Saturday, May 1, 2010

A BIRTHDAY PARTY for MARY CONNEALY'S WILDFLOWER BRIDE! With a Special GIFT for YOU!!

It's so exciting to host another birthday party here in my Window! Today I am thrilled to wish Mary Connealy's latest novel, Wildflower Bride, a happy and hearty birthday debut! Come along now and let's talk with Mary about her novel and see what gifts she brings to the party!!


“She was soaking wet and killing mad” is a phrase you use to describe Abby – the very broken centerpiece for your latest story. She has suffered much, and at the point Wade enters her life she has truly lost everything. Can you tell us the inspiration for this character and how she came to life in your heart?


I was looking for a woman who would be Wade’s exact opposite outwardly but very much like him inwardly.


So Abby is fearless, absolutely cannot be pushed around by anyone. But truly she is afraid of the most important things, feelings, trust. So Wade teams up with a woman who supplies him with a great example of living without fear. But his quiet courage rooted in faith actually makes him stronger in

wardly than she is. I did a lot of research into children who were taken and raised by Native Americans and so many of the recurring themes were of the difficulty of adjusting back to live in the white world. It made for fascinating reading. I did notice that it was the people who had trouble who got their stories told. There were others who settled back into their old lives well, but then, who’s going to pay attention to them, right? So I tried to remember that it was the wilder stories that survived.


Wade has also suffered a great deal prior to returning to his father’s ranch. His return to his father’s household is anything but pleasant. Fear has always played a large role in his relationship with his father, and he is still battling that as a new believer. Do you think this battle with fear is common to all believers? What is the primary lesson it must teach Wade in his life? I think the idea in the verse ‘Whom shall I fear?” is a deep truth, a profound notion that we should try and base our lives on. If God is on our side, who can be against us?


Of course we all worry and fret about stuff constantly. To live a truly fearless life is probably not possible this side of heaven. But it’s something to cling to, on the very deepest level, to live is Christ, to die is gain. But none of us wants to ‘gain’ now do we? But if we could remember those truths, we’d be happier more peaceful people.


Red and Cassie’s relationship also reveals a great deal about uncertainty and fear and the influence it can have on relationships. Belle has inspired Cassie’s attempt to be more independent, yet Red tempers this with unfailing love and boldness. To me, this was a reflection of the Father’s love for his children. Even when we exercise our independence, He is faithful to love us and bring us back into relationship. Was that your intentional purpose for these characters? If not, what do you hope your readers will take away from this very unusual relationship?


I started out just wanting to revisit Cassie, Red, Belle and Silas because I loved them. But Cassie continues with her efforts to stand up for herself. And Belle, ever the mother, wants to teach any woman she comes in contact with to stand on her own. Yes, a man if fine if you CHOOSE him, but you should be able to take care of yourself if called upon to do it. And Red, well he’s just a sweetie. He’s all the way gone in love with his wife and his whole heart is to protect her and be kind to her. So he lets her scold him just to be nice, meanwhile all he can think about is how cute she is.

Once again, you have created a pretty mean bunch of rustlers within the story, and even they seem to be wrestling internally with their own frailties. Where did you come up with the idea of this group of hombres? Will there ever be a point when you allow one of them to realize God’s grace?


Hey, girl, what doyou mean will I allow one of them to realize God’s grace? You remember Wade from Montana Rose don’t you? I let him come back to God, now didn’t I? Do you remember loathing and fearing him? Now, I’ll bet you like him real well.(shame on me! J )


What is your favorite part of writing these western based stories? The setting? The cattle roundups? The cowboys? What draws you time and again to this type of story telling?


I love having a hero who’s the strong silent type. I love having a setting where the strong survive and nature and lawlessness means your survival is in your own hands. I think westerns are the quintessentially American story about freedom and courage, independence and tearing a life out of the wilderness with the strength of your back and the force of your will.


Humor plays a definitive role in your writing. Can you share with your readers why this is dear to your heart and what you hope to accomplish by bringing laughter to your readers?


Humor is sort of a reflex for me. I love dialogue, and that lends itself to sass beneath my typing fingers for some reason. Humor is sort of my default writing style. If that accomplishes something I’m glad but I really can’t control myself.


