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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

How many hats do YOU wear? A question and a giveaway!

       

         

Thank you to all who commented! You are all amazing! Our winner is Jennifer Hibdon! 


Clark Kent, eat your heart out! I've got a double life, too. Don't worry, it's a good thing on the days when I can keep everything straight! The first part of my week is spent clacking away on those keys, writing suspense novels. How in the world does a mild mannered suburbanite mother of two get into that wacky business? My husband will tell you I have a great deal of energy and an aversion to relaxation. When I took leave from teaching to stay home with my babies, I discovered that infants are not great conversationalists, nor do they care much about creative lesson planning or exploring chapter books. I really struggled after hanging up my teaching hat. My husband, Papa Bear (Mike), signed himself up for extra kid duty and urged me to "go do something you love that doesn't involve babies." I remembered my passion for writing and off I went to a community writing class. Fast forward a few years, and I was a bona fide mystery/suspense writer with thirty five novels under my belt. Imagine that! I still pinch myself sometimes!
Later in the week I leap into the nearest phone booth and morph into Super Teacher! Two days a week I teach third graders at our local elementary school. Multiplication to map skills, reading, writing, science and everything in between. Of course, my favorite subject is writing, which, ironically, is the area in which my students feel the least confident as we launch our school year. It's so precious to be able to tell kids that together, we will all grow as writers. Mistakes? They are wonderful tools for us to improve! Spelling errors? Easily corrected. Moving someone with the power of our well chosen words? Priceless! By the end of our third grade journey, we have all grown so much, myself included. It's the very best thing about being both a teacher and a writer.
       So how many hats do YOU wear? Writer? Mother? Career woman? Church ministry leader? Would love to hear your thoughts! Giving away a print copy (U.S. only) of Abducted or a Kindle copy (international entries welcome.) Comment and leave your contact info to enter.



48 comments:

  1. The hats I'm wearing now are wife and homemaker. I hope to add career woman again soon to this list. Would love to read your book!

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  2. Wife. Mom. Substitute teacher. Hats I just took off: homeschool mom, bible study leader (taking a break).
    I always love finding new authors! cynthia.page@comcast.net

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  3. I'm mom, aunt, grand-aunt, friend, church nursery worker, genealogist, reader, scrapbooker. That's all can think of right now. (The hobby ones I'm not sure qualify for the answer.)
    Boy, this books looks soooooooooooooo good! duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. How cool! I admire people who are passionate about their hobbies!

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  4. I'm a homeschool teacher, mom, wife , and book reviewer. I love everything I do.
    Jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com

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  5. I am a wife, mother of 3 grown girls, Grandmom of 7 grandchildren one of whom has leukemia and is getting treatments. I also work full time as a tax representative.

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  6. I am a Christian, wife, mother, speech-language pathologist, friend, pastor's wife, daughter, sister, reader, gardener, encourager and wanna be appreciative book-giveaway winner!
    Janice
    pjrcmoore@windstream.net

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  7. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, Church Clerk, Church historian, Church librarian, clarinetist, Book reviewer, editor, letter writer. I laid aside my 34-year teacher/journalism sponsor hat. I would love to read this suspense book.

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  8. Wife, mother, Sunday school teacher, Book lover.
    Debi Smith keanusmom@hotmail.com

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  9. My current hats are wife and empty-nester,thrift department store employee, church go-er, friend, long distance daughter and sister, reader and book reviewer, contest participant. I love reading Dana's suspense books. I am looking forward to reading this one. Thanx for the giveaway!!! :-)
    j4hibdon(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. Wife, Mom of 5 adult children. Gramma of 8, world Traveler (folks my hubby as he travels for work) Writer (but need to be more deligent), Reader, Reviewer. Hmm, also some hobby's? LOL and sometimes even a winner of awesome books!

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  11. I am currently a wife, primary caregiver for my 3 year old granddaughter, Sunday School teacher for the Teena in our church and I am a book reviewer. I also try to be a Barnabas (encourager) because I send notes and cards to people who need to know someone is thinking of them.
    Thank you and Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. Single Mom, caretaker of my Mom, secretary at a elementary school, Awana leader.

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  13. I wear mom's, wife, first time working in the world.

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  14. The hats I wear are wife, mom, vacation bible school teacher and church shut in card ministry encourager.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  15. I don't wear too many hats. I'm a mother to two kittens, a sister and a friend.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. I don't wear too many hats. I'm a mother to two kittens, a sister and a friend.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Wife, mother, grammy, sister, friend, and prayer warrior. Would love to win this book. Thanks.

    debsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. I am a sister,friend,and volunteer.
    Martha T.
    CRPrairie(@)imonmail(dot)com

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  19. My husband and I are both retired, me more recently. We combine our "hats". We keep our four yr old grandson during the week, my husband helps with his 93 yr old dad (in assisted living) and tomorrow I'm bringing my 82 yr old mother from rehab to our house to stay permanently. Big changes for us all! Don't know why it's thought that when you retire you relax and enjoy your "golden years".

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    Replies
    1. Forgot my email: tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    2. Hoping that the transition for your mother is a smooth one.

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  20. I'm retired but still wear several hats - wife/care giver, church women's Sunday morning Bible study leader, Library Circle chairman, congregation women's ministry member, District women's ministry VP, HOA board member, almunae of local citizen's police academy.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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  21. I'm a wife, mom, homemaker, sister, and daughter! It makes for a busy life, but I love it! Thanks for the great giveaway! jdennis298(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Right now I'm a wife of a retired pastor, sister,friend, mother of four , grandmother of seven, retired from retail., sewing crafter, jewelry maker, take turns leading ladies Bible Study., volunteer at blind mission dinners.I used to work retail and homeschooled all the kids . Also I'm a daughter of a 100 year old mother!

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    Replies
    1. Whew! Busy lady! Awesome that your Mama is 100, bless her heart!

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  23. Oops forgot the email address again! paulams49(AT)sbcglobal(DOT)net. Thanks

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  24. I don't wear many hats. I'm a daughter taking care of my mom who was just put on hospice. I'm an aunt, sister and church member also. I love reading Christian fiction. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  25. Hats I wear include husband, lab worker, Bible study teacher, novelist, FB time waster. I had set aside the hats of Toastmaster, VOM volunteer, songwriter, and ceramist. I'm toying with the Libertarian Candidate hat.

    My address is jandbreynolds (at) gmail (dot) com

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