Friday, August 28, 2015

Pam Hillman Gives the Scoop on STEALING JAKE

Quick note from Natalie: 
I was out of town last weekend and the last scheduled post completely escaped me. I'll postpone the next installment of the Encouragement for the Waiting series until next weekend.

To make it up to you, I have CBA bestselling author Pam Hillman here to tell us insider info about her August release, Stealing Jake! I'm also giving away my autographed paperback copy of Stealing Jake. I'll have to get another copy for myself, but this is a book that must be shared! And who better to share it with than you guys!



Hi, Pam! So glad to have you here! 
--So tell us in three sentences, what is this book about?



Can a former pickpocket fall in love with a small town sheriff, especially when he’s doing everything he can to get rid of the riffraff spilling out of Chicago onto his streets? And what will the sheriff do when he finds out about her past?


http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Jake-Pam-Hillman-ebook/dp/B0057Z87DK/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439670153&sr=8-1&keywords=stealing+jake+by+pam+hillman


Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, what makes them unique?



Livy O’Brien has a soft spot for street kids, since she used to be one herself. Changed by a kindly woman and the love of Jesus, she longs to help other street kids find hope and a future.



On the other hand, sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell, is determined to send the street kids roaming the alleys of Chestnut back to Chicago where they belong. It isn’t until he meets and falls in love with Livy that his eyes are opened to the true realities these kids face every day. Then he risks everything—including his life—to save them.



Gibbons’ family has a reputation to uphold as some of the most vile crooks in all of Chicago. But Chestnut is the perfect place for Gibbons show his family once and for all that he’s capable of being just as ruthless as the rest of them. And since no one cares for the street kids anyway, why not use them to their fullest potential?



Luke, a street kid from Chicago, is trying his best just to survive. When a string of robberies occurs in town, everyone suspects him and his little band of ragtag street urchins... but all he wants is to fill his stomach, survive the winter, and find his kid brother.

What was your inspiration for writing this book?

I honestly can’t remember how I came up with the exact idea for the pickpocket theme, but it was the old adage of opposites attract. If she’s a thief (even if she’s reformed), he’d better be a lawman.


Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.



Jake blames himself for his father’s death and is determined to work night and day to care for his family, regardless of the cost to himself.



Livy is short for Olivia, which is a nod to Oliver Twist.

How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?



Livy’s ashamed of her past, and most of us have things in our past that we’re ashamed of. Livy knows God has forgiven her, but will the people in her new town accept her if they ever find out? From their actions and words toward the street kids, she’s afraid she knows the answer. Jake and the townspeople feel justified in their desire to get rid of the kids, but they don’t know the whole story. Sometimes it’s easy to assume the worst of others when we ourselves are well-fed, clothed, and sheltered.


What is the biblical background or basis for the book?



Forgiveness. Accepting God’s forgiveness, forgiving others, and possibly the hardest of all, forgiving oneself.

Why did you choose to focus on a female protagonist?



The premise called for a female pickpocket and a male sheriff. While they both have a sympathetic backstory, hers is much more emotionally gut-wrenching than his. The reader is going to cheer extra loud for her when she faces her fears and overcomes them. On the other hand, Jake faces his fears and overcomes them, too. But Livy has just a tiny bit of an edge on Jake when it comes to pulling readers’ heartstrings.



Describe your feelings when you opened the box and saw the first published copies of your very first book.



My heart smiled. I don’t know how else to explain it. I didn’t throw confetti or have a big party. But my heart smiled. Still does when I think about it.





What are your hopes for your future as an author?



I hope to keep telling stories that reach out and touch someone. If I entertain, encourage, and uplift one person today, I’ll call it a good day.


CBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn't afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn't mind raking. Raking hay doesn't take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that's the kind of life every girl should dream of. 

You can connect with Pam through one of the following sites:


Twitter: https://twitter.com/PamHillman or @PamHillman





Seekerville (group blog): http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com



Up for grabs this week is an autographed copy of Stealing Jake. Comment with your email address to be entered! Open to U.S. residents only, please. Giveaway ends 9/3 at 12p.m. Central Daylight Time. Winner will be announced next weekend.

Comment fodder:
It's cooling off here in Mississippi. I'm so ready for fall! What's your favorite thing about fall? Hot apple cider? Scarves? Something else? 

29 comments:

  1. I think I have a copy of this on my Kindle, but would love a PB copy!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  2. The best thing i love about fall is the nice,cooler weather,where you can open your windows and let in fresh air,and watching the leaves turn.
    Thanks for letting me comment and would love to read STEALING JAKE.

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  3. Oh this sounds so good, definitely adding it to my reading bucket list!!

    alander87 at allcom dot net

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  5. Something wonderful turns up when fall comes around--pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks!! :)

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  6. I love reading about the oposites :) The satisfaction of them getting together is so much better :)

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  7. This sounds like an awesome book. Would love to read it.

