Thursday, June 11, 2009

NOSEY IN NEBRASKA - Mary Connealy - Free Book

Welcome back, Mary. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?


I like themes of trusting in God and living courageously for God. In fact, in an upcoming book, not this one, my main theme is "whom shall I fear." This is a man who is newly Christian and he keeps feeling like a coward so he recites this like a mantra ‘whom shall I fear’ to remind himself that God is in control.

In Nosy in Nebraska my heroine in the first book is terrified of mice. Every time she jumps and screams the first rational thought that comes to her mind is "Forgive me." Because she believes being afraid of mice is a sin because it’s so stupid. Her hero doesn’t ever teach her to get over the phobia, but he does help her accept it as part of who she is and not a sin.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

Nosy in Nebraska just released.

I’ve got a July released which is the first of a new series. The series is Montana Marriages, the book is called Montana Rose.

Then I’ve got a Cowboy Christmas coming in November.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Tricky question, Lena. I wonder who it would be WISE to spend the evening with.
Most of my celebrity like heroes, I suspect wouldn’t be as much fun as I’d hope. I think I’ll keep the rose colored glasses on them.

I had a great lunch with Stephanie Grace Whitson a while back. So wonderful to spend time with someone this excited about writing and the Lord. Wonderful combination.

How about you, Lena. Even at conferences we don’t spend that much time together. I’ll pick you.
I'd love to spend time with you, Mary. Maybe we can at conference in Colorado. How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?

Well, I look back now and see writing all through my life. My children’s baby books are covered with writing, more than pictures. So I think of myself as a writer. It’s more than something I do. It’s what I am.

I started seriously writing a book, with the hope of publication, when my youngest daughter went to Kindergarten. She’s twenty now.

What can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

I think, get tough or get out. That’s about all I can say. The writing life is full of rejection. If it hurts too much, get away from it, because you have to endure it in order to be a published author.

HOWEVER---
If you’re like me and can’t really stop, then you’re kind of trapped. You have to write and you hate the pain of rejection, then I’d find a way to either get tough, or start focusing on a type of writing that will earn you so acceptance. Get a job at a newspaper. Start a blog and pour your love of writing into that. Write for your church newsletter. These different forms of writing can also be a stepping stone to publishing a book. So they aren’t even a detour, they can be part of the journey.

What I’ve started to realize is that having a book out there in the world is so laden with emotion. Highs and lows. I’m really great. I stink. It’s a roller coaster ride and the best you can do is try not to let it make you crazy. Don’t let the lows destroy you, and don’t get full of yourself during the highs.

Tell us about the featured book.

Nosy in Nebraska is an anthology of three cozy mysteries.

OF MICE...AND MURDER

Being named in Great-grandma’s will was like hitting bankrupt on Wheel of Fortune. The whole family held their breath while the wheel ticked around and around, or rather while the lawyer opened the envelope. Then they all heaved a sigh of relief when the wheel stopped on Carrie’s name. Carrie the heiress. Great. Clean up the house. Clean up the yard. Clean up Great-grandma’s rap sheet.

Carrie hates mice and loves the big city. So why is she living in a huge mouse infested house in her dinky hometown? The dead guy in her pantry closet is the most interesting thing that's happened since she came home. Of course the carpenter who's helping her trap her mice and solve the crime is pretty interesting, too.

PRIDE AND PESTILENCE

Joe Manning comes to town to finally meet his deadbeat dad, only to find his father has been murdered.

Bonnie is attacked while she's at work in the Melnik Historical Society Museum, proud home of Maxie the World's Largest Field Mouse. Only her attacker now claims it was an accident, and he claims he's never seen the guy before who's dead in Bonnie's store room.

Bonnie wants to be suspicious but once he stopped attacking her he turns out to be pretty sweet. And lots of people had a motive to kill Sven Gunderson - including Bonnie herself. Gunderson, the true owner of Maxie, wanted his mouse back.

In Melnik, that means war!


THE MICEMAN COMETH

Tyler Simpson is opening a new law office and he's home to stay.

The very British Dr. Madeline Stuart is writing an anthropology doctoral thesis about a small town that worships an oversized rodent. Success with her project should lead to her dream job, a full professorship at Oxford... even better, a guest shot on Oprah.

When a body falls out of a cupboard in Tyler's law office, clutching Maddy's necklace in his cold, dead fingers, Maddy gets arrested and Tyler is appointed her attorney.

But once Tyler finds out Maddy's here to betray his beloved Melnik, he isn't giving her his best effort.

And someone out there thinks blaming the murder on Maddy would be a perfect solution to his own problems. And Maddy's more likely to cooperate with being framed - if she's dead.
Maxie the World's Largest Field Mouse must come through one more time to thwart the criminal in his peaceful, if someone mouse-obsessed, hometown.

