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.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/