Thursday, October 22, 2009

THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART - Maggie Brendan - Free Book

I've really been looking forward to featuring this book. I was given the opportunity to read the manuscript for endorsement. I loved it. I think you will, too. Maggie, welcome. What kind of books you do write?

I write historical romance novels.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

The happiest day in my life was when my daughter and son were born, separately, of course! They add incredible meaning to my life, and are even more fun as adults now that they have their own children that I am smitten with.

I spent time yesterday with my first great grandson. He's two years old. How has being published changed your life?

It has certainly become an adventure! I’ve had to rearrange my schedule within the home and I let a few things go that took up too much time. The bulk of my work day is writing, researching, etc. I’ve met new people and God has opened many doors along the way where I can be an influence of for him through my faith in speaking and book signing. I’m enjoying the ride!

I am, too. What are you reading right now?

Tammy Barley’s novel, Love’s Rescue, but I have an entire stack of books on my credenza.

What is your current work in progress?

I’ve just finished the 3rd book, A Love of Her Own, in The Heart of the West series so now I’m beginning a new series called The Blue Willow Brides. It’s about three sisters from Holland who become mail order brides in the 1880’s in the West.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’d love a cabin in the Rocky Mountains in either Colorado or Montana overlooking a lake.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I really love the West so it’s natural for me to pick one of the western states. But I usually base it on something that I read that happened there or loosely base it on an historical character.

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

I thought a long time about your question. I’d have to say LaVyrle Spencer. I believe she was the greatest romance novelist of all time. I’d love to get writing tips from her and hoped that one day someone would tell me that I write like her. Now that would be an honor.

I know what you mean. Readers have told me I write like Tracie Peterson and Lauraine Snelling. What a compliment. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to singing in my church’s choir, and when I have a chance I like to oil paint or scrapbook, but I’m finding little time for that now. I love being outdoors with nature and meeting new people.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Maybe the most difficult obstacle for me is my attention to detail and having enough time for everything that needs to be done. I like everything in the house in order and kept nice and tidy. Trying to keep meals cooked, laundry, errands and still have a bit of free time left over is hard to juggle, much less the daily writing time.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

My advice to a beginning author is to keep a schedule for your writing. For some, it’s in the morning for others, especially with young children, it’s during their nap time or after they go to bed. But be consistent and never give up. Decide what’s important to you. Get to know other writers and join a critique group. You’ll find enormous support with other writers. Attend writer’s conferences and read, read, read!

Tell us about the featured book?

The Jewel of His Heart is set in 1890’s Montana. It is here that Juliana calls home when she meets Josh McBride, a handsome, gentle sheepherder. When he discovers a rare kind of sapphire on his property and considers striking out on his own path in the world, he is forced to decide what’s most important to him: the world’s riches or the eternal value of love in a woman whose eyes rival the rarest gems.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The Jewel of His Heart
Utica, Montana 1896

I need a wife.

Josh McBride had ridden down the grassy slope to the sparkling creek, allowing his horse a drink while surveying with a keen eye the parcel of land that he’d purchased three years before.

It’s pretty here—the best spot on God’s good earth.

But that didn’t keep him from feeling lonely.

He was enjoying the beautiful Montana Mountains this morning, and the satisfaction of pursuing his own dream and place in the world instead of his father’s. On these solitary rides, he treasured the peace and privacy with his Creator in the morning, feeling his presence.

Earlier, he had taken his bandana from his neck and dipped it into the cold stream to wipe his face. The stream narrowed at this juncture to not much more than a trickle, or Josh might have missed the handful of small blue pebbles collected there. Reaching into the icy water, he scooped the pebbles up for a closer look. The sunlight reflected off the small translucent blue pebbles, their hue unlike anything Josh had ever seen. Instinctively, he knew these were not just blue pebbles or ordinary stones, but what he did not know, was how they would ultimately change his life forever.

Josh slipped the handful of blue stones in his leather vest pocket and mounted his horse. He headed back to the grassy rise, overlooking the valley, pausing to gaze out at his sizeable herd of sheep with pride. Suddenly, Josh’s white and amber colored dog, Shebe, ran up to gaze at him lovingly, her tongue lolling from the side of her mouth. “Hey, girl. Looking for me?”
Shebe’s short sharp was her answer and Josh laughed. “We’ve sure been through some lonely times, haven’t we, girl?”

