Friday, September 23, 2011

DEEPLY DEVOTED - Maggie Brendan - Free Book


Welcome back, Maggie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I try to explore topics about learning to fully love, trust and have true acceptance of our fellow man using faith and our belief in the one who created us. I want my characters to show empathy and not be judgmental before they know the “whole story” as we so often do in real life. It’s much easier to write about the spiritual aspects than to live it out every day in the “real” world. It’s a struggle every day.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Deeply Devoted, book one in The Blue Willow Brides, just hit the bookstores last week. My next one in the series will be next fall and it’s temporarily titled, Three Little Words and the third one, Timeless Perfection. It’d be great if Revell would keep my titles, but I’ll know later. I was happy that they kept Deeply Devoted and The Jewel of His Heart.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
No one really comes to mind except Sam Elliot. I’ve long admired all the western roles he’s played through the years and actually modeled my character, Luke, in my first book, No Place for a Lady, after him. He’s got such an incredible speaking voice.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Mary the mother of Jesus! I’d like to pick her brain as to what it was like to be the Mother of God and what it was Jesus like raising him. Now that would be a story!

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Persevere, stay persistent, and don’t give up. Be ready to take good constructive criticism if a publisher gives you feedback after rejecting your manuscript. Part of being able to do handle rejection is to have a good critique partner or group. We’ve all been there. You’ll know you’re a writer when after a rejection, you say, “That’s it! I won’t write anymore,” in anger, then after you cool off and nurse your ego, guess what? You find yourself parked in front of your manuscript because you can’t not do it, if it’s your passion.

Tell us about the featured book.
A Blue Willow tea set, a tragic past, a worn letter, and devotion to her two younger sisters, is all that mail-order bride Catharine Olsen brings from Amsterdam to Cheyenne, WY to meet her future husband. Peter is a gentle, but hard-working wheat farmer, who doesn’t realize the extent his meddling mother will go to in order to discredit his bride after he decides not to marry the lady she chose for him. Will Catharine’s secret past threaten the idyllic life she has created with her new husband?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Cheyenne Territory, Wyoming
Spring 1887
Catharine Olsen sipped the last of her tea from the bottom of her cherished Blue Willow teacup, then carefully placed it on the saucer on the table next to her. She leaned back on the settee, shoving her curls away from her face, and slipped a letter out of her Bible. Though she knew the words by heart, she reread the letter, now worn and discolored from time.

Catharine,
It is hard for me to contain my joy that soon we shall meet and you will be my bride. I feel like I already know you well from our correspondence. I pray you will have safe travel on the Union Pacific. You should have a day to rest after the long, arduous journey. I will promptly call for you at the hotel the next day. Until then, I remain affectionately yours,
Peter Andersen

Had it been just yesterday when she stared from the train’s window at the prairie that seemed to stretch as far as her eye could see? The relentless wind whipped the unending gold-tipped grass, and there was not a tree in sight . . . just open fields with an occasional cabin dotting the landscape and perhaps deer or elk grazing in the distance. Peter had told her to keep a lookout for them, and maybe a herd of bison. She wondered how she would adjust to such surroundings after leaving her beloved Amsterdam with its lush meadows and myriad of tulips . . . and the memories, not all of them good. An image swam before her eyes, and her heart tightened. I can’t think about it today or I won’t be able to go on . . . What purpose could it possibly serve?

Would her heart ever heal? A single tear slid down her cheek, but she hastily swept it away before her sisters could see. She sighed and glanced over at them sitting with their heads together, reading a newspaper they’d picked up at the last stop. She prayed silently that all would work out as she hoped, but she knew from experience that only the Lord could see what was in store.

“Next stop, Cheyenne!” the conductor announced as he walked the aisle. He lifted his pocket watch from his waistcoat. “In about ten minutes.” Passengers began to gather their reading materials, satchels, and personal belongings in preparation for their arrival.

