LIFEWAY'S NATIONAL FICTION EVENT

I'll be representing LifeWay's National Fiction Book Event tomorrow, Saturday, May 16th from 11-1 pm at the Mall of GA in Buford. I'm really excited about this! I'll be sharing the signing table with a highly decorated X-Army Ranger, Jeff Struecker, who was prominently featured in the movie Black Hawk Down. He is now a chaplain for the Army and writes thrillers. Check his website for further info. http://www.jeffstruecker.com/.
Check out Atlanta Examiner online for further reading about the event. Here's the link .

I hope if you're in the area,stop by--I'd love to meet you. The store in behind the mall near Target. Their phone #770-831-7707.

Tuesday night I was the guest of a local area book club that had just finished reading No Place for a Lady. The fellowship was great and they picked my brain about the details of writing, and of course, I had fun sharing the writing process.

I'm on deadline for the 3rd book in the Heart of the West series, but I'll be back posting on a more frequent basis in the near future.

Happy Trails...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I hope you're having wonderful Mother's Day! This will be a brief post to announce the winner of the drawing for a copy of my book. It was drawn fair and balanced, as Fox News would say--from a LSU baseball cap by my husband. He drew Michelle's name, who wrote that her mom was "gifted". I really like that because so many moms never realize how gifted they are because they are constantly multi-tasking and on the go!

I chose this verse for my mom's headstone in 1998--"Her children arise up, and call her blessed"...Proverbs 31:28a. I miss her so...

So I salute all Mothers everywhere for how you influence, guide, protect, minister, inspire, give, mentor, and teach but most of all for your unconditional love! Happy Mother's Day!

MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY!!

Every year when Mother’s Day rolls around, I feel blue. I miss my dear mother but I remember all the goods things about her. She was always taking a meal to a shut-in or writing a card or letter to someone who needed cheering up. She loved to play her harmonica and was crazy about Elvis and cried all day the day he died. She loved gardening and had gorgeous flowers outside her tiny apartment. She made the best chicken’n dumplins’ you ever tasted, surpassed only by her cornbread and field peas. Her laughter was contagious and I don’t remember a day that she didn’t wear an apron or have a pot of coffee at 3 pm. Many of her habits wore off on me. How could they not?
So I’ve been thinking of one word to describe her and I think I’d have to say VIVACIOUS! There are many other words that I could use, but her energy and spirit for life was a huge blessings on my life. Soooo….

In honor of all mother’s everywhere, I’m giving away one autographed copy of my book, No Place for a Lady, for Mother’s Day. This is the rule--post a comment on my blog between May 1-10th. Give me in one word a description that best describes your mom. If you give more info that the one word, it will be thrown out. Be sure and leave your email address to enter your name in the contest. That’s all there is to it! I’ll draw a name on Mother’s Day and notify the winner. Don’t forget—use just one word!
Open to US residents only.

STORMY ATLANTA & STUFF

Atlanta is on tornado watch until 3 am once again, but that's springtime in Atlanta for you. I hope the wind and rain won't knock off all the blossoms from the white and pink dogwoods.

I don't know when I've been busier, but I wanted to take time to post a link of an interview that I did for Relzreview. It was posted Saturday but Australia is a day ahead and I'm just finding time to take a break writing.

Click here to read the interview: posted

HAPPY EASTER

There is nothing as lovely to me as the Dogwood Tree and its flower. It's my favorite of all flowering trees. There is a legend of the Dogwood Tree that the cross that Christ was crucified on was made of the Dogwood tree. You can find the story on the internet. When my mother died, I inherited a picture with a cross with dogwood blossoms and the poem.

Since tomorrow is Easter, I wanted to share one of my pastor's devotionals from Right From the Heart. It explains better than I can what is on my heart tonight.