Do you have favorite characters within the story? Who are they and why are they your favorite?


I really loved Wade. I had a heart for him right from the beginning. Yes he was loathsome in Montana

Rose, but I always saw him as wounded and vulnerable and in his own twisted way, heroic. Even back then he wanted to save Cassie from the life of abuse he lived with his father. He saw her as a kindred spirit. Having him spend three books growing into a strong man of faith is one of the most pleasant experiences I’ve had as a writer.


Do any of your characters reflect the author? Who would that be? In what way?


Not really. I think I write incredibly strong women because that’s how I WISH I was. I’m a pretty quiet person. A peacemaker in my family usually. I hate confrontation and avoid it at all costs in my real life. So it’s fun to make my heroines face down everyone who gets in their way and push them back hard, say exactly what’s on her mind and not apologize for much of anything.


You are a very prolific writer. Can you give us a sneak peek into your next project?


I am so excited about what’s next, Kim. I’m writing a three book series about Sophie McClellen’s daughters. Sophie, the heroine from Petticoat Ranch is back. Her daughters are grown and have love stories of their own. Those books release July 2010, October 2010 and January 2011.

The titles are:

Doctor in Petticoats

Wrangler in Petticoats

Sharpshooter in Petticoats

You didn’t think Sophie’s daughters would grow up to be quiet little things did you?


Is it difficult to move so quickly from one writing project to another?


I love starting a new story. By the time I get to start I’ve usually been thinking about it for a long, long time and daydreaming how I want to start it. Sometimes the middle can bog down a little, but the beginning, nope, no difficulty. Only fun.


What exciting things is God doing in your life right now?


Nothing more exciting than my own daughters. The youngest just graduated from college and YAY found a job. That’s no small thing these days. The oldest has my first grandbaby, and that is absolutely a spectacular little miracle there. All of my four daughters have grown up to be wonderful women. They’re my true life’s work, far more of an accomplishment than being an author.


Closing words of encouragement you like to share with your readers?


What I hope, most fundamentally when you read my books is that you’ll have fun. I try so hard to make my books entertaining. Yes, there’s a deeper message, but if you don’t have enough fun to keep reading you’re never going to get that message. So have fun reading a book and thanks for picking one of mine.






Mary and I are so happy you decided to stop by to celebrate the birthday of Wildflower Bride! To celebrate, Mary is offering a free autographed copy to one lucky rustler who will leave their name and contact information on this post!

34 comments:

Mocha with Linda said...

Please please please please please!

I LOVE Mary's books but have been so swamped with review books that I haven't picked this one up yet!

Just to make it really easy, mochawithlinda AT gmail DOT com

Michelle V said...

Oh please enter me! I am a huge fan of Mary's books! I love this series!

Blessings
Michelle V
m.vasquez[at]grandecom[dot]net

apple blossom said...

I love birthday parties. Please include me thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Brittanie said...

Enter me please. I have read several of her books and liked them.
treewaterduchess (at) yahoo (dot) com

Carmen said...

Marys's book are so delightful with her sense of humor amidst difficult situations. Please enter me. Thanks.
And Happy Birthday!

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Wildflower Bride!

I love reading Mary's books and can't wait to get this one! So please enter me for this one! Its a fabulous series!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Mary Connealy said...

Hi everyone. I am so sorry for checking in so late. I had a book signing in Nebraska City today, the home of Arbor Day. (Hey! That's cool! You scoff)
Stephanie Grace Whitson was there and she's about the funnest, coolest person I know so we had a terrific time.
It's almost 10:30 and between one thing and another I'm just checking my email and interviews for the day. I'm way happier sitting behind my computer that out in the big old world. :)

Regina Merrick said...

Mary, I just finished "The Husband Tree." I liked it so much that I stayed up until about 1:30am to finish it - then had to get up and go to work the next morning! Can't wait to get my hands on "Wildflower Bride," and I will, one way or another . . . but I'd LOVE to have a SIGNED copy!

Thanks for writing books I can't put down!

Regina
trmerrick@bellsouth.net

Linda Henderson said...

Your book sounds wonderful. I haven't read any of your books yet, but I'm definitely going to put this one on my wish list.

seriousreader at live dot com

Lourdes said...

Happy Birthday Wildfire Bride :-) I love all of Mary's books and I would love to win one.

Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

Larry Nelson Family said...

I am enjoying this series! Thank you so much for writing these books, Mary! Congratulations on a new release! Please enter my name in the drawing! Thank you, Lisa Nelson. storyreader617@yahoo.com

Sandra said...

Happy Birthday!!! Love Her Books would love a chance to win thanks!!

srodriquez1 (at) gmail(dot) com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me! I work at a christian bookstore and have been looking for Wildflower Bride every day, hoping they had it on the shelves early. They still don't have it and I would love to win this copy! I have loved all of Mary Connealy's books. My email address is horsecrazyaly15 AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in the draw! The book sounds amazing!! Red and Cassie are two of my favourite characters from Mary Connealy's books! I am so looking forward to hearing Wade's story!!
God bless!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Mystica said...

I have'nt read this author but would love to be given an opportunity to do so.

Please count me in and thank you for hosting.

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Kidzaplenty said...

Oh, I love Mary's books! And I would love to win this one (but if not, I will buy it soon enough!).

Thanks!

Joy said...

I just LOVE Mary's books!! Look forward to reading the new ones she has coming out!!

my e-mail address is:
jumpforjoy (at) gmail (dot) com

Mary Connealy said...

How to Get Signed Books.

As a rule (which means if I can get my act together) I post info about book signings on my blog. If you're watching it, I try and include phone numbers for the book store and, if you phone ahead, you can buy a book TO BE SIGNED, and the book store will ship it to you for not too much money.

Not all bookstores do this, but a lot of them do. They'd take your credit card info over the phone.

I left quite a few signed books at The Book Clinic in Nebraska City yesterday. If you called them, they'd sell you one of them. It wouldn't be personalized to you, but I've signed them.
The Book Clinic
(402) 873-7660

nikkiocallaghan said...

I just love ur books n caznt wait to read them all i have serval of ur books n trying to get them all so please please send me a copy of ur latest book

Julia M. Reffner said...

Mary, Thanks for sharing how we can get signed copies of your books. For some reason I didn't think of calling the bookstores. I haven't read Mary's work before, but have heard its hilarious, so please include me.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book. I have read Montana Rose and The Husband Tree and can't wait to get my hands on this one.

Tammy Graham
jrandtam[at]columbus.rr.com

Annabell said...

I cannot wait to read this one!

bookwormann93@gmail.com

Bluerose said...

Please enter me! :)
bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Tammy Shelnut

Mary Connealy said...

Your names are all in the drawing. How long does the contest last? Was that in the article? All day? All week?

Amber Holcomb said...

I would love a chance to win this book! I read The Husband Tree and really enjoyed it, so I'd love to read more! Thanks!

~Amber

Fedora said...

Ooh, thanks so much for the party and the contest! Thanks for letting us know about your latest and upcoming stories, Mary!

f dot chen at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

I'm reading Mary's first series right now, and loving every minute of it. It won't take much arm twisting to get me to start on this series next. :o)

Please sign me up for your giveaway! Thanks!

Christy
orca0024 at yahoo dot com

adge said...

I have read most of Mary Connealy's books and I think she is a great author. I love her humor. gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net

Mary Connealy said...

You are all so nice. I'm a little weepy reading all your sweet words. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Mary's books are among my all-time favorites, and I have been looking forward to the next chapter in Wade's life!
potosrose(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary Connealy said...

I think...I HOPE...you are going to love the next series.

BECAUSE........

I'm going to weave the Lassoed in Texas series and the Montana Marriages series together.

All six books collide in the next three. My devious plan...to make it imperative that everyone read all nine books one hundred times each to catch every nuance.

Unknown said...

Would love to read this. Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Kim said...

Hi guys!! I am so thrilled you all stopped by to chat with Mary! Her books really are a lot of fun, and the lucky winner of today's drawing is in for a real treat!!

And the winner is....... ABI!!!

Be on the lookout for my email! Mary will be contacting you about your win too! ENJOY!!

Judie and George said...

I realize I am late in knowing about this, but I do love those books! They make me smile, and that's a big thing right now.

judie@thelockes.com