INTERVIEW UP & CONTEST

Just popping in to let you know that bestselling author, Kelly Long of Sarah's Garden interview me today. Post a comment to be entered for a copy of my book, A Love of Her Own, but you must go to Kelly's blog to post your comment. She will draw a winner after Thanksgiving. Here's the link.

http://kellylongbooks.blogspot.com/

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

MAGGIE

I HAVE A WINNER!

Thanks everyone for posting for a chance to win a copy of A Love of Her Own. Congratulations to Lauralee -- your name was drawn from the list of posters!! I'll get your book out to you this week. I enjoyed reading about what's going on in all of your heads.

I've just completed edits for the first book in my new series for 2011, and I'm excited to announce that Revell will be keeping the title for the first book, Deeply Devoted and the series title that I came up with, The Blue Willow Brides. It's a rare thing when the publishers keeps boths the title and series title an author comes up with originally. I'm writing the second book, and I hope they'll keep that title too.

Since I've been so hard at work the last couple of years, I'm taking some time off to go visit my daughter and grandkids for a week this Friday and will stay until for Thanksgiving. The kids are out of school, and my daughter will be free from teaching that week too so I'm looking forward to hanging out with them.

In case I don't get a moment to blog again I'm wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have soooo much to be grateful for, don't we?

Maggie

WHAT'S IN YOUR HEAD?

Ever felt like your head might explode? With our new and ever changing technical capabilities in the work place, home and capacity to connect with anyone around the world, with just a push of a button on the keyboard, it can get a bit overwhelming. Everything is instant in the ever changing world around us. Fast foot, instant coffee, or downloading your favorite tunes in a nana-second, instantly prepared meals for the microwave, or you can hop in your car at a whim and dine out even though you may have just remodeled your outdated ‘80’s kitchen to a slick high-tech one with all the gadgets. We humans satisfy our sensual craving with comfortable clothes that have nice textures to touch or vibrant color, cosmetics, fragrances, a hot bubble bath, or delicious tasting food and great tasting wine. But I can tell you what’s not instant—constructing a novel clear out of your head! Just ask me. By the way, these are my antique collectable head vases since I’m talking about what goes into our head. A couple of the vases are not antique.

So instead of “what’s in your wallet”, like the Capital One commercial, I’ve been thinking about what’s in my head and maybe yours too. By the mere fact that I’m under contract, I have to separate in my head the “real” from fiction. Sometimes that’s not so easy to do because my characters seem very real to me. In my head, a novel is going at all times, along with calculating or listing all the things I must do—like laundry that never ends, pulling weeds, shopping for groceries, cleaning the dreaded bathrooms, paying the bills, listening to the news, a favorite TV program, writing my blog and my having quiet time. The list goes on an on. Everything and everyone competes for my attention. Maybe that’s why I like to think back on the days gone by before the big “Super Hi-way” of the internet when people took time to write you a real letter instead of an email, took a meal to a sick friend, or lent a hand to help someone with a difficult task.

Here’s one my favorites thing to do to get me away from everything. Silence. Just pure and simple. No talking, no TV, no music, just pure unadulterated silence. That’s when I can go deep within myself to get to know me better or hear the voice of God. Why? Because you have to be still and listen in order to have that benefit. It does come with a premium. You have to shut out everything else which can make you appear selfish, but until you do it on a regular basis, you might even feel you’re wasting time when you could be doing all the other things I mentioned previously. No worrying about the high cost of living, your children’s home work or attitude, taxes, health care, money, or the newest political move by the government should enter into your quiet time. Just be. Just feel. Just listen.

I read a great quote somewhere by Alice Walker, “writer’s know how to perfect the art of doing nothing so beautifully”. I happen to agree with her sentiments because I’m so good at doing exactly that.

Here’s a few fun things that I do so beautifully….

I piddle around the house when I take a break, visit my local bookstore, lunch with a good friend, seeing a good movie, walking in the woods or a park, or taking a long walk. I love smelling coffee brewing while I read a devotional or a good book to submerse myself in, or treating myself to have my nails done. I enjoy attending choir and learning the beautiful music that lifts my spirits, cooking my favorite Southern comfort foods, taking a fast nap in my recliner on Sunday afternoon, and of course, spending time with my grandchildren at is always at the top of my list. They keep me young! But bottom line is—I have to have quiet time alone. It’s good for the psyche and renews my soul. I always come away refreshed and I can hear God’s voice better, without all the constant distractions. Why don’t you put aside all the gadgets that vie for your constant attention, the cell phones, the I-Pads, and TV just for a short while, or better yet take a two day fast. No catastrophe will happen if you do. I’ll bet you’ll get more things done in the process. What you put in your head on a daily basis is what comes out. Be conscious of filling it with “good stuff” and the world is a brighter place.

So to that end, what’s in your head? How do you fill it with “good stuff”? Let me know and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a copy of my latest book, A Love of Her Own. Maybe you’d like to give it as a Christmas gift or birthday. Just write me one or two BRIEF things that are floating around in YOUR head in the comment section. Then check back here Sunday night for the winner’s name.

