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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!


Today I have a real treat for you - an excerpt from Jody Hedlund's new book, Rebellious Heart, and a giveaway! I can hardly wait to read this book (it sounds very good!) and hope you enjoy the excerpt. ;)


Excerpt from Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund ©2013

Mr. Ross rose from his wingchair by the fireplace and glanced first to the window and then the door. From his caged expression, she guessed he’d rather be anywhere but there.
Susanna shifted against the hard seat of her chair, wishing she could sneak off to the warm kitchen hearth and read. But she was a prisoner in the room too. Although her parents hadn’t said the words, she knew they expected her to remain with Mary and act as her chaperone.
Mr. Ross glanced in her direction.
Quickly she pretended to be busy tucking a stray hair back into the smooth coiffure Phoebe had managed to help her arrange in spite of the earlier tangles. The slave had even added a white rosette to the coif, a larger version of the striped ribbon rosettes sewn among the pleated robings of her sleeve. 
                When he stared at her again, this time longer, her heart sputtered forward with a strange, crazy beat. She ought to stare right back at him to show him he wasn’t having any effect on her. But she had the impression he’d see through her façade.
                Instead she focused on the embroidered edge of her gown which opened in the front to reveal her silky petticoat beneath.
                Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see him crossing the room toward her. And when he stopped in front of her, she couldn’t resist lifting her gaze to meet his keen one.
“Alas, Miss Smith,” he said. “It appears we’ve been relegated to act as chaperones to our enamored companions. Hence we may as well make the most of it.”
“They are enamored, aren’t they?” Although she was happy for her sister, a twinge of jealousy tugged at her nonetheless. Young men paying court to Mary had always been as plentiful as herrings. And since Mary must wed first, Susanna had conceded her beautiful, fair-haired sister to the suitors. None had appealed to her anyway. None had what really mattered—justice, honesty, prudence—among other virtues. Instead, they were governed by self-interest.
“Have you read any Milton today?” He lowered himself into the chair next to her.
She shook her head, testing the sincerity of his words. Was he going to belittle her again for reading? Or perhaps he would snub her as so many men did when they learned of her love of reading. Most men didn’t want a wife who was an independent thinker or more knowledgeable than them.
 “Are you planning to condemn me, Mr. Ross, like so many of your sex?” 
“That depends.”
“And what exactly is so wrong about a woman learning to read something other than the Bible? Isn’t a woman’s mind equal to that of a man?”
“I can see that yours is.”
“The intellectual capabilities of all women are no less than those of men,” she insisted. “If we weren’t denied the same opportunities of education, then we would at last have the chance to prove it.”
“So what are you saying, Miss Smith? That girls should be able to attend school alongside the boys? Perhaps even Harvard?” His voice held the hint of laughter. “What next? Women opening law practices or becoming ministers?”
“You’re mocking me.”
“Then what reason could women possibly have for higher learning?”
“Education has the capability of making women better wives and mothers. Since families are the cornerstone of our society, we should strengthen women’s abilities to teach their children because then we strengthen our society as a whole.”
He sat forward and studied her, the humor fading from his countenance. 
She held her breath, waiting for his response, wondering how he could possibly argue with her further.
“Go on. Perhaps you’ll convince me yet.”
“Very well.” Her heart quavered. Never had a man cared what she had to say on anything, especially when it came to providing girls with educational opportunities. “In youth the mind is like a tender twig, which you may bend as you please, but in age it’s like a sturdy oak and hard to move.”
He nodded, the earnestness of his expression spurring her on.
“Therewith, young girls ought to sit alongside their brothers and gain the same knowledge while they are in their youth. Why are they any less deserving?”
“Am I to surmise you’ve been denied this very thing?”
She pushed down the swift bitter disappointment that surfaced whenever she thought about  the education her parents had given to William but denied her. “My father has always been lenient about my use of his library. And Grandmother Eve has done her best to take me under her limited tutelage.”
“But that hasn’t been enough?” he finished for her softly, his expression almost tender.