“McBride!” A rider below waved his hat at Josh and pushed his horse up the grassy ridge.
Josh called back a greeting to his youngest sheepherder and nudged Pete’s flanks with the edge of his boot heel. He’d left his spurs behind when he rode off his father’s cattle ranch. Besides, he and Pete understood each other perfectly. Josh sometimes thought Pete and Shebe understood him better than anyone else, and his affection for his horse and sheepdog ran deep. But still he wanted a wife. A dog and horse could not take the place of a companion to fill this lonely space in his heart.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

southernbellewriter.blogspot.com
Thank you, Maggie, for spending this time with us.
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.
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.

40 comments:

Mark said...

I'd like to enter, thanks
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

This was a great post. I have read The Jewel of His Heart and it was great.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

Michelle V said...

I've heard so much about this book and would love a chance to win.

Blessings
Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom[dot]net

Katherine said...

this book looks very good. Please enter me for this drawing.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Casey H. said...

Sounds like a good book. I love the cover- very intriguing

Anonymous said...

Would LOVE to read this book...thanks for the opportunity.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Please don't enter me! I just had to stop by and say this is a great book! The first one, No Place for a Lady is terrific too!

xoxo~ Renee

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

I've been wanting this one!!! Thanks for the giveaways!!!

Please enter me!
Rae
raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

Lori (sugarandgrits) said...

Great interview, Maggie! Hey Lena! *waving*

Please don't enter me...I've already read, and reviewed, Maggie's newest release. Let me tell you...I loved it!...and I'll bet the winner will too!! Now I'm impatiently waiting to read April's story. LOL

Y'all have fun!
~ Lori

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

From the reviews this book sounds wonderful, please enter me.

cenya2@hotmail.com

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview and would love to be entered in the drawing for this book.

apple blossom said...

I love historical fiction books. This one sounds good. Thanks for the interview.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Merry said...

The setting for The Jewel of His Heart caught my attention. I would love a chance to win it. Thanks!

Suko said...

Very interesting, well-written interview.

Please enter me in this giveaway. Thanks!

Suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I have been so anxious to read this book! Please enter me. Thanks.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Michelle said...

I've been wanting to read this one for a while! Thank you so much for entering me!

Blessings,
Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

JJ said...

Thanks. I tweeted it for ya. :)

@gahome2mom

gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Maggie Brendan said...

It's so wonderful to know that so many of you want to read my book. What an encourangement for me. Thanks, Lena, for giving me this opportunity to share a bit of myself with readers. :)

judyg54 said...

Enjoyed the interview and getting to know Maggie Brendan. Sounds like a book I would love to read. Please enter me for a chance to win! Thanks!!
judyg54(at)juno(dot)com

Sherry Kuhn said...

Great interview. I too would love to be in a cabin in the Rockies. The book sounds great and I really like the cover. Would love to be entered in the drawing.

Thanks,
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carole said...

I love historical fiction and the cover is so appealing! Thank you for an interesting interview and chance to win a copy of The Jewel of His Heart.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Warren Baldwin said...

Looks like a good book. I'd like to be entered. My wife, daughter (and yes even me) like these novels.

The Herd said...

I would love to read this book.
jnkbull at gmail dot come

Anonymous said...

I have read the book and it was great! Some of the characters were so interesting I wanted the book to continue so I could know more about them.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I would like to enter!

dancealert at aol dot com

Maggie Brendan said...

Sherry, I couldn't agree with you more about the cover. Revell does beautiful art work and she does look like my herione, Juliana in my book. I was so thrilled with the cover.

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Please enter me!

Anna W.

Megan said...

I'd love a cabin on a lake too! But I will settle for a chance to win a copy of your book. It sounds great! Thanks Lena
Meg

Kristen said...

Sounds great!!
Please enter me.
Thanks

Marla said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Giveaway Lady said...

Please enter me in your giveaway:) I have wanted to read this one for a while. Been tempted to just buy it from the store:)
Thanks for the giveaway!
esterried@yahoo.com

Ashley (Ibreath2read) said...

I loved " No Place For A Lady" and I know this one will be just as good! I would love to be entered in this giveaway. i95fahrenheit[at]ymail[dot]com
Love Y'all,
Ashley

laddybug said...

oh, I loved the first one in this series and have waited for this...

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this book...thanks for the opportunity.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I've heard alot of wonderful things about this book. I'd love a chance to win a copy. Please enter me in the drawing.Thanks!

debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

Susanne Dietze said...

The story sounds wonderful! I'd love to be entered into the drawing. Thanks!
srdietze at sbcglobal dot net

Unknown said...

loved the interview and would love an opportunity to win this book, it looks great!

Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com

Theresa N. said...

I liked the book preview.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

adge said...

I read the first book and it was great, please include me in the giveaway. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.
~Abby


abster dot rose at yahoo dot com