I can’t wait to read your responses.

P.S. I haven’t forgotten about posting about my favorite books I’ve read, but I’ve just finished a deadline for book #4 last week, but that post is coming soon--If the emails, editorial comments, marketing, phone calls, chapters to write.....I'm sure you get it.
MAGGIE

Winner of Sarah's Garden

Congratulations to Debbie!! Your name was drawn as a winner for Kelly's books. I want to thank all of you for posting comments, and I hope you'll pick up a copy of Sarah's Garden at your local Christian book store, Amazon or your favorite bookstore. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. :)

Blessings for a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

MAGGIE

Kelly Long-Radio Interview today.

I'm posting this for Kelly in conjuction with another book give-away today. It's a live radio interview. You can find out more about my dear friend. Check it out for more chance to win.

Hi Sweeet Ladies! Please join me, Kelly Long, from 4-5 central time this evening as I'm the guest of Amish Wisdom and Suzanne Woods Fisher. I'll be giving away more books and I'd love for you to listen! Here's the link. http://tinyurl.com/27csmno

Kelly

SARAH'S GARDEN-INTERVIEW WITH KELLY LONG--FREE BOOKS!

I’m so excited to introduce you to my best friend and writing partner, Kelly Long, who writes Amish Romance. Kelly’s books are flying off the shelves, but that’s no surprise to me. Here's the blurb from Sarah's Garden.

When Sarah realizes that she has fallen in love with an Englisch doctor, she must choose between loving a man and losing her family.

Deep in the heart of Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains, shy Sarah King is happiest when working in her vibrant Amish kitchen garden, but new family responsibilities lead her into the confusing world of the Englisch.

Sarah finds her life turned around when she encounters the community's new Englisch veterinarian, Grant Williams. His blue-gold eyes and his obvious concern for her people attract her immediately. Sarah seeks solace and direction from the Lord as she creates a quilt pattern which details her struggle between two worlds.

The Lord is guiding Sarah to follow His will, but will she listen?


Kelly Long is the author of Sarah’s Garden, the first in the Patch of Heaven Series, Lilly’s Wedding Quilt, Christmas Cradles from the Expanded Edition of An Amish Christmas and A Marriage of the Heart from An Amish Love. She focuses Amish fiction to represent the Amish culture of North Central Pennsylvania and the Allegheny Mountains, where she was born and raised. She previously taught both English and Latin at the high school level and holds degrees from both Penn State University and The University of New Hampshire.

***Kelly will give away autographed copies of both Sarah’s Garden and Christmas in Lancaster County The Expanded Edition*** when you post a comment to my blog. Check back next Friday evening for the drawing.

Kelly, tell us a little about your book.


Sarah’s Garden is about the transforming power of God’s love and the renewing potential He creates in our lives, as exhibited by the Amish in both their kitchen gardens and quilting patterns.

Why do you think Amish novels are so popular right now?


I truly believe that this is the emergence of a new literary subgenre, not just the hottest thing. What Stephen Crane did for the Western in A Bride Comes to Yellow Sky and Poe did for horror, writers like Beverly Lewis are doing to build the foundations of an enduring expansion in literature.

Where do you get your inspirations?

Childhood memories mostly or from overheard snippets of random conversations, but most especially from God. He is the True Artist, the Author and Finisher…

What is your favorite aspect of the writing process?

The stirrings of the initial ideas for a story…that aha moment when you can begin. Otherwise, writing is very hard work.

Who influenced your writing the most, besides God?


My sixth grade teacher, Bob Dwyer, from Lock Haven, Penn. (Still teaching—go Mr. Dwyer!) He taught about writing as process not muse driven moments of emotion.

What are you reading in your spare time?


Uhh…let’s see…The Bible on a daily basis, An Alchemy of Genres, Save the Cat, and The Moral Premise…


If you could live anywhere on earth, where would that be?


Far, far, far away…just AWAY…from the daily stresses of life.

If you could meet one famous person still alive today, who would that be?


That’s a tough one. I’d like to meet a lot of dead people…I suppose I’d like to meet a child who will someday change the world for the better. (But that could be any child---so…)

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

Sleep. It’s vastly fun to dream and escape.

What gift did you receive that you will always treasure?


Eternal life.

What’s your favorite Bible verse?

It always changes…Right now, I’m loving the verses that make up the encounter between David and Goliath and remembering that the true giant in the story is God.

When new projects are you working on now and when will your next book release?


I’m finishing edits on Lilly’s Wedding Quilt and beginning a novella for a collection with Beth Wiseman and Kathy Fuller called An Amish Wedding. An Amish Love releases in late December.

Where can readers connect with you?

Kelly Long Fans at Facebook…Amishromance at Twitter…www.kellylongbooks.com (still under construction) and at Author Central on Amazon, and at AmishLiving.com. I love to hear from readers!

Thanks, Kelly for taking the time to be interviewed for my readers as well as yours. It was fun to pick your brain aside from our normal brainstorming time together. You can check out all of Kelly's books at Christianbook.com or Amazon. Don't forget to post a comment for the drawing next week for your chance to win.

