detail is so great. See the wood detail work on the wall. I can imagine it took a very long time to create this room.

Want to see what you can see from the castle? Well let's journey on. 

Looking out of the castle

The Rose Gardens

We have many rooms in the castle to explore. There is the Great Hall where the golden chair is and where meetings and dances are held, It is a large room with high vaulted ceilings, arched stained glass windows, lush tapestries, and a long strip of gold carpet. The dining hall with the intricate wood detail on the walls and doors. The Stables where our fine horses are kept. The kitchen where only the help enters. The bedrooms which are decorated so that you have a relaxing place to rest. The dungeon where you dare not step for fear of what or who you might see. 

I can just imagine walking through the grand halls of the castle making my way out to the beautiful rose gardens. The colors of roses a plentiful - red, yellow, pink, purple and all the green. It is a peaceful place to go and collect your thoughts about which prince you are going to choose. 

When you leave the castle grounds you are surrounded by lush green forests that would be easy to get lost in if you did not know your way. If you want to have a day away from the castle you can make your way to the market and see the wares on display. 

I now invite you to view the pinterest board that is set up to view Jody's collection of castles. Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Castle Board (click here) 

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

Jody's Bio:

Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy- tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five children. When she's not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

Contact Jody:

I hang out on Facebook here: Author Jody Hedlund

I also love to chat on Twitter: @JodyHedlund

My home base is at my website: jodyhedlund.com

For lots of fun pictures, follow me on Pinterest: pinterest.com/jodyhedlund

I get personal on Instagram: instagram.com/JodyHedlund/

Or you're welcome to email me at: jodyhedlund@jodyhedlund.com

Interview with Jody:

After writing for the adult market, why did you decide to transition to young adult books?

I have five children and three of them are now teens. That means that over the past few years I've ended up reading a lot of books in the Young Adult genre not only to stay abreast of what my kids are reading, but also to have discussions about the topics and world views within the books.

All that to say, I've fallen in love with reading YA books! Naturally, as I've fallen in love with reading them, I had to consider the possibility of writing them. And while I have a lot of other things going on my publishing career, I decided I wanted to make this move into YA now while I still had teens at home to read my books (and give me feedback!).

How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers? 

Young people today really enjoy reality TV shows, especially ones that involve contests. My teens love watching Survivor, The Amazing Race, and even American Idol. There's just something about real competition that attracts us.

An Uncertain Choice is a little bit like reality TV, especially a show like Bachlorette (although a much sweeter and cleaner version!) where a young woman is presented with three really fantastic men. In some ways, she can't go wrong if she chooses any of the men. But readers get to join the adventure as she must narrow down her choices even as the clock ticks away to the day of her eighteenth birthday.

Aside from the many issues related to dating and marriage, the book also tackles issues like chafing under too much supervision, learning to become a strong leader, and how to display courage in different ways

Which person most influenced your writing? 

My mom was the most influential person in my writing career. When I was young, she helped facilitate my love of writing by reading aloud to me, giving me good books to read, and providing the kind of environment that fostered my creativity (in fact we didn’t have a TV for a number of years). She always believed in me, encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and rode alongside me cheering me on.

What are some of the challenges you face as an author? 

My biggest challenge at this stage in my life is dividing my time between writing and being a mom. Since I'm a work-from-home mom, there are many special issues that arise around setting boundaries, time management, as well as teaching my children to respect my work time.

And like most modern authors, we're struggling in this new age of shrinking shelf space and closing bookstores to get the word about our books out. With many readers shopping online these days, it's difficult to find ways to promote our books and get discovered by readers. We count it such a blessing when fans spread the word and leave book reviews! We authors appreciate that so much!

What do you do to get away from it all?

READ!! I absolutely love reading! When I find a really good book, I have a hard time tearing myself away from it to get to sleep.

Giveaway

This giveaway is for US residents only. The prize is a signed copy of An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund. The winner will be drawn on March 14th. Good Luck!

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