Thursday, November 03, 2016

LEFT AT THE ALTAR - Margaret Brownley - One Free Book

Welcome back, Margaret. Since you’re being published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take?
First, thank you for letting me visit today. It’s always a treat to be here. To answer your question, my books are normally set in the nineteenth century, but I just had a contemporary novella published. Right now, I’m contracted for a new three book historical series, but I may do more contemporaries in the future. We’ll see.

What conferences will you be attending next year? Will you be a speaker at any of them?
I haven’t really made up my mind as to which conferences, if any, I’ll attend. This year I attended the Romance Writers of America conference in San Diego and it was great fun. I have a pretty tight writing schedule next year, so I may just stay close to home and write.

I’ve missed three years of attending conferences. Next year ACFW national conference is really near where I live. I plan to attend that one. If you were in charge of planning the panel discussion at a writing conference, what topic would the panel cover, and who would you ask to be on the panel, and why? 
It seems like the biggest challenge for writers right now is discovery. With so many distractions commanding a reader’s attention, it’s hard for a writer to stand out from the herd. I learned a lot about marketing by watching Debbie Macomber, so I would probably invite her to be on the panel. She has such a nice way of promoting her books, you don’t even realize what she’s doing. I’d also ask my agent to speak because she’s so knowledgeable about the industry and is always trying out new ideas.

How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?        
I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not been active in a writing organization. I met some of my closest friends at national conferences. I also met my agent at one, and it’s basically where I learned my craft.

Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?     
I’m a Boy Scout merit badge counselor and that keeps me hopping.

Good for you. Who are the five people who have made the most impact on your life, and how?       
The number one person would have to be my husband who, I’m sorry to say, passed away this year. He’s the one who encouraged me to keep writing through years of rejection. He was and always will be the wind beneath my wings. The next person on my list is my agent, Natasha Kern. She’s taken me to places I never thought I could go. And of course there are my children. Nothing changes a person or makes you feel more inadequate at times than motherhood. But the rewards are the greatest.

If you could write the inscription on your tombstone, what would it be?         
Are we there yet?

Love it! Tell us about the featured book.  
Left at the Altar is the first book in A Match Made in Texas series (books standalone)
In the wild and untamed West, time is set by the local jeweler...but Two-Time Texas has two: two feuding jewelers and two wildly conflicting time zones. Meg Lockwood's marriage was supposed to unite the families and finally bring peace. But when she's left at the altar by her no-good fiancé, Meg's dreams of dragging her quarrelsome neighbors into a ceasefire are dashed.

No wedding bells? No one-time town.

Hired to defend the groom against a breach of promise lawsuit, Grant Garrison quickly realizes that the only thing worse than small-town trouble is falling for the jilted bride. But there's something about Meg's sweet smile and determined grit that draws him in... even as the whole crazy town seems set on keeping them apart.

I want to read that one! Please share the first page with us.      
Two-Time, Texas—1880 
 “Fifty-four minutes.”
           
Her father’s booming voice made Meg Lockwood want to scream. But airing her lungs in church wasn’t an option and, thanks to the whale-bone corset beneath her wedding gown, neither was breathing.
           
“Mama, make him stop.”
           
Her mother straightened the garland of daisies in Meg’s hair for perhaps the hundredth time so far that day before turning to her husband. “Henry, must you?”
           
Papa kept his gaze glued to his gold pocket watch rather than answer, his wagging finger ready to drop the instant the minute hand moved. Not by any means a formal man, he'd battled with Mama over his wedding attire until, like a defeated general, he’d thrown up his arms in surrender. Unfortunately, the knee-length coat Mama had chosen emphasized Papa’s ungainly shape, which bore a striking resemblance to a pickle barrel.
           
The finger came down. “He is now fifty-five minutes late.”
           
Meg’s hands curled around the satin fabric of her skirt. Where was her bridegroom? She hated keeping the wedding guests waiting, but she honestly didn’t know what to do. Time meant nothing to her erstwhile fiancé, but he’d promised not to be late for their wedding. She’d trusted him to keep his word.
           
Just you wait, Tommy Farrell!
           
When he finally did show up, she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions.
           
Tommy wasn’t the only reason for her ill temper. As if her too-tight corset wasn’t bad enough, the ruffled lace neckline of her gown made her skin itch, and the butterfly bustle hung like a brick at the small of her back. Worse, the torture chambers disguised as dainty white slippers were killing her feet.
           
The church organ in the nearby sanctuary moaned louder, as if even the organist’s patience was spent. The somber chords now rattled the walls of the tiny anteroom, threatening the framed picture and forcing the glass beads on the kerosene lamp to jiggle in protest.
             
“Fifty-six minutes late,” her father exclaimed, and Meg’s already taut nerves threatened to snap.
           
Clenching her hands tight, she spun around to face him. “You never change!”
           
“Change? Change!” Papa looked indignant as a self-righteous preacher. “Why would I? Someone has to maintain a healthy respect for time.”
           
The door swung open. Thank goodness. Meg whirled about again, ready to give her errant fiancé a piece of her mind, but it was only her older sister. The worried frown on Josie’s face told Meg everything she needed to know, but still she had to ask.      
           
“Anything?”
           