Until we meet again,

WINNER OF A LOVE OF HER OWN!

Congratulations! E.J., you're the winner of an autographed copy of my new book! I want to thank all of you for entering, but don't give up--there's always another contest just around the corner. :)

I've enjoyed reading the posts of where you've been this summer and what you've been up to. Now let's look forward to fall and cooler weather--at least I am after the miserable Atlanta heat. I believe it surpassed all the other years we had on record.

I'll be doing something new very soon that I normally don't do on my blog, but I'm making an exception. I'll interview my writing partner and best friend, Kelly Long. Kelly's new book, Sarah's Garden, is out and it's a fabulous hit with readers! I was the first to read and critique it as she wrote it while we brainstormed together. It's a wonderful Amish love story and if you're a fan of that genre, then you'll want to read it! I'll see if she'll give away a copy when you post to her interview.

E.J., send me your email addy and I'll get my book out to you. Thank you all again for entering.

I'll catch up with you later... down on the trail...

Maggie

REMINDER-ONE MORE CHANCE TO WIN!

I thought I'd give y'all one more chance to win an autographed copy of A Love of Her Own. A week ago I blogged that I was still alive and gave an little update on what I've been up to this summer. At the bottom of that post, I asked if you wanted to share what you've been up to this summer and make a comment to be entered on Aug. 22nd for a copy of my book.

To date, I only have two comments back to me. There's still time to enter. If you've already read the book, maybe you'd like a copy for a gift. I'll draw a name Sunday night on the 22nd. Check back here to see if you've won.

For your enjoyment, here's picture of butterflies feeding on a trailing hydrangea hanging across the fence in my back yard. Aren't they pretty? When I snapped the picture, I was trying to get a blue and black butterfly that was in the middle of these two, but he flittered off. Most of my potted flowers are looking scraggly in the high heat we've experienced for two months, but my neighbor's tall bush, right outside my office window, is giving me delight each day.

My first book, No Place for a Lady, is a Crossings Book Club feature for their summer and August catalog. I'm so happy people are enjoying that first book!

What new delight is going on in your world? I'd love to hear from you.

Until later,

Maggie

A SLICE OF WYOMING HISTORY

Wyoming holds a special in my heart with its beauty of the Tetons. I want to go back again someday soon to visit. But if you're interested in a piece of history, check out my post on Bustles and Spurs today. Here's the link:
www.BustlesAndSpurs.com.

Maggie

WHERE YA BEEN?

I'm still alive! I could tell you that I was on a Caribbean cruise or at 5 star resorts in the Colorado Mountains, or teaching at a writer’s conference, but the truth is I’ve been holed up (not ‘hold’as in cowboy slang), in my office during the hot, humid, Atlanta weather with soaring temps hovering in the 100’s. Not very romantic, even for a romance writer.

I did meet my deadline in July for Deeply Devoted, book one in my next series. Woo Hoo! I know my agent read it in one sitting and said she loved it. Now I want to hear the same from my editor, which should be any day now. I worked really hard on it. I hope they keep the title.

Maybe you’ve noticed that I’ve been playing around the last month with my blog. I hope you like the new look. The dogwood is one of my favorite flowers and oh so Southern like me. There’s a legend about the dogwood that it was the tree the cross that they crucified Christ on was made from. I’ve blogged about it before. I’m also working on a website with help, of course, and hope to have it up and running in the near future.

I’ve read a bunch of books the last few months in between writing and still have a humongous stack that keeps growing. I’ll comment about my thoughts later on about those.

I’ve been brainstorming with my writing bud, Kelly, regularly and somehow we balance each other’s insanity! Only other writers can understand what I mean. I’m planning on interviewing her as soon as her deadline has been met.

I bought a new camera…much like what I already had, but still haven’t taken the time to read the manual. My other one just up and died. But I needed something easy for my blogging, and taking quick shots, though I’d like to have a camera like my daughter has. Then I’d be forced to learn how to use the settings. By the way, Sheri has a real talent for taking excellent and unusual pictures. A mom can brag!

The Women’s Ministry at my church, Johnson Ferry, has chosen my first book, No Place for a Lady, for their Chick-Lit book club for January! I am so thrilled about that! A Love of Her Own ranks #16 for the Kindle in Christian Romance on Amazon and #25 under bestseller books presently. In overall Christian Fiction, it ranks #23 on Kindle and #40 in books. Of course, that number changes regularly, but I’ve been holding a top spot, so I’m pleased as punch!

I’ve been researching for second book in the new series, the last couple of days, trying to get my thoughts together about the plot, etc. I want to get underway with that book next week.

We had our Sanctuary Choir at church fall kickoff again, and I like things to get back to our normal schedule. Guess I like continuity. We have a refurbished and enlarged choir loft but it’s still too small. But that’s always a good thing.

This summer also had its rough times because that’s just part of the life experience. Some were very trying days for me. One in July was the loss of our son-in-law’s father, a Viet Nam war hero, a dear friend to us as well. My niece is battling breast cancer, and my sister who has MS is hopeful about a new drug that she hopes to be able start soon. But like the butterflies flying around outside my office window, I know that God cares about every tear, every heartache, every struggle, and every joy that we experience. It’s part of His plan but don’t ask me to explain it. Only He knows.

