Unconventional
Please welcome J.J. Hebert to the site. He’s using the voice talents of Jeffrey Kafer to release a free serialized audiobook version of his inspirational fiction novel, Unconventional. To celebrate the launch, Jeffrey Kafer will do a live reading of episode 1 (chapters 1-3) via webcam at 10pm Eastern Time (7pm PST). J.J. Hebert will also be there in the chat room to answer questions and celebrate the launch with you!
YOUNG JAMES FROST just knows, deep in his bones, that he’s a writer. He writes far into early mornings, after his wearying hours of scrubbing toilets and sweeping floors. He loves writing that much.
But it’s not only the joy of words that keeps him grinding; it’s his desire to retire the janitor’s mop. He sees being published as the key to living an improved life. James has another deep-seated conviction: that he’s not good enough. He secretly longs to be accepted. However, the conventional others in his life seem all too willing to remind him that he’s wasting his time.
Then he meets and falls in love with Leigh, the one bright spot in his endless misery of self-doubt. A quiet but resolutely religious girl, she has to fight off disapproval of her own from overly critical parents, whose insults are countered by James’s often-voiced admiration of her. Likewise, Leigh’s faith in his talents begins to build his confidence, eventually allowing her to introduce him to a different way to help himself: relying on God.
Ultimately, James’s newfound faith is sorely tested to the point of doubt when his dream to be published seems to melt into a mirage, smothered by countless rejection slips from agents and publishers. His faith is also battered by having to fight highly emotional battles and suffer fear and loss. Just when James appears hopelessly sapped by devastating events, one last door opens, and he’s rocked by an epiphany.
UNCONVENTIONAL is designed to inspire readers to reach for their dreams. Buy this book. Read it. Share it with everyone you know. You—and they—will be glad you did!
The first five episodes are in the default feed, with more coming as J.J. makes them available. Or, get a custom feed and you get to pick when you get available episodes delivered to you.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
July 4th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Thanks, Evo, for the announcement!
July 8th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I’m primarily a fan of Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels and the occasional mystery. However, I try to give a book a few chapters especially if I find the premises behind the book to be interesting. I’ve found that J.J Hebert’s “Unconventional” was a book I was really happy to take a chance on. J.J does a great job of drawing you into the life if James Frost and his struggles and at times you may even see yourself in the boy’s life. J.J does a remarkable job of telling his story using some great descriptions of the emotions felt as James moves on with his life. James like many of us today doesn’t have the perfect family and to me it’s great to see some chasing their dream no matter what life will through in front of you. This has been a great story to follow along with and one I certainly plan to follow through to the end. If anything stands out is the way this story seems to be full of real life experiences that J.J. himself may have had and is sharing with us the reader.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Thanks for your kind comment, Shawn. Episode 6 is coming!
July 19th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Usually, I avoid incomplete books because I’m too impatient. Unconventional caught my attention, and I subscribed to make sure I didn’t forget about it. Unfortunately, I did forget it was incomplete and started listening.
The character are engaging and compelling, and I’m hooked. I really hope the author records and posts the episodes quickly. Just in case, though, I went ahead and bought the printed book. Now it’s a race between Podiobooks and Amazon to see who will provide the story first. Either way, don’t miss this book or author! I have no doubt this is only the first of many.
July 19th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Thank you, Elizabeth, for listening to the free audiobook and also for buying the paperback! More episodes are on their way…
October 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
J.J. thank you for writing this book. I’m going to buy a few copies and pass them out to some teens I know who could use some inspiration.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Thank YOU, George, for listening to my audio book! When you decide to purchase Unconventional, please don’t forget the autographed copy option offered via my site: http://www.jjhebert.net. Again, thanks for your support!
JJ