Welcome back, Shannon. Why do you write the kind of books
you do?
Partly because, well, that’s the door the Lord opened for
me, and partly because I love history, and showing the wonder of God’s grace in
all sorts of hard situations.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the
happiest day in your life?
When each of my children came to know the Lord. 😊 Honestly, I can’t really pick ONE day, aside from days associated
with family events, unless it’s the day the news my very first publishing
contract was announced, in a roomful of fellow writers at ACFW 2012.
How has being published changed your life?
Deadlines are pretty much non-negotiable! Family life has to
share space with my obligation to write, when before, my writing ultimately had
to give way to demands of family life.
What are you reading right now?
Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette (in
paperback), By the Hands of Men: The Old World by Roy M. Griffis (on
Kindle), and Revolutionary Medicine: The Founding Fathers and Mother in
Sickness and in Health by Jeanne E. Abrams, for research.
What is your current work in progress?
The Wise Guy and the Star in the upcoming novella
collection Love’s Pure Light (Sept 2020)
What would be your dream vacation?
Two weeks to ramble around Ireland. Wait, no … can I include
family? Two weeks of lounging around Hawaii with mine and my brother’s families
(that’s where he and his wife and girls are currently living).
How do you choose your settings for each book?
Sometimes they’re chosen for me. Other times, it’s either
connected to a time or event in history that interests me or connects well with
a premise I’m considering. It helps if I’m somewhat familiar with a region so I
can write about it like I’m there!
If you could spend an evening with one person who is
currently alive, who would it be and why?
Wow, this was a toughie. Beth Moore, I think … she is my
absolute favorite women’s Bible teacher, and I have so much respect for her and
what she’s endured in the course of ministry, while still remaining focused on
the Lord and what He’s called her to do.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Historical research … I love the Revolutionary War, but also
obscure things like bladesmithing, herbal medicine, costuming of various eras …
which then dovetails with my love for sewing and cooking and natural health
care, including childbirth and other women’s health issues. I’m also a music
and theology geek.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do
you overcome it?
Finding and/or carving out time to actually write in the
midst of a busy household. I still have 3 teens in varying stages of finishing
high school at home, and a husband who’s often gone for work—my ability to
manage and delegate is still a work in progress.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Write—a TON. Read—a TON. Don’t be afraid to take the long
road of learning the writing craft and waiting for doors to open in God’s own timing
… you won’t be sorry!
Tell us about the featured book.
It’s #10 in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, and my
first Civil War story. There are connections to a couple of my previous stories—the
heroine is the granddaughter of the couple in The Cumberland Bride, and
my hero is the grandson of the couple in my novella The Highwayman from The
Most Eligible Bachelor Collection (now available as an ebook on its own). Like
the other stories in Daughters of the Mayflower, however, it’s easily read as a
standalone.
Back cover blurb:
Can a quiet Tennessee hill girl help a wounded Yankee
soldier face his worst fear—not dying for his convictions, but becoming a useless
casualty as a result of the fight?
In the clash between Union and Confederacy, Tennessee farm
girl Pearl MacFarlane is compelled to help care for Yankee wounded as well as
Rebel, but determines to remain unmoved by their cause—until she faces the
silent struggle of Union soldier Joshua Wheeler, a recent amputee.
Please give us the first page of the book.
September 20, 1863 … the Battle of Chickamauga, northern
Georgia
“Hold the line! For the love of God, hold it!”
Not for the first time, Joshua Wheeler wondered if he’d descended
into hell. The sun blazing fierce enough to make his head ache even through a
cap. The flash of fire from his own rifle as well as those to his right and
left. Answering fire from across the forested, rock-strewn gully. The burn of
gun smoke in his nostrils, and the screams of men above the continuous
concussion of shots, both rifle and artillery, pounding through his chest.
Oh God, save us. . .
Fire, reload, fire again. Over and over.
God. . .if You do love us. . .
Cursing, frantic. “Hold—the—line!”
There was no holding. The return fire was too hot, the
Rebels pressing hard, and those on both sides of Josh either falling back
or—falling. A curse was on his own tongue as he reloaded just one more time—
Something struck him, but he barely felt it. Stared in shock
at his shredded sleeve, the forearm dangling above the wrist. Tried to make his
hand move, but—nothing.
The pitch of the cries around him changed to a warble, the
distress of his fellow Union soldiers and the unholy glee of the Rebels alike
fading as the ground rushed up to meet him. . . .
Wow! How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website: https;//www.shannonmcnear.com
Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/shenandoahdawn/)
Twitter
(https://twitter.com/ShannonMcNear)
Thank you, Shannon, for sharing this book with us. I know
my blog readers are eager to read it.
Readers,
here’s a link to the book.
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, 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:
I enjoy Shannon McNear’s writing and I know that I’ve read The Cumberland Bride and her novella in The Backcountry Brides Collection. I enjoy her attention to historical detail. I am from Central Texas and it’s rainy and dreary today.
ReplyDeleteperrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
Perrianne Askew
I love historical fiction! Surprisingly I haven’t read any of the Daughters of the Mayflower series.
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
Historical fiction is the best! Sounds like a good one!
ReplyDeleteMelanie Backus, TX
Thank you so much, Perrianne! Glad to hear you've enjoyed those. 😊
ReplyDeletePatty, where in SC, might I ask? We lived in the Charleston area for 20+ years ... I miss the history! (And my three boys who still live there, with their families!)
Melanie, welcome! And thanks!! It's funny, fantasy was really my first love but my stories in that genre read like historical. 😂 I suppose it was a natural step over!
I'm enjoying this series! It's so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteCaryl K in TEXAS
I love reading historical fiction and this book is one I would enjoy reading. The story line intrigues me.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York
Hello, Caryl! It's good to see you over here! And Maryann, thank you so much for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win a copy of this book!
ReplyDeleteWendy in Nebraska
wfnren at aol dot com
Hi Wendy! Glad you came by!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Cumberland Bride and Shannon’s novella in The Backcountry Brides Collection. This is a great series. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from WV.
ReplyDeleteI love historical fiction and I've read many of the books in this series. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(com)
This book looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteAbigail in VA
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC.
Sounds like a great book Thank you for the chance SARAH TAYLOR WATERLOO,OHIO
ReplyDeleteI am late getting back to comment, but thank you all so much for taking the time to enter, and for all your kind comments--Lucy, Connie, Abigail, Sharon, and Sarah! I wish I had enough books to give everyone! LOL And thank you especially to Lena for graciously allowing me back on her blog again. You are a blessing, dear lady! ❤❤❤
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy books with Civil War ties.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to this book!
Beth from IA