I can hardly wait to read the series. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.maryconnealy.com/

Mary, thank you for this wonderful interview.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the featured book. Notice: the only notification will be the winners announcement post on this blog. So check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.
If you're reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave a comment:

30 comments:

Julie Lessman said...

MARY!!! LOVE your books and love you!! Thanks SO much, Lena, for a great interview and a chance to win Mary's book!

Hugs,
Julie

Mary Connealy said...

Hi, Julie. Shouldn't you be writing?

Mary in scolding teacher mode

:)

G.R.I.T.S. said...

Sounds Great!!! I hope to win! Please enter me, It was a great Interview!!!

Rae Byuel

Carmen said...

Would love to win Nosey in Nebraska! Put me in your drawing. Thanks.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Janet Dean said...

Fun interview, Lena and Mary. Thanks!

I'm relieved to hear fear of mice isn't a sin, Mary. I'm getting Nosey in Nebraska tomorrow night. Can't wait to dig in to the fun!

You're so right about the highs and lows of writing. Getting tough is great advice.

Janet

Sandee61 said...

I'd love to read this book! Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you! Also enjoyed the interview with Mary Connealy. Her books are a wonderful and inspirational read.

Blessings,
Sandy

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Unknown said...

Great Interview! I would love to win "Nosey in Nebraska" It sounds like a great read.
Mary,Congrats on being the Featured Author with Heartsong! Please enter me in the drawing.

debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

cozymysterygirl said...

thanks for such a wonderful book I would love a chance to win this book.it is always refreshing to hear of new books.

Megan said...

The girl in this book sounds like a cutie! haha Thanks for the interview and the chance to win, Lena!

Sheila Deeth said...

This sounds great. Spiders are my big fear, and I can certainly relate to feeling guilty about being scared of them.

Merry said...

Mary, I love your sense of adventure and the wonderful humor in your books. Please include me in the drawing, Nosey in Nebraska sounds terrific. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Well, if being afraid of mice is a sin, then sinner I am! Oh my goodness! We lived in a parsonage once that had mice. One night I was up late reading a book on the couch and a mouse came out from under it. I stood up on the couch, scaring the mouse, which ran BACK toward me and under the couch. I jumped off the couch, running into the bedroom trying to spit out the word "mouse", but in my fear, all I could get out was "mou..". My husband thought I was saying "man" and he about came unglued when he found out it was just a mouse. (grinning sheepishly) Sigh...I wore big rain boots in that kitchen when I cooked at the stove too...didn't want any mice running across my toes. :) (shudder)

Myra Johnson said...

So fun to learn even more about you, Mary! I'm with Sheila--spiders are my "fear factor." There was one crawling up my wall at bedtime the other night, so I screamed and jumped on the cedar chest while my husband tried to smash it. He kept missing, so I found the can of bug spray and pulled all the furniture out from the wall. Never found the spider, but I'm lucky to be alive after inhaling all the bug spray!

Cara Lynn James said...

Mary, I'm amazed you can keep up with your writing when you have a full-time job and involvement in so many blogs. How do you do it?

I really loved reading and critting your mysteries.

Debra Ullrick said...

Oh Mary, Mary, whose not contrary, where did the field mice go? If they invaded your house, would you leave for a mouse? Or would you stay, and run them little varmits away?

Fun interview. But then again, what would one expect from you, Mary. You rock!

Add my name to drawing, please.

Debra Ullrick

Jo said...

Neat interview and the book sounds like such a fun read. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

windycindy said...

Mice?! Sounds like a fun book! Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a good book. Please enter me in the drawing.
Kelly

Kelly Dobbs said...

I don't think I should have left that as anonymous. Please enter me in the drawing.
Kelly

Patty Wysong said...

Hi Mary and Lena!
Like your others, this book sounds fabulous, Mary! And Lena, I love the questions you ask!
Hugs!

CarlybirdH said...

I have just recently discovered the writings of Mary Connealy and I would love to win Nosey in Nebraska. Thank you.

Edna said...

This book seems to be so good, hope I can win a copy.

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Marla said...

This book sounds good; very different. I have a fear of mice. I often dream of my house having mice all over it. I hate it. I can relate to Carrie in this book. Thank you for the drawing.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Fedora said...

Mary's books been awesome! Thanks for the interview, Lena and Mary! Please enter me :)

f dot chen at comcast dot net

Ashley E said...

I'm so determined to win this book! LOL. I want to read it. It sounds so funny. As a back-up though, I'm keeping my eye on Wal-Mart. I've seen some others of the Heartsong Mysteries there... just not this one yet!

peachykath said...

This book sounds really cute, please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

adge said...

Please enter me for this contest. Thanks.

Ausjenny said...

Oh please enter me i love Mary's books.

apple blossom said...

Oh, I'd love to win thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

David Williams said...
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