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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Secret Revealed...Jody's History-Making Moment


Secret #3: My participation in a history-making moment

I am so excited [eeee!!] to have the pleasure and honor of participating in author Jody Hedlund's Secrets Revealed tour. Read all the way to the bottom to see how YOU can win a free, signed copy of her latest book. Now, here's the kind, talented and beautiful Jody Hedlund...[insert thunderous applause here]  Winner has been announced....Congratulations Amy Campbell!!!
Author Jody Hedlund
By Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund
I don't have many claims to history (other than that I write historicals!).
But I can lay claim to participating in one important and exciting moment in history: I was in Berlin around the time when the Berlin Wall came down.
I even brought home a piece of the Wall.
I was visiting Germany after the collapse of the Berlin Wall in early 1990 with a group from college (which means I'm dating myself!).
Our group drove through what was then known as East Germany in order to reach Berlin. The entire area was still controlled by the Soviets, and we were unprepared for the poverty, the under-development, and the lack of modern conveniences.
The East German cars were identical, tiny, and looked like they were made out of cardboard. The buildings were old,  the stores nearly empty, and the toilet paper coarse (funny what leaves an impression—no pun intended!)
The Soviet soldiers patrolled the streets and borders. In fact no-man's land still existed between sections of the east and west Berlin Wall.
It was as if we'd been transported back fifty years into a war zone.
It was gray and dreary—almost like stepping into a black and white photo.
I could feel the sadness, the weight of despair, and the lack of hope that came from living behind walls.
From time to time, I pull out the broken, spray-painted portions of the Berlin Wall that I brought home those many years ago. I like to boast to my kids that "I was there" during that special time in history.
And those pieces of crumbling cement remind me all over again, that walls are oppressive. Whether those walls are built by a government, someone in authority over us, or even ourselves—walls keep us from moving forward and accomplishing our potential. [Whoa! Let's re-read this paragraph, shall we. I may need to write this down where I can see it. Every.single.day.]
We need to ask ourselves: What walls have we built in our lives? What walls have we allowed others to build around us? And what steps can we take to start knocking them down?
After all, we want to live freely, move forward, and accomplish all that we were made to do.
So, how about you? Have you (or someone in your family) ever been a part of a history-making moment? And what walls are holding you back from achieving your potential? 


 Publisher's Weekly calls Unending Devotion
 "A meaty tale of life amid the debauchery of the
lumber camps of 1880s Michigan . . .
exciting and unpredictable to the very end."
To celebrate the release of Unending Devotion, Jody is giving away a signed copy. Leave a comment (along with your email address) to enter the drawing. Valid only with US or Canadian addresses. Giveaway ends September 12, 2012 at 9 AM ET.  Winner will be notified immediately. 
Read what I thought about Jody's book here! Plus check out her first two books here and here.
For more secrets about Jody and additional chances to win her newest release, visit her Events Page to see where she'll be next in her "Fun Secrets About Author Jody Hedlund" blog tour.
Also join in the Pinterest Photo Contest she's hosting. Find more information about it on her Contest Page.
Jody would love to connect with you! Find her in one of these places:





Thanks so much for stopping by! If you don't win the free book, run to your favorite book seller and purchase! You won't regret it.
 

34 comments:

  1. I've never read one of Jody's books but they look interesting! I'm always looking for something new to read. bradnval@gmail.com

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  2. I have heard a radio interview with Jody (very impressive). I would love to win this new book. Thanks for the opportunity!
    adorableblessings @ hotmail . com

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  3. Sounds interesting!
    heffner.kim@gmail.com

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  4. That's so cool that Jody was able to bring back a piece of the Berlin Wall! I'm entering for a friend, but I love Jody's books! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Great giveaway and interview! Haven't read anything by Jody, but I've heard wonderful things about her books!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Awesome interview! I'm a huge history fan, so to hear that Jody brought back a piece of history from Germany is really cool!

    thejesusfreak62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Sounsd like a great book! I'm entering for my daughter's friend, who LOVES Jody's books. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    icohen62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. So interesting to ponder the question of the walls in our lives. For me personally, sometimes I think the biggest wall is my own fear of failure, which holds me back from trying new things.

    I'd love to win this book!
    jenniferlsteiner@gmail.com

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  9. My personal wall is the fact that I'm an introvert--not that it's a bad thing--but at times my independence and desire to work alone inhibits me from making personal connections with people. I have to force myself to branch out and make connections. Sometimes it can be hard but I always feel good about it once I have. In the writing world a lot of times it's "who you know" and I have to remind myself that when it comes to publishing, those connections and friendships are so important.

    Thanks for another great post!
    shellclem@hotmail.com

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    1. Shelly, I'm right there with you on the introvert thing. You are not alone. People who really know me well would never think I'm an introvert. It is the social situations when I don't know anyone when those tendencies arise. Have you read Quiet or Introverts in the Church? I've read Quiet and it helps to read it. I want to read Introverts in the Church soon as I've heard great things from those who have read it.