~❀~


Jody Hedlund is an award-winning historical romance novelist and author of the best-selling books, The Preacher's Bride, Unending Devotion, and A Noble Groom. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Michigan with her husband and five busy children.


Book Giveaway!


Giveaway details: Jody is giving away a copy of her new book, Rebellious Heart! Giveaway is only open to residents of the US and Canada. Ends 9/29

How to enter: Sign into the Rafflecopter form below (it might take a moment to load) and click “enter” on each of the entries you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

77 comments:

  1. Jody, I would love to win this book of yours. It sounds interesting and I like the cover. I feef sure it will very good. I think it was awful that the girls weren't allowed any schooling, I'm glad it was finally changed. Please enter my name in the drawing please. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  2. Thanks for sharing information and the giveaway! I have read one other of her books and it was fairly good. It had a simple but good plot line. The characters were pretty believable and the events were realistic.

    Thanks!

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  3. The preview reading sounds great! i haven't had the privilege of reading any of Jody's books. Hope to read this one!

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  4. I really enjoyed reading the excerpt. The story sounds really interesting! I haven't had the privilege of reading any of Jody's novels yet, but I'll definitely have to pick some up!

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  5. I would love to win a copy of this.

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  6. I've read all of Jody's books and look forward to reading this one as well. The excerpt gives us a peek about Susanna's passion and it will be interesting to see how she pursues it.

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  7. I loved the excerpt! I'm very anxious to get to know Susanna. As yet, I haven't read any of Jody Hedlund's books. Rebellious Heart will be a good start. Thank you for offering the opportunity to win a copy.
    may_dayzee@yahoo.com

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  8. I haven't read any of Ms Hedlund's books before however the excerpt certainly has me wanting to read Rebellious Heart!

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  9. The problem with excerpts is you just want to keep reading! Cannot wait to read this book! I have LOVED all of her other books! :)
    Lisa Medeiros
    deiselbuffs@yahoo.ca

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  10. Definitely an interesting discussion for its time. It is strange to think that this kind of disparity between the sexes still exists in so many parts of the world, even here we aren't finished with it yet.
    I haven't read any of Jody's previous books but this one looks particularly good. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. I liked the excerpt. I haven't read any of the author's previous works, but this sounds like a good one.

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  12. Great excerpt! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. Would love to read this! Thanks for hosting a giveaway!

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  14. Can't wait to read, already on my list of to read books on Goodreads. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  15. Hoping I win this book!

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  16. Really enjoyed the excerpt! So excited to read the book. I have never read any of her books.

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  17. Gorgeous cover! Sounds like a great story.

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  18. This book sounds so exciting. I would love to win the book

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  19. I have not read any of her books but I did enjoy the excerpt. Just perfect discussion and formality for their time.

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  20. would love to win this one. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  21. I enjoyed reading the excerpt. I'd love to read the book. :)

    Rachel
    time4us2havetea(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. I have read The Preacher's Bride and loved it. Would love to win this book!

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  23. Love Jody Hedlund's books. Can't wait to read Rebellious Heart!

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  24. Would love to win Jody's latest. Thanks!

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  25. This is so exciting! I REALLY want to read this book, I hear it's great!

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  26. Loved the sneak peak! Looks very good. This would be a first for me from this author, but I would love to start reading her work. :)

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  27. I thought the excerpt was inviting. I haven't read any of the author's books but hope to. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  28. I've read "The Preacher's Bride" so I know this one will be great, too. Can hardly wait!

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  29. Aw! I loved the excerpt! Thanks for sharing! I am so excited to read her new book even more now :)

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  30. It sounds really good. I haven't read any of her books yet but I have A Noble Groom on my TBR list.

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  31. I would love to read your book! Your book sounds so interesting I want to read it from front to back

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  32. I love the language in the excerpt! It's...rather elegant. :) I haven't yet had the chance to read any of Jody's books, but am eager to start. :)

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  33. That's an intriguing passage and makes me want to read more.

