Sunday, June 06, 2010

A LOVE OF HER OWN - Maggie Brendan - Free Book

Welcome back, Maggie. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

He certainly has, Lena. I want to stay open to whatever and wherever God leads with my writing career. My biggest desire is to subtly point people to Christ. I hope I continue to grow and learn as a writer and be receptive to write what He lays on my heart. I was so thrilled when Christianbook.com asked for an author interview and now I’m on their Author’s Corner. I’ve been asked to sign at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orland June 14th by LifeWay and I’m so honored and blessed.

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband is VP of an architectural firm in Atlanta. My daughter lives in Augusta, GA and teaches Kindergarten and has three beautiful children. Her husband is a Judge, attorney and a JAG in the Army Guard. My son is a PharmD and his wife is a pharmacist and they have a precious little girl. They live in Smyrna, GA.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I find that I have to read in snatches since I’m writing under contract. I always keep a basket of books by my bed at night to wind down with. Books are piled up in the den, so basically I have several books that I’m reading. I have to make time to read because I want to keep up with other author’s work and it expands my own writing skills. Plus, I’d rather read that watch TV.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a series I call The Blue Willow Brides about a mail order bride from Holland who comes to America with her two sisters. I’m nearing the ending of the first book in the series I’ve entitled, Deeply Devoted. I hope they keep the title, but I can never count on that.

Sounds interesting. What outside interests do you have?

I sing in a large sanctuary choir at my church. I loved to be with my family and grandchildren. I enjoy traveling out West and researching. I enjoying visiting with other writers.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My love of the West and reading about its history gives me the ideas for my books. I lived in Colorado nearly eight years and fell in love with the state. I’ve been to MT several times and came away with the idea for book two. Book three picked up the story in MT. The idea for The Blue Willow Brides came from my love of Blue Willow dishes.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Other than Jesus Christ, maybe Sacajawea who travelled with Lewis and Clark or an ordinary cowboy that worked on a cattle ranch out West.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

The fact that I had a three book contract to begin was enlightening to me. I had no idea, the edits and page proofs and marketing would all overlap with the writing of each book. Somehow I never saw it coming until the deadline of the first book. It just seems that time is so short and the next phase was right on my heels.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

He’s definitely teaching me discipline. Writing a book can’t be written with out showing up everyday and treating it like your job. The other thing, (and this is so hard for me), is I have to let some things around the house go and cut back on outside activities. I try to choose what I will participate in at church, too. So the bulk of my time there is in the choir and that’s a huge commitment right now.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

1.)Write something every day if you can. Show up!
2.) Read.
3.) Join a critique group for guidance and feedback. The benefits are great! Network with other writers through groups like the ACFW, ACW, RWA. There are many writers groups to choose from.

Tell us about the featured book?

A Love of Her Own is the conclusion of Heart of the West series. April McBride travels to attend her brother’s wedding. Still cautious after a broken engagement, she fully intends to guard her heart. One look around the small mining town convinces April that doing so won't be difficult—just a bunch of dusty shops, bad service, and ill-bred cowboys. But a run-in with horse trainer Wes Owen opens up vast possibilities for frustration, embarrassment, friendship, and . . . love?

Please give us the first page of the book.

The Yampa Valley, Colorado
September 1896

The brisk Colorado wind tugged at April McBride’s silky tresses underneath her Stetson hat, tickling the exposed skin at the nape of her neck. She threw her head back in delight, and her laughter spilled across the valley floor, causing her roan’s tail to twitch. There wasn’t anything April would rather do on a fall day than be out riding with total abandonment. She pushed her mount higher up the slope.

A half hour later she reined her horse in as she reached the crest of the craggy ridge overlooking the Yampa Valley. Her gaze traveled down to the rumbling Blue River below where a familiar figure on horseback had stopped to give his horse a drink. Luke Weber. But this time her heart no longer thumped with excitement.

