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Sunday, July 15, 2012

BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN - Maureen Lang - One Free Book

Bio:

Maureen Lang writes stories inspired by a love of history and romance. An avid reader herself, she’s figured out a way to write the stories she feels like reading. Maureen’s Inspirationals have earned various writing distinctions as a finalist for the Rita, Christy, and Carol Awards. In addition to investigating various eras in history (such as Victorian England, First World War, and America’s Gilded Age) Maureen loves taking research trips to get a feel for the settings of her novels. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband, children, and Labrador retriever.

Why did you become an author?
I’ve been writing stories since I was ten, so I think that means storytelling is just part of who I am. But I did make the decision to pursue publication, which is perhaps different from an innate desire to tell stories. For me, I wanted the widest possible audience and the validation that comes with publication. I’ve been touched by stories my entire life, and I hope to touch other lives with my stories. That emotional connection from a well-crafted tale is a big part of why I wanted to join the publishing field as a creator of that emotional connectivity.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
I’d be a restaurant critic that would appeal to the average person, not especially sophisticated but honest and able to communicate the various flavors I’d experience. I doubt there is much money to be made in such a job, unless I was a syndicated columnist—and I guess the real “dream” part of the job would be not gaining any weight from eating all the time! I love going to a new restaurant but I’m never satisfied with tasting only one thing on the menu. I’d love to have someone offer me a little taste of everything, and to share what’s good (or not) about each new taste.

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
I believe I’m more enamored of the idea of history than actually wanting to be part of it. If I really had to choose to go back, I don’t think I’d go very far. I’m too spoiled by modern conveniences (flushing toilets, for example). However, if I could visit just long enough to see what life was really like in another era, I’d choose the Victorian times (better known as the Gilded Age here in America). People were so . . . polite! Everyone still expected people to have some kind of faith, and even though I’m sure the clothing was incredibly uncomfortable, it was so lovely I’d have liked to see crowds everywhere dressed so wonderfully.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?
Believe it or not, I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon! I’d love to visit there.

I haven’t either. Maybe we could go together. How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
I’ve never been to the city of Prague, which is in the Czech Republic. I’m told that because it was never bombed during either of the World Wars that it’s somewhat similar to Belgium’s city of Brugge, which I have been to and loved. Brugge has many buildings that date back to the 12th century—incredible to behold! I’d love to have that experience in another city, and from what I hear, Prague promises to provide that.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
That He has given me many tasks to complete while I’m here on this earth. I’d sometimes get frustrated when other things got in the way of my writing, as if writing was the only mission He had for me. But the truth is my life isn’t just about writing! I have a disabled son who needs full time care, and God has taught me that He’s given me this gift to write so I can take care of my son (and not work outside the home). My care-giving responsibilities don’t hinder my writing duties; God has given me the blessing of writing to go hand-in-hand with my other duties. I used to have my priorities backward. Being a caregiver is more important to God than my other work, because He’s a bigger fan of my son than He is of my books. J

Tell us about the featured book.
Bees In The Butterfly Garden is one of the most fun books I’ve worked on so far! It’s the story of Meg Davenport, who was raised in a fictitious but exclusive school for girls in the Gilded Age. Upon the death of her father, Meg learns he wasn’t the respectable businessman she believed him to be, but was really a thief. Determined to prove he’d been wrong to shut her away from who he really was all those years, Meg persuades (coerces) her father’s protégé, Ian Maguire, to accept her partnership and take up where her father left off. Ian knows the last thing her father would have wanted was for Meg to become a thief—but when she offers access to one of New York’s wealthiest families, he ignores his guilt and gives in to his greed. But who will catch Meg and Ian first? The Law? Or God?

Sounds totally intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue
A young lady of impeccable decorum never appears outside her home unchaperoned, uncoiffed, ungloved, or unhappy. —Madame Marisse’s Handbook for Young Ladies

April 1879
Along the Upper Post Road, Connecticut

Freezing rain pelted Meg Davenport. Though her cloak was thoroughly sodden, along with the hem of her gingham skirt, she refused to think about her misery. This is my last chance. All the blasted rain in the sky won’t stop me now.

         A glimmer of warm hope stirred inside when she peered ahead instead of watching her own slippery steps. People, horses, carriages. She’d jumped from the back of a farm wagon nearly a mile ago when it had turned off the main road, and here at last was her first destination—the roadhouse near the train station.

         Meg hurried into the modest one-story building, squeezing through the crowd but keeping her hood so low that she could barely scout an opening in the room. Though she wanted to, she wouldn’t dare remove her wet cloak. She’d promised herself not to take any risk of being seen, at least not until reaching safe anonymity in the thick of New York City.

         So she clutched her travel bag to her chest and pressed on, hoping to find a spot against the wall. She didn’t worry her satchel would be grabbed as much as she feared that dropping it would mean certain trampling in an effort to retrieve it.

         It was warmer in here than waiting outside for the train; there was no doubt about that. But the smell of the place almost sent her back out anyway. Besides the odor of smoky wood from a fireplace and burnt onions from the kitchen, smells of many other sorts came from those who, like her, had sought shelter from an icy April rain. Such smells as Meg had never, in all her fourteen years, been subjected to. Unwashed bodies simply weren’t tolerated, even among the school staff with whom Meg was rarely allowed to mingle. How long would she have to wait for the train to take her on the next leg of her journey?

      Journey. The word tripped her thoughts. Flight was more fitting.

(Chapter One picks up after the rest of the Prologue, four years later when Meg is all grown up . . . and ready to take her father’s place as New York’s most successful thief.)