Life's Most Important Question

"Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?'" - Matthew 27:22 Almost 2,000 years ago, a man named Pilate asked the most important question in life. Standing before him was an itinerant preacher. There was nothing remarkable about His looks. He had attracted a large following but few committed followers. He had no wealth - not even a home of His own. Yet He was the object of an unmitigated hatred from a mob. Pilate asked, "What shall I do with this man?" As the mob cried for His execution, the man, Jesus Christ, stood silently as Pilate cowardly sentenced Him to death on the cross.The question Pilate asked is ultimately one all of us have to ask. What shall I do with this man Jesus? He loves you, even when you could care less about Him. He cared enough to pay the penalty for your sin. What will you do with Jesus? Your eternal destiny hangs in the balance by how you respond.

Many Live Appearances After His Death

"...because I live, you will live also." - John 14:19Christianity is about faith - faith in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. But have you realized there is also historical documentation of Jesus' resurrection? Six different books offer documentation of Jesus' nine live appearances after His resurrection: 1. He appeared to Mary Magdalene and other women the morning of His resurrection. 2. He appeared to Peter. 3. He appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus. 4. He appeared to the disciples as a whole (except for Thomas, who wasn't there). 5. He appeared to the disciples with Thomas, and Thomas believed. 6. He appeared to seven disciples at the Sea of Galilee and enjoyed a fish fry. 7. He appeared to over 500 people at once. 8. He appeared to James, his brother. 9. He appeared one final time to his disciples before He ascended to heaven. There are at least nine documented live appearances after His death. That is a lot of evidence that He rose from the dead.

I'll leave you with these thoughts to ponder. You can visit Bryant Wright's site at http://www.rfth.org/

THE JEWEL OF HIS HEART

I'm so excited to share with you the brand new cover for book 2 in Heart of the West series, The Jewel of His Heart. It's so beautiful and once again Revell had captured my herione perfectly with the Yogo blue eyes. I'm sure that you'll agree that it is stunning!
The story takes place in Montana, the Big Sky Country. Here's a tease-

Romance readers have taken to Maggie Brendan's softer romantic style that perfectly captures life on the American frontier, introducing them to rugged, independent souls and their inner spiritual struggles, and the quest for love that makes for a satisfying read every time. Set in 1890s Montana, The Jewel of His Heart finds Juliana drawn to a handsome, gentle sheepherder--but sparks fly when he considers mining, the occupation that lured her father away from his family. Both Josh and Juliana must make a choice--the world's riches and promises, or the eternal value of love.

I hope you'll be looking for it this fall and then "fall" in love with Josh and Juliana. Happy Trails...

TODAY AT BORDERS BOOKSTORE IN EAST COBB

Who Said Men Don't Buy Historical Romance? Here's proof!

Despite the cold, drizzling weather, people still like to go to the bookstore which was good news for me. Borders in East Cobb at the Avenues is one of my favorite bookstores. I had a fun time, meeting new folks and even a couple of school age children that were in awe of meeting a real writer and wanted a bookmark. So funny, but I suppose I would have felt the same way at the age of 7 or 8. I'm pretty new to all this but it amazed me as I sat greeting everyone when they walked through the door, that the traffic was definitely more men today than women! When you have to sit still, you tend to notice things like that. Hence the man that bought my book in the picture. Yes, it was only one man, but I already know of 6 who've read and enjoyed my book. I never would've dreamed it possible!

While I sipped on a mocha of Seattle's Best, I listened to the Assistant Manager, Jessica, announce every half hour, that Maggie Brendan was there signing her book. Jessica was very kind to me and encouraging.

When my time concluded, the Manager,John Alford, had me autograph all the rest of my books and told me that I did well. Exactly what an author loves to hear!

What a satisfying ending to a very dreary March afternoon. I hope you had a good weekend so far. :) Happy Reading...

BORDER'S BOOK SIGNING

Tomorrow, March 14th from 1-3 pm, I'll be at Border's in East Cobb at the Avenues on Roswell Road signing my new book. I hope if you live in the Atlanta Metro area that you will drop by and say hello.

Last Saturday I was at Sweet Spirit Christian bookstore and had a nice time with their customers, staff and Frank Hood, the store owner. I had intended on posting a picture but was busy finishing up galleys for book 2 coming out in October.

I'm still excited about the reviews and the fact that the book was picked up by Crossings for February and again for March!

