Tuesday, June 16, 2009

MAGGIE ROSE - Sharlene MacLaren - Free Book

I'm really excited to have my good friend Sharlene MacLaren back on the blog. Welcome, Sharlene. Why did you become an author?

Interesting you should ask. I just posted a response about that on the ACFW loop a few minutes ago. I write because back in the summer of 2000, God literally placed a call on my heart to write. I was 52 years old and hadn’t written a word of fiction since my high school days. About the only way I can explain it is that a flame of passion started burning and refused to let up. During the course of that year, I wrote four full-length novels. Think I could do that today? Not on your life. ‘Course, I’m not saying those novels were worth their weight in computer paper, but they sure revved up my engine!

And I'm glad they did. If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?

Hmm, my dream job is what I’m doing this very moment, sitting at my computer writing, but because I have to come up with something (so I don’t have the wrath of Lena on me), let me just tell you what my dream job would be. A taste tester at a chocolate factory. Now, there’s a job I could live with!

Maybe we could be partners on that one. If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?

My all-time favorite time-period is the late 1800s/early 1900s. I think I love that era because my own grandfather was born in 1881, so it feels somewhat relatable to me. I loved the long dresses, the start of the Gibson Girl era, the horse and buggies, the general stores, the dusty streets, the simplistic lifestyles, and on and on. It sounds “romantic”…BUT reality sets in when I think about it, and something tells me I wouldn’t have been the most patient or proficient homemaker back then. Shoot, my family might not have survived under my care. (I just can’t see myself ringing a chicken’s neck or carting in buckets of water from the outside well.) Good thing God knew that and placed me in the twentieth century.

The only time I ever wrung a chicken's neck was when I was pregnant with my first baby. Once was enough for me. What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?

Back in the mid-70s, I traveled with a vocal group all over the country for a year, singing in some 40 states and parts of Canada. So, I truly have been all over the USA. But we missed the Dakotas, and I’ve always wanted to visit Mt. Rushmore for one and see the Black Hills. I hear it’s a beautiful area. (Oh, wait a minute! How could I forget? I WANT TO GO TO HAWAII IN THIS LIFETIME! Would someone put a bug in my hubby’s ear?)

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?

Both Cecil (hubby) and I would love to visit the Holy Land. Oh, how I’d love to walk where Jesus walked.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?

Something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is that rather age-old statement: ‘God has a wonderful plan for your life.’ At 60, I can now be one of those who look back over her life and do a lot of reflecting. I’ve discovered that God does not have a wonderful “plan” for my life; He has MANY wonderful plans. Every day is a new day, and so I rise in the morning and say, “What are we going to do today, Lord?” He always seems to have something new up His sleeve.

Tell us about the featured book?

Maggie Rose is the second of three in my Daughters of Jacob Kane series. Here’s a very condensed version of the synopsis:

In the summer of 1904, Maggie Rose Kane, Jacob's spunky, independent middle daughter accepts God's call to leave her beloved hometown of Sandy Shores, Michigan, to work as 'house mother' at New York City's Sheltering Arms Refuge, a home for displaced and orphaned waifs. There she meets the cynical, hard-nosed Luke Madison, a 27-year-old news reporter from the New York World who's been thrust upon the orphanage for a three-month period with an order to research the city's problem of "Street Arabs," the name pinned to these impoverished children.

Sparks fly as Maggie and Luke come to terms with their growing attraction. Will Maggie win the struggle to remain attuned to God's direction for her life, staving off her foolish, romantic notions-or does the Lord have a greater purpose than she ever imagined for leading her to New York?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Here it is, page 1:

August 1904
Maggie Rose Kane settled her temple against the smudged window, blinked hard, and fought back another wave of nausea, as the smoke from her seatmate’s cigar formed cloudlike ringlets before her eyes and floated past her nose. Why, her lungs fairly burned from the stench of it, as if she’d been the one chain-smoking the stogies for the past five hours instead of the bulbous, gray-haired giant next to her. Even as he’d dozed this afternoon, his shoulders slumped and sagging against her petite frame, the vile object had hung out the side of his mouth as if permanently attached. She couldn’t even count the number of times she’d wanted to snatch it from him and snuff it out with the sole of her black patent leather shoe.

“Next stop, Albany,” announced the train conductor, making his way up the aisle.

With a quick intake of air, Maggie lifted a finger and leaned forward. “Excuse me, sir.”

The conductor stopped, turned, and tipped his hat at her in a formal manner. “Yes?”

“Is this where I will disembark and make a change-over to the New York Central?”

He tilted his head to the side and slanted one reddish eyebrow. The slightest bit of annoyance seemed to pull at him as he released a mild sigh. “If that’s what your ticket says. You’re goin’ to New York, aren’t you?”

