Author Megan DiMaria - OUT OF HER HANDS - Free Book

I'm happy to welcome Megan back to this blog. Megan, why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write contemporary novels about experiences that are common to baby boomers, both the great things like being comfortable in your skin and happy with your life to the secret desires and fears that are universal to adult women. I hope that Searching for Spice and Out of Her Hands reinforce the fact that most people encounter difficulties in their lives, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all is lost. Life seldom goes according to our neat little plans. But we’re not alone. We have the Lord and we have loved ones to stand with us. We have to draw on our faith to get through difficulties and trust that tomorrow will be a better day.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

One of the greatest days of my life was my wedding day. It was more than just the beginning of married life, it was also the confirmation of a life of obedience to God. My husband and I had been living together when we both came to know the Lord, and married three weeks later to walk in obedience to Him. Our wedding day was the beginning of an amazing adventure that we’ve been on together for nearly 30 wonderful years.

How has being published changed your life?

It’s made me much busier. In addition to writing, now I’ve got to work on marketing my novels. I never anticipated the demand of the business before being published. It’s not all rainbows and cotton candy, it’s simply a lot of hard work. Thank God, I love it.

What are you reading right now?

Right now I’m about to begin reading an Advanced Reader Copy of Brandilyn Collins’ suspense novel Dark Pursuit. I enjoy reading many different genres.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m currently writing a book about a woman who is driving toward empty-nest nirvana but her home is acquiring people faster than it’s launching young adults out into the world.

What would be your dream vacation?

I would love to visit Italy and Ireland, the cultural heritage my children share.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My first two novels were set in the fictional town of Pine Grove, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. I’m planning on continuing to populate that town with more people through my next several novels. The books are not sequels, although the characters in Searching for Spice and Out of Her Hands may stroll though the other books as background characters.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

That answer, without a second thought, is my husband. I’m most myself with him and can share any thoughts and dreams without worrying about how I’m perceived. I guess that’s the reward of loving and being loved so deeply for 30 years.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to try new recipes and keep my yard spruced up in the nice weather. I also love hanging out with my family and friends.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I’m still learning how best to structure my time. Right now I keep a notepad by my computer and make notes on what I want and need to accomplish for the day/week. It helps to make me feel more confident that I’m not forgetting something that needs to be done.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

I think some of the best advice for beginning authors is to be patient with their learning curve, avail themselves to the knowledge of authors who are blazing the way, read books on craft, attend conferences and seminars, and write, write, write.

Tell us about the featured book.

Have you ever heard the expression, “When your children are little they’re on your feet, and when they’re big they’re on your heart?” That’s the way my character feels in Out of Her Hands. Her son's dream girl isn't what Linda had in mind. Between her family, her job, and her friends, life is moving at warp speed, and the direction she thought her life would proceed in has taken a left turn. She’s losing control of her tidy little life and realizing it’s really all out of her hands.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you for hosting me, Lena. I appreciate being able to visit with your blog readers. My website is http://www.megandimaria.com/ and my blog is http://www.megandimaria.blogspot.com/.

Thank you, Megan, for spending this time with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Then check out Megan's website and blog.

Author Megan DiMaria - SEARCHING FOR SPICE

We're welcoming Megan DiMaria back to the blog today.

Welcome, Megan. Why do you write the kind of books you do?



I write contemporary fiction because I connect so well with that genre. My characters are known to be very flawed people who are simply trying to follow the Lord and do the right thing.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?



Oh, what a difficult question! I’ve been blessed to have many happy days. Any day I can enjoy the love of family and companionship of friends is a wonderful day—and thank God, that’s often.

How has being published changed your life?


The biggest change is that I’m much busier. I still work a part-time day job and juggle work, writing and family. Whew.

What are you reading right now?


I just cracked open Every Good & Perfect Gift by Sharon Souza, and I was immediately captivated. I can’t wait to finish this novel.

What is your current work in progress?


Right now I’m working on edits for Out of Her Hands which will be released in October by Tyndale. I’ve got about 1,000 words written on book # 3 which has yet to be titled.

What would be your dream vacation?


I’ve been dreaming aboiut going to Ireland and Italy, to honor my heritage and my husband’s. Hopefully that will happen before too much time passes.

How do you choose your settings for each book?


My first two books are set in Pine Grove, Colorado, which is the original name of my town. Not surprisingly, it has a lot of similarities to my area. This makes the setting easy to write because I’m living in it.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?


I know this sounds sappy, but my answer is family and friends. This life is but a season, and time spent in the company of loved ones is the best.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?


In good weather, I love to be outdoors. I like gardening, walking and hanging out on my patio.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?


My most difficult obstacle is staying on task. On some days even cleaning the yard of dog poo seems more interesting than writing.

I know what your mean. What advice would you give to a beginning author?



My advice to a beginning author is write regularly, read regularly, join a writers group or two, hang out with writers, have your work critiqued and attend conferences if you can. I confess, many times in my writing journey I was tempted to throw in the towel. But the moral of the story is, don’t give up. Hold on to your dreams. Press on. Trust God. Someone once told me writers don’t fail, they quit. And I decided to believe it.

Tell us about the featured book.

Searching for Spice is the story of Linda and Jerry Revere. Linda longs to experience a sizzling affair, with Jerry, her husband of nearly 25 years. Of course you know how life is—nothing goes according to plan. I’ve been thrilled with the great reviews I’ve been getting. So many women identify with the goal of creating a more romantic marriage. It was a blast to write and I’m happy that people are enjoying reading it as well.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Thank you very much for letting me stop by and visit, Lena. Please feel free to check out www.megandimaria.com and chat with me via my blog at http://megandimaria.blogspot.com

Megan, thank you for spending this time with us.

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