Monday, February 27, 2012

DAWN COMES EARLY - Margaret Brownley - Free Book


Welcome, Margaret. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
First, thank you for letting me hang out here today. Being on your blog is always a treat.

To answer your question: My favorite theme is forgiveness because that’s what I personally struggle with the most. The heroine in Dawn Comes Early struggles with forgiving her mother. But unless she makes peace with the past, she can never find happiness.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Dawn Comes Early is the first book in my Brides of Last Chance Ranch series. The second book Waiting for Morning will be out December of this year and the third book tentatively titled Afternoon Tea will be out 2013.

In July my nonfiction book Grieving God’s Way: The Path to Hope and Healing will be published. Readers have been asking for my backlist and I’m happy to say that we’re working on bringing out some of my early titles.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
I’d rather have dinner with family and friends, but if I had to choose a stranger I would have to say Queen Elizabeth. She has known something like eleven or twelve prime ministers and twelve U.S. presidents. That makes her pretty special.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
A handsome Pinkerton detective is the hero in my next book so having dinner with one would certainly be inspirational—or at the very least allow me to ask questions.

That sounds like fun. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
I’ve learned through the years that rejections can often turn out to be blessings in disguise. One of my books was rejected 17 times before it was picked up by a major publisher as a launch title for a new line. I’ve had other similar experiences. A rejection can be God’s way of giving you another chance to find a more suitable publisher or to improve the work. A rejection isn’t the end of a story; sometimes it’s only the beginning.

That is so true. Both of my present 3-book series had been rejected, but God had a specific place in mind for them. Tell us about the featured book?
The idea for Brides of Last Chance Ranch series came to me after reading an old newspaper article in the New York Times dated 1891. A group of fifty ladies of the First Church of Milford formed a society of old maids in 1861. Each member vowed she would not marry. Each woman paid five dollars on admission with the principal going to the one who remained unmarried the longest. Thirty years later all but fifteen of the original had married. I was never able to find out who won the prize—and sincerely hope no one had—but the concept intrigued me and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Dawn Comes Early is the first book in the series. So what does a disgraced dime novelist know about cattle? According to the hero, “Not a dern thing—and that ain’t all she don’t know.”

This sounds like it’s just my cup of tea. Please give us the first page of the book.

Heir Wanted
Looking for hard-working, professional woman
of good character and pleasant disposition
willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona Territory.
Must be single and prepared to remain so now and forever more.

CHAPTER 1

Arizona Territory 1895
“Cactus Paaaaaaaaaatch!”

            Whistle piercing the air, the wheels of the Southern Pacific ground against the metal rails, jerking passengers back and forth before coming to a screeching stop.

            Kate Tenney was the only traveler to rise from her seat. Ignoring the curious gazes of the mostly male passengers, she walked along the narrow aisle and down the steps to the deserted open-air station. Steam puffed across the wooden platform like a hissing dragon.

            She clutched at her skirt with one damp hand and shaded her brow against the bright noon sun with the other.

            The steamer trunk filled with her precious belongings landed with a thud by her side. It had been delivered by the dark-skinned uniformed porter who then grabbed hold of the handrail and swung his bulky frame back onto the train. He leaned out just far enough to signal the engineer with a wave of his hand and to afford Kate one last pitying look before vanishing inside. He wasn’t the first to take pity on her but if things worked out as she hoped, he would most certainly be the last.

            The train slithered away, picking up speed until all that remained of the Tucson-bound express was the sound of a distant whistle and a line of black curling smoke.
           
            Hands on her waist, Kate glanced around with a growing sense of dismay. This couldn’t be Cactus Patch. Please don’t let it be so. Never in all her twenty-nine years had she imagined such a desolate place.

I love it. Can’t wait to get my copy. How can readers find you on the Internet?
If I’m not hanging out at Facebook or Twitter readers can find me at www.margaretbrownley.com

Thank you, Margaret, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Dawn Comes Early (The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch Series) - paperback
DAWN COMES EARLY (The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch Series) - Kindle


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.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

34 comments:

Wendy Newcomb said...

I read about this book yesterday and it sounds great. Thank you for hosting the giveaway.

