Monday, November 19, 2012

TWICE A BRIDE - Mona Hodgson - One Free Book


Welcome, Mona.

Hi, Lena! Thanks for the invitation to join you here.
Hello, everyone!

What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
God’s amazing grace and our desperate need of it are central spiritual theme in my Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek novels. As a result of accepting and growing in God’s grace, we experience reconciliation, restoration, and second chances.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Twice a Bride, the fourth and final book in the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series just released in October.

February 12, 2013 is the release date for Dandelions on the Wind, the first of three eNovellas in The Quilted Heart stories. Bending Toward the Sun, April 2013 and Ripples Along the Shore, May 2013.

These novellas introduce the Saint Charles Quilting Circle and serve as the prequel to my next series, Hearts Seeking Home. We’re headed west in a caravan of covered wagons.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Harriett Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and many more works. Harriett’s passion for people and her love of words made a difference.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
I’ve signed contracts for eight novels and novellas with a publisher from whom I had previously received a rejection or two. I wasn’t ready.
Recognize and remember that writing for publication is a process and a journey. Expect delays, and detours. Enjoy the adventure! Make the most of writers’ conferences, writers’ market guides, and critiques by published writers.

Tell us about the featured book.
Readers met Kat and Nell Sinclair, the two middle sisters, in Two Brides Too Many and Ida Sinclair, the eldest sister, in Too Rich for a Bride. In The Bride Wore Blue, the baby sister, Vivian Sinclair arrived in Cripple Creek with a secret. Now, in Twice a Bride, it's time for a family reunion as Mr. Harlan Sinclair makes his way back to his four daughters and their families.

Love lost doesn't mean love lost forever!
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance for two deserving widows?

Full of resolve, young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek. When she lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a better-than-anticipated turn.

With questions tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters’ beloved Miss Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make their way out West. Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?

Filled with the resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against grief, love against loss, and dreams against life’s unexpected turns.

See The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series Book Trailer and Read a Chapter One Excerpt from Twice a Bride here. http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=212055

Please give us the first page of the book.
1898
Jagged edges marked the sculpted granite at Willow’s feet. Love was like that. Smooth in places. Sharp and dangerous in others.

’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Willow stared at the white rose in her hand. She agreed with Alfred Lord Tennyson’s statement. But on this last day of August, churned clods of Colorado dirt formed a blanket over her father’s grave. Was it the loss of her father so soon after their reunion, or was it fear threatening to rob her of air? Both were cunning adversaries.

She glanced at the shiny black carriage where her loved ones awaited her. Aunt Rosemary hadn’t looked at her today, but Willow had seen the apprehension clouding Mother’s eyes. Her brother, Tucker, had stared at her during the graveside service, worry rutting his brow. Even her sister-in-law watched her the way one would watch a pot on the brink of a boil.

If Willow dared to look in a mirror, she’d see the same question lurking in her own features. Could this insatiable sorrow pull her back into a tide she couldn’t withstand any more than Sam could survive the undercurrent in the San Joaquin River?

She bent to the ground. “Father, I’m sorry for the anguish I’ve caused you. I wanted to be strong.” She laid the rose on the grave. “I won’t be a Weeping Willow this time.” Squaring her shoulders, she brushed away the tears spilling onto her cheeks. At what point after Sam’s death had her mourning become abnormal? Would she recognize warning signs if it were to happen again?

Willow?” Tucker’s voice wafted on the breeze, just above a whisper.

Drawing in a fortifying breath, she looked at her brother and stood. His eyes narrowed as though he expected her to crumple.

Tucker had been the only one to visit her at the asylum after Father had her committed, and he’d visited her once a week despite never receiving notable response from her. Tucker met her gaze. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” She brushed a blade of grass from her mourning gown. “I needed some time.”

“I can’t help but worry about you.”

She offered him a slight grin. “I know.”

He slid his hands into his trouser pockets. “You shouldn’t be alone.”

Willow agreed. She’d expected by this time in her life to be a pastor’s wife and herding at least two or three little Peterson tykes.

“I’m not alone.” Was she trying to convince him or herself? “Mother and Aunt Rosemary are at the boardinghouse with me.”

He looked at the rose she’d placed on their father’s grave. “Saturday they’ll return to Colorado Springs.”

“But Miss Hattie is under the same roof, and she’s not going anywhere.”

Willow added a lilt to her voice to see if she could cause his brow to soften. “And I have you.”

