Sunday, October 10, 2010

A SUITOR FOR JENNY - Margaret Brownley - Free Book

Bio: Margaret has written more than 20 novels, and her books have been published in 15 languages. She is currently writing inspirational historicals for Thomas Nelson. The first book in her Rocky Creek series A Lady Like Sarah was a Romance Writers of American RITA finalist and is currently an INSPY award nominee. Margaret and her husband have three grown children and live in Southern California.

More Love and Laughter in the Old West from Bestselling Author Margaret Brownley:

Some timely advice for landing a husband from Margaret’s new book, A SUITOR FOR JENNY
• Charm and composure must prevail at all times. If a gunfight erupts, exit the scene with grace and serenity.
• If you don’t know whether or not to kiss a handsome man, give him the benefit of the doubt.
• Never engage in boisterous laughter. If you must show mirth, a polite smile or titter will suffice.
• Never criticize your beau. If it wasn’t for his faults he’d probably be courting someone else.
• A woman more knowledgeable than a man is obliged to hold her tongue and feign ignorance in all matters except, of course, childbirth.
• Never show affection in public. Love may be blind but the townspeople are not.
• Once your vows are exchanged devote yourself to domestication—his.
• Eschew secrets, for they are normally discovered at the worst possible time. If confronted, weep and deny everything.—

I love that list of advice. Thanks for including it, Margaret. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

Lena, thank you for letting me visit with you today. To answer your question, right now I see four deadlines on the horizon. My cup really does overflow. All my life I wanted to be a writer, so I’m living a dream. The thing I don’t want to see on the horizon is a sunset or storm clouds. I’m praying for sunny skies ahead.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I’ve always been an avid reader and remain so. The biggest change is that I now read more non-fiction than I did previously because of this thing called research. Right now I’m reading a cattle manual, and a book on how to repair windmills, which muddles my non-mechanical mind. Nonfiction is about facts; fiction is about truth. I much prefer to read about truth.

What are you working on right now?

I finished the third and last book in my Rocky Creek Series. A Vision of Lucy will be in bookstores June, 2011. I just started a new series called Spinster Brides, and I’m very excited about it. I love where the characters are taking me. I can’t wait to share my next series with readers.

What outside interests do you have?

Writing, family and, of course, reading take up most of my time. We do like to travel and enjoy taking trips in our RV. I’ve been to all fifty states and dozens of foreign countries. Our next destination will probably be Arizona as that’s where my next series is set.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I like the setting to reflect what is going on with the characters. In my Rocky Creek series, I created a fictional town with a troubled past. Rocky Creek enjoys new prosperity due its proximity to the cattle trails, but it is still a wild frontier town where revenge passes as justice and God is an afterthought. Though the saloons and other buildings are in good condition, the church is in a shocking state of disrepair. The holes in the roof, missing doors and broken windows are the least of it; the entire structure leans as if waiting for an excuse to fall. The church mirrors the spiritual decay of Rocky Creek's citizens. By the end of the series, the town changes in many positive ways reflecting the changes in the characters and their relationship to God.

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

I would love to spend the evening with Queen Elizabeth because she has known something like 11 or 12 prime ministers and 12 U.S. presidents. That makes her pretty special. Next on my list would be a handsome blacksmith from the 1800s, just like the hero in the book I’m now working on (all in the name of research, of course).

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish I knew to enjoy the journey more. When writing a first book, a writer can spend as much time as necessary to get it right without having to worry about deadlines. That’s a luxury published authors don’t have.

I know about that. I'm on a really tight deadline for my next book. I won't have that luxury at all. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

I often say that God made me a writer to teach me patience. I’m not sure He’s succeeded yet, but we’re both still working on it.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

For aspiring writers I would say, enjoy the journey. Being published comes with its own challenges, so you really have to enjoy each step of the way or you won’t survive. Surround yourself with a support group and celebrate every success. Celebrate when you finish a chapter, enter a contest, pop a query in the mail or sign up for a writing workshop. This is what kept me going the five years it took me to sell my first book, and it will keep you going, too.

Published authors probably don’t need my advice.

I'm not so sure about that. Tell us about the featured book.

A Suitor for Jenny is the next book in my Rocky Creek series (but the books don’t have to be read in order). Here’s what it’s about:

When looking for a husband it's best to go where the odds are in your favor.

After their parents died, Jenny Higgins felt responsible for taking care of her two younger sisters. Learning that Rocky Creek has the highest number of eligible bachelors per capita, Jenny rolls into this Texas town with a clear objective: find suitable husbands for her two younger sisters and then start fresh somewhere far, far away. Jenny believes that women who fall in love at first sight often wish they’d taken a second look, so she diligently begins to follow all the rules set forth in her handy manual on how to land a husband.

But while Jenny is interviewing the less-than-promising candidates, her sisters are falling in love the old fashioned way. Jenny is convinced she knows how to pick “perfect” men and it will take two rebellious sisters, a handsome marshal and a whole lot of faith to convince her otherwise.