I’d love to hear from you—what things have been happening in your life? It’s always uplifting to bear each other’s burdens because it takes your mind off your own troubles. I’ll draw a name on Aug. 22nd for a free autographed copy of my new book when you post a comment.

Hope I haven’t rambled on too much, but after all…I am a writer.

Until next time,

Maggie

SATURDAY AT BORDERS

I had an enjoyable afternoon book signing my new book, A Love of Her Own, at Borders on Saturday. John Alford, the manager is always helpful and friendly to me. I really meant to get a picture of him this time and somehow forgot once I got busy. Next John!

The lady in the green top is my best friend and crique partner, Kelly Long who was at Borders working on her deadline for her Amish novel. The woman in the light blue is Patty Hall, another writer who enjoys reading my books and a member of the ACFW, too. The picture of me with the lady in the white jacket is my dear, sweet friend, Jeanette Delaney, a fan of my The Heart of the West series. She works at the hair salon where I go to get prettied up. Jeanette is delightful and the epitome of a true southern lady with grace and charm. She was a evacuee from New Orleans after the Katrina hurricane. Soft spoken and lovely, I told her that I pray I can only look near as good as she does when I'm 80!

It's so much fun talking to shoppers at the bookstore, but especially when young children want to know about my books, and of course, I love have a Seattle's Best Mocha! Speaking of coffee, it's time for a cup or two then to get back to writing.

Until next time,

 

 

BOOK SIGNING AT BORDERS

Hi friends. I'm stepping away from my deadline for a while to book sign at Borders this Saturday for my new book, A Love of Her Own, at E. Cobb at the Avenues on Roswell Road. If you're anywhere near the area, I hope you'll drop by. I'm getting great feedback on this book, and while it makes me proud that reader's enjoy it, it pushes me to strive to meet their expectations in the new book. I don't want to disappoint them.

This has been a busy summer for me, not to mention writing the ending for Deeply Devoted. I'm already calling this episode of time "the long hot summer", and we haven't even made it to July yet! The Atlanta heat has been awful. Right before I left for the Southern Baptist Convention, our A/C backed up and ruined part of the guest bathroom ceiling. Needless to say, upstairs was hot for nearly a week before it got repaired since I was in Orlando--Orlando was even hotter! Ceiling still hasn't been repaired. Once I submit my new book, I'm hoping to take a nice break before edits come back to me, and I have to start writing book two of this new series. I surely need it. I haven't even seen our neighborhood pool this summer, and it opened at the end of May. :(

I know I've been promising that I will take time to eventually share a few of my favorites books with you that I've read over the last few months, and I will...when times allows between interviews, writing, etc. There's so many goodreads out there. I have to read in snatches while I'm writing, but I usually have two or three books in the hopper all the time. One book in particular I will be talking about is my critique buddy's new book relasing in July, so check back. I'm so excited for her. Info to follow about that soon, so I'll keep you in suspense.

Back again soon...
MAGGIE

LIFEWAY SBC BOOK SIGNING

I've returned from my trip to Orlando and wanted to
share some pictures with you from my LifeWay signing at the Southern Baptist Convention. I booksigned with Eva Marie Everson and Dan Walsh. I've read Eva's books and looking forward to reading Dan's now. Later we had lunch together and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them better. Elaine Helms, prayer minister for NAMB stopped by to say hello. She's had one book on prayer published and working on another one. Way to go Elaine! She was Johnson Ferry's prayer minister for years before accepting the position at NAMB.

My pastor, Bryant Wright, was elected President of the SBC. I'm so happy for him. They couldn't have chosen a finer person for the job. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church is mighty proud of our pastor. Guess we'll be sharing our time between him and the rest of the world now.

It was an enjoyable time despite the horrible temperature and heat index. Thanks LifeWay for inviting me!

I've had trouble posting these pictures and can't get blogger to take out the spaces in between for some reason, so if it looks a little wacky, I apologize. Did you notice I changed the template? I've spent way too much time doing that. It'd help if I had an expert teach me, wouldn't it? I do the best I can to learn, but prefer writing to trying to figure out how blogger works.

Now back to my world of 1877...

Maggie

My 1st CBA Bestseller!!

My heart is pumping wildly with excitement! My editor just informed me that The Jewel of His Heart is #19 on the CBA bestseller list for July as published in CBA Christian Retailers and Resources! It's incredible to be listed there with many of my favorite authors. Wow! this brings tears of joy to my eyes.

As an author you're always concerned about making each book better than the previous one. As I'm nearing the deadline for Deeply Devoted, my prayer everyday is to not only entertain readers, but encourage them with whatever life throws their way. One thing I'm learning in my walk is that I'm not in control of all that befalls me. It's how I react to it more than anything. Hurts, grief in many forms, illnesses, etc. happen to all of us. But we can choose to face every situation knowing that God has got our back and will see us through even in the lowest point. I choose to take it one day at the time, and that's life. It's all I can do. What about you?