I live in FL.

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

Coolestmommy said...

I've read one of your other books and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to this one, too.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Margaret Brownley said...

Hi Wendy, thank you for stopping by. I was in Florida last year.Great place!

Margaret Brownley said...

Hi Robyn,
My daughter's name is Robyn and she's a cool mom, too. Small world.

Katie said...

This is GREAT! I really hope I when this one ;) Looking forward to it. I'm from NC.

Patty said...

I read and enjoyed A Lady Like Sarah and A Suitor for Jenny. I look forward to reading more by this great author!

Patty in SC

Unknown said...

Thanks, Lena for hosting Margaret. Yep, i'd rather have dinner with family or friends than with a stranger. Not sure i could turn something uncomfortable like that into something good, tho. This series/trilogy sounds great. i would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity.
Marianne from Arizona

mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

scottsgal said...

historical westerns are one of my fave genre - sounds wonderful
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Judy said...

Thanks for the great interview Margaret. I'm happy your theme is forgiveness. I too struggle with that one! The good Lord only knows how many prayers I send up on forgiveness!

I haven't read any of your books yet. I am looking forward to getting to know you through your books though. "Dawn Comes Early" sounds like it will be a real page turner.

Thanks for this interview and giveaway.

Blessings!
Judy from Indiana

Margaret Brownley said...

Katie, I wish you all could win a copy!

Take care, Margaret

Margaret Brownley said...

Hi Marianne in Arizona. I loved setting my story in your great state.

Thank you stopping by.

Margaret Brownley said...

Judy, it seems like a lot of people have trouble learning to forgive. It's easy to forgive those little hurts but the big ones can really trip you up.

Take care,

Lorna Faith said...

What a great story idea:) Love your books Margaret and would love to read this one!

Lorna from Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Pam K. said...

I really enjoyed all the books in Margaret's Rocky Creek Romance series. "Dawn Comes Early" sounds like another book I'd like. The mix of romance, history, and humor makes her books fun to read. Thanks for giving me a chance to win a copy.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN.
ANGELA FROM KY

Mary Preston said...

I love how you found your inspiration for the "Brides of Last Chance Ranch series". What a group of women they would have been.

I loved the first page thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Jo said...

I am looking forward to reading this book.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

apple blossom said...

love to be included in this giveaway thanks
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Molly said...

I love Margaret's work and this book sounds FABULOUS!!!

Molly in NC
reviewsbymolly(at)gmail.com

Joanna Richmond said...

sounds very interesting. I would Love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win, Thanks
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a fun book. Please enter me!

Krista in Oregon

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it looks and sounds like a great story!! Thanks and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks and sounds interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing!
Thanks for the chance to win.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Angie Adair said...

This book sounds awesome..my kind of book! Angie in Illinois..angadair@nwcable.net

Abigail Mitchell said...

Sounds very interesting! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks and God Bless!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Mama Cat said...

This sounds wonderful - thank you for the chance to win a copy of the first book of your new series! As someone who has lived in Arizona (formerly Tucson, now Phoenix) for many years, I have often wondered what this hot, dry place was like for the earlier settlers (without A/C)! Would love to read it, and find out why Kate is willing to travel so far to remain single, in the desert, no less!

Katie Marie said...

I've heard nothing but good things about this book, so of course I am entering the giveaway. :-) Thanks for the chance!

Katie in Florida

Judy Cooper said...

Margaret Brownley is a great author, please include me in the drawing. Thank you. Judy Cooper in Louisiana

Dani's Granny said...

Love, love and love books like this.....Dani's Granny/OH

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.I would love to read this book.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

Katie Marie said...

I've seen this around a lot and would LOVE to be entered for a chance to win. I've heard only good things!!

Katie in Florida

rubynreba said...

Enjoyed the first page - anxious to read the rest!
Beth fromm Iowa

Kristie said...

That old maid society sounds intriguing. Sometimes inspirational strikes when we least expect it. We have hindsight and only God has futuresight. He has a plan and sometimes His very best is the results of unanswered prayers. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

A.Jones said...

Oh, please enter me! I've seen this book around alot and would enjoy winning! Thanks for the chance.

I live in New York