Next Friday, I'll be speaking at a senior's luncheon at St. Theresa's in Augusta, my daughter and son-in-law's church. It should be fun. They are really nice people there, even to a Baptist like me!. Lol. I'm very honored that I've been asked and I'll post about it afterward.

Happy Trails....

BOOK SIGNING THIS SATURDAY-MARCH 7TH

I'll be signing my novel, No Place for a Lady, at Sweet Spirit Christian Bookstore this Saturday, March 7th from 12-2 PM. They are located at 1100 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta, GA. Frank Hood is the owner of this wonderful bookstore, and I hope that if you live in the area you can stop by. I'd love to meet you! If you can't make this one, I'll post next week about others signings that are on my schedule.

I've had some good reviews on this book and I'm excited to see that people are really enjoying something that I've written. Nothing pleases me more!

Brief update on those of you that have asked me about book two, The Jewel of His Heart, it should be out in October!

God is so good! Now back to work.

BLACK CROWS AND MARCH

To refresh my brain and energize my creative juices, I took advantage of the fabulous Georgia temps in the 60’s today and skipped out in the middle of working on galleys to take a short walk. This is my first real walk in 8 weeks as I continue to have synovitis of the ankle that has left my foot sore and swollen, despite the physical therapy that I’m currently putting myself though.

Almost instantly I am reminded of why I love being outdoors. The first leg of my walk took me to our open field that’s preserved for wildlife and wildflowers. Of course, since it’s the end of February, there are no flowers, only constantly cawing of five black shiny crows strutting along the edge of the park bench who distracts me as I take a seat. After adjusting my shoelaces, I watch as they come close, apparently not afraid of me in the least. Two of them fly off to the center of the field in delight of their afternoon snack they’ve found, which left the other three squeaking and flapping their wings in an argumentative tone as though in discussion of their two friends.

Since it is nearly March, my mind is filled with thoughts of sadness, memories and tenderness of my mother and others of my family. March 2nd would have been her 99th birthday had she not died 11 years ago. My father was buried on March 17th, 36 years ago. March 1st was my brother, Orville’s birthday, and we are coming up to the anniversary of his passing on the 27th, six years ago. I lost my closest brother, Gary on March 25th one year after Orville. My sister Gail, God rest her sweet soul, was diagnosed and surgery performed for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in March and given a fatal diagnoses. There’s an old Merle Haggard song, “If We Make it Through December”…that my sisters, Doris and Dianne and I have changed it to “If We Make it Through March.”

So with heavier steps I venture off the sidewalk down the worn walking trail, widened and cleared from the underbrush last summer. I love it here. It’s peaceful and I feel like I’m actually in the woods, despite the distant sounds of a car or occasional dog barking. It’s a pleasant walk and as I make my way half-way around, there’s a huge oak tree that fell over that was allowed to stay because it created a natural archway over the trail. Wishing that I had brought my camera, I take a seat on one of its giant extended limbs and close my eyes to listen and absorb the sounds around me. A sudden strong breeze blows my hair that teases the cheek of my face. It feels good and so does the sunshine penetrating my velour jog suit. A woodpecker pecks on a bare hardwood tree to my left and to my right; I hear the same crows in the open field still squawking. I remember how my mother had a ‘pet’ crow she called Jack that came to the back door of her apartment in Gulfport, MS every morning. Someone left an old metal highchair out back so she placed cornbread or other tidbits on the tray for the crow. I laughed and asked her how she knew it was the same one. She answered, “Because I just know—he comes to talk to me every day!” I couldn’t argue with that, now could I? Oh, how I miss her and her infectious laughter.

Other birds are singing, some of whom I can’t identify, but their sounds are lovely and full of promised spring. I open my eyes and around me are piles of dead leaves now decaying and moldy, resembling death…from dust to dust…
A tear slips down my face and I close my eyes again, thanking the Lord, for all that I’ve been given in my life, the happiness, the grief, the love, all that has made me who I have become in my spirit through His spirit. I pray for my family and friends that He will touch their hearts and lives as only He can with His positive love, to walk closer to Him, reminding us of the mysterious feeling of discontent necessary to pull back the veil just a tad so that we know with certainty that earthly things are fleeting.

