Jailbird
A Note from the Author to Kindle Nation Readers:
I’m often asked where I get the inspiration to write about the strong, resilient women in my novels. The short answer: it’s all around me. A piece of my life is in every book I write. My failures and triumphs are woven into every page, along with the strength of the women I grew up around.
The women in my family are a plucky bunch – maybe it’s my roots, from the wild and rugged Ozark country that straddles Missouri and Arkansas – but they were always able to make something out of nothing and aren’t afraid of hard work. My mother was a military wife, and my father was frequently gone for long stretches of time. She worked a grueling job as a floor nurse, yet she managed to keep an unwavering faith as she worked long days to put food on the table and clothes on our backs. Most importantly she laughed with us, cried with us and loved us fiercely. In turn, we learned the invaluable meaning of hard work, perseverance and laughter, no matter what life throws at us.
I’ve watched my sisters move through life’s trials with wit and grace, whether it’s fighting to save a child from a scary metabolic disorder that nearly claimed her life or forging a new life after a broken marriage. It was my sisters who were beside me when my own son lay at death’s door – and lifted me up during every weak moment on his road to recovery.
I’ve lost every material thing I’ve owned, and I’ve had moments of such complete joy that they will be forever frozen in my memory because of their sheer perfection. Having seen both ends of the spectrum, I’ve learned that life is short enough to be cherished and long enough to never give up hope while there is a breath left to fight. And those moments of crazy joy are worth fighting for.
I was told once that my novels were too messy to ever succeed – too many bad things happened to the heroines. To make matters worse, they retained a sense of humor throughout the worst of times. Conventional wisdom insisted the literary market would never stand for that paradox.
I respectfully disagree. The way I see it, life is messy—and hard. That doesn’t mean we should lose our sense of humor or fail to find joy. This is the message I try to instill through all my novels, including JAILBIRD, and above all, my own life. I hope it’s a message you enjoy reading.
Heather Huffman
Here’s the set-up:
In this paradoxical blend of light and dark, Jailbird is a warm and humorous tale about the power of hope.
Neena Allen has led a tough life. Born on the reservation, raped and unjustly convicted of murdering her attacker, she survives prison – barely. When an opportunity presents itself, she doesn’t hesitate to escape. Presumed dead, she stumbles into a sleepy Arkansas town where she finds refuge with a kind family and glimpses the chance for a real home, a place to belong.
But leading a double life isn’t easy, especially when you fall in love with the town lawyer.
To complicate matters further, a tenacious reporter gets too close to the truth and Neena finds herself on the run again. With a manhunt under way and her newfound happiness at risk, Neena is forced to face the painful memories of her past to decide on her future. Should she fight for her new life or give up those she loves to keep them safe?
Click here to visit Heather’s Author Page on Amazon
About the Author:
Heather Huffman writes romantic suspense with strong female leads that refuse to lose hope, and sees her books as a way to not only entertain, but to raise awareness of the realities of modern day slavery. She shares the passion of her resilient heroines to make a difference, and so dedicates both her time and a portion of her book royalties to organizations that fight against human trafficking.
Heather was born and spent her early childhood in Florida, but now calls the beautiful state of Missouri home. Her greatest joy, aside from writing, is to hit the road with her three boys for adventures unknown.
Heather is the author of Throwaway, Ties that Bind, Jailbird, and Suddenly a Spy. You can find out more about her writing and charitable work on www.heatherhuffman.net.
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