Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Jody Holford to HJ!
Hi Jody and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Never Expected You!
Please summarize the book for the readers here:
Never say never
Early mornings
Veterinarians
Extremely long days
Returning home
Earning trust
X-ray machines are pricy
Protecting her heart
Earning money
Courage
Two tours over sea
Expectations
Dreams
Yours
Off-limits
Unlocking their hearts
Please share the opening lines of this book:
With all the things she’d been through in the last year, Stella Lane had no intention of letting a bird get the best of her. She stared up at the pain-in-the-ass-albeit-kinda-cute parakeet trying to poke holes in her good intentions. It was just after ten a.m. and she was ready to call it a day.
Please share a few Fun facts about this book…
- Of all the books I’ve written, this was the hardest one.
- Stella Lane is best friends with Megan Carter from Let it Be Me.
- Zach’s history and backstory was entirely changed from the original.
- There is a plethora of animals.
- Their first kiss was my favorite scene to write.
Was there a scene in this book that was harder to write than others?
It’s hard for Stella to accept help, to open herself up and to take the risk of caring. Of trusting. She’s lost a lot of people in her life and though she has a couple of close friends, it’s hard for her to believe people will stay. Trusting Zach to not only stay, but to be her partner, is a huge step for her. It was hard to write because when people are closed off that way, it can be tricky to portray it without making the character seem abrupt or unkind. It’s a real leap of faith for her when she accepts Zach’s proposal.
“Just us,” he promised. He took her hand in his,
squeezed. “Just us, Stella.”
He liked the sound of that too much, even knowing she’d only let it be business. He could imagine what they’d be, on every level, if she dropped those shields. One step at a time.
“Okay, then.”
She inched a little closer, her lips hitching up in a smile. “Partner,” she whispered.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
What do you want people to take away from reading this book?
I think one of the themes in this book is one that resonates throughout many of my stories: asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It is hard to trust people sometimes, especially if we’ve had negative experiences, but being willing to try again, to move forward, and leap—that’s strength.
Thanks for blogging at HJ!
Giveaway: A signed paperback copy of LET IT BE ME
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What’s your favorite animal related memory?
Book Info:
When Zach Mason, former army sergeant turned veterinarian for war-wounded animals, returns home, the decision to stay is easy. But convincing the only other vet in town to hire him is a good deal harder. It doesn’t help that the beautiful, intelligent, and stubborn Stella Lane is determined to make his life hell.
Stella doesn’t take outside help easily—she’s been let down in the past, most recently by her ex, just as she’d begun to plan their wedding. Trusting Zach with her animals is one thing, but trusting him with more is a hard pass. Too bad the handsome vet is nothing but temptation. And her new roommate…
Book Links: Amazon | Entangled | iTunes | Kobo |
Meet the Author:
Jody Holford is both a contemporary romance and cozy mystery author. She lives in British Columbia with her family. She’s unintentionally funny and rarely on time for anything. She has an equal amount of love for writing and reading the sigh worthy moments in a book.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads |
Mary Preston
I remember one particular budgie growing up. Every time my Mother would walk past his cage she would say “Who’s a pretty boy?” Before long if you went near him he would say “Who’s a pretty boy?”
He was a pretty boy too. Apparently if you get the birds young they can learn to talk.
Barbara Bates
My first pet as a child was a cat named Tootsie
Debra Guyette
We had a big collie and he would let us sleep on him when we traveled. We had to take turns.
hartfiction
When I found an abandoned polydactyl kitten in an office park parking lot. She’s been the best cat ever!
janinecatmom
I have a lot of favorite memories that include cats that I have had during my life. Each one was special and left great memories.
Sue C
I am making new memories with my four year old German Shepherd Resi. We make memories every day. She is an awesome soccer player.
JenM
As a kid, I always wanted a cat but I wasn’t allowed to have one. After my parents divorced, one night we were at the marina and there was the cutest calico cat there. After seeing her a few times, we realized she was abandoned, so my mom let me take her home. I was so happy to finally have a cat of my own.
Amy R
My sons reaction when he first met our new kitten.
Kathleen O
When my younger brother got a dog for his getting good grades at the end of the school year. Princess was not a obedient dog, she ate my dads false teeth…
Ginger Connatser
Getting my first cat, Carmel
kermitsgirl
I have had some amazing pets over the years. My best memory, though, that isn’t tinged with sadness because of loss, is probably my old-man cat. We’ve had him since he was a tiny, little thing, the runt of the litter, and now he’s a massive monster (not fat, just…big – his paws are half the size of my palm!). Ever since he was little, he would massage my chest, right by my armpit and purr into my ear at bedtime. It’s the only time he purrs and he does it every. single. night. It’s annoyingly adorable.
Nancy Luebke
We had a almost purebread sheepdog. He was very protective of us and all the animals on our small farm. Our other dog had gotten hold of a baby chicken and that dog (Fluffy) took it from her and brought it to us unharmed.
Kathleen Bylsma
Way too many…I’ve had the most marvelous dogs, retrieving cat, spoiled gecko and 50 gal tank of fish….all rescues…this doesn’t include the wild birds, who have me well trined, too.
Daniel M
my cat used to ambush my feet, he’d pop out from a corner and attack!
Kim
My dog pulling me, as I fell down. I was really young and he almost broke my arm.
Caro
I’ve had lots of pets through the years, so I’ll go with one of my first pets: a hamster.
We had this hamster when I was like 10 and from time to time we’d let him out of the cage so he could run around. He dissappear for days and then suddenly show up, lol. One time my mom had an issue with her washing machine and called the repair man, when he saw it, the wires were all chewed up. He thought we had a mice plague… no, no, no Mr. it was our hamster on one of his excursions.
We had to be super careful from then. 😛
lraines78
I was 6 or 7 and I had just come home from school. My dad was hiding something behind his back and he wanted us to guess what it was. There were 2 baby poodles that had just been born while we were at school. So cute!
Joanne B
I have so many memories of my cat Whiskers. He used to follow me around like he was a dog. He’d even sit up and beg.
Mary C.
My husky pulling my niece on a sled.
Debra Shutters
I had a cat named snowball and she had this toy that she would play fetch with I have a pic of her bring it to me 🙂
BookLady
I have many fond memories of my dog Sandy, especially bringing her home from the animal shelter.
Teresa Williams
Our first dog was a little bulldog we named Brownie.We dragged that little dog all time dressing him in baby clothes and pushing him in the stoller.
Tammy Y
Not sure
Glenda
I’ve only had about 2 months without at least one pet in my entire life. I’ve got so many wonderful memories of my pets as well as other animals including: the time my cat stole my dad’s steak off his plate; the moment my daughter realized that she was getting a horse for her birthday; I could type or talk for hours with different stories and that’s not including any of the hundreds I have from work and watching people adopt cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies.
bn100
Zoo
Shannon Capelle
I had a kat named pete growing up he was the sweetest nicest most loving pet!
Sue C.
I remember we always had pets when I was a kid – dogs, guinea pigs, birds, and lots of cats. There were a lot of kids so we each shared the responsibility of taking care of the animals and It made me an animal lover!
Irma
My fav memory is a memory of my dog Roma, who passed away last summer. I won medals with her, trained her, she was our member, we all loved her. I miss her every day.
laurieg72
My favorite memory is bringing our puppy a Shetland Sheepdog, Sandy home. I was in 2nd grade. I was so excited and happy.