Monday, January 26, 2009

Maggie Brendan under the spotlight and a free book!

I would like to introduce Maggie Brendan the author of No Place for a Lady a wonderful book that I really enjoyed reading just last month. Maggie is offering a copy of her book to one of the reader on Write by Faith so be sure to follow the instructions at the end of this post. I have to confess I love historical novels now more than I ever have in the past so I am excited to see the trend growing strong. Let's get to know Maggie.

Maggie, please tell us a little about yourself.

I love the West and write historical novels and I live in Georgia. My first book in the Heart of the West series is No Place For a Lady. Book two, The Jewel of His Heart, will be out in the fall and I am currently working on Kickin Up the Dust for book three. I knew in the 3rd grade that I wanted to be a writer, but marriage and raising a family came first.
My brother, Jess McCreede (pen name) was a western writer. Sadly now he is deceased but he was a great mentor to me, and encouraged me to finish what I start. I received the Atlanta American Christian Persistence Award in 2004 and felt further encouraged to continue writing. I worked for our pastor’s radio ministry, Right From the Heart and most recently quit my job as an assistant to a real estate broker after I landed my book contract.
I have 2 grown children and 4 grandchildren and I adore them all. I enjoy reading, the outdoors and music of all kinds. I used to paint and scrapbook but have very little time for that now.

Could you give us a small taste of what your new novel is about ?

No Place For a Lady, book 1, is about a gentle southern belle that goes to Colorado to visit her aunt and winds up on a cattle ranch. Despite being raised a proper southern belle she is determined to hold her own in this wild land—even if a certain handsome foreman named Luke doubts her abilities. After tragedy strikes, she works to save her aunt’s ranch from a greedy landowner, ready or not, and must rise to meet the challenge.




Who is the most important influence in your life besides God?
My mother who instilled on me hard work with deep spiritual values and a reliance upon God.

What book are you reading now? Julie Lessman’s A Passion Redeemed. I loved this series.

What books are found lying around your home? In my pile to be read are authors Amanda Cabot, Ann Shorey, Julie Klassen, Bonnie Leon and Kathy Marie Hake.

What is your favorite children’s book? Little Women That is one of my favorites as well.

I love old black and white movies and the old musicals. What is your all time favorite movie? Gone With the Wind. Incidentally, my son-in-law gave me the movie’s original handbill in a beautiful frame with a print of the movie title, and Scarlett and Rhett’s pictures in water color for Christmas.

What would you like your readers to say about your writing? I would like them to sigh and remember the characters long after reading the story. Hopefully, I’ve taken them from their worries of this world to another world for a bit of respite.

What is your favorite verse from the Bible? I have so many but one that is dear to me since I’ve lost so many loved ones is 1 Thess. 4: 16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors? Read as much as you can. Attend writers conferences and workshops. Find a writer’s critique group. They’re invaluable to what you’ll learn from them and you’ll reap the benefits of being with like minded writers that truly understand who you are.


Thank you so much for visiting with me. I will say I loved No Place for a Lady and you can read my review here.

You can win a copy of No Place For a Lady by leaving a comment and answer the Daily Question. You want to purchase a copy of No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Series, Book 1)
Daily Question: Tell me the name of one of your favorite books.
1 extra entry: Follow me or email subscribe
2 extra entries: Blog about this post on your blog. Please leave the link in the comments.
3 Extra points: Join me onTwitter (Writebyfaith) and tweet about this post

36 comments:

Shelly B said...

This looks and sounds like a great read and I love that it's the 1st in a series. One of my favorite books is Lonesome Dove. I'm a sucker for the old west.

shelcows AT gmail DOT com

Deborah said...

ah! i've been trying to win this book everywhere!! Currently my favorite book that i'm reading is The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Shelly B said...

I follow you via RSS feed.

Shelly B said...

I tweeted about this. I am writereader on twitter.

KR said...

All time favorite...Gone With the Wind

darbyscloset said...

One of my favorite books is "In the Shadow of Lions" by Ginger Garrett.
Thanks for the giveaway, looks like a great read and it is a series!!!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

darbyscloset said...

I am a follower!
Thanks
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

darbyscloset said...