Here's a partial list of of the top 20. I've been priviledge to have met Tracie Peterson and Cecil Murphy. Notice my publisher, Baker has 7 of the top 20 on the list!

#18 The Telling – Beverly Lewis

Fiction (BPG Has 7 of the top 20 titles this month)

#3 The Telling – Beverly Lewis

#10 Maid to Match – Deanne Gist

#13 The Silent Governess – Julie Klassen

#14 No Distance Too Far – Lauraine Snelling

#16 Dawn’s Prelude – Tracie Peterson

#19 The Jewel of His Heart – Maggie Brendan

#20 In Harm’s Way – Irene Hannon

Inspirational

#20 90 Minutes – Don Piper

Christian Living

#21 His Princess Bride – Sheri Rose Shepherd

#25 Have a New Kid – Kevin Leman

Young Adult

#4 God Girl – Hayley DiMarco

#9 Frenemies – Hayley DiMarco

#10 God Guy – Michael DiMarco

Until next time,
Maggie

FREE KINDLE DOWNLOAD-NO PLACE FOR A LADY

If you own a Kindle, now's your chance to get a free download of No Place for a Lady if you haven't had a chance to read it. This is the first book in my Heart of the West series. The offer runs starting today until July 4th. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/ref=pd_dp_ts_kinc_1 The title held the #1 spot for 24 hours! I'm at #2 now. This is thrilling, but it does change every hour.

I'm also featured on Authorbuzz today with the release of my new book, A Love of Her Own. To read more about the book click here:
http://www.authorbuzz.com/dearreader/brendan.shtml.

This is a great start to the week for me and I hope for you too.

Happy Reading,
Maggie

INTERVIEW AND CHANCE TO WIN MY NEW BOOK

I have an interview posted by Lena Dooley today on her blog. Check it out and leave us comment for a chance to win a your copy of A Love of Her Own. Then check back on her blog a week from Saturday when she will announce a winner.

Remember to post the your comment to her blog not mine. Here's Lena link.
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/.

Thanks Lena for hosting me today!

Until next time,
MAGGIE

RELEASED TODAY-A LOVE OF HER OWN!

Woo Hoo! I've been waiting for today. The final book in my Heart of the West series released today and I'm absolutely thrilled with the cover. Here's what others are saying.

Praise for Maggie Brendan

"Brendan's gentle style of prairie romance is reminiscent of Janette Oke, capturing the heart of the old West with romance that will make you sigh."
— Julie Lessman, author of the Daughters of Boston series

"Brendan blends colorful characters, lively dialogue, and intriguing historical details."
— Amanda Cabot, author of Paper Roses andScattered Petals

"Maggie Brendan is adept at weaving a sweet love story."
—Tamera Alexander, author of Beyond This Moment

I hope you'll pick up your copy soon. On the left hand side-bar is a list where you can purchase the book. Drop me a comment after you read it. I'm always interested in what my readers have to say. :)

Happy Trails,
Maggie

LIFEWAY AT SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

I'm honored to be asked to sign my books for LifeWay at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando! I'll be there on June 14th at 11 am. I saw on the website LifeWay has a 10,000 square foot store! Wow! I hope people can find me amid the vast array of books! This convention is not open to the public. Pastors and delgates from many states will convene there for their annual meeting. http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc10/default.asp.

Our wonderful pastor, Bryant Wright, is one of the nominees for the presidency. I sure hope he's elected, but then I guess I'm partial. Bryant is a true follower of Christ and Johnson Ferry supports his decision to be nominated. You can check him out at http://www.jfbc.org/. I worked for Bryant some years ago compiling his 10 years worth of sermons into a booklet for quick reference. I was priviledged to work in the Worship and Music office but actually worked under Right From the Heart, Bryant's radio ministry, http://www.rfth.org/. I assisted in the filming of his TV spots and filling orders for his sermons. What a blast! I also headed up a prayer team for two his RFTH Gala fundraisers. It was a special time in my life that I believed God called me to for a season.

God continues to bless me tremendously. Once I asked Bryant to pray for my sister who has MS and he stopped right on the spot to pray with me. I talked about God's incredible love for me and I told him I'll never truly understand it and he agreed that we really can't. We just need to accept it a gift. I hope you've accepted that gift-if not don't let anonther day go by without discovering how you can.

Until later,

Maggie

CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT FOR A LOVE OF HER OWN

Want to know more about Wes Owen and April McBride? Pull on your boots and head on over to Relz Reviewz for insight into their characters. I always have fun doing these and Rel found some good pictures to post. I'll return later with good news to share. Here's the link.

http://www.relzreviewz.blogspot.com/.

Thanks for stopping by,
Maggie

HAIR TEARING 101...OR THE STRESS OF PUBLISHING PROCESS

Want to know the real in's and out's of the publishing processs? My friends over at Seekerville are hosting me today. If you're a unpublished writer, or published, or just curious about the entire process of the publishing world, check it out.
http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/05/hair-tearing-101-or-stress-of.html.