Luke paused at the river’s edge and rested his arms across the saddle horn. He glanced up to her on the ridgeline above him and lifted his hat in greeting. April returned the greeting with a wave. After a brief moment, Luke gave his horse a nudge and continued on downstream.
COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://southernbellewriter.blogspot.com/
http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/  Resident Blogger

Thank you, Maggie, for spending this time with us. Be sure to contact me when you have a pub date on the Blue Willow books.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using the link when you order,  you help support this blog.














Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

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42 comments:

Coolestmommy said...

This book sounds so interesting. I also can't wait to read the upcoming mail order bride books.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Kameko said...

You book really piques my interest! I can't wait to read it. I also agree that the upcoming mail order bride books sound fascinating.

Blessings to you both ~

Beverly

bgrider2@cox.net
bgrider2[at]cox[dot]net

runner10 said...

Great first page. Makes me want to read more.
csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

Edna said...

this book sounds great



mamat2730(at)charter(dot(net)

Unknown said...

Please enter me! The book sounds really interesting! Great cover!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Count me in, please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Maggie Brendan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maggie Brendan said...

Let me try this again. Lol. Thanks ladies for your interest in April's wild ride to Montana. Good luck with the contest.:)

Cindy W. said...

The book sounds like a really fun read. I love the cover art too! Would love to win a copy.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Katrina said...

Sounds like a really good read. would love to win.

collettakay said...

I really, really am looking forward to reading this book!

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

grannyvon said...

The is something that still fasinates me about the early birth of our country. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance to win it. Great, Great, interview. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Merry said...

I love the glowing cover on A Love of Her Own. I'd love a chance to win it. Thanks!

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

Mimi N said...

Would love to read this! Have the rest of the series and would be happy to add to it!

~Mimi
mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

Would love to read this book! Thanks for entering me. : )

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Maggie Brendan said...

Thanks all for your comments. Merry, I particularly like the blue and white china tea cup on your profile pic. I love Blue Willow!

misskallie2000 said...

I would love to read all these books. They sound like my kind of book. Love HEA.

Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

MaureenT said...

One of my favorite genre is Mail Order Brides. I would love to read this.
Thank You!

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Carole said...

I loved No Place for a Lady and look forward to completing this series. The Blue Willow series looks like another winner!

Thanks for the interview and chance to win A Love of Her Own.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Anonymous said...

looking forward to this book. Please enter me.

pattihayes@bellsouth.net

Lindsey said...

I love Maggie Brendan! Oh! please add me to win this book I really want to read it!:) Thank you for the chance:)
Lindsey

lindseypa89(at)yahoo(dot)com

holdenj said...

Please count me in, this looks like a good story. Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Please drop my name in the hat!

A J Hawke said...

A Love of Her Own sounds like a good read.

Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.

A J Hawke

WritePathway said...

I love historical romance. This book sounds great for a summer read. Maggie Brendan is a favorite of mine. Ann Knowles

WritePathway said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Thanks for the contest!
dancealert at aol dot com

Surge said...

I would love to read this!

contact email: tsgiveaways(at)hotmail.com

Katie said...

This looks great, I'd love to read this!

kateh12783@hotmail.com

Megan said...

That first page makes me want to go out and buy the previous book! Thanks for the great interview, Lena!

Meg

2boyzmommy said...

Another author worth looking up.

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance,

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

EJ said...

Looking forward to finishing this series - please enter me in the contest. Thank you!

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

This one is on my to read list! Thank you for the chance to win!

Debbie F said...

I would love to win this! count me in!thanks

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Maggie Brendan said...

Checking in to say hello and thank all of you for posting for a chance to win. I'm getting some really good feedback since the book's release, and I hope ya'll will enjoy it to.:)

scottsgal said...

I love historical romances - thanks for the chance
msboatgal at aol.com

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Hi, Lena.

Sounds like a great book. I'd love to win it.

cyndelouwho22(at)gmail(dot)com

Sincerely,
Cynde

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview! Please enter me. Thank you!