Sunday, August 28, 2011

THE ARISTOCRAT'S LADY - Mary Moore - Free Book

I'm always thrilled to introduce a debut author. Welcome to my blog, Mary. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
The characters become individuals of their own.  But I sometimes put one of my own life experiences into them.  For example, in The Aristocrat’s Lady, the heroine has a disability and there is a scene where she is meeting with a renowned London doctor.  She expresses her frustration at what seems to be the futility of seeing yet one more doctor who won’t be able to help her.  I faced a similar situation and was able to draw on that to make her a little more vulnerable.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Actually, it was about fifteen years ago.  I have always been a voracious reader especially of the Regency genre.  I guess all that reading put characters and plots in my head, but it was completely subconsciously!  I must have been in between books so I got out a spiral notebook and decided to start a story with a premise I had been thinking would make a great plot.  I also wanted to create an inspirational aspect in the story.  (There were no Regencies in the Christian bookstores in those days!)  I still did not know I was a writer, however!  It was strictly for my own pleasure, at the time, but is now my debut novel, The Aristocrat’s Lady.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m kind of a picky reader, I guess.  British fiction from the Ewardian to the Victorian eras would be my top choice.   (From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer to Elizabeth Gaskell to the Bronte sisters, Dickens and so on…)  If I discover when seeing a movie that it is based on a book, I have to read the book.  That started back with Gone With The Wind in high school right through to P.S. I Love You currently.  I also really like biographies.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I haven’t…yet!  Since this is my first book, I have so much to learn.  It has added a considerable amount of juggling to keep up with the “information” loops I’m on, as well as the specific Love Inspired information I need to be aware of.  I only work part-time, but my husband and I are very active in our church.  Fortunately, I’m a night owl, but even that is catching up with me.  I’m hoping that getting through the process of this first book, from beginning to end, will prepare me for better time management should I be blessed with others.  Otherwise, I think my husband and dog might disown me!

How do you choose your characters’ names?
That’s a really good question!  And one I don’t have a good answer to!  I know with The Aristocrat’s Lady, I always thought if I had a son I would like to name him Jared.  So that was an easy choice there.  But with Nicole, I just knew I needed a name that could be shortened and when it was shortened would make it be a sort of tomboy’s nickname.  There are lots of websites you can go just to see a sampling of names, and I might do that just to see how a last name would fit with the first name I picked.  In other words, there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to picking character names for me!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would be a pet in my house!  My husband and I are dog lovers.  Right now we have a black lab we love, but she is the most spoiled animal on the planet.  I have to cover couches with pillows, or she’ll sleep there.   So she loves to sleep in our bed, and I have to cover our spread with a sheet or dog hair is everywhere.  She’s older now, and when she started losing some of the use of her back legs, my husband built a step so she could still get up in our bed when she wants to!

What is your favorite food?
Almost anything chocolate AND Arby’s roast beef sandwiches!  I’m a cheap date!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I think it would be what most writers would say…patience.  I wrote this book 15 years ago.  I dabbled with getting it published…you know… “Dear sir, here is your next #1 on the NY Times bestsellers list.  I’ll be waiting for your call.”  As you can imagine, I waited a long time!  Gave it a little time and sent in another manuscript with no response and I gave up the fantasy.   But when I found the manuscripts in an old box, I began to rewrite it with real experiences and emotions.  I queried a Christian Agency, and God blessed me with my agent, Jenny Burke, who has been behind me 100%.  Looking back, I can see God in the entire process.  It is being published in His time and in His way, that makes all of the waiting worth it.

Tell us about the featured book.
It’s inspirational Regency about a woman with a disability.  Her malady is not visible; that’s the hook-neither the reader nor the hero knows what it is until the right moment.  She goes to London and decides to keep it a secret to spare others any awkwardness they might feel, but in her heart there is the deeper fear of rejection.  She meets the Earl and they like each other immediately.  He does not wish to marry and she knows her disability makes her ineligible, so she keeps it a secret, even from him, and they become fast friends; a very unusual occurrence in that time period.  The heartbreak and conflict that erupts when he learns of her disability has us wondering how it could all work out.  But with God anything is possible!

I just love Love Inspired Historical books, and this one sounds like one I'll really enjoy. Please give us the first page of the book.
Lady Nicole Beaumont sighed as she walked along the terrace of the Elizabethan mansion.  The air was surprisingly cool and lightly blowing over the palatial gardens behind the house.  It was an immediate remedy to the stifling heat of the ballroom behind her.  Tracing her hand along the marble railing, she reached the landing that led down into the meticulously patterned walkways.  However, Nicole did not descend.  She only listened to the sounds coming from the lake, the focal point of the famed park.  She could hear the soft gliding of ducks as they floated across the smooth water.  She smiled when she perceived one quacking truant dip its head into the cool pool only to bring it up again in a flurry of feathers.

The smell of roses was strong where she stood and it took Nicole’s thoughts back to her own home in Gloucester.  Roses had always been her favorite.  In fact, she grew the most beautiful and unusual varieties.
     