Post a comment for a chance to win my new book, A Love of Her Own. See you over at Seekerville. :)

MAGGIE

Today at LifeWay in Buford, GA

What a wonderful time I had today at the LifeWay store in Buford, GA! I met new readers and had fun getting to know new ones. Nora St. Laurent, the bookclub manger, was her usual gracious and cheerful self there to greet me for their Fiction Event Day.

There were great bargains of fiction titles today. Good thing I was too busy to buy any more books to read. However, I did come away with another Bible. No surprised there.

Here's a few pictures of the event. Thanks LifeWay for inviting me to represent fiction for your store today. I had a great time! :) Nora is the one in Burgandy shirt with me at the bottom.

Next week, I would like to try to carve out some time to post covers of some good books I've read recently.

Until then,
Maggie

LIFEWAY NAT'L FICTION EVENT DAY IN BUFORD, GA

This Saturday, May 15th, I'll be signing my books at the LifeWay store in Buford by the Mall of GA for their Annual Fiction Event Day. I'll be at their store from 11-1pm. I hope you'll drop by.

My books are in the new LifeWay catalog out now. Click on the link, then go to page 6 for A Love of Her Own. My second book, The Jewel of His Heart is on the back at a bargain right now.

http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/catalog_view.asp?catalog=may10-fiction.

These events are always fun because not only is the staff a group of great folks, but I get to meet new fans and interact with them. The hardest thing for me is being surrounded by a mass of books that I'd like to purchase, and other gifts too! Last time I was there, I signed with Julie Lessman and we had a blast. She's a great writer and preious friend.

So check out the catalog and mark the books you want to buy (mine too) and print out the coupon. I'll be looking for you. :)

Maggie

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE

It's all about love, isn't it? If you hurry on over to http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/ for the next couple of days, I'm giving away a copy of my latest book when it becomes available at the end of May. Just post me a comment and I'll have the moderator draw a winer.

My Mother's day was very special because it's been quite a few years since my daughter and family have been here on Mother's Day and for once my pharmacist son was able to swap his Saturday shift with another person. It's was a great day to be together, but beyond the gifts, their cards with their own personal comments written inside meant more to me than anything else. I'll treasure them always just as they're a treasure to me. I consider my children and granchildren a sweet blessing from God.

I hope if you're a mother, adoptive mother or expecting, that your day was a sweet one too! So go make a comment for your chance to win.

Maggie

WIN A COPY OF A LOVE OF HER OWN

Like to win a copy of my new book releasing in June? It's easy following this link to Goodreads and enter to win. http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/3758-a-love-of-her-own-a-novel.

Five copies will be given away. You may be the winner! Not only did Revell create a beautiful cover depicting April McBride, I believe you will love her story and heart change when she travels to Montana's Big Sky country.

Now back to my regularly scheduled program-writing and competing Deeply Devoted, the first book in the new series.

Stay dry, if you can. You won't find any dust in Atlanta these days! :)

Maggie

SPRINGTIME PLEASURES

Springtime in the south is always spectalular but Georgia puts on a beautiful, irrestible show. I couldn't resist this picture of the cherry trees at the entrance to our neighborhood against the back drop of balmy blue skies. The cherry trees were in bloom a couple of weeks ago but I'm just now copying them onto my computer. I enjoyed walking through our neighborhood watching each day as the tiny green leaves unfold then become broad leaves giving shade for the long hot summer days. I have to schedule time to walk since my deadline for the first book in the new series looms and I'm at the keyboard most days. But being outside with nature always starts creative juices flowing in my head.

I'm pretty excited about the release of A Love of Her Own at the end of May! I hope you'll get a copy for your springtime reading and catch the ride of April McBride and her adventureous visit to Montana. I have an Author Spotlight up on RT Reviews today which will give you a little insight into the theme behind the story. Here's the link: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/content/authors-spotlight. I'll be setting up booksignings soon and my first one is May 15th at the LifeWay store in Buford, GA. I hope to see you there. Until later, Maggie

LOVELY CHERRY TREES

MY CALA LILIES

PATIO VARIETY

MY AZALEAS

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

WIN A COPY OF MY BOOK

I'm giving away a copy of my book this week when you leave a comment on an interview that I did for The Borrowed Book. Here's the link http://theborrowedbook.blogspot.com/. It's nice to be asked to be interviewed and sometimes some of the questions appear to be the same, but they're not. I hope you'll stop by for a chance to win a copy of The Jewel of His Heart, if you don't have a copy.

Presently, I'm working on the first book, Deeply Devoted, in my new series and taking time to read other good books along the way. I'm honored to have the opportunity to read and endorse Julie Lessman's new book, A Hope Undaunted, coming out soon. It's delicious and I'm a big fan of her books. If you have never read one of Julie's books, you need to get her Daughters of Boston Series! They sizzzzzle. :)

I hope to get a chance this week to post about a couple of other books that I've endorsed and are on the booksheleves now. All good wonderful historicals.

Now I need to step back into the world of 1887 in Wyoming today, but it's hard to wrap my head around it after a fabulous Michael Buble concert last night, a gift from my son-in-law, but I'll do my best.

