TOO RICH FOR A BRIDE - Mona Hodgson - Free book

I love having Mona on my blog. Welcome, Mona.

Lena, you are so good to me. Thank you for this opportunity to connect with your followers. Hello everyone!

God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

My experience tells me that the horizon is bound to hold surprises, but right now I’m expecting to write at least two more Cripple Creek stories. I may write four more after that—the friends of the Sinclair sisters, or begin a new historical series in a different setting. And more children’s books, I hope. A Southwest picture book and a historical middle grade novel have sparked editorial interest. It’ll be fun to see what God has for me on the horizon.

I feel that way, too. So many vistas are opening for both of us. Tell us a little about your family.

My hubby, Bob, and I have been married 38 years. He’s my computer and website manager. Yay! We have two grown daughters. Amy is married. She, our son-in-law, and three of our four grandchildren live and work in Tanzania, East Africa. Sara is the mother of our youngest grandson. They live about an hour from us. Currently, we’re in the middle of planning Sara’s February wedding. We are also caregivers for my mom and her husband, who live next door to us.

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

I read a lot more, and in many more genres than before I wrote for publication. My main interest in reading material shifted from nonfiction, self-improvement books to fiction. And, in the last several years, historical fiction. I also returned to reading children’s books—all formats and genres. One of the best ways to learn to write well is to read good writing.

What are you working on right now?

Currently, I’m writing Beyond a Bride, Book Three in the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series. Then a proposal and sample chapters for a second historical fiction series.

What outside interests do you have?

Flying in helicopters and bi-planes. Visiting East Africa. Playing table games with friends.

I have a friend who is an instructor for pilots at Bell Helicopter. She told me one time that she would take me up in a helicopter, but it never worked out. I'd love to try. How do you choose your settings for each book?

In the case of The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series, the Colorado mining camp location serves as a bit of a character itself in each of the books. The main players help to determine the settings for the individual stories through their circumstances, situations, and professions. For instance, Kat and Nell carry us with them on the train and Dr. Morgan Cutshaw introduces us to the Sisters of Mercy Hospital in Two Brides Too Many. Ida Sinclair shows us around an 1896 stock exchange while Tucker Raines chills us in an ice house in Too Rich for a Bride.

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

Tea and snickerdoodles with Harriett Beecher Stowe would be fabulous. Harriett was faithful to write out of her convictions and passions.

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

I had to wait long enough to finally have a novel published (twenty years) that I came into the experience well-prepared. God knew that even though the desire to be a novelist was there early in my writing career, I wasn’t ready. By the time I signed my first novel contract in 2009, I had learned how to partner with a publishing house teams, developed a respect for deadlines, and studied the fiction craft with many of the best-selling CBA novelists.

My years of preparation were long, too, but not quite that long. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

That nothing we commit to Him is wasted, and that it’s a ton of fun to see when and where and how He’ll use the lessons He’s teaching me.

Another thing I agree with wholeheartedly. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?


1. Be obedient, persevere.
2. Be intentional about learning the writing craft and growing your industry saavy.
3. Expect detours and enjoy the adventure.

very good advice. Tell us about the featured book.

Too Rich for a Bride is Book Two in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series. In Two Brides Too Many (Book One), readers met Kat and Nell, the two middle Sinclair sisters. Now it’s Ida’s turn, the oldest sister.

As the business-savvy Sinclair sister, Ida has never wanted to settle down. Instead of love, she craves success. But while searching for one, she just might find the other.

Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado, for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniably successful businesswoman, Mollie O’Bryan. Ida’s sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career.

Under Mollie's tutelage, Ida learns how to play the stock market and revels in her promising accomplishments. Fighting for respect in a man's world, her ambition leaves little room for distractions. She ignores her family's reservations about Mollie O'Bryan's business practices, but no matter how she tries, she can't ignore the two men pursuing her affections—Colin Wagner, the dashing lawyer, and Tucker Raines, the traveling preacher.

Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed “suggestions” that young ladies don’t belong in business. Will it take unexpected love—or unexpected danger—for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?

Two Brides Too Many is available from your favorite bookseller. Too Rich for a Bride is now available (as of October 12th) exclusively at Walmart stores until May 2011!

Please give us the first page of the book.

Portland, Maine
18 September, 1896

Ida Sinclair didn’t know where her ambition would take her, only that she possessed a liberal measure of it. That was why the Merton School of Business was the perfect place for her. And why she sat in the front row of the classroom. She didn’t want to miss any bit of information or instruction that could mover her closer to success.

Gazing from the calculations on the blackboard to the guest lecturer’s dark eyes, offset by traces of silver at his hairline, Ida waited for Mr. Bradley Ditmer to finish his point about customer relations and then raised her hand.

“Miss Sinclair, you have another question?”

Ida moistened her lips. “Yes, I’d like to know how one goes about securing financing to launch a busi—”

A roar of laughter started her and she turned to glare at the source—a gangly, beak-nosed young man in the row beside hers.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about financing, missy,” he said. “Learn how to make a good pot of coffee and keep a file cabinet organized, and maybe I’ll hire you to work in my company.”

More laughter swept across the room until the professor made his way to the mouthy student’s desk. Mr. Ditmer’s footsteps stilled all other nose.

“Mr. Burn—”

“Burkett.”

“You are a child to indulge in such hubris. Kindly keep it to yourself.”

Ida felt the same burn she’d become accustomed to since her first day in class. Her fellow students didn’t approve of her plans and aspirations. Even the women. But she also felt somewhat vindicated by Mr. Ditmer’s gallant stand against such boorish rantings.

The professor cleared his throat. “To answer your question, Miss Sinclair, bankers, private investors, and those on the stock exchange could provide necessary funding for a business.” He sauntered back to the front of the room then turned to face her. “However, no investor is wont to throw away money on frivolous pursuits. Each business proposal is weighed individually by its likelihood of success.”

“Thank you, sir.” Ida sealed her mouth shut against the numerous questions his answer raised.

She was still recording her thoughts and idea in her notebook when Mr. Ditmer dismissed the class, making her the last to head for the door.

“Miss Sinclair?” Mr. Ditmer’s clear tone resonated off the empty desks in the room.

Ida stilled her steps a few feet from the classroom door and turned to face her instructor. A pleasant view, to be sure. The man was no Teddy Roosevelt, but he exuded the same commanding presence and compelling confidence.

Very interesting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can learn more about me and my writing and speaking at http://www.monahodgson.com/. You can connect with me on Facebook at the Mona Hodgson Fan Page, where you’ll receive updates on my books and events and contests.

Thank you, Mona, for the fun interview.
 
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