I can hardly wait until my copy arrives. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Oh, please do come visit me. I love hearing from my readers. Here are the locations where you can reach me and/or read more about my books and upcoming projects:

http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com
http://www.shoutlife.com/sharlenemaclaren

I’m also a member over at http://www.Facebook.com
Go ahead and request my friendship, and we can hook up!

Thanks for inviting me to participate in your blog, Lena! Lord bless!

And thank you, Sharlene, for the lovely visit.

Readers, here's a link where you can order the book:


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Notice: the only notification you'll receive will be the winner announcement post on this blog. So be sure to 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 the comment. Here's the link:

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

31 comments:

Carlene said...

Maggie Rose sound like a great book. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

I love Sharlene's books especially the Little Hickman Creek series! I just started Hannah Grace and I'm lovin' it so far! I'd love to get the next book, Maggie Rose, so I don't have to wait and see what happens next when i finish HG!!! Thank you for the opportunity to win!

steelergirl83atgmaildotcom

Julie said...

sounds like a great book. Please include me!

Thanks!
sweetpea.hull@gmail.com

CarlybirdH said...

Sounds like a really good book. Please enter my name in the drawing. Thank you.
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

Great interview! Maggie Rose sounds like a really great book. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks, Debra

debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

Pat said...

Please enter my name in the draw for the free giveaway.
Thanks
Pat

grist@mweb.co.za

Merry said...

I love Sharlene's positive attitude, great interview. Please include me in the drawing for Maggie Rose. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Sherry Kuhn said...

Wonderful interview. I was first introduced to Sharlene's work with "Springs Promise" which is a GREAT book. I love the way she writes!

Thanks for entering me in the drawing.
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Amee said...

I love how Sharlene got into writing! Sounds like a great experience. I can never seem to see stories through to completion. Maybe someday I'll have a fire in me that just can't be ignored too!

Carmen said...

Yes, yes, yes! Add me to the giveaway. Love the late 1800's, early 1900s. Don't think I like to wear the long dresses, though. TOO HOT!
desertrose5173 @ gmail dot com

Sheila Deeth said...

Sounds a great book and I loved the interview. Can I join you in the chocolate factory? (Though really I'd much rather join you in your present dream job... Still dreaming...)

Judy said...

TY for the wonderful interview! As a 60 yo I'm inspired, esp since I've been only writing articles lately. They were published, but I've been trying to get back on track with a novel for a while now.

I'd love to win this book, too!
judy49[at]aol[dot]com

Wendy said...

This was fun to read.
Thanks,
Wendy

Lori (sugarandgrits) said...

WOW ~ 4 books in one year! You were very busy! Thank you for a great interview.

I just recently won "Hannah Grace" on eBay, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet, I've added it to my TBR list. I'm like Renee, I would love to have "Maggie Rose" waiting TBR when i finish "Hannah Grace". :)

Lori S.
sugarandgrits[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jo said...

I love to read historical fiction and this sounds like a good book. Please enter me in the drawing.

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

Rachel Rossano said...

It sounds like a fascinating book. I would love a chance to read it. :)

Thanks for sharing the great interview.

Carole said...

Thanks for an enjoyable interview and chance to win a copy of Maggie Rose. I really enjoy Sharlene's writing.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Marla said...

This sounds like a very good book I would love to read. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Megan said...

Wow 18 comments! That book sounds really amazing. Thanks for the great interview & giveaway

peachykath said...

This book sounds so cute. I'll have to try to get my hands on the first book if I win. Please enter me in the drawing for this book.
Thanks,
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Patty Wysong said...

I loved this interview! So interesting and fun! Not to mention the book looks great too! :)

hippmom said...

Sharlene,a book that takes place in Hawaii would be lovely - then you should probably take a trip strictly for research purposes! In the meantime I would enjoy reading Maggie Rose. THanks for the giveaway.

Martha A. said...

I would love to enter!
martha(at)lclink9dot)com

SHARLENE said...

HELLO, EVERYONE! Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comments. So sorry I didn't jump in sooner, but I've been away for the past week, floating on a houseboat in Tennessee!!!!! Now, it's back to work and reality. ~grins~

God bless all of you!

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Wow, Sharlene, sounds like a fun vacation. Welcome back.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a really good book!! Abby

cathikin said...

Sharlene is such a vivacious and fun lady, and it comes through in her books. I haven't read the first book in this series yet, but I loved her earlier books, and I am certain that Maggie Rose is just as good! I intend to get a copy one way or another (I bought all the previous books), but I would of course love to win one. That way I can get to it a lot sooner! So please include me.

Cathi H.
chassan2 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Looks like an outstanding book. Please enter me in the contest.

Thanks
Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com

Roanna said...

I'm pretty sure I didn't leave a comment on this on yet. The book sounds very good, and like it has lots of flying sparks between the couple.

Please enter me. Thanks!!


Can this series be read in any order?

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Sounds wonderful! Please enter me!

Anna W.

adge said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me for the contest. Thanks.