An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund is being released today! In celebration, I'm sharing some of my favorite quotes along with some Q & A with Jody Hedlund.
1.
What's
the story about and who are the main characters?
The heroine is a beautiful and wealthy
young woman named Lady Rosemarie. She's on the cusp of her eighteenth birthday
and knows her destiny is to fulfill a vow made by her parents. In light of
their infertility, her parents had promised to give their firstborn back to God
for a life of service and celibacy when she turned eighteen. Now with only one
month before her birthday, Lady Rosemarie receives the news that there is an
exception to the Ancient Vow–if she finds true love and is married by her
birthday, then she's exempt from having to become a nun.
Faced with a growing loneliness and the
possibility of losing control over the people she rules with compassion, Lady
Rosemarie questions whether life in a cloister is really the best choice for
her life. She agrees to allow the three handsomest and noblest knights in the
land the chance to win her heart in one month.
Enter on stage, the three heart throbs!
Sir Collin, Sir Bennet, and Sir Derrick. Each one is completely honorable and
noble in his own way. Lady Rosemarie will have a tough choice ahead of her. Now
you'll have to read the book to find out who she chooses and why!
2. 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.
3. How do
you hope parents will use this book with their kids?
While the book is an exciting and
entertaining story that young women will enjoy reading, it's also a book that I
hope facilitates discussion about dating, love, and marriage.
I've developed a free downloadable
discussion guide to correspond with the book chapter by chapter that will is
available on my website. It's my desire that mothers (or grandmothers) will
read the book as a discipling tool with their daughters and then use the story
and study guide as a way to talk about relationship issues that often get
overlooked.
An
Uncertain Choice would also be
perfect for mentors, small groups, youth groups, or Bible studies, where girls
to come together to read and discuss the book as a way to spur thoughts about
God's plans for dating.
4. If you could tell readers one thing
about An Uncertain Choice, what would it be?4
It's
never too early to begin thinking about and praying for our future spouses.
Next to making the decision about where to spend eternity, the choice of whom
we marry is second in importance. It's a decision for good or bad that can
impact the rest of our lives, especially since God intends for us to live with
our marriage partner for as long as we have breath. So we definitely want to be
wise with the crucial choice of a mate.
It's
my prayer that An Uncertain Choice
will be more than just another entertaining love story, but will also be a
catalyst to help young women begin to think wisely about one of the most
important decisions they'll ever make.
5. Are
you working on the next book in the series?
Yes! I'm excited about the second book
in the series. It's already written and I'm in the process of getting ready to
turn it in to my editor in order to get her expertise feedback. As I mentioned
it will involve another one of the three knights. But of course, I won't give
away which of the knights until closer to the release of the book! (How's that
for a tease!)
Looking for more info? Here's a short bio from Jody as well as her contact info:
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.
Or you're welcome to email
me at: jodyhedlund@jodyhedlund.com