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    2. Deanna, I have not read either of those but I've been meaning to read Quiet for a while now. Introverts in the Church sounds great too! Thanks for the suggestions!

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  10. My grandparents were able to see President FDR when he came to our VERY small town for an opening of an area VA Hospital.

    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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    1. CONGRATULATIONS, Amy. She is the new winner of the book. John contacted me stating his daughter already won the book through another blog. I redrew using random.org's generator and Amy won. Thanks again to all who participated!!

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  11. I'd have to say that the wall that is holding me back the most is my fear of what people will think of me. I've been extremely shy my entire life and now that I'm older I find that it makes hard to find my place in life. I gotta keep praying and seeking God on this one. It's a hard life, but I'm banking on the fact that it's worth it in the end!

    Thanks for the giveaway! Jody is one of my favorite authors, I've read all her books and I can't wait to read this one!!!

    Emreilly303(At)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Thanks for the giveaway! Haven't read any of her books as of now, but I can't wait to start up! Put my name in the drawing please!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. I'm entering for my daughter!

    Very insightful post today....got me thinking about a lot of my own person "walls". Shows me just how much I need Jesus to rescue me!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net

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    1. Congratulations, John and your daughter! You've won! I just sent you an email...

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  14. My father was in the army in WWII. He would have been a part of the invasion of Japan, and said he would have been killed if they hadn't bombed Japan. He then was in Occupied Japan. He couldn't believe the destruction.
    I put walls around myself by staying in my home and not venturing out often.
    josieringer@gmail.com

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  15. My cousin was serving in the military when the Berlin wall came down, and brought back a piece for me and my family. It's small.. but symbolizes so much.

    As for me, I hate getting hurt, so I tend to put up a lot of walls to shut out others from really getting to know me.

    jennifer
    jenmitsch@hotmail.com

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  16. Sounds like a very interesting book. Would love to read it! valariemccoy@att.net

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  17. I can't tell you how much I want to read this book!!! Loved Jody's last two. heatherhart84(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. I've known Jody for maybe 20 years(?) now and I didn't know this secret about her. How cool!
    karenlehman1@gmail.com

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  19. Amazing place to be and what a reminder to take home a piece of that wall. She should mount and display it with Joshua 6:20 inscribed on it.

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  20. Thanks for another interesting post. I'm following along on Jody's blog tour, discovering lots of fascinating things about her. I admit to being a private person so "building brick walls" is a standing joke with my family and friends. Only with a few close friends do I remove the odd brick to allow peeks at 'the real me'.

    My only connection to any historical event was being acknowledged by astronaut Robert Thirsk as his first grade teacher and the one who "placed the educational foundation under my dream" to become an astronaut (his words), with an invitation to attend the 1996 launch of the Shuttle Columbia. It still overwhelms me when I think about it. :)

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    1. PS - Meant to add that you needn't add my name into the draw as I already have all of Jody's books.

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  21. Hi everyone!! It's great to see everyone here on Deanna's blog today! I'm excited that so many of you have read my past books and are looking forward to reading my newest book! I hope you'll eventually have the chance to read it, even if you don't win a copy during my blog tour!

    It's been fun to hear some of your claims to history fame! And thanks too for sharing some of the "walls" you've had to work at in your lives.

    Many blessings to each of you! :-)

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  22. Always good to see (and learn about) you Jody!

    I really hope to read this one, thanks for the chance to win!

    And thanks to Deeanna for today's post. Btw, this is truly awesome : 'For Him. With Him. Because of Him.

    A good afternoon to you all. =)

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    1. Sorry forgot the e-mail . g.gclermont AT gmail DOT com

      The last thing in the previous comment is suppose to be a smiley face! :-) *grin*

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  23. Wow, great questions! I don't know of any of my family being involved in any history making events, but that "wall" question ... wow. I think the walls I have would be things I built myself --either worry over other people's perception of me or my "introvertedness"

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  24. I have been following along on Jody's blog tour, and I enjoyed coming here and reading today's post. Wow...very insightful and thought-provoking. I also know I will enjoy coming back to your lovely blog for a visit! :)
    I'd love to be entered into the book drawing.
    Blessings,
    Amy O'Quinn
    oquinn1(at)windstream(dot)net

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  25. This is Lisa's entry....
    I'm entering for my friend, Lisa, who has had some trouble leaving a comment as anonymous. Thanks, everyone, for entering the contest! Good luck to all!
    Deanna

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  26. We lived in Germany during this transition and got to witness the reunification of the country up close and personal. It was an incredible experience. The stark contrast between east and west was sobering.

    You don't need to enter me in the drawing. I have two copies of the book, one to keep and one to share. =)

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  27. I loved Jody's first 2 books.. and would love to win her third! Jen

    jenmitsch@hotmail.com

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  28. i love jody's novels...thanks for the opportunity to read her latest one ;)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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