Rave Reviews Back-to-School Book & Blog Block Party

~ Jonna Hawker Turek

Hi! Sadly, the party’s over, but wasn’t yesterday fun?

So nice of you to stop by to help me clean-up the mess. You can always tell a successful party by the after-glow you feel and the amount of clutter to clear away.

If you will grab those balloons, there, I’ll sweep up this graffiti…careful not to step in the spilled cider.

Did you hear? We have Five lucky winners of the door-prizes:

Nonnie Jules, S.M. Spencer, Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko, Robyn K,  and Shirley Harris-Slaughter will soon receive a personal email letting them know which prize each has won.  But, I was the big winner. What a blast!  I can’t wait for next time.

If you don’t want to forget what fun we had, just read my conversation with Bunny below and all the super comments from my other guests.

Thanks for coming!

[9/16/15 post follows]

Welcome wonderfBlock Party Badge(1)ul readers! I am thrilled you came to my party. I’m so pleased, in fact, that I am giving away door prizes to five (count ’em, 5) lucky guests today. Leave your comment below and tomorrow you may be notified that YOU are the winner of the signed paperback of your choice from my published works or the winner of a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate. In addition, three lucky guests will receive a digital copy (in your preferred format: Kindle, ePub or PDF) of the Bunny Elder series book of your choice.  How do you like those nifty party favors, just for showing up today?

It may still be warm where you live (here in Northern California it’s downright HOT), but September holds the promise that autumn is on its way. So, pull up that comfy wicker rocker on my shady veranda, sip some spiced cider (okay, a tall glass of iced tea may be substituted, since you asked so nicely) and settle in for a friendly visit.

Some of you may have read the Bunny Elder series books, but whether you’ve heard of her, or not, I’m sure you will enjoy meeting the woman herself.

Bunny, come on over here!

Bunny: Here I am, J.B. I was out back picking an apple from your tree. See how pretty it is?

JB: Yes, that tree is bearing a bumper crop this year. Be sure to take a bagful home with you. But, right now, look! We have company.

B: Well, hey, I didn’t see YOU sitting there. Hi, I’m Bunny Elder Banks. Would you like an apple?

JB: I thought we might have a chat and let our guest get to know a little more about you, Bunny. Would you mind if I ask you some questions?

B: Ask away!

JB: Bunny is a rather unusual nickname. Can you tell us how you got it?

B: My older sisters, Jean and Linda, gave it to me when I was about six. When my two front permanent teeth came in they were too big for my mouth. My sisters said I looked like a little bunny rabbit and the name stuck. I was more than happy to leave “Leveline” behind.

JB: I can understand. But where in the world did your parents get that interesting name?

B: I was told it was the middle name of a favorite great-aunt of my mom’s, but I never met her. I always figured my mother just made it up after hearing Chuck Berry’s song “Maybellene” and she was too embarrassed to admit it.

JB: You grew up in Northern California, is that right?

B: Yep. In a little mountain community called Clark’s Hallow. You’ve probably never heard of it, but I loved it, from its quaint old-west style downtown to the quiet lanes overshadowed by tall pines and cedars.

JB: Where do you live today?

B: My main residence is in Bannoch on the Oregon Coast. I also maintain a condo in Houston, Texas.

JB: How do you support two homes, if you don’t mind my asking?

B: My late husband, Max Banks, was a well-to-do business man and a savvy investor. He left me very well off. I’ve discovered managing wealth is a huge responsibility, but I try to use the money for God’s glory.

JB: So you don’t work?

B: Not so much work, but I do write and I’ve published a book which has gotten some nice reviews. I manage to keep busy with my writing, my church work, trips to Houston to oversee things there, and occasionally I take trips with friends or my sisters.

JB: That’s right! You had quite an exciting trip to Italy with your sister, Linda, a few years back. [This adventure is recounted in “Vain Pursuits”-ed.]

B: That was almost too exciting. Most of my travels have been much more restful…well, except when Max and I were captured by those nasty pirates on our honeymoon in the Indian Ocean. That was not restful, at all. [Read about it in “…and Something Blue”-ed.]

JB: Um, no, that doesn’t sound very nice, but tell us, if you have a place in Texas because of your late husband’s business, what made you decide to settle in Oregon?

B: I have so many wonderful friends in Bannoch. I’ve even been made a sort of honorary member of the First Ladies Club. [Bunny moved to Oregon in “Seadrift”- ed.]

JB: Is that a group of past presidents’ wives?

B: (laughing) No! In some churches the pastor’s wife is called the First Lady. The group is made up of the wives of some of the pastors in Bannoch.

JB: Your first husband, Eustace, was a pastor, is that right?