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  8. I left a comment earlier. Had to do it by anonymous. keanusmom@hotmail.com

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  9. Stealing Jake looks like a book I would love to read. Enjoyed the interview!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  10. Sounds like an interesting book! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. Not being hot is my favorite thing about fall! It's also the start of football season.
    Thanks for giving away your books. It sounds like a really good one.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  12. First of all I really love stories of forgiveness (especially when a character realizes the need to forgive themselves). A good tug on the heartstrings is great too! :)

    My favorite thing about fall is going to the pumpkin patch to hand pick some beautiful pumpkins, enjoy some apple cider and maybe catch a hay ride or the corn maze. My most favorite thing is seeing the color changes in the trees. In Arizona you really have to drive sometimes to do that, but we live a mile high up so we get that blessing. :)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Fun giveaway!

    I LOVE fall. As a matter of face, today I bought two fall-scented candles (even though it has suddenly warmed up here again) because I wanted my house to smell like my favorite season. :)

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  14. *matter of fact*

    LOL! Forgive the typo!

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  15. My husbands favorite thing about fall would be football. Since I'm not a sports nut like he is my favorite thing about fall would be the cooler temps but in Florida that is hard to come by.

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  16. Pam Hillman's book, Stealing Jake, has been one of my most anticipated reads this year. After a busy summer of record temps, I am a little excited for the kids to start school so that I can have a bit more reading time.

    I like the first signs of fall, but when it starts getting dark at 5 p.m. I'm already looking forward to spring.

    tlhcoupon (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  17. I love so many things about fall, but my favorite thing was marrying my husband in mid-October.


    lmjoyner(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. This books sounds great. Thanks for having the giveaway. I like the fall weather, my birthday, and apple cider is good too.

    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. Hi, PATTY! I can't get enough of the paperbacks, either! Best wishes in the giveaway!

    Hi, Elma! Welcome to the Sweet South Blog! Thanks so much for stopping by!

    ABBY!!! Hey, girl! Thanks so much for jumping in on this giveaway! ;) Got your entries!!!

    Heather, that sounds good! I don't even like pumpkin and that still sounds good! LOL!

    IRMA! I totally agree. When the hero and heroine start off at odds with one another because they're opposites, a resolution seems so much more impossible, then it's all the better when they finally can get it together! :)

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  20. I've heard so many good things about this book! And I love fall, all of my décor is out today. : )

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  21. Whoops! forgot my email! bookwormgal2011 AT yahoo DOT com

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  22. Hi, Anonymous (keanusmom @ hotmail . com)! I've got your entry! Best wishes in the giveaway!

    RUBYNREBA! So glad you enjoyed the interview! These are characters I won't forget easily. Got you entered in the giveaway!

    JOAN! Lovely profile pic! Thanks for commenting on the Facebook thread as well! Hope you're having a happy fall!! :)

    PAM! Not being hot is one thing I love about fall, too!!! Haha! Thanks for your comments here and on the Facebook thread!

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  23. Oh, KELLY! I LOVE hayrides and watching the leaves change! Definitely some of the best things about fall. Best wishes in the giveaway!

    COURTNEY, fall candles, especially apple pie smelling ones are the highlight of my year. :) I burn them from September to January, haha! And sometimes in the summer, because I mean, you have July 4th in there, and what's more American than apple pie? ;)

    Hi, LIBRARY LADY! Yes, we're getting some of those cooler temps in the mornings and evenings here. Loving it!

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  24. Hi, TROSADO! More reading time is always good! :)

    Hey there, ANONYMOUS (lmjoyner(at)hotmail(dot)com)!!! Aw! That's super sweet!

    ROSE! I love your profile pic!!! ;) And it just so happens I had apple cider tonight. MMMMMM!!!!

    MICHELLE! Welcome to the Sweet South Blog! Grab a glass of sweet iced tea (or a cup of hot tea, whichever you prefer) and pull up a rocking chair. :) So good to have you here. Best wishes in the giveaway!

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  25. I would love to win an autographed copy of this book - paperbacks are so very nice to hold :) Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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  26. My favorite thing about fall is that it is finally getting colder out - at least it is supposed to be. I live in central Virginia and the weather is totally bi=polar. 80's one day, 40's the next. I LOVE the cold though, and peppermint hot cocoa! And being snuggled up under a quilt with a great book. I'm looking forward to reading Stealing Jake, and would love to win a copy!

    Sarah K.

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  27. It is still summer in SE NC. I find it hard to segue into fall mode. When I do, though, I am all in. Love my decorations!
    Re the book giveaway (alerted by The Vessel Project) my email is bcruce@nc.rr.com

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  28. This sounds like a great read, and am looking forward to reading it! It is a little challenging to find anything in the desert SW to like about fall - we kind of segue directly from summer to less warm...not very many falling leaves, and we tend to see lots of flowers in the winter. I miss the colors and aroma of the trees and falling leaves, shuffling through fallen leaves, smelling fireplaces, that sweet brisk air...hard to describe as I wouldn't have thought I would miss so much when I lived in the Midwest!

    jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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  29. I realized I forgot to add my email.

    Sarahbearbenson at gmail dot com

    Sarah K.

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