I also am a subscriber!
Thanks
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Hmm, asking a writer to pick a favorite book? :)
Characters that stick with me long after the book are my favorite. I would say The Grapes of Wrath still tops my list. Thanks for the entry into the contest, your book sounds great!
Christa

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

I already subscribe. I would love to review this book. :)

Anonymous said...

This book sounds great as I enjoy historical fiction, too! One of my all-time favorites is Green Dolphin Street, by Elizabeth Goudge. Such an incredible and moving story! Thanks so much for giving us the chance to win this book!

Julieanne

Anita Yancey said...

One of my favorite books is Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. This book sounds great.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am a subscriber. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Merry said...

I really like books in a series, one of my favorites is the Restoration series (Last Light, Night Light, True Light & Dawn's Light) by Terri Blackstock. I'd love a chance to win No Place For a Lady, thanks.
worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Merry said...

I'm a follower.
worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book. My favorite book is I SMILE BACK by AMY KOPPELMAN

Lorraine
moml1@cox.net

Kaye said...

One of my favorite books is Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher
I'd love a chance to win this

florida982002[at]yahoo dot com

Kaye said...

Hi again I am a follower

florida982002[at]yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe!
I love Pride and Prejudice!

Jo said...

That's not fair! Asking me to choose my favorite book. Actually, I loved all the Yada Yada Prayer books and couldn't wait for the newest one to come out. I also love historical fiction. Please enter me in the contest

Blessing,
JO
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

This book sounds terrific! One of my favorite books is The Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Also, I'd love to follow you on Twitter, but not sure if I already do. If you send me a follow, I'll follow you back. My name on Twitter is DebPiccurelli. Thanks!

Deb Piccurelli
DebPiccurelli[at]verizon[dot]net

Anonymous said...

Donna I checked Twitter, and I do follow you. I'll be over there with a tweet about this post in a flash. Please enter me again for this book!

DebPiccurelli[at]verizon[dot]net

Becky C. said...

I love the sound of this book.

Oh my, I have so many favorite books. I would have to say one of them is, "The Little White Horse", by Elizabeth Goudge. I love anything by her, and glad to see another Goudge fan on her.

I am a follower.

Please enter me in the contect.

Becky C.

rec(at)hiwaa(dot)net

Cathy Bryant said...

Great interview! I'd love to win a copy of this book. My favorite book? But there's so many to choose from...(whine). Okay, I'll say "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers (AND "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee).

Cathy Bryant
catbry1 at yahoo dot com

cheryl c said...

So hard to name just one! OK, first title to come to mind...Ransom by Julie Garwood.

I love historicals, so No Place For a Lady sounds wonderful to me!

cheryl c said...

I am a new follower!

castings[at]mindspring[dot]com

Ausjenny said...

I love the look of this book and would love to read it please enter me.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to enter Maggie's contest.
I'm 67 years old so I don't know how to Twitter and blog for extra chances to win so I hope this entry is a winner.I sure would to win this book. Thanks.One of my favorite books is Penmarric.
Lorraine
moml1@cox.net

Anonymous said...

My favorite book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I'd love to enter the contest. :)

Julie Lessman said...

Great interview Donna and Maggie!! I can't tell you how excited I am to read this book. Any author whose favorite movie is Gone With the Wind is an author I am dying to read!!!

Please enter me in the contest. My favorite book (and movie) is ... Gone With the Wind! :)

And thanks for the plug, Maggie!

Hugs,
Julie

gsusatcharterdotnet

Janna said...

I would love a chance to win this book! And I just finished Virginia Smith's new book "Age Before Beauty" and I loved it!

ryanx6 at msn dot com

Anonymous said...

Must be a theme going on as I also chose GONE WITH THE WIND. Thanks for the entry! Nice post!

danie88 said...

One of my favorite books is Marely & Me by John Grogan

romancebookaddict@hotmail.com

danie88 said...

I'm now a follower


romancebookaddict(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

My favorite book (and series) is Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers.

Maggie's book sounds great and I would love a chance to win it!

I am now a follower! Great site. :)

sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Love the premise of this book. Pleae enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

One of my favorite books (and there are many) is The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen.

Donna, I'm a subscriber and follow you on Twitter.

DebPiccurelli[at]verizon[dot]net