She sighed again as she stood against the sculpted balustrade.  London had been so much worse than she had imagined.  Why had she allowed her mother to convince her it would be good for her to visit Town during the Season?  Everything was at a faster pace and her problems seemed magnified in the unending bustle of the city.  Her incapacities only reminded her of her endless limitations.

I can hardly wait to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website is www.marymooreauthor.com and I love for people to visit and leave me messages!  You can find my author page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marymooreauthor  and I love people to check it out and “Like” it (if they do! :0)  Finally, readers can feel free to email me at mmooreauthor@swva.net.

Lena, thanks so much for this opportunity!  I hope your fans will try The Aristocrat’s Lady and let me know what they think!

My pleasure, Mary. My readers will visit your sites.

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. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 4 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

47 comments:

Margaret Metz said...

I found myself nodding and smiling throughout this interview. I also love this period in history, am a huge fan of the same authors, we could eat out together ... and I have my own invisible malady which I used to try and keep secret. I think the book sounds fantastic and I'm adding it to my list.

Oh - and I live in MO.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the drawing.

Angela from Kentucky

Michelle said...

Sounds like a good book. Please enter me.

Kentucky

Unknown said...

Roses is my mom's favorite flower, too..and so every year for Mother's Day i buy her one. When we moved, we couldn't bring all of hers along, so we started new. i would love to read Mary's Aristocrat's Lady. Thanks for the interview and chance to win, Lena and Mary. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot] com
i live in the Peace River Country of Alberta

Mary Moore said...

Wow, Margaret, I'm so glad I'm not the only crazy one out there! :0) I appreciate that you would like to read the book, I hope you will give me feedback if you do.

And if I ever get to Missouri, we'll do Arby's, deal?

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Marianne, that's very touching about giving your mom a rose on every mother's day. Nicole in the book would love you! Love Inspired did such a great job on the cover...I told them she loved roses and I didn't know exactly how they would incorporate that, but they did it perfectly!

Do you like Regencies? I hope you'll try this one, maybe it will spark a love for a whole new genre! And if you do get a chance to read it, please let me (and or Amazon) know what you think.

Patsy said...

Oh my goodness, My husband loooves Arbys too! I think he could eat there everyday. I have not read a book by Mary and I am glad she's writing for Love Inspired. I love all their books and the covers are always so pretty. Looking forward to read The Aristocrat's Lady.

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Patty said...

I always love reading about the English Lords and Ladies. Look forward to reading this book.

Patty in SC

Mary Moore said...

Patsy, are you like my husband who is NOT an Arby's fan? He knows to take me there for special treats, but if it's a choice, he'll go anywhere but Arbys! They always slip a little packit of roast beef for our crazy lab hyperventilating in the back seat!!

You haven't read a book by me because this is my first! I'm hoping a good response will land that second one!

Enjoy!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Hi Patty in SC! So you're a Regency fan? That's one of the things I hoping for with this book is creating a next generation of Regency lovers. Jane Austen on the BBC and all of the lovely series' there lately are helping, but I hope you like the book and will let me know!

Thanks for coming by Patty!

In Him,
Mary Moore

scottsgal said...

My hubby and I always say I want to be reincarnated to a dog in our house - my 2 springer spaniels are spoiled rotten!
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Rebecca said...

I would love to win this. This looks like an amazing book. Thanks for the chance to win this.

I am from Oklahoma.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

Beth Reinke said...

Now I will be wondering what the heroine's diability is... LOL Thanks for the chance to win this book. ";o)

Beth from PA

Mary Moore said...

Hi scottsgal!

Isn't it amazing! We just love our pets so much and they are always faithful to us. We moved down to southwestern Virginia a few years ago, and were amazed at the difference in the way the pets are used in the country. They are guard dogs and spend the night outside or hunting dogs trained to chase. Our little girl would have never cut it. But that's OK, we like spoiling her!

Does "scottsgal" come from a scottish heritage? I'm Irish, so we might have something else in common! :0) Thanks for visiting and commenting.

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Hi Rebecca from OK!

Thanks so much for the encouraging words. You know I have had a sort of vision for the book for awhile now...if you like the book, maybe talk to some women in your church and read it together and then really sit down and do the discussion questions. I love that about being with Love Inspired, they want to try to make our stories applicable to our lives.

I hope you win it, too, and that you'll help me out with that! :0)

Thanks for commenting,

In Him,
Mary

Mary Moore said...

Hey Beth from PA!

I spent all of my summer's up in PA at my grandmother's house in Chadds Ford, PA (right outside of Wilmington, DE I think). And my husband and I love to go to Lancaster for visits. I know PA is a HUGE state, but sometimes you're right next to that spot!

I'm glad you got caught on the "hook" - hope it stays a surprise while you're reading. And if you do, please be sure to let me know what you think.

Thanks for commenting!!!

In Him,
Mary

Melissa Jagears said...

I don't live anywhere close to an Arby's. :( Love hot roast beef.