My copy has arrived, and I must get to it soon. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My blog is on my website, which I update every Monday.

I also blog every other Wednesday at Christians Read, a blog hosted by a variety of Christian authors.

Thanks very much for having me, Lena! I always love visiting your popular blog.

And I love having you come by, Maureen.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Bees in the Butterfly Garden (The Gilded Legacy) - paperback
Bees in the Butterfly Garden (The Gilded Legacy) - 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

38 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:59 AM

    I WOULD LOVE TO WIN. ANGELA FROM KY

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  2. Please add me for the drawing for Bees in the Butterfly Garden! Thanks, Kathleen ~*~ Missouri
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  3. i have been waiting for this book! i have it on order at the library, but would love to own one! Thanks for the great interview and chance to win, Lena and Maureen

    Marianne from northern Alberta

    mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

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  4. I really want to read this book!

    Colletta from PA

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  5. I love Maureen's books! Would love to win this one.

    Cathy in B.C. Canada

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  6. Pam K.2:25 PM

    Bees in the Butterfly Garden has an intriguing plot; it isn't often we read about the heroine being a thief, especially in Christian fiction. I'd very much like to read this book.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
    Kansas

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  7. I'm wondering where the Butterfly Garden comes in! Look forward to reading this book..

    Patty in SC

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  8. Maureen and Lena - thanks for the interview. And you both should visit the Grand Canyon - it is awe inspiring to see the work of God. Pictures cannot it properly.
    Would love to win a copy of your book.
    Sharon from Eagan, MN

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  9. Sounds thrilling!

    Sapphire from Wyoming

    elijahsbunker(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. I already have BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN on my wish list. A wonderful first page thank you.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  11. This absolutely sounds like my kind of book. I would love to read it. Thank you.
    Carly in Burlington, NC

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  12. I would love to read this book.
    Wendy
    buffalo, mn

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  13. Thank you for the interview - looking forward to reading Bees in the Butterfly Garden. And being a native Arizonan (transplanted to Iowa) - I urge you to visit the Grand Canyon & take a Donkey ride to either Phantom Ranch or hike Havasupai Falls in the North Canyon to truly experience the canyon. Elaine from Iowa rejordan79@msn.com

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  14. Emily6:08 AM

    Please enter my name in the drawing!! Love Maureen's work!

    NY

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  15. Debbie6:09 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway! Never read anything by this author, but couldn't help this....looks like a wonderful story!

    Long Island

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  16. Please allow my name to be added to the list....Thx

    NY

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  17. This was an amazing blog post! I can't wait to find out how she became a thief! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Val
    lastnerve2000@gmail.com

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  18. Anonymous6:21 AM

    BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN by Maureen Lang startles me with its unusual storyline. Imagine finding out that your father was a thief!
    Kaye Whitney in Miami, FL
    kayewhitney@bellsouth.net

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  19. Been wanting this one for a while!

    Anna W. from GA

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  20. Dee-Dee's Nana7:50 AM

    Would love to win this book.Dee-Dee's Nana/Illinois l

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  21. Thanks for the chance to win this book!
    Beth from Iowa

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  22. Sounds like a good read! Can't wait. :)

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  23. Sounds like a good read! Please add me to the drawing!

    Liz R in Al

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  24. The cover on this book is beautiful. I would love to win a copy of it.

    Blessings!
    Judy from Indiana

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  25. Sharon Richmond1:04 PM

    Enter me this book looks great!!
    Sharon Richmond
    Blanch, NC.

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  26. It's always fun to visit Lena's popular blog! Beside the fun questions, it's always great to read the many comments. Thanks for the encouragement to get to the Grand Canyon - perhaps Lena and I could go there on a research trip if we ever set a book there. How fun that would be! My husband went there before we were married and so it hasn't made it to the top of our family vacation list - yet! We've concentrated on places neither of us have been before. I hope to get there someday, though, even if I do have to write a book for that research trip justifcation.
    Thanks again for having me, Lena!

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  27. Great Interview Lena as always and Maureen thank you for visiting.
    Your Book sounds so good, please add me to your Giveaway.
    Many Blessings

    ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

    I live in S. Illinois

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  28. Bees in the Butterfly Garden sounds like a wonderful story. I'd love to win a copy. Thank you for offering another wonderful giveaway!
    Nancee in West Michigan
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  29. Maureen, I feel the same way about sampling food. I can never decide what to get..I would like a taste of everything! Would love to read "Bees In The Butterfly Garden".

    from South Miss

    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  30. Judy Cooper10:02 PM

    Please enter my name. I always enjoy Maureen's books. This sou8nds like another great one. Judy C. in Louisiana.

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  31. I just came from one of your other interviews, and you definitely get more interesting the more I read. :) It does sound like fun to be a food critic.
    I'm definitely looking forward to reading Bees in the Butterfly Garden!

    Tammy from AL

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  32. Diana Gardner2:58 PM

    Please enter me in the drawing. Portsmouth, VA

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  33. Pretty cover!! :-) Thanks for the chance to win

    Katie from Florida

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  34. This book sounds good. Please enter me!

    Krista in Oregon

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  35. aussie monica10:37 AM

    Sounds good!

    Monica, Ontario, CAnada

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  36. Prague is on my dream vacation list also, it so beautiful. I'm hearing wonderful things about Bees in the Butterfly Garden, it sounds so interesting and engaging. Please toss my name in, I'd love to win it!
    Merry in TX

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  37. I live in the middle of no where in NM, and need good reads!
    <3John 3:15-16<3

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  38. Looks Interesting! Please enter me in the Drawing.

    Blanch, N.C.

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