Perhaps it was a mistake to live this close to her brother. He had a wife, a church to shepherd, and the Raines Ice Company to oversee. Worrying about her was not a pleasant way for Tucker to live. But if she didn’t settle in Cripple Creek, where would she go? Nothing, and no one, awaited her in Stockton, California, where she’d grown up and married Sam.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
You can learn more about me, my books, and my speaking ministry at www.monahodgson.com. You can also connect with me on Hindsight by Mona Hodgson at http://monahodgson.wordpress.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/Author.Mona, and on Twitter, LinkedIn, and NovelCrossings.

Thank you, Mona, for visiting with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Twice a Bride: A Novel (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek) - paperback
Twice a Bride: A Novel (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek) - 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

43 comments:

Doris Aldrich Smith said...

I look forward to reading Twice a Bride.
Doris Aldrich Smith
Ontario (since retired) and Indiana

Patty said...

I think I only read the first book in this series, but look forward t reading more!

Patty in SC

Amy C said...

I love this interview with Miss Mona!
Amy C
VA

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins

Duncanville, Tx

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Doris! Good to see you here. Happy Reading! Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Patty!
Thanks for reading TWO BRIDES TOO MANY. I'm anxious for you to catch up with the Sinclair Sisters in the last three books in the series.
Blessings, Mona

Angie Adair said...

I have been looking forward to reading this book. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! angadair@nwcable dot net

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Amy,
Thanks for stopping in to read the interview. Good to see you here.
BLessings,
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Lyndie!
Good to see you here. I appreciate your interest in my Sinclair Sisters stories.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Angie,
I appreciate your excitement for TWICE A BRIDE. I'm anxious for you to read it too.
Blessings, Mona

Phyllis said...

Thanks to all who have a part in making these things possible. I live in "God's County", southern Illinois.

Hannah said...

Twice a Bride looks like a great book!
Hannah Peasha CA

Melody said...

I've been wanting to read this! Fingers crossed...

Melody said...

And reside in Donna, TX!

Jo said...

Great interview! I look forward to reading this series.

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

sharon m. said...

I would like to win your book. It sounds very interesting.
Sharon m
San Diego

Mary Preston said...

Such a moving first page. I look forward to reading TWICE A BRIDE.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Phyllis,
Thanks for joining me here and reading the interview.
Blessings,
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Good morning, Hannah,
I appreciate your interest in the Sinclair Sisters.
Blessings,
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Good morning, Melody,
Thanks for reading the interview, and for your interest in my books.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Jo,
I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, and I appreciate your interest in the Sinclair Sisters novels.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Good morning, Sharon,
Thanks for joining me here, and for your interest in my historical fiction.
Blessings,
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Hello, Mary!
Thank you for joining me here, and for reading the first page. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm excited for you to read the rest of Willow's story.
Happy Reading,
Mona

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this beautiful story.

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

apple blossom said...

oh, this sounds like a book I'd love to win thanks

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Tammie Edington Shaw said...

Would love to win a Mona Hodgson book!!! A great writer!

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for reading the interview. I appreciate your interest!
Blessings,
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Apple Blossom!
I appreciate your interest in the Sinclair Sisters books.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Good morning, Tammie,
Wow! Thanks for the endorsement.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Mona Hodgson said...

You're entered, Sarah! Thanks for your interest in my Sinclair Sisters books.
Blessings,
Mona

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Sharon! You're entered. I appreciate your interest.
Happy Reading!
Mona

sharon m. said...

Would love to win TWICE A BRIDE. Love to win! Love to read!
sharon m
san diego

Anonymous said...

We have Mona Hodgson's books in the Church Library.
Thanks for entering me in the contest. BTW I loved reading the interview.
Janet E.
von1janet@gmail.com
Florida

Lourdes said...

I truly enjoyed Two Brides Too Many so i know that Twice a Bride will be a great read.

Lourdes Dix Hills, Long Island

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Janet,
Thanks so much for reading the interview, and for stocking your church library with The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek novels.
Blessings,
Mona

Bookishqueen said...

I would like to win this book.I am from Tennessee.

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Laurdes!
How sweet you are. So glad you enjoyed Two Brides Too Many. I'm anxious for you to meet the other two sisters and Willow Peterson.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Wendy S. said...

Thanks for the great giveaway! Would love to read it :). Wendy from Alabama

Mona Hodgson said...

Hi Wendy!
I appreciate your interest in my Sinclair Sisters novels.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Merry said...

I love the touching beginning, please include me in the drawing for Twice a Bride.
Merry in TX

Mona Hodgson said...

Good morning, Bookish Queen!
I appreciate your interest in my Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek.
Happy Reading!
Mona

Jes said...

I enjoyed reading the first page! Thanks for sharing it!

Jes (CA)
jswaks at gmail dot com