More Love and Laughter from
Margaret Brownley
"How
many bullets have you taken out, Miss Langdon?”
“Yours
was the fourth, or maybe the fifth.” She spoke in the same straightforward tone
he’d already come to expect.
He stared at her. “That many?”
“Yes, and
they weren’t all accidents.”
-The Nutcracker Bride
(The Twelve Brides of Christmas)
Bio: New York
Times best-selling author Margaret Brownley has penned more than thirty novels.
Her books have won numerous awards, including Readers' Choice and Award of
Excellence. She's a former Romance
Writers of American RITA® finalist and has written for a TV soap.
She's currently working on a new series. Petticoat
Detectives--the first book in her Undercover
Ladies series—will be released in December. Not bad for someone who flunked
eighth grade English. Just don't ask her
to diagram a sentence.
How did you come up
with the idea for this story?
Hi Lena , thanks for letting
me visit.
Actually, I have a small but
impressive collection of nutcrackers which I display every Christmas. Tchaikovsky wrote a ballet about a
nutcracker, so I figured why not write a short story about one? The heroine's grandfather carved nutcrackers,
which the heroine uses to crack nuts for her bakery. Nutcrackers have a fascinating history, some
of which I wove into my story.
If you were planning
a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would
you invite and why?
·
I'd invite Debbie Macomber because she's a joy
to be around and a true inspiration. She might also agree to teach me to knit.
·
Robin Lee Hatcher would have to be on the guest
list because she and I go back a hundred years, and she writes with such
passion.
·
Debra
Clopton because she's a new friend and knows about new beginnings.
·
What's a party without a bit of suspense and no
one fits the bill better than Terri Blackstock.
·
James Scott Bell. Parties are dull without at least one man
present, and I've got a plot problem I want to ask him.
·
And maybe
Jan Karon because she wrote her first novel at the age of 10, which is the
exact same age I was when I wrote my first novel.
Now let’s do that for
a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you
invite and why?
·
I'd invite Mary Connealy because she's a funny
lady in person as well as on the written page.
·
Michelle Ule would be next on my list. I met her only once, but we've done so many
collections together I feel she's family.
She's also a terrific marketer so I just know she'd come up with a great
invitation.
·
Vickie McDonough has to come because she's part
of the 12 Brides collection and her Fruitcake Bride made me laugh.
·
Lauraine Spelling and I once went camping
together and she knows how to have a good time.
·
Louisa May Alcott. Yes, I know, she's dead and probably doesn't
qualify as a Christian writer (though she should), but she inspired me in my
youth and that makes her worthy of an invite. Whether she can attend is
something else.
·
And you, Lena ,
because you're where the action is!
I'd love to be at a party with these people. Many times, people
(and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What
is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Good question. Staying fresh is one thing I worry about. After writing nearly forty books, it's
challenging to come up with different ways to describe, say, blue eyes or even
a kiss.
Also time management has become a major issue in recent
years. Deadlines are now closer together, and writers are expected to keep a strong Internet presence. There just isn't enough time in the day.
Tell us about the
featured book.
The story opens with Lucy Langdon gathering nuts. Suddenly,
a handsome stranger on a black horse gallops by and yells, "Save that for
me!" She has no idea what he wants
her to save, but when he later shows up at her house to claim it she accidently
shoots him.
By the way, the story is available in eBook format or can be
found in The Heartland Brides
collection sold exclusively at Walmart.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The Nutcracker Bride
Chapter 1
Kansas1880
Thunderous hoof beats broke the silence on that gray
December day. Even the air crackled with urgency.
Lucy
Langdon dumped a handful of hulled nuts into her bucket and looked up from
beneath the walnut tree. Someone was in a big hurry. Such haste generally meant
an emergency: a tornado, prairie fire, or locust invasion—a doctor needed. Or
maybe Mr. Jones had been attacked by one of his chickens again.
She
craned her neck, but the road curved around the Holbrook orchard, preventing
her from seeing much beyond the bend.
Even her
sorrel, hitched to the wagon, sensed something amiss. Ears pricked forward, she
pawed the ground and whinnied.
“It’s all
right, Penny,” Lucy called as she hastened to calm her skittish mare. As the
pounding hooves moved closer, Penny tried pulling free from the traces. In the
struggle to contain her horse, Lucy’s straw bonnet flew off.
A shiny
black steed sprang into view and galloped at full speed toward her. The
horseman reined in next to her wagon, his powerful mount rearing back on its
hind legs and pawing the air. A flash of blue eyes and a handsome square face
greeted her from beneath his wide-brimmed hat.
“Save
that for me!” the stranger yelled, spinning his mount around in a tight circle
beside the wagon.
Startled,
she called back, “Save what?” But her question went unanswered, for already the
man had raced away.
No sooner
had he vanished than three more horsemen rode into view, their faces half-hidden
by scarlet kerchiefs. A shiver of panic raced through her. Outlaws!
Lucy released Penny and grabbed her shotgun
from the back of the wagon. Her rapid heartbeats all but drowned out the
pounding of hooves as the desperadoes raced past.
Paying
her no heed, the masked men headed in the direction of her house. Her first
thought was for her grandfather. God, please don’t let them stop there!
She
swooped up her bonnet and reached for the bucket, tossing both into the wagon. She
would have to pay old man Holbrook later for the nuts.
Scrambling
onto the driver’s seat, she grabbed the reins and released the brake. “Gid-up!”
she shouted. Cracking her whip, she drove home helter-skelter, the wheels of
her wagon kicking up dust in her wake.
I can't wait to read the rest of the story. How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Readers can reach me through my website or facebook
Website: www.margaret-brownley.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/margaretbrownly
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/brownley1/
Thank you, Margaret, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Nutcracker Bride - Christianbook.comThe Nutcracker Bride (The 12 Brides of Christmas) - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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
20 comments:
Lovely interview with Margaret. I look forward to reading all of the books in this series.
Lena, I hope you are feeling well and doing ok after your surgery. Take care,
Amy C
VA
Portsmouth, VA
Sounds like a nice premise for the story - something I'd enjoy reading.
Cheryl in IL
OH MY GOODNESS! LOL! This sounds so good! You always get my interest up Margaret! :D
Blessings, Amada (pronoucned: a.m.a.th.a), NM
I do love Christmas reads!!!
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I really enjoy Margaret Brownley's books. She writes fiction that is fun and lighthearted and always has a good message. Would love to have this one.
Vera in North Carolina
Sounds like a fun book!
Stephanie
Binghamton, NY
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
Loved the excerpt. This sounds like a really good book.
Susan in Texas
Margaret Brownley is one of my favorite authors! I always love her books. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Anne, rural NC
Love her books! Hoping to win this one :)
Doreen
Lancaster County, Pa
PriviesAndPrimsAtYahooDotCom
Thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to reading The 12 Brides of Christmas. I live in Virginia. ~ Blessings ~
I'm so excited to read all of the 12 Brides of Christmas stories! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of The Nutcracker Bride!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
this looks like a lovely book thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I always enjoy reading Margaret's books. I like her combination of humor and action, with a bit of romance thrown in as well. I'd love to win her book, The Nutcracker Bride.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
I'm so excited about this collection of Christmas fiction. I need to get down to Walmart and see The Heartland Collection! I'd love to win your book! sm wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com California
I got to preview a copy and it's wonderful, loved it :)
dkstevens from SE NEBR..
What a fun book to read during the Christmas season. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Amanda from Michigan
Margaret's books are always good and Christmas books are a favorite of mine.
Beth from IA
Sounds like an interesting beginning!
I live in Oregon.
Please enter me in the giveaway! Thanks!
Anna H. from FL
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