My newest book, Not Until The End, released last week! It’s the final book in my Hope Springs series, and I have to say that I didn’t expect a lot of my own real-life experiences to find their way into this book. After all, it’s not like my life is super exciting…and by book 10 of the series, I figured I had mined all I could from it. Turns out, I was wrong. As I was writing, I was kind of astounded by the things from my own life (things that I hadn’t thought about in years, in some cases!) that bubbled to the surface and showed up in some shape or form on the page.
But I’m not going to tell you what they are. At least not outright. Instead, I thought we’d play a little true or false game. I’ll list some statements based on the book below that may or may not have been inspired by real life. Your job is to decide if they’re true or false. If you’ve already read the book, you’ll know exactly where each of them came from…and if you haven’t, maybe you’ll be intrigued!
1. I have been attacked by chickens. True or false?
2. I have five children. True or false?
3. I have passed out. True or false?
4. I have gone skydiving. True or false?
5. I’ve had a surprise party thrown for me. True or false?
6. I’ve broken a toe. True or false?
7. I’ve had to wait a week for the moving truck to deliver my things. True or false?
8. I’ve taken riding lessons. True or false?
9. I like to do jigsaw puzzles. True or false?
10. I’ve been involved in a pizza-dough food fight. True or false?
Keep scrolling for the answers!
1. I have been attacked by chickens. False.
BUT…this did happen to a close friend of mine. A few years ago, she started raising chickens, and she was in the chicken run with them when her dog scared the birds. The chickens flapped and squawked—and one even landed on her back and held on tight!
2. I have five children. False.
Close though! I have four, but I decided to let Owen one-up me. His are ages 9-20, while mine are ages 11-18. I had so much fun giving each of his kids a unique personality, just as I see unique personalities in each of my kids.
3. I have passed out. True.
Back in college, I gave blood at a blood drive but decided not to eat any of the snacks they give you afterward since my roommate and I planned to go right down to dinner. Bad idea. I made it down to the cafeteria line and remember saying, “I’m just going to rest here a minute.” Next thing I knew, I was lying on the floor with people hovering over me.
4. I have gone skydiving. False.
This has never really been a dream of mine, but I have to admit that researching and writing about it made me almost want to try it…but I’m not sure that almost is enough to push me to actually do it. Still, that scene was intense and exhilarating to write—and I hope it’s just as exhilarating to read!
5. I’ve had a surprise party thrown for me. False.
And I’m glad! I like surprises in some areas…but a surprise party might be a bit much for this introvert to take!
6. I’ve broken a toe. True.
More than once! Even writing about it made me wince!
7. I’ve had to wait a week for the moving truck to deliver my things. True.
When we moved from Wisconsin to Texas, it took a week—a very long week!—for our stuff to arrive. You never realize how much you take for granted until you don’t have it!
8. I’ve taken riding lessons. False.
I wish! I think I gave Emma stables way back in book 1 of this series to fulfill a dream of younger me! I’ve been riding a few times in my life and have loved it every time, but I’ve never had a chance to take riding lessons.
9. I like to jigsaw puzzles. True.
My husband and I started doing jigsaw puzzles together a few years ago. We just finished putting together a 2,000-piece one in one week. But before you get too impressed by that, I have a feeling that our current 1,000-piece puzzle is going to take much longer.
10. I’ve been involved in a pizza-dough food fight. False.
Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever been involved in any type of food fight. So maybe writing them is my way of vicariously participating…without the mess!
So how did you do? Let me know in the comments! If you’ve already read the book, did you guess any of these things were inspired by real life as you read?
And if you haven’t read Not Until The End yet, here’s a little more about it:
He’s used to jumping out of airplanes. But jumping into love a second time…that may be too scary even for him.
Before Owen lost his wife to cancer, he promised her that he’d find someone new to love someday. It’s a promise he never plans to keep. He’s busy enough trying to get his new skydiving center in Hope Springs up and running, not to mention raising his five kids. He doesn’t have time for love. And even if he did, how would he ever find someone who could measure up to the love he lost?
Though she used to long for a large family, Emma has to admit that it doesn’t look like that’s in the Lord’s plans for her. After all, she’s 42 and has never been in love. Besides, after surviving cancer, she has other priorities now. Like checking things off her Life List. And serving the Lord with each moment he gives her. So when Owen and his children move in next door, it’s only natural that she wants to be a good neighbor to them. A good neighbor—and nothing more.
