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