Author Interview & Giveaway: Jean C. Gordon, author of Reuniting His Family

Author Jean C. Gordon is on the blog today to chat about her newest release, Reuniting His Family. This cover is simply sweet and gives me all the warm fuzzies!!

1. Hi Jean! Welcome to Just Commonly! For readers that are new to your books, can you tell us what kind of books or subject matter do you like to write about?

Hi! I write inspirational and sweet romance stories about ordinary people in challenging situations. In my romance thread, meeting those challenges brings my main characters closer to each other and to a lasting love. In my faith element, their challenges bring them closer to God.

2. How about giving us 5 words to describe your current release, Reuniting His Family?

Tense, romantic, uplifting, heart-warming, small-town.

3. What was your inspiration? What made you think you had to write this story?

The seed of this story was a comment both my parents made to me years ago. For a time, they both worked at Attica Correctional Facility — Mom in the school and Dad leading a maintenance crew. They said every inmate they worked with said they were innocent. Fast forward to a couple years ago when I got thinking what if I wrote about a man in prison who was innocent (or in Rhys’s case, partially innocent). I have a critique partner who’s involved in the foster parent program, so my thought went to the man having kids he wants to get back and make amends to. Then, my heroine breezed in. Renee, a social worker and member of the Delacroix family which is introduced in my earlier book Holiday Homecoming, was perfect for Rhys.

4. The premise is so interesting, having a very serious tone to it, but it's quite different than what I see in the cover, which is eludes happiness. What can we expect in terms of themes in this story?

Apparently, as I’ve been told, my books’ themes are almost always “coming home.” At its core, Reuniting His Family is a happy story. What Rhys wants most in life is to be reunited with his two sons and to give them a happy family life to make up for him being away and their mother’s death in a car accident. As it turns out, meeting Renee adds to that happiness.

5. Can you describe your main characters, Rhys and Renee in 3 words or less for each?

Rhys: Hard, determined, and loving.

Renee: professional, sincere and warm-hearted.

6. I love story with kids. Can you tell us a little more about their presence in the story?

Owen, 9, and Dylan, 6, are central to the story. Owen remembers his dad and is anxious to be with him. Dylan was a toddler when Rhys was incarcerated and doesn’t really know him, despite visits to the correctional facility with their mother before she died. There’s plenty of uncertainty on both the adult and the child sides to be worked out.

7. What would you like your readers to take away with Reuniting His Family?

A glimpse of God’s power to love and guide us, despite our behavior in the past (or the future, for that matter) and the danger of making quick judgments. Also, an up, happily-ever-after feeling from the romance journey.

8. Which part of the book is your favorite? Can you share a line/paragraph (without a spoiler)?

I don’t know if I’d say it’s my favorite part, but I think the book has a great opening: “Rhys Maddox looked across the small room at his broken dream. The dream he’d shattered. His boys stood in the doorway with a woman who wasn’t their mother. Owen was a miniature copy of himself. Dylan had so many of his mother’s features, it made his heart bleed.”

9. Let's chat a little more about you. Are you a planner or a wing it type of writer?

Definitely a planner. In fact, I was a professional financial planner (and financial writer) for many years before I became a full-time author. I do character analyses of my hero and heroine and write a synopsis of the story before I write past the first three chapters. I have a workshop on how to write your synopsis before you write your novel that I’ve presented to several writing groups. And I have to confess that in other parts of my life, I have to be careful not to over plan.

10. Is there a place you love to go for inspiration or to get your creative juices running?

Not to make my life sound tremendously exciting, but I get my best inspiration driving and in the bathtub.

11. How about a favorite sidekick you must have when writing? When I design stuff, I usually have either tea, coffee or a can of Coca Cola classic with me.

I have to have my two large cups of coffee before I start writing in the morning. When I’m writing, I usually have a large glass of water and my son’s cat Jester (which he can’t have in his current apartment) beside me.

12. For readers that are new to your books, which authors will those that love your books gravitate towards?

Kay Correll, Lyn Cote, Ruth Logan Herne, Melissa McClone, Jolene Navarro, Missy Tippens, Lenora Worth.

13. What's currently on your nightstand?

Second Chance Rancher, a Love Inspired by Brenda Minton

14. And last, a fan favorite, please give us 5 random facts about you.

I love to ride roller coasters.

I was once the Wyoming County (NY) runner up Maple Syrup Princess.

While I love to write, math and science were my strongest subjects in school.

I’ve been known to pass out at the sight of my own blood.

I (we) have three hens, one guinea fowl, a pair of turkeys, four dogs, and three cats at our house and twelve acres for then to romp on.

That's a lot of pets!! Thank you, Jean for stopping by this blog to share a little about you and your latest release! I look forward to reading Reuniting His Family!

Readers, Jean have graciously offer one reader a chance to win a copy of Reuniting His Family. Just scroll on down and enter on the entry form. Good luck and thank you!

For multi-published sweet and inspirational romance author Jean C. Gordon, writing is a natural extension of her love of reading. From that day in first grade when she realized t-h-e was the word the, she’s been reading everything she can put her hands on. Jean and her college-sweetheart husband tried the city life in Los Angeles for college, but soon returned to their native Upstate New York, where they share a 175-year-old farmhouse with their daughter and her family. Their son lives nearby.

Reuniting His Family is Jean’s 18th published book and eighth with Harlequin Love Inspired. Connect with her on Facebook, as @JeanCGordon on Twitter, or on JeanCGordon.com. And sign up for her Readers Group, so you don’t miss a single new release. You’ll receive a free eBook.

TO CONNECT WITH JEAN: website, facebook, twitter

Title: Reuniting His Family

Author: Jean C. Gordon

Publisher: Love Inspired

Release Date: July 18, 2017

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

A Father's Promise

Rhys Maddox wants nothing more than custody of his two sons. Released from prison after a wrongful charge, the widowed dad will do anything to bring his boys home where they belong. But that doesn't include falling for their former social worker. Now leading an outreach program for families in transition, Renee Delacroix can't escape the tall, dark and intriguing single dad…or his adorable little boys. But Rhys is determined to go it alone. Until one incident that may cost him what he wants the most. Now it's up to Renee to save him…if she can make him see she's just what he needs to complete their forever family.

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