B: Eustace was a pastor, but he wasn’t my first husband. Max was both my first and last husband. Eustace was a rather unpleasant interlude between.

JB: I believe he died in a car crash, is that right?

B: Yes. Can we talk about something else? [You can read all about it in “Hollow” – ed.]

JB: Of course!  What are your plans for the future?

B: One of the first things I want to do is make certain Max really did die in that plane crash in Eastern Europe.

JB: I’m surprised. Is there any reason to think he didn’t?

B: Probably not. But his body was never found and Max’s daughter, Marki, insists she saw him alive, not long ago. It’s been bothering me ever since she told me about it. Most likely she’s simply indulging in wishful thinking, but I need to make sure.

JB: Well, that is certainly intriguing. Please let us know if you find out anything. I see that our guest has finished her drink and is ready to say goodbye. She has several more Block Party stops to make. Thank you so much for joining us, Bunny.

B: Thanks for inviting me… and thanks for the apples!

JB: Any time. Watch out for that loose step! Goodbye, Bunny.

Thanks for joining Bunny and me today at our Book & Blog Block Party.  Before you go to the next stops, be sure to leave a comment, then watch your email tomorrow to see if you’ve won. Come back, again, anytime. Look out for the loose board on that step, there.

Goodbye!

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Published by Jonna Hawker Turek

I write Christian fiction under my maiden name, J.B. Hawker.

107 thoughts on “Rave Reviews Back-to-School Book & Blog Block Party”

  2. J. B., what an enjoyable interview! Bunny is delightful and I will have to check out the book! Enjoy this day today and I must visit here more often, as your writing is pretty good (and I love to visit blogs which house pretty good writing!). IN the voice of Arnold S. “I’ll be back!”

    Enjoy!

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  4. Great interview! What a pleasure to meet Bunny and sit and have a drink with you gals. The books sound great and I shall have to take a look … in fact, I’m gonna “hop to it” now! 🙂

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  5. Lovely interview with Bunny! I really enjoyed it. You have such an engaging writing style! Also, your website is gorgeous and a joy to visit. I hope you have a wonderful day.

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  7. I love your banner at the top. Those green eyes really pop! Love it! I also love how Bunny took a nickname that was given to her in a teasing, degrading manner and turned it into an affectionate word. Thanks for sharing her with us. 🙂

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  10. As a widow myself now, I can totally relate to Bunny’s need to handle her finances with good sense and foresight! 🙂 That purported sighting of her beloved Max is certainly unsettling though… I hope for the best there and not more heartache.
    Lovely light and breezy blog page Jonna – and thanks for my favourite long, cool drink of cider! 😀

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  13. J.B. I haven’t read your books yet, but you know that this whole exercise to acquaint us with all our fellow RRBC authors and their books. So now, I know them and will put them in line on my Kindle. So much to read, but really great books. Great party join on here! 🙂 Have fun and enjoy your day.

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  21. Loved your character interview, Joanna. My best friend growing up also had the nickname Bunny and she liked it much better than Gloria Jean. We’ve lost touch for the last 20 years but I still think of her often. I hear she lives at the beach and I live at the mountains – opposite sides of the state. About fall is coming. In the NC mountains it has already started getting chilly in the mornings–about 40 degrees.

    Have fun at your party. I have one of the Bunny Elder books–“Hollow” but haven’t had the chance to read it yet. It should be coming up in my TBR list soon.

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    1. Thanks for all the support, Kim.
      I liked hearing about your weather, etc. My oldest son has lived in Italy for over twenty years and is planning to move his family to North Carolina next year. I may get a chance to visit your beautiful state when I go to see my granddaughters.

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      1. That would be nice, Joanna. I bet you can’t wait to see him and the granddaughters. We love it here, but this is the only state I’ve lived in and haven’t ventured too far away either.

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  27. I’m so glad to meet Bunny! I just loved her in The First Ladies’ Club! I’m looking forward to reading about more of her adventures! What a spunky old gal! Great blog post and prizes! Have a glorious tour day! I’m an AVID READER!

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  32. Hello, Jonna! I have thoroughly enjoyed your Blog Block Party! This concept of character interview is quite intriguing. It really is a fantastic way to introduce others to your work. Best wishes to you on your blog day!

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  38. I agree – character interviews are great fun.

    For the reader of the book, it can give them more perspective and understanding of the character. Plus if it is a series it can gap the time between stories.

    For the author it is a great way to “get into character” and keep their mindset (for the next chapter of the story).

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  48. Hi JB!
    Love the header on you blog – is it your original artwork? I also enjoyed being a guest listener as you interviewed Bunny – she sounds like quite an interesting character!

    Thanks so much for hosting yet another great RRBC Back to School Blog Block Party – Best regards – ML

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