Giveaway and Author Interview: Winner's Choice by Vickie McDonough

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Vickie McDonough! Thank you for being with us today. 

 How long did you write before you were published?

I started writing in January of 2001, and my first book—a novella collection—was released in April of 2004. I am blessed that selling came fairly quickly for me.

How did you come up with the idea for your story?

I’m not sure if you mean my first book or my most recent one, so I’ll go with the lastest. Second Chance Brides is book 2 in my Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, and the sequel to The Anonymous Bride. This story came to mind fairly easily, because it’s the continuation story of two women from the first book. It tells the tale of Shannon and Leah, two mail-order brides who arrived in Lookout, TX and discovered they’d come to marry the same man—one who never ordered a bride. Stuck in Lookout, their only options are to find a job—not an easy task for a woman in 1886—or find another man to marry. Men are plentiful, as are proposal, but is it too much to hope to marry for love?

When you held that book in your hands, what was your first thought?

It always very thrilling to hold one of your new books, but scary at the same time. I realize people will actually read this book, and I hope and pray they will enjoy it, and laugh some, cry a little, and be inspired.

What are you working on now?

I’m writing the second book in a South Carolina historical series for Heartsong Presents. Book one, Mutiny of the Heart, releases in December.

Where can readers find out more about your books?

My books are always on my website. http://www.vickiemcdonough.com/   They are also usually available online at http://www.christianbook.com/  and http://www.amazon.com/

What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

• That you can receive God’s forgiveness, no matter what you’ve done
• That God is walking with you even though things circumstances seem dark
• God’s dreams for us are far bigger than the ones we dream for ourselves.

 What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?

I never planned to be a writer, but I believe God led me—or rather, shoved me—into the writing world. I trust God to open the doors He wants opened and to enable me to pen stories that will captivate readers, but I still struggle too. Everytime I finish a book, I wonder if it’s any good. Will readers laugh at the things I thought were funny? Will they find a certain character endearing or dislike her? Do I have enough conflict to keep the reader reading? It’s a fine line between trusting God and letting my concerns overwhlem me.

Thank you for being with us today.  Any final words for readers?

Thanks so much for stopping by today and spending some time here. I find that fiction readers often view authors as celebrities, but our families and close friends will tell you that we’re just ordinary people who have overworked imaginations and can sit and type for long periods at a time. I’d like to encourage you to pray for your favorite authors. The pressure of deadlines can be immense, and struggling to balance your writing life with family and church life can be a real struggle at times too. So, maybe when you pick up your next book, say a prayer for the author.

Thanks for hosting my today, Casey!

Vickie McDonough

www.vickiemcdonough.com

www.bustlesandspurs.com (regular contributor)

I’m also on Facebook and Twitter

Readers, Vickie has offered as today's giveaway, the reader's choice of one the three books pictured here:

The Anonymous Bride
Second Chance Brides
Christmas Mail-Order Brides

PLEASE LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS! If I draw your name and there is no email, YOU WILL NOT WIN!


For extra entries:

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Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on October 30th.