THE REBEL BRIDE - Shannon McNear - One Free Book

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  

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-McNear/462336880012)

Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/shenandoahdawn/)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6880909.Shannon_McNear)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/ShannonMcNear)

BookBub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/shannon-mcnear)

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.

https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Bride-Daughters-Mayflower/dp/164352240X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1579149495&sr=8-1 

 Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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, 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