But when being a good neighbor turns into helping Owen’s family pick up the pieces after another heartbreaking loss, neither can deny that their feelings are becoming more than neighborly. But is Owen ready to open his heart again? And can Emma admit that maybe God has put a family in her future after all?
You can find it on Amazon here!
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
I only got 2 questions wrong. I’m pretty good at it only because some questions are funny.
Hi Valerie! Hooray I received 100% this morning. I remembered you live in Wisconsin. So as Michigander, mom, and Oma I made some assumptions. #6 made me cringe and chuckle. I dislike wearing shoes and foot covering, so when the kids were younger and didn’t move in the dining room chairs, I did that more than once. Now in my 70s I am more careful. I agree with #4 – no skydiving for this lady. Happy Holidays and Best wishes. Thanks for giving us the answers and explanations. Great fun blog.
I didn’t do that well but I did remember you had 4 children so got that one right!
I answered true to the quesion about being chased by chickens, glad to hear you didn’t have that happen though. We were staying at a holiday rental flat this summer which was on a farm, my kids loved having all the animals there. One evening my youngest and I went to say goodnight to the piglets and we must have disturbed the chickens that lived in the same barn and they suddenly came rushing at us led by a very loud and angry rooster! I grabbed the toddler and ran, luckily none got close enough to hold on to us!
The new book sounds great. Hope the release goes well.
I only missed two of them!! I LOVED the book, and I thought it was a great way to end the series! Chickens can be nice, but some of them can also be downright mean!!
Good job! I’m impressed! I had fun coming up with the questions, lol!
Congratulations, Renate! I know what you mean about #6–I’ve definitely broken a toe more than once too! I still can’t bring myself to wear shoes all day to prevent it…but my slippers do a decent job in the winter at least!
I’m impressed that you got the question about kids right–since 5 children is so close to 4 (what’s one more kid, right, lol!), I thought it might trip people up! Your story about the chickens made me laugh–although I’m sure it wasn’t funny at the time to see them rushing at you! Glad you both escaped without being landed on!
Good job, Trudy! I’m impressed! I agree about the chickens–although they do make for some amusing stories (I couldn’t even include everything my friend has experienced with her chickens…but let’s just say she’s had broken chicken eggs in her pocket, lol!). Thanks so much for your kind words about the book!
I got them half right. 50%. the first one I put true. I have been attacked by more then one rooster. One was plain nasty but it didn’t go after the owners. It did however go after there daughter and that was the end of it. they got it from an fellow nurse who it would attack. seems it didn’t like people with blonde hair was fine with brunettes. the nurse, myself and Lucy 4 year old daughter all had blonde hair. The other rooster was a sweet heart. growing up I was scared of the chooks and they would come at me cos I had food so I call that being attacked!
When mum and dad were first married mum would feed the chickens and collect the eggs. they had this rouge rooster that would attack. so even in summer she would wear rubber boots and be covered. Dad thought it was funny and that she was just exaggerating. Well this particular Sunday Dad went and feed the chooks and collected the eggs and came back fuming about the rooster who attacked him. Mum was laughing so much but He knew better than to say much after laughing at mum.I hear it tasted very good for Sunday lunch the following week.
I didn’t do to badly on the quiz. Some questions I knew from reading your newsletters. A couple I guessed and was wrong. But with the hint, I went back and found the 4 trues. I have your book, but have not had the chance to read it yet. With the holidays, it seems there is not much spare time. And I bumped it so I could read “The Boy Who Cried Christmas” by Dennis Bailey. I read it last Christmas. It is a really good story. Then, yours is next in line (and I am so looking forward to it).
Oh my goodness, this made me laugh. It’s amazing how many people have experienced chicken attacks–I’m just glad my friend told me hers and I didn’t have to experience it myself! Chickens looks so docile…but apparently they can fend for themselves! Thanks for sharing this!
I had a feeling people who read my newsletter might have a leg up on this quiz! :) I know what you mean about not having much time to spare this time of year–and I don’t blame you for wanting to fit in a Christmas book! I hope you enjoy Not Until The End when you have a chance to read it!
I guessed four correctly. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy book birthday. God bless you.
Yay! Nice job! And thank you!
I got 7 right! I remembered you had 4 kids & liked jigsaw puzzles from your newsletter, the rest were mostly guesses lol
The book sounds so good, I can’t wait to read it ❤️
Yay! Nice job! I do like to talk about my kids and jigsaw puzzles in my newsletter, lol!
I said true to them all because they all seemed plausible.
That’s a good technique! :) And I love knowing that they all seemed plausible because I always want my books to feel realistic!