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  34. I enjoyed A Noble Groom, and since this one is based on historical figures, I know I'll enjoy it as well! Sign me up!
    kandrajane@bellsouth.net

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  35. I'm hooked! Excerpts are my downfall. They almost always make me want to run and get the book. :) Thanks for the giveaway.

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  36. I enjoyed the excerpt. You have me hooked; I'd love to read the book.

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  37. I have read all of Jody's books except a Noble Groom, which is on my Nook and I will be reading it soon! :)

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  38. I enjoyed the excerpt and want to read more! I've read a couple of Jody's books: The Preacher's Bride and A Noble Groom.They are wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win this new book.

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  39. I've not read any of Julie's book, the excerpt interested me

    sonflower277

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  40. Great excerpt! No, I haven't read any of Jody's books as of yet. :-)

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  41. Oh wow! I loved this excerpt!!! It was so wonderful!! :)

    No, I haven't read any of Jody's books yet. (signed in as Amber M)

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  42. Loved the excerpt, & anxious to see the outcome of Susanna's conversation! Haven't read any of Jody's books, & would love to read this one!

    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  43. I have not read any of Jody's novels yet. However, I've heard wonderful things. :)

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  44. I have not read a book by Jody yet but have seen reviews on prechers bride and am wanting read. would love to win a copy of her book

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  45. I haven't read any of her books but I liked the excerpt!

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  46. The excerpt makes me want to read it!

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  47. Thanks for the excerpt. I would love to have this one for my Jody collection. :)
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. It sounds interesting -- I read in another interview that it's based on John and Abigail Adams' courtship! I've read most of Jody's books and have enjoyed A Noble Groom most! Looking forward to reading Rebellious Heart!

    Stephanie
    mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

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  49. I can't wait to read this book. Based on the excerpt the characters reach out to draw you in! It is on my to read list! mcnuttjem0@gmail.com

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  50. How romantic! I love the sound of this book.

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  51. Loved the excerpt! I have read a couple of Jody's books before and loved them!!

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  52. This book sounds so wonderful. I haven't read any of Jody's books, but I can't wait to read this one.

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  53. I really loved this excerpt. Sadly I haven't read any of Jody's books--but this excerpt certainly makes me want to change that! :)

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  54. Love the excerpt! I love how she is so adamant about education making girls better wives and mothers. So true :) I don't think I've read any of Jody's books but I could be wrong. I read so many books it is hard to keep track! This sounds wonderful.

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  55. The excerpt is intriguing! I would love to read more! I haven't read any of Jody's books...yet! Sounds great!

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  56. I loved the excerpt, it engaged my curiosity to read more!

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  57. I love the excerpt. Book sounds great. I've read The Preacher's Bride and I want to read The Noble Groom also. Thank you for the giveaway and please enter my name.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  58. I loved the excerpt! I haven't read any books by this author, but I've heard great things about her books. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

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  59. I read "The Doctor's Lady" --it was great! I can't wait for this one ... the colonial time period is one of my favorites. I think the excerpt introduced the two characters well.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  60. Sounds interesting, beautiful cover. Thanks for the giveaway.

    -Janella

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  61. Rebellious Heart looks great! Love to read it.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  62. What a great excerpt! Thank you for sharing this book with me, as I hadn't heard of it before.

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  63. I love her spunk and theory on reading and education. This is the type of woman I would like to think I would have been in that age of time.
    I have never read any of Jody's books. She appears to be a great author that would fit my book review blog so well.

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  64. I like how the heroine really does look rebellious ~ yet sweet ~ on the cover. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  65. This looks like a great book. I look forward to reading it.

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  66. I love Jody's books!!! This book looks like another favorite in the making : )

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  67. I have not read one of Jody's books but after this interview I would like to read her books

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  68. Would love to read this book!

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  69. Would love to win this book. It's nice to be a member of a Christian blog that gives you wonderful giveaways too!!

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  70. it sounds good. i have not read any of her books

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  71. I have not had a chance to read any books by Jody yet. I look forward to them. I love this cover.

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