Author Q&A/Book Giveaway: Journey of a Cotton Blossom by J.C. Villegas

About the Book

Publisher: Brown Books Publishing
Release Date: September 15, 2016


Synopsis from Goodreads...

Born amid the bigotry of the Deep South, mixed-race Joseph is a slave in all but name. Separated from his mother at birth, he yearns to run away from his loveless home and find her. It's a journey that will take him from plantation to plantation and hardship to hardship, yielding joy, sorrow, and love along the way.

Years later, Joseph's son, Isaiah, faces his own journey: coming to terms with his homosexuality. But society is still slow to accept change, and Isaiah fears rejection from even those closest to his heart.


From 1940s Mississippi to the civil rights era of the '60s and the push for LGBT equality, Journey of a Cotton Blossom follows three generations of a family fighting for liberation. J. C. Villegas paints an eye-opening story that will inspire readers to open their hearts to love. Though her characters face different types of discrimination, they all draw strength from love and from their faith in God. Can Joseph find the mother he has never met? Can Isaiah survive injustice and adversity? And can they each learn to love themselves in the face of a world that challenges their right to exist?

Author Q&A

I would like to thank you, Yvonne and Socrates Book Reviews, for taking the time with Journey of a Cotton Blossom and me.

1. Who is your biggest influence in your writing career?

I would have to say my parents are one of my biggest influences. They always told me to go after my dreams. They not only told me this, they modeled it. Having them as strong role models and a constant support system let me know I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.

Injustice has also had a huge influence on my writing. Since I was a little girl my parents have always said I was completely incensed by any injustice I would see, and that has not diminished over time.


2. What type of research do you do for your writing?

For Journey of a Cotton Blossom I did a lot of research on the history of Mississippi from the 1940’s through the 1980’s. I read many articles and historical journals, one after the other. I already knew some of Mississippi’s history, but many of the things that happened I was not taught in school. A lot of it was entirely new information to me, which I found to be quite shocking.

3. Why did you choose to be a writer?

I would not say I chose to be a writer. It chose me. I had no intentions of writing a book until Journey of a Cotton Blossom came to me one night in a dream.

When I woke up from this dream I was intrigued, but I thought there was no way I was going to write a book. I had no training, and at that time I was on a different path having started a non-profit animal rescue.

Over a nine-month span, I continued to have this dream. Each time it intensified and more detail came to me. Finally, I decided if I was ever going to sleep soundly again I had to start writing.

4. What book would you choose to read for your own relaxation?

Shamefully, although I am now an author, I have not been a huge reader in the past. I am somewhat of a TV junkie.

Over the past years I have enjoyed two of Eckhart Toll’s books, along with a couple of Ellen DeGeneres’s books, and Drew Barrymore’s latest biography. I also do find myself reading a lot of scientific publications, historical articles, and news articles. I enjoy learning.


5. Who is your all time favorite author?

When I was a little girl my dad read me The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis every night. We went through all seven books twice. I would say that was a big influence to my creativity and how it can be shown through writing.

I am big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.K. Rowling is an author I highly respect. She is definitely someone to emulate.

Thank you so much for stopping by our blog, J.C.!

BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thanks to the author and the publishers, I have two print books of Journey of a Cotton Blossom by J.C. Villegas to giveaway to two lucky winners.

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the rafflecopter form below.

2) Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old

3) US Residents Only

4) For one extra entry: Tweet about this giveaway.

5) For one extra entry: Leave a comment for the author.

6) For one extra entry:  Follow this blog...old followers, too!  Just let us know how you follow and under what name.

7) For one extra entry: Follow me on Twitter.

8) For one extra entry: Follow or friend me on Goodreads

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited.

The giveaway begins on April 3rd (midnight est) and ends on April 10th (midnight est).

The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter. The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner here on my blog.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway