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!