A small limb falls to the straw, sounding loud in the stillness and I decide that I need to get back to working on my galleys, but vowing not to let March get me down, despite some personal issues that I face.

THERE WAS one bright shining moment that occurred on March 4th, 1971. My beautiful daughter, Sheri made her way squealing into this world at 5:04 PM. All 8lbs. 4oz. of her. I still think of her as twenty years old, and find it hard to believe all those years have passed. Sheri has brought our family so much joy and has truly blessed our lives by being who she is. She’s intelligent and educated with a Master’s in Elementary Education, very affectionate and loves to laugh like my mama did. She’s crazy for chocolate! I don’t know if I’ve ever known anyone more conscientious…except me, hehe. She has given us three wonderful grandchildren and a husband, Bobby, who is like our own son. Nothing could be better than that. She’s strong in her love of the Lord and gives back with her talent of singing to Him as she cantors for her church. She plays piano if she gets a free moment when she is not carting kids off to basketball, piano, cheering or walking her dog, Frankie. If she has any faults it is her dislike of cooking. She’s a bit of a worrier and perfectionists like me. She’s also a very good editor!

Sheri called me yesterday and related something funny. She said, “I was walking around outside with my coffee pulling weeds and thought, Oh my gosh, I have become my parents.” We both laughed because she used to wonder how we could be outside in the warm weather or the summer, with our coffee cup in hand, pulling a stray weed or two. How indeed?

Sheri, I wish you enough sunny days in your life to keep your outlook bright, no matter how dark your days may seem. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAREST SHERI BERRI!!!

HERE COMES THE JUDGE-ALL RISE!

This past Thursday was a special one in our family. Our son-in-law, Bobby Christine, was sworn in as Chief Magistrate Judge for Columbia County in Augusta, GA. He was appointed by 8 Superior Court Judges. We are so proud of him because we know how hard he works, and we know Bobby's values and love of his country and for the state of Georgia. Bobby has already led an impressive career in his short life. He attended Georgia Military College, and the University of GA. (where he met Sheri, our daughter), and received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, AL. Bobby is a Major for the Army National Guard and serves as a Jag Officer. He served in Iraq attached to the First Marine Expeditionary Force that invaded Iraq. The man has more medals that I can even recall. He taught Political Science for Georgia Military College for 10 years. He serves on the parish council for St. Theresa's where they attend church. He has served as the Assistant District Attorney for Richmond County where he and his team were the first in recent history in the state of GA, to convict a murderer without producing a body from their incredible scientific evidence. Bobby also serves on the Chamber of Commerce, and many other committees and is asked to speak at many events, both political and community.
Bobby is a great Italian Southerner and loves his heritage, and is a great history buff. He adores his family, children and dog, Frankie. Everyone in Augusta is acquainted with Bobby. When he returned from Iraq, he spoke to a Right From the Heart Gala, a fundraiser of our pastor, Bryant Wright for his radio ministry which made everyone there cry and be proud of our great military and country.

Bobby's own father, Alexander Christine, was awarded several Purple Hearts for his service in Viet Nam, where he was severely wounded and came home missing an arm and a leg, as well as other internal injuries. I'm sure that Alex's valor and exceptional love of his country was passed down to Bobby.

Am I bragging so far?? You bet I am. Our son-in-law is one of the smartest, wittiest, (I'm no match for him in verbal skills), men that I know. There is so much to be proud of.

Bobby enjoys fishing with Peter, our 6 yr. old grandson, and sailing around their lake in his boat. He spends time collectively and separately with his two daughters, Maggie and Angelina. He loves having people over, playing Wii and shooting pool, and eating great Italian food, and jambalaya. But I think his favorite thing is to drive around in his vintage '65 Cadillac.

He thinks our daughter came straight from Venus and fits in with his southern Italian ideals, and he is, from what I hear, extremely romantic. He is strong in his faith in God, preserving America and keeping traditions alive.
So, dear Bobby, my hat is off to you--All that you do does not go unrecognized! Love, Brenda