I know I'll love it. Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter 1

A good man is like a good corset. He will always be supportive and never leave you hanging.—Miss Abigail Jenkins, 1875

Rocky Creek, Texas
1881

Old man Hank Applegate should have known trouble was brewing the moment the stagecoach thundered into town one week and two days late.

Not that anyone cared. Actually, no one but Hank so much as noticed the stagecoach, late or otherwise. He might not have noticed either had it not been for the astounding amount of luggage tied to the roof and back of the coach. Few people of any importance or interest ever came to town on the Wells Fargo stagecoach anymore. Nowadays, most folks preferred to travel by train. And who in tarnation would travel with that much luggage?

A gust of wind followed the stage, kicking up a whirlwind as it traveled through town. Hats blew off like popping corks. Emma Hogg’s skirt flapped like the sails of a storm-tossed ship. Not that Hank was interested in the old spinster’s skirts or anything else about her for that matter.

The horses hitched in front of Jake’s Saloon pawed the ground, and the batwing doors swung to and fro.

The stage came to a halt in front of the weathered two-story Grand Hotel. Its driver scrambled to the ground like a man trying to escape an angry mob.

His curiosity stoked, Hank rose from his rocking chair for a closer look, his bony legs creaking like a dried-out saddle.

Squinting beneath the brim of his leather hat, he spat a dark stream of tobacco juice over the railing of Fairbanks General Merchandise and clamped down on his jaw, letting his toothless gums rub against each other.

The door of the stage flew open, and he caught a glimpse of a dainty slipper and a slim feminine ankle. Thinking he was seeing things, he leaned forward until the rickety railing wobbled beneath his weight. Not that he noticed. He was too busy watching a pretty miss emerge from inside the coach.

What a hook! How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’d love to have readers drop by my homestead and say howdy: http://www.margaretbrownley.com/
I’m also resident blogger on http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com/
For fun check out my Stagecoach Etiquette for Readers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prY2q9Oasp4

Thank you everyone!
Have a Little Faith

Thank you, Margaret, for the fun interview.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it 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/

34 comments:

Lourdes said...

What a great interview. I am looking forward to reading this book. A lady like Sarah was and is one of my favorite books.

Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

scottsgal said...

Rocky Creek sounds like a wonderful setting - I'd love to read this
msboatgal at aol.com

Laney4 said...

Yes, it WAS a great interview. Thanks for sharing.

You hooked me on the opening lines of the book. When a book makes me out-and-out smile (or as we say today, LOL), it's one I want to read. Again, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

This sounds like such a fun book! :)
Please enter me!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

holdenj said...

I'm glad they don't have to be read in order! Jenny's story looks pretty good! Thanks!

Deanna said...

This sounds like a fabulous read! Count me in!

Katey said...

This book looks so good. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

katey(dot)1m(at)hotmail(dot)com

Patsy said...

Book sounds great. Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for giving away a copy.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Melinda Elmore said...

Margaret,

Great Interview. I must get my hands on your book. I love the name Rocky Creek. Congrats on your book.

Enter me to win a copy email is nativeauthor@gmail.com

Walk in harmony
Melinda

Michelle said...

Would love to read this one! Thanks for entering me!

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Linda Henderson said...

I really enjoyed the interview and I'd love to read the book.

seriousreader at live dot com

Jo said...

What a great interview. I am looking forward to reading this book.

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

Julia M. Reffner said...

This looks like a fun read. I love the "advice."

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Wendy said...

Another fun book you are offering.
Thanks

apple blossom said...

thanks for the giveaway and interview. I love this cover
Love to win the book.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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

Please enter me!

cheryl c said...

After reading the interview and the excerpt, I am SO hooked! I love historical romances, and the American West is a particular favorite. Thanks for a chance to win this book.
castings at mindspring dot com

The Herd said...

Would love to win this book!!

Renee said...

I'd love a chance to win this book! Thanks so much! reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Pam K. said...

This sounds like a fun, fun book! I love books that make me laugh but still have some substance.
I'd love to win "A Suitor for Jenny."
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Jan Marie said...

I wonder how many young ladies today would be able to follow that advice? So funny! Please add my name to the list for this one - it sounds great!

janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I am looking forward to reading Margaret's books. It would be nice to win one.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Great interview! I so love stories staged in the old west!

dancealert at aol dot com

Coolestmommy said...

I love a character who is smart, resourceful...and knows where the men are. :-)

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Ooh, I'd love to win this book!
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview! Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Deborah M said...

Looks like there is a lot of Margaret Brownley fans. I've read some of her books and would like to read this one too.
Deborah M
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

A Suitor for Jenny sounds like a great book. I can't wait to read. Great interview.

Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

MaureenT said...

Nice interview! I enjoy Christian historical romances. Please include me!

Jennifer said...

I would love to win this book. Sounds like a fun book.

Bakersdozen said...

I love this type of fiction and would love to win. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katherine said...

This book looks really good. The cover art is beautiful! Please enter me!

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Ashley E said...

A week and two days, huh? Why am I not surprised? This book sounds great!