True to the conductor’s word, the train slowed its approach at the Union Pacific depot. Catharine decided that it was one of the most beautiful railroad depots she’d ever seen. The impressive structure looked fairly new with its multicolored sandstone, stone arches, and steeply pitched roofs that resembled a castle. Peter had written in his letters that the stone was quarried from west of Fort Collins, Colorado. Along the opposite side of the train, the rail yard was a profusion of trains narrowly wedged between one another, which could make disembarking dangerous.

Finally, with a squeal of metal on metal and a belch of steam, the engine halted, then passengers immediately scrambled to the exits, happy to have arrived in Cheyenne.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me on my website or blog and I’m a resident blogger on Bustles and Spurs.
www.BustlesAndSpurs.com

Thank you, Maggie, for the interesting peek into your life and story.


Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
 Deeply Devoted: A Novel (The Blue Willow Brides)


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 4 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

27 comments:

Patsy said...

Would really enjoy reading "Deeply Devoted". Looking forward to the other books in this series too. I haven't read any books by Maggie, but this is a great way to be introduced to a new author. Maggie sounds like such a sweet lady. I'm always thankful for good Christian authors.

from South Ms

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Rebecca said...

This looks like an amazing book. I would love to read this. Thanks for the chance.

I am from Oklahoma

Anonymous said...

I agree, Ms. Brendan, Sam Elliot has an amazing speaking voice!I love his deep drawl. After reading the first page, I'll certainly be looking for this one! Thank you for the giveaway and the chance to win!
Blessings,
Kelly Y in Virginia
kelly*at*dkcountryarts*dot*com

Jo said...

I love reading books that take place in the late 1800's/early 1900's. This looks like a great book.

Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Lorna Faith said...

Oh Maggie...the 1st page sounds so delicious! I would love to read this book:)
Please enter my name for a chance to win:)

Lorna from Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Patty said...

Lena - you are introducing me to so many great new books to read! Being single, the whole mail order bride idea is rather interesting to me... would love to read this book.

Patty in SC

scottsgal said...

Sounds like a wonderful historical western I think I'd really enjoy
Cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Wendy Newcomb said...

Sounds like a great story, would love to read it. Thank you for the giveaway.

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this beautiful story :)

karenk...from pennsylvania
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

cynthia said...

Sounds like an interesting plot. Can't wait to read the story and find out what happens to the characters. I'm interested to see how the mother plays a role in their relationship.

I live in the San Francisco bay area.

Sweet Lily said...

Wow! Excellent!

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks very interesting. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
God Bless!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Sharon said...

this page already has me craving to know more! thanks, Maggie, for sharing it with us. i'm fascinated too about wanting to meet Mary! has me thinking... infuse at live dot ca
from CA

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

It looks and sounds interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

holdenj said...

Looks like a wonderful story, I like the image of the Blue willow tea cup. Thanks!
Julie in MN

Jackie S. said...

I have been wanting to read Maggie's books...please enter me. Am more interested since she lives in Georgia....like me.
NE GA
Thanks!!!

apple blossom said...

love this cover thanks for a chance to win the book live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

Would love to win this book, Lena. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.

mitzi_wanham@yahoo.com

from Peace River Country, Alberta

A.Jones said...

I have been eager to read this book. Please enter me in the giveaway.

Aizess

I live in New York

Sharon Richmond said...

Sounds like a great story! I love reading and would love to win this book. Thanks and God bless!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Coolestmommy said...

Thank you for sharing about yourself, Maggie. Terrific interview and your book sounds wonderful.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Maggie Carr said...

Yippy for Maggies who love books. Writing, reading & collecting!

Joanna Richmond said...

sounds like a very interesting book I would Love to read this please enter me
Joanna Richmond,
Blanch, NC.

Courtney said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win it!

Courtney from WA state

Merry said...

I really enjoyed Maggie's Hearts of the West series and can't wait to read Deeply Devoted. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!
Merry in TX

sarahw said...

awesome author!! would love to win a copy of this book. please enter my name in the draw. thanks,
sarahw- MN

Maggie Brendan said...

Thanks everyone, for your interest and to you Lena for hosting me. Blessings.