Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
Definitely my moral views. Also, my heroines are petite, on
the short side, like me, also, dark hair. I love to cook, so my heroines do
also.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I talked my husband into going to Guatemala to help some missionaries
we support. It was a rather volatile time in the country and when we got there
we realized that “guerillas/bandits” lived in the hills behind us. The pastor’s
wife told us not to answer the outside door to our room during night in case
they knock. Scary, especially since we had our kids with us. Two weeks after we
left the bandana clad bandits broke into the house, demanded money and stole
many of the items we brought for the missionaries.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I’ve always been a daydreamer. Playing out stories in my
head. But didn’t start writing until I was in my late thirties.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Inspirational romance, historical, devotionals,
autobiographies.
Then you might like
my McKenna’s Daughters series. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run
world?
Prayer, laughter, spending time with family and friends.
Cooking and travel.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Whatever comes to mind as I dream up a character.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Being a mother. It has been a privilege and honor to raise
my five kids.
If you were an animal,
which one would you be, and why?
A doe, always on the go.
What is your favorite
food?
Mexican.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Balancing my job as a nurse, family, and other responsibilities.
Tell us about the
featured books.
Blurb: Surrendered Hearts—Interwoven Grace
Isabelle had always envisioned Charlie Hamilton as the hero depicted in the
romantic tapestry hanging in the Hamilton
home. Then Charlie abandoned her to make decisions no one should make alone.
Now, six years later, Charlie’s back, and despite Isabelle’s best efforts, she
can’t ignore the longing his presence reignites. Charlie wants a second chance,
but can Isabelle trust the man he’s become? Can she surrender her threadbare
heart long enough for God to weave Isabelle's own happily-ever-after tapestry?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Chapter One
Isabelle Crafton’s breath stilled at the sight of the man standing
on the other side of the doorway. No. It
couldn’t be.
Charlie Hamilton.
His name clattered in her head as his gaze held hers. The traitor she’d spent
the last six years trying to forget.
Unable to move, unable to wrench her gaze away, she bit her
lip to keep from gaping. No longer the gangly soccer star who’d scored the
winning goals in high school, broad shoulders now filled his tailored suit, his
face square and chiseled, and those eyes… Would she ever forget those eyes?
Dark and warm. Once as soothing as sipping hot chocolate on a blistery winter’s
day.
“Isabelle, I can’t believe it’s
you.”
She blinked and looked away, her heart pounding. Get a grip. After all, his visit presented
one redeeming quality. He was holding her cat.
She lifted the feline from Charlie’s arms. “There you are
Humphrey, you had me so worried. Bad kitty!” She scolded him the way she’d love
to scold Charlie, but held back. Her roommate Kate, was in the apartment and
well within earshot. “Charlie, thank you.” She forced her voice to remain calm.
“You look great.” He smiled, brushing cat hair from his
jacket.
Likewise. She
scrunched Humphrey closer. “You found my cat. I’ve been so worried. I’m not
sure if you remember Humphrey, but he’s deaf.”
Charlie nodded. “He was hanging out in the drainage ditch
near the parking lot. The woman in the office told me who lost a cat. She
offered to return him, but I had to see if it was really you. And here you are.”
He opened his arms and stepped closer.
Unexpected emotion clogged Isabelle’s throat. Swallowing
hard, she grabbed the knob and pushed the front door halfway shut, blocking his
entrance into the apartment. How dare he act like nothing had happened between
them? “I must say, you’re the last person I expected to see.” The last person
she wanted to see.
For a moment, their eyes clashed. The corners of his lips
curved up. “Yes, a nice surprise. It’s been a long time, Isabelle. Too long.”
His gaze drifted from her face to the furry bundle in her arms. “I should have
recognized Humphrey.”
Surprise? Yes.
Too long? A lifetime wouldn’t be long enough. And why would
he recognize her cat? He hadn’t been around since Humphrey was a kitten.
Isabelle eased the door within a couple inches of closing.
“See you around, Charlie.” Except for a discreet glance through lowered lashes,
she kept her gaze averted, cuddling the cat closer to her face.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
http://Maryurban.blogspot.com
Thank you, Mary, for sharing your life and book with us.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Tapestry of Trust
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
21 comments:
I enjoyed your interview. Love the title of the book and it sounds very interesting. Thank you for the giveaway.
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Book sounds good!
Monica Ontario Canada
Sounds very interesting, a person from your past showing up can bring many different emotions!
Patty in SC
Sounds like a great book. The cover is interesting... I really want a closer look at it!
This sounds awesome! Please enter me! Amada Chavez, NM
What an interesting time in Guatemala! The book sounds very interesting, too!
From the black hills of SD!
I'd love to read this!
Cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
Sounds really good! Please enter me! :) I'm from NC.
Loved the interview...thanks Lena and Mary:) Your book sounds so interesting Mary...would love to be entered for a chance to win!
Lorna from Alberta
lornafaith at gmail dot com
Thanks for the great comments ladies! I look forward to hearing who the winner is. I hope you all get a chance to read, Tapestry of Trust. I also have a new book out for the Christmas season, She Came to See the Snow~A Colorado Christmas Romance~ Blessings~ Mary Annslee Urban
This looks like a great resource for the grand kids...so hard to find good Christian books for kids today, will read one as soon as possible! Your blog is on my blog list!
Thanks Georgi! I hope you enjoy my books!!
Blessings~ Mary
thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks to all who entered! I love meeting new Christian Romance readers!!
Mary is a new author to me, but I know I would enjoy Tapestry of Trust, and her other novels as well. Please enter me, and thank you for the opportunity to enter. Judy C. in Louisiana.
I would love to be entered into your giveaway. Thank you.
Smiles,
Cindy W. from Indiana
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
The summer had just flown by. Hard to believe fall is around the corner! Although a little cooler weather will be nice :)
Many blessings for the weekend!
What a great story this will be...would love to win...Angela Carpenter
Looking forward to the winner!!
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA
Enjoyed reading the first page - sounds great!
Jes
jswaks at gmail dot com
CA
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