Good luck with the book giveaway, and don't forget to post to The Borrowed Book blog and not mine to be entered in the contest.

Happy Trails,
Maggie

ON CHRISTIAN BOOK. COM AS AN AUTHOR

I am so happy tonight! My author page and interiew is now up on Christianbook.com. This is a dream come true for me. To tell you honestly, I never knew it was a possiblity. I think God had bigger and better plans for me than I did. :)

With the 3rd book in the Heart of the West series coming out at the end of May, I have even more to celebrate. Without getting too personal, I've travelled a difficult personal walk the last few months so I needed some good news. God continues to bless.

If you're interested in reading the interview, click here. http://www.christianbook.com/fiction.

I'll be doing LifeWay National Fiction Event Day in May at their store next to the Mall of GA in Buford. I can hardly wait. The folks there are wonderful and so are my fans.

I'm working hard on the first book on the next series, The Blue Willow Brides but taking time to research and craft my scenes and characters that I hope you'll come to love.

I pray your winter hasn't been a hard one---spring will be here soon. I've been seeing Bluebirds poking in the Bluebird box on my fence outside my office window, looking for their home and that's a definite sign of spring:)

Until next time,
Maggie.

GUEST BLOGGING

Brrr...Baby's it's cold outside!

Atlanta's snow storm last week was incredibly beautiful. Look at our gazebo in the neighborhood covered with snow. So pretty! Hard to believe that I normally stop here on my walk and listen to the gurgle of the creek behind it. Of course, now it's melted and a little bit warmer, which tells me spring is not far off because I've spotted bluebirds in our back yard.

While I've been working on my new series this week, I've taken a break to guest blog for Petticoats And Pistols. I'm tickled that they asked me to guest blog and my post will be up on Saturday. Hope you will check it out here: http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com/ tomorrow.

Now back to my regular schedule, that includes hot coffee to chase the chill away and back to see what my characters in the "other" world of Blue Willow Brides are up too. :)

Stay warm...

Maggie

Winner of No Place for a Lady

Congratulations to Trinity Rose who won the Valentine giveaway for a copy of No Place for a Lady! I hope you'll enjoy the book and post me a comment after you've read it.

I appreciate everyone's participation and for sharing your favorite valentine card memory. I hope your Valentine's Day was wonderful. I received a dozen beautiful red roses from my husband and nice dinner out. My day was especially sweet with a surprise visit for a few hours from my daughter, Sheri and family from Augusta. She gave me an adorable moose statute with a sweet smile on his face. After seeing them in the Grand Tetons this past September, I'm enamoured by those beautiful creatures. By the way, for Christmas she gave me a silver moose bead for my Chamilia bracelet. She really knows how to get to my heart.

Isn't he cute?

Have a wonderful week. Until later,

Maggie

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

It'll be here on Sunday--Valentine's Day! As a child, I loved how we covered shoe boxes with crepe paper and glued hearts, etc. on it to hold the valentines we hoped to get at school. Remember those times?

In honor of the most romantic day of the year, I'm giving away a copy of No Place for a Lady over at Bustles and Spurs today.

Some of you have written me saying you've read book 2 and would like to read the first one. Well, here's your chance. Go to www.bustlesandspurs.com and tell me what was your favorite valentine card that you can remember.
You can read my answer there. On Monday, I'll draw a winner.

Good luck and have a Happy Valentine's Day!!

Maggie

Who Dat?

Yes, I'm happy The Saints are in the Superbowl and I'm cheering for them!! I'm not a huge football person but I like to stay abreast of a few teams, especially the Broncos and LSU. So I have one eye on the TV that I can see through my French Doors and my hand on the dashboard of Blogger.

The reason that I wanted to blog tonight was that want to tell you about a wonderful autobiography that I read last week while recoupering from surgery. I met this wonderful lady when she friended me on facebook. Long story short, she sent me a copy of her book to read and I could not put it down! Damaged Goods is a true story of Charlotte Hunt's abusive childhood. It's an incredibly raw look at sexual abuse and the power of God to overcome the worst betrayal in one's life. Well educated, Charlotte is a gifted writer as she bares her soul in this indept look at her past and her present. She's a sucessful national motivational speaker and speaks to diverse audiences in overcoming childhood trauma, women's issues, and is a favorite lecturer for district attorney offices, educators, addiction treatment programs and children advocacy centers.

She is active in vocal and jazz studies and has done radio programs, PBS specials, commercials and an international runway model. I told her that she is a much more beautiful version of Michelle O'Bama for certain.

I hope you check out her website and perhaps read her book if you know of somewith with childhood trauma or abuse, or if you were a victim. Maybe you'd just like to understand this terrible covered up shame that ocurrs every day around the world. Her story will uplift you even in the darkest moments of her scarred life because she gives HOPE and points us the Christ who always loves us, pours out His grace and who was always there with his arms open wide waiting on us to run to Him to triumph over one of life's greatest tragedies. Her friendship is what I call one of those "God Winks"!

You can check out her website:

http://www.charlottehunt.net/

Back to the Superbowl and half-time

Maggie

Great News For Me!

