Maggie Brendan, a self confessed Southern Belle and grandma to four, who also enjoys painting and singing. Her new release No Place for A Lady is just the ticket for lovers of historical romance. Now you can enjoy learning some more about Maggie by reading below.
Enjoy:~
If you could have chosen your own name, what would it be?
Maybe an old name like Kathleen or Elizabeth.
Your first pet’s name?
My cat-Snowball.
Your best friend’s name in primary (elementary) school?
My older sister, Dianne was really my best friend when I was that young and we moved around a bunch when I was in elementary school within the same town, so it was hard to have a real friend.
Did you have a special toy that went everywhere with you when you were young? Please describe.
My doll that I called “Dolly”. She was made of thin rubber that finally wore right through her neck and her head fell off. My daddy taped it with masking tape. Pretty ugly, even for back then.
If you could meet a famous person, who would it be?
Sam Elliott-the ultimate cowboy!
If you were stranded on a desert island what one object would you want with you? (Besides your Bible of course)
My lipstick or lip gloss.
What's your favourite ice cream flavour?
I’m boring-just give me vanilla!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer, first, an actress or model and would you believe an ice skater? I loved roller skating, because we didn’t ice skate in the south.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Israel. I’d want to see everywhere that Christ walked.
Besides God, who has influenced you the most?
My mother who was a strong Christian and full of life!
What's your favourite book?
Oh, that’s a hard question but I’ll pick Gone With the Wind.
What part of your daily routine do you enjoy most?
That first cup of coffee and my quiet time.
What's your favourite movie?
Gosh…another hard one to answer. Probably Dances With Wolves.
Where's the most interesting place you have been?
SW Colorado, places like Telluride, Mesa Verde and the Black Gunnison Hills.
What's your most fervent prayer?
That I live my life in such a way that others will want to know more about Jesus Christ.
What's the bravest thing you've ever done?
This may not sound like much, but it was flying to Kalispell, Montana alone for three weeks and changing planes in Salt Lake. Two airports that I’d never been too.
What gift have you received that you will always treasure?
A music box of a wooden church that plays Amazing Grace that my mother gave me a long time ago.
What is your favourite Bible verse (or "one" of your favourites) and what does it mean to you?
It would have to be Psalm 27:1, the Lord is my light and salvation; Whom shall I fear?
What was your most embarrassing moment in High School?
Mmmm…I can’t think of one honestly.
How did your husband propose to you?
Actually, he never did…it was just assumed.
What was the best advice you received on marriage before you were married?
It was from my older sister, Gail. She told me to place God and family first and of course, she was right.
No Place For A Lady
What appeals to you about writing historical romances?
I think my love of writing historical romance stems from reading Zane Grey novels and watching westerns growing up. As kids my brother, sister and I loved playing cowboys. Then my husband and I moved to Colorado and I fell it love with everything western. I really wanted to be a cowboy!
How do you select your characters' names?
I really have no method. If I read a name in the newspaper or magazine or meet someone with an interesting name, I jot it down for later reference. I really want my readers to identify with my character’s names and be comfortable with them. I also look in old reference books of the West.
Crystal suffers many losses yet manages to rise above it and move on with her life. Do you think people were bred of sterner stuff in those days?
I remember having this discussion several times with my family about people that settled in the West. I really believe they were tough and demanding of themselves and without all the conveniences that we have today. I think we have romanticized the American Cowboy in history, but he did play a big role in the development of the West along with many other professions. Westerners endured terrible snow storms, drought, fire, Indians and diseases, all while trying to carve out a place to call their very own. Would we be willing to work as hard as they did—sometimes I think not.
Can you give us a sneak peek at the next Heart of the West series, The Jewel of His Heart?
Jewel of His Heart is about a rancher turned sheepherder who discovers rare sapphires on his property in Montana. He falls in love with a young woman, whose faith has been shaken not once, but twice. Juliana decides that she doesn’t trust God, and she’s not too sure about men. Josh must convince her otherwise or face losing her. The Big Sky Country hold two treasures worth pursuing…which will he choose?
What's in your writing pipeline?
I’m working on book three in the series Heart of the West, Kickin’ Up the Dust! I’m having fun with it and hope they’ll let me keep the title. The heroine is high-strung and loves to be in complete control. However, she will meet her match and learn that material possessions will not give her happiness. True love only comes without a price tag attached. Thank you so much, Maggie :) It has been a pleasure having you here at Relz Reviewz!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of No Place for A Lady
Character spotlight on Crystal & Luke
Visit Maggie's blog
Buy Maggie's books at Amazon or Koorong
Posts
Synopsis:~
not marry--she is left dumbfounded. And when her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be Charlotte's sister, it is more than she can bear. With the country--and her own household--on the brink of civil war, this pampered gentlewoman hatches a plan to avoid her new stepmother and win back her man by joining the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a road toward unforeseen peace--and a very unexpected love.