KS

Lady DragonKeeper said...

I'm one of the "next generation of Regency fans" thanks to Jane Austen and BBC productions! =)

I'd love to read "The Aristocrat's Lady" --it sounds like a more unique storyline and a break from all the western/prairie LoveInspired Historicals. Nothing against that time period, but "LI" seems to have so much of them ... I get overloaded sometimes. Thanks for the chance to win!

Lady DragonKeeper from Hawaii. =)

Anne Payne said...

Regency is my favorite time period! This story sounds lovely. I can't wait to read it. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

rural NC

Coolestmommy said...

Now you've got me wondering what the hidden disability is. I'm going round and round in my head. I can't wait to find out the big secret and see how God works everything out.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Sylvia said...

I'm from NC and love Regency books and this looks interesting too because it's a different plot than usual.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks interesting, I love historical books! Please enter me in the drawing.
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Sharon Richmond said...

Sounds interesting, I love reading and would love to win this book.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Ingrid said...

Hi Mary,congratulations on your first published book, I loved your Interview and can't wait to read your book.

I live in Illinois

Merry said...

The Aristocrat's Lady sounds like a book I would love, add me please!
Merry in TX

Mary Moore said...

Melissa,

NO ARBY'S??? You don't know what you're missing! :0)

Thanks for stopping by!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Bonnie D. said...

This book sounds great! I would love to win and read it.
-Bonnie from CA

Mary Moore said...

Lady Dragonkiller,
You sound very mysterious!

I hope everyone feels as you do, that Regency can compete with any other historical genre (and maybe it'll keep me around! :0)

Let me know what you think of the book if you win it!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Hi Anne!

I think there are more Regency fans out there by the gazillion. We are just proper and don't get the attention we deserve! :0)

I'll be happy if you win! Then you can share it with your friends and expand the genre!

Thanks for commenting!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Robyn,

You certainly look like the coolest mommy!

I hope it takes you a little while to figure it out - the disability I mean. And if you find out how God works it out, you will have read the entire book, and then I'd like to know what you thought of it!

Thanks for your encouragement!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Thanks for your comment, Sylvia. I'm so glad you're a Regency fan. As you know, the Regency period is a very small period of time, so it seems like sometimes plots run over each other. I really did want to do it a little differently. I hope you think it works.

Fingers crossed for you to win!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Hi Abigail,

I think if you love historical books, you'll like this Regency. It has all of the elegance of the time period and a love story to boot!

Thanks for entering to win, I appreciate it!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Hi Bonnie D. from California!

Thanks for the encouragement! I hope this book will be a blessing to others who will then want to share it with others.

Glad you're in the running!

In Him,
Mary Moore

apple blossom said...

oh, yes please include me in this giveaway thanks
I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

God truly does have perfect timing...15 years is a long time to wait. I am anxious to discover Nicole's disability and see how God works out all things for her good. Thank you for the chance to enter.
Blessings,
Kelly Y. in Virginia

Ms. Mona/Ohio said...

Mary, sounds like a great book, and I'm with you on the chocolate and Arby's....love them both....hope I win... Ms. Mona

Katie Marie said...

Hmm, The Aristocrat's Lady has a very beautiful cover, and the story sounds interesting. :-) historical fiction is my second favorite genre to read. :-D

Katie from Florida

Mary Moore said...

Hi Katie,

Thank you for your kind words. But now you have me wondering what your FAVORITE genre is! I hope The Aristocrat's Lady makes Regency your #1!

Please let me know what you think and then share it with a friend or someone from church!

Thanks for stopping by!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

what a gorgeous book ! with a middle name of 'Rose' can't miss this one! many thx for the gvwy ~ frm CA

Megan said...

I love the cover on this book, it is so beautiful! Please enter me in the drawing.

I live in Illinois.

lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

Kristie said...

Your book souinds great! I love how you focused on someone with a disability. Thank you for that. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Krista said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! I am looking forward to reading it. Please enter me!

Krista from Gresham, OR

Mary Moore said...

Hi Faith Hope Cherrytea....!

Thank you for your kind words. The art department did such a great job on the cover. I had it pictured in my head but I didn't know how that would translate to someone else's head. Couldn't have been better. I loved it from the moment I saw it and hoped it might catch a few eyes like yours.

Be sure and let me know what you think of the story!

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Erin Go Bra'gh Megan!

I'm glad you like the cover! I like your shamrock. I suppose you are Irish? I'm 100% pure Irish down to the tips of my toes and very proud of my heritage.

I hope you enjoy the book.

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Hi Kristie,

I've had this story in my head for years and I wanted the heroine to be different than I'd ever read before. I hope she lives up to your expectations...let me know, OK?

In Him,
Mary Moore

Mary Moore said...

Krista!

Thanks for the encouraging words. Are you a Regency fan? If not, I hope this makes you become one!

Thanks for commenting.

In Him,
Mary Moore

Sarah said...

Would love to win!

Sarah H
Oklahoma