Maureen
Lang writes stories inspired by a love of history and romance. An avid reader
herself, she’s figured out a way to write the stories she feels like reading.
Maureen’s Inspirationals have earned various writing distinctions as a finalist
for the Rita, Christy, and Carol Awards. In addition to investigating various
eras in history (such as Victorian England, First World War, and America’s
Gilded Age) Maureen loves taking research trips to get a feel for the settings
of her novels. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband, children, and
Labrador retriever.
Why did you become an
author?
I’ve been writing stories since I was ten, so I think that
means storytelling is just part of who I am. But I did make the decision to pursue
publication, which is perhaps different from an innate desire to tell stories.
For me, I wanted the widest possible audience and the validation that comes
with publication. I’ve been touched by stories my entire life, and I hope to
touch other lives with my stories. That emotional connection from a
well-crafted tale is a big part of why I wanted to join the publishing field as
a creator of that emotional connectivity.
If you weren’t an
author, what would be your dream job?
I’d be a restaurant critic that would appeal to the average
person, not especially sophisticated but honest and able to communicate the
various flavors I’d experience. I doubt there is much money to be made in such
a job, unless I was a syndicated columnist—and I guess the real “dream” part of
the job would be not gaining any weight from eating all the time! I love going
to a new restaurant but I’m never satisfied with tasting only one thing on the
menu. I’d love to have someone offer me a little taste of everything, and to
share what’s good (or not) about each new taste.
If you could have
lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
I believe I’m more enamored of the idea of history than actually wanting to be part of it. If I really
had to choose to go back, I don’t think I’d go very far. I’m too spoiled by
modern conveniences (flushing toilets, for example). However, if I could visit
just long enough to see what life was really like in another era, I’d choose
the Victorian times (better known as the Gilded Age here in America). People
were so . . . polite! Everyone still expected people to have some kind of
faith, and even though I’m sure the clothing was incredibly uncomfortable, it
was so lovely I’d have liked to see crowds everywhere dressed so wonderfully.
What place in the United States
Believe it or not, I’ve never been to the Grand
Canyon ! I’d love to visit there.
I haven’t either.
Maybe we could go together. How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
I’ve never been to the city of Prague ,
which is in the Czech
Republic
What lesson has the
Lord taught you recently?
That He has given me many tasks to complete while I’m here
on this earth. I’d sometimes get frustrated when other things got in the way of
my writing, as if writing was the only mission He had for me. But the truth is
my life isn’t just about writing! I have a disabled son who needs full time
care, and God has taught me that He’s given me this gift to write so I can take
care of my son (and not work outside the home). My care-giving responsibilities
don’t hinder my writing duties; God has given me the blessing of writing to go
hand-in-hand with my other duties. I used to have my priorities backward. Being
a caregiver is more important to God than my other work, because He’s a bigger
fan of my son than He is of my books. J
Tell us about the
featured book.
Bees In The Butterfly Garden is one of the most fun books I’ve
worked on so far! It’s the story of Meg Davenport, who was raised in a
fictitious but exclusive school for girls in the Gilded Age. Upon the death of
her father, Meg learns he wasn’t the respectable businessman she believed him
to be, but was really a thief. Determined to prove he’d been wrong to shut her
away from who he really was all those years, Meg persuades (coerces) her father’s protégé, Ian
Maguire, to accept her partnership and take up where her father left off. Ian
knows the last thing her father would have wanted was for Meg to become a
thief—but when she offers access to one of New York’s wealthiest families, he
ignores his guilt and gives in to his greed. But who will catch Meg and Ian
first? The Law? Or God?
Sounds totally
intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue
A
young lady of impeccable decorum never appears outside her home unchaperoned,
uncoiffed, ungloved, or unhappy. —Madame Marisse’s Handbook for Young
Ladies
April
1879
Along
the Upper Post Road, Connecticut
Freezing rain pelted Meg Davenport.
Though her cloak was thoroughly sodden, along with the hem of her gingham
skirt, she refused to think about her misery. This is my last chance. All the blasted rain in the sky won’t stop me
now.
A
glimmer of warm hope stirred inside when she peered ahead instead of watching
her own slippery steps. People, horses, carriages. She’d jumped from the back
of a farm wagon nearly a mile ago when it had turned off the main road, and
here at last was her first destination—the roadhouse near the train station.
Meg
hurried into the modest one-story building, squeezing through the crowd but
keeping her hood so low that she could barely scout an opening in the room.
Though she wanted to, she wouldn’t dare remove her wet cloak. She’d promised
herself not to take any risk of being seen, at least not until reaching safe
anonymity in the thick of New York City.
So
she clutched her travel bag to her chest and pressed on, hoping to find a spot
against the wall. She didn’t worry her satchel would be grabbed as much as she
feared that dropping it would mean certain trampling in an effort to retrieve
it.
It
was warmer in here than waiting outside for the train; there was no doubt about
that. But the smell of the place almost sent her back out anyway. Besides the
odor of smoky wood from a fireplace and burnt onions from the kitchen, smells
of many other sorts came from those who, like her, had sought shelter from an
icy April rain. Such smells as Meg had never, in all her fourteen years, been
subjected to. Unwashed bodies simply weren’t tolerated, even among the school
staff with whom Meg was rarely allowed to mingle. How long would she have to
wait for the train to take her on the next leg of her journey?
Journey. The word tripped her thoughts. Flight was more fitting.
(Chapter One picks up after the rest of the Prologue, four
years later when Meg is all grown up . . . and ready to take her father’s place
as New York ’s
most successful thief.)
My copy has arrived,
and I must get to it soon. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My blog is on my website, which I update every Monday.
I also blog every other Wednesday at Christians Read, a blog
hosted by a variety of Christian authors.
Thanks very much for having me, Lena !
I always love visiting your popular blog.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Bees in the Butterfly Garden (The Gilded Legacy)
- paperbackBees in the Butterfly Garden (The Gilded Legacy) - 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