Friday, I discovered that my book, No Place for a Lady was voted as one of the Best of 2009 books for Crossings Book Club! The Jewel of His Heart was listed as one of the Best of 2009 on Christian Book Distributors and has only been out since October. Needless to say that's a wonderful thing for me and I was excited to see some of my writer friends on the list as well. Tracie Peterson and Tamera Alexander are both favorite authors of mine and I've met them both. Having Tamera endorse The Jewel of His Heart was truly a shining moment for me.

But I also have to thank my readers who have purchased and enjoyed reading my two books. I receive letters and emails stating they can't wait for A Love of Her Own to be released. I have friends and people at church tell me the same thing. You can't possibly know how encouraged I am by that, especially as I write a new novel for another series. I'm always wanting to keep getting better! :)

I wanted to let those of you who read my blog and live in the Marietta area know that a friend of mine, Eva Marie Everson, will be book signing at Sweet Spirit Christian Bookstore between 2-5. Eva grew up in South Georgia but lives in Florida now. She has written a slew of books and her newest release by Revell is Things Left Unspoken. I have a copy of her book, Reflections of God's Holy Land and you can bet I'll be taking it to have her autograph it for me. Later, she will be speaking at North Metro Church on Barrett Pkwy at 6 pm.

Her website is below if you'd like to read about Eva and all her books. When I led a critique group for six years, Eva quoted me in her book, Word Weavers, a book on sucessful critique groups, co-authored with Janice Elsheimer. http://www.evamarieeverson.com/

Until later, Maggie

MY Thoughts For Today

I received permission to post this from Right From The Heart, my pastor, Bryant Wright's radio ministry, back in December, but with Christmas and finishing galleys, I didn't get around to posting it. I used to work for Right From The Heart, and was a prayer minister for two of it's fundraisers and considered it a great priviledge to be able to do so. One of my heart's passion besides writing, is that others may come to know Christ--not for me to feel good--but because God loves each one of us and wants us to know Him. In view of the terrible tragedy in Haiti, today seem to be the right time to post it. It appears to be so hopeless a situation, but I know with God all things are possible. Pray for them and send a donation to the Red Cross.

There are people I love who have not put their hope and faith is Christ, but will easily trust and rely on the unthinkable. Here's Bryant message that I wanted to share and by the way he is currently writing a book on the history of the conflict in the Middle East. Once I know when it will be released, I'll let you know.


The Evidence of Things Not Seen Dec 11 2009
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
We pride ourselves in being logical creatures who demand proof before believing most things. Yet, a professor can tell us that there 100 trillion stars in the sky, and we accept it without question. We accept as absolute fact that an atom has neutrons and electrons spinning around a nucleus, even though we have never seen any of them. We know that light travels 186,000 miles a second even though we've personally never measured it. And we agree that Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address, and that E does, in fact, equal mc2. We accept all these things as facts without ever demanding the proof of their authenticity.Yet so many of us will reject Jesus - risking our eternal souls even when presented with solid proof. What proof? The witness of thousands of people who saw the miracles of Jesus. Testimonies from dozens who witnessed His death, then saw Him alive after His resurrection. And what about the fulfillment of prophecies concerning Jesus? Yet even after being shown so much solid evidence, many enlightened, logical people reject Jesus as "just some myth for the gullible." In fact, the divinity of Jesus is just about the only thing people refuse to accept, even when evidence is overwhelming. Tell me, where’s the logic in that?What about you? Are you willing to accept the truth of Jesus on faith? In fact, it's the ONLY way you can accept Him. So, go ahead, take that leap of faith. Once you do, your life will be changed forever.

Here's the link to Right From the Heart and the devotional & sermons.
www.rfth.org.

Maggie

ENJOYING THE WEST & WILDLIFE

I have a new blog post up on Bustles and Spurs today and a few photos from my recent trip out West. This was at the end of September on a research trip for my new series, The Blue Willow Brides.

I bought a suitcase full of books to bring home to read about Wyoming and history in general of settlers in the West. The mountains in Jackson, WY are so incredible that pictures don't do just to their beauty or size. I posted some pictures on the blog. Check it out at your leisure.
http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/

Until next time...

MY COVER WON!

I was happy to find out that my cover won for Reader's Choice for favorite book cover for 2009. This cover is my favorite of my three, and the title has a deeper meaning to me. Luckily, the publisher let me keep this title.

All the covers were so pretty, and it was a close vote. I don't know about you, but a great cover compells me to pick up the book when I'm in the bookstore. Revell does such a beautiful job on their covers. I appreciate Carmen for taking the time to promote some her favorite books and allow readers to submit their favorite cover. Check it out:
http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/2010/01/cover-contest-winner.html

Hope your New Year is off to a good start. This is always a chance to clean out, start over and review what you didn't accomplish in 2009. But be encouraged. Most of us never keep those committments to watch our diet, exercise and give our time back to our community or church. But it's never to late to start again with renewed energy and purpose and make every day count.

I know I'm going to give it my best shot.

Until I return, thank God for your friends, family and another new year to get it right.