PROPOSING MISCHIEF - Regina Jennings - One Free Book

Welcome back, Regina. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions? First, I’d like to thank Elly Mae Clampett for being the inspiration for Maisie, and my grandparents for introducing me to The Beverly Hillbillies. I’ve enjoyed learning Joplin history from Paula Callihan and Mary Anne Phillips. Also, Brad Belk provided me with information on Joplin’s Crystal Cave.

On the industry side, my editors Dave Long and Jessica Sharpe are sure to work my book over, but only after my critique partners Stephanie Landsem, Kristi Hunter, and Tarisa Holman have their say.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar? Today, I’m in Joplin, Missouri, the setting of Proposing Mischief, for a presentation on my research and a book signing. Saturday, I’ll be back in Mustang, Oklahoma, for my book launch party. After that, I’ll have a nice break for the holidays before starting back to work.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why? Great question! I’m very family-oriented and a lot of my family live nearby, so if I had to leave my first thought would be to go to Missouri where the rest of my family lives. If I was picking a place unrelated to the relations, I’d like to live in a quaint village in England. I’m sure it’d be nothing like I expect, but it seems so enticing.

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be? Enjoy where God has you today—learn from it, be a blessing to others, and exalt our Lord. Take advantage of opportunities. When the time comes, you’ll be ready, but don’t forget to appreciate where you are today.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related]) If I was organizing entertainment for a cruise, I would include salon-type discussions with interesting people from different disciplines. Some people I’d love to make available to guests would be Jordan Peterson, Amy Coney Barrett, Condoleezza Rice, Stephen Fry, Lin Manuel Miranda, Ree Drummond, and Chris Pratt.

For musical entertainment I’d have Adele, Harry Connick, Jr, and Mumford and Sons. When Harry isn’t performing, he’s welcomed to come visit in the salon.

Tell us about the featured book. Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even as she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it’s only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny—not knowing that she’ll be working for her idol—Joplin’s leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.

Maxfield Scott is intrigued by his new nanny—she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. Some untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What’s worse, Maxfield’s current client wants changes to his plans because of Amos’s work.

As the competition between the men heats up, Olive’s involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?

Please give us the first page of the book.

“When I told Pa I wanted to go to town, I didn’t mean the feed store.” Maisie Kentworth reached over the side of the wagon bed and let the elm leaves swish against her hand as they passed. “That feed store doesn’t sell any phosphate drinks, and I aim to have me one of those today.”

Her brother Amos pulled one rein tight, swerving to make the sharp turn into the feed store’s lot. “Welp, we gotta get feed, that’s a fact, and ever since that Silas Marsh business, they want to keep you on a short leash. So if you want to step foot off the ranch, it’s church or the feed store, or else you’ll be tied to Granny’s apron strings. Them’s the only options.”

Maisie grabbed the supple end of a branch and held it tight so all the leaves were stripped away as it ran through her hand. Silas Marsh. She wished she’d never lit eyes on the man. She’d been staying in town with her cousin Calista when Silas had entered her world. Charming, attentive, and romantic, the young miner seemed just what Maisie had wanted in a man, but evidently she wasn’t the only lady to feel that way.

Turning around in her seat and throwing her leg over the back, she planted her sturdy boot in the middle of her cousin’s back and jostled him until Hank groaned and rolled over.

“Wake up. We’re here.” Maisie tidied her chestnut hair behind her ears, and wiggled her freckled nose at the sweet scent of the feed that should’ve told Hank it was time to wake up and work.

Hank lifted his straw hat from his face and squinted at the sun. “What do you need me for? I thought we brought you to do the toting.”

With a boot to his shoulder, Maisie shoved harder. “Get on your feet, Hank. It’s time to work.”

“Hank ain’t afraid of hard work,” Amos cheerfully added. “He’ll curl up right against it and sleep like a baby.”

“What’s your hurry?” he groaned. “I was out hunting all night. Give me a minute.”

“If we have time to spare, we might could drive on into town to the soda fountain,” Maisie said.

Hank bolted upright. “I do admire myself a phosphate cherry root drink.” The flat, immovable planes of Hank’s face gave his every pronouncement the weight of the granite tablets from Mount Sinai.

“There ain’t no way.” Amos set the brake and wrapped the reins around the handle. “I have strict orders not to let Maisie anywhere near town.” And even when Amos was serious, the sparks of merriment in his eyes didn’t allow one to believe him.

Where can we find you on the Internet? My website is www.reginajennings.com. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter and very rarely Instagram. I look forward to visiting with you all there.

Thank you, Regina, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. My copy is on my table at the top of my to-be-read pile. I’m eager to dive into it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Proposing+Mischief&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

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