Josie shook her head. At twenty-three, she was two years older than Meg, and at five foot ten, stood a good six inches taller. Today she wore a dusky rose gown that complemented her dark hair and gave her complexion a pretty pink glow. She took after Papa’s side in looks, but of the three Lockwood girls, she was most like Mama in calm disposition.
             
“Ralph looked all over town.” Ralph was Josie’s husband, who owned the saddle shop at the end of Two-Time’s main street. “You don’t suppose something might have happened to Tommy, do you? An accident?”
           
“It better have,” Meg muttered.
           
Gasping, Mama looked up from straightening Meg's gown. “Of all things to say!”          

“Sorry, Mama.” Hands balled at her side, Meg gritted her teeth. Her mother was right, of course. Such uncharitable thoughts didn’t belong in church.
           
Neither did thoughts of murder.

I’ve loved all of your books, and I know this one is destined to be one of my favorites. Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

Website:



Book links: 


iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/left-at-the-altar/id1128527793?mt=11

Thank you, Margaret, for sharing this new book with us today. I'm sure my readers are as eager to read it as I am.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

angela in ky would love to win.

collettakay said...

I love the cover! I would be so excited to win!

Colletta in PA

Cathy said...

Enjoyed learning more about Margaret as I have read several of her books and always look forward to more! Thanks! Cathy - TX

ASC Book Reviews said...

I've been LONGING to read and review this title! :D It sounds SO good and I've loved Margaret's books before! ;)

Hugs, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) in NM
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

Melanie Backus said...

What a book! Great cover, great writer!

Melanie Backus, TX

Cindy W. said...

Oh I would so love to win this book.

Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana

Abigail Mitchell said...

I love historicals, especially set in the late 1800s. This looks really good. I'm sorrt to hear about your husband. I actually just got married 2 months ago! <3
Please enter me.
Abigail in Clarksville VA

Abigail Mitchell said...

Meant to say Sorry. Not sorrt. :P

Robin in NC said...

Margaret, I'm so sorry you lost your husband! I can't imagine life without mine. Praying for God's peace to surround you. Thanks for sharing a chance to win a copy of LEFT AT THE ALTAR on A Christian Writer's World Blog. I love reading books set in the old west. Take care! rw620 AT aol DOT com

Margaret Brownley said...

Hi everyone. Thought I'd stop by and say hello. I wish you could all win a book! it was such a fun book to write.

Margaret Brownley said...

Thank you Robin and Abigail for your kind condolences. It's been a really hard year. One of the last things my husband said to me was to keep writing and that's what I'm trying to do. He was the best thing that ever happened to me; losing him is the worse.

Margaret Brownley said...

Some of you mentioned the cover and I love it, too. It was the cover I envisioned as I was writing the book. I sent a sketch to my publisher and the art department took it from there. When they sent me the first version of the cover, I thought it was perfect. However my fifteen year old granddaughter saw something the rest of us missed. Next to her hand, the bride wore an earring. My granddaughter insisted it looked like she was talking on a cellphone--not something likely to fly in a historical novel. Thank God for young eyes...

Patty said...

Can't imagine being in Meg's predicament!

Patty in SC

Deanna Stevens said...

Definitely going on my wanted list!
Deanna from Nebraska :)

Winnie said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your husband. Prayers for God's comfort to surround you.

Your book looks and sounds intriguing. I'd love to win a copy of it.
Winnie T. in Utah

Karen Sue Hadley said...

Fun cover and love the title.

Pam K. said...

I really love the sense of humor in Margaret's books. She always has such delightful characters. I'd be so happy to win a copy of Left at the Altar.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a fun book that I would enjoy reading. The cover is very interesting too.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY

rubynreba said...

My sympathy to you in the loss of your husband.
I've always thought being left at the alter has to be terrible! Such a cute cover and I'd love to read this.
Beth from Ia

Dianna said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the author's loss of her husband. It sounds like he was a great encourager. My husband recently asked me why I haven't written a book yet (because I read so many, I guess!) and he's the wind beneath my wings, so I can relate to what she meant.
Dianna in TN

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Mama Cat said...

Oh, so very sorry to hear about Margaret Brownley's husband; what a tremendous blessing they have been to each other! This book has had my attention since first reading about it; I haven't yet picked it up. Thank you for the opportunity to win! (Mama Cat - in Arizona)

Britney Adams said...

I love Margaret's stories!

Britney Adams, TX

Lourdes said...

I can tell this will be another great book by Margaret looking forward to reading it.

Lourdes Long Island, NY

Connie Hill said...

This looks like it will be a great book! thanks for the chance!


Donna B said...

Margaret, so sorry for your loss. I'm looking forward to reading This book! The cover just pulls me in to look inside. I loved the excerpt! Thanks for the review and giveaway. Donna from Illinois.

Margaret Brownley said...

Thank you all for you kind thoughts and condolences. God bless you all!

Brenda Arrington said...

Margaret, I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. Thank you for the chance to win this great sounding book.
Brenda in VA

Terrill R. said...

I'm saddened for your loss and commend your strength and tenacity. If your anything like the heroines in your books, you find joy in life and the Lord.

I've been very excited for this book, because the synopsis sounds so fun. I love rom-coms and I think this will satisfy that niche nicely. :-)

Terrill - WA