Monday, October 18, 2010

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.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:

~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber


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.

70 comments:

  1. Loved the interview!
    It's so exciting to see how God forms His writers to be and share His message of love!
    Please enter me in the giveaway!
    +1 I am a subscriber
    +1 I am a follower

    charsaltz(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting interview. I would love to read "Christmas Mail Order Brides".

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladij040(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a follower

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm a follower

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous Brides was a fun read I would love to read the sequel, Second Chance Brides.

    -Follower
    -Subscriber

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, I'd love to win one of Vicki's books. thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm a follower
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  8. subscriber too

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to win one of her books. I am a follower and a subscriber.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great interview! Vickie is so encouraging. Thank you for the opportunity to win a book.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a follower and a subscriber.

    I read The Anonymous Bride
    and it was great!

    I'd love to read the others too and hope win one of them!

    Doreen
    priviesandprims[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm a follower and subscriber. Loved your first book, and want to read the sequel. Should I win, I'd choose Second Chance Brides.
    Please enter me.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'd love to be entered. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a follower
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great interview! I would love to win one of these books!

    ~Lauri
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love to win Christmas Order Bride. They all sound really good. I would like to read all of them. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'd love to win.
    bkhabel at gmail dot com

    +1 I follow

    ReplyDelete
  18. Please enter me in the giveaway!
    +1 I am a subscriber
    +1 I am a follower
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sad to say that I haven't read any of these 3 books & they all sound good.

    I am a follower
    I am a subscriber

    E. Jordan (rejordan79@msn.com)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I really want to read the second book...Second Chance Brides.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am a follower.


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am subscriber.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would love to win the 2nd or 3rd book!

    I am a follower!

    edwina(dot)cowgill(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I signed up as a follower.

    I just love Vickie's books. The one I'm interested in having is the Christmas book. I have the other two.

    I like the idea of praying for your favorite author.

    Blessings,
    Jodie Wolfe
    digging4pearls(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow... I never thought about praying for authors. Why not? It just never occurred to me, I guess, but I love that you asked for it and am sending a prayer your way now.
    twinwillowsfarm@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. i look forward to reading these books! i am a follower and a subscriber.

    sheree
    neednspace at aol dot com
    booknroll.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to win this book. I am a avid reader and always looking for good books to read. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would like to read Anonymous Bride.

    I am a follower.

    I am a subscriber.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Public follower on GFC and also a subscriber by e-mail ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great interview! I would love to read 'Christmas Mail Order Brides'.

    +1 I am e-mail subscriber.
    +1 I am a GFC follower.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I haven't read any work by this author, but her books look good! :) Great interview, and thank you for a chance to win one of Vickie's books! I'd love a chance to win Second Hand Brides. :D

    I'm a follower.

    ~Amber

    stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  32. I enjoyed Vicki's interview and would love to read any of the books in your giveaway. They are all new to me and look really good.
    Please add me to the list. Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm an email subscriber.

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I hadn't thought of praying for my authors but certainly will for I love what those stories do for me. I'm a follower, subscriber, and you can email me at deanawat@comcast.net.
    Deana
    Thanks for the entry.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I enjoyed this interview and would love to read any of these books. Since our local library doesn't have them on their shelves, I would donate the book to the library when I have finished reading.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I enjoyed this interview and would love to read any of these books. Since our local library doesn't have them on their shelves, I would donate the book to the library when I have finished reading.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am a follower and a subscriber.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I absolutely loved reading The Anonymous Bride and now I just HAVE to read Second Chance Brides. I thoroughly enjoy Vickie's writing. She had me walking the streets of Lookout right along with her charactes.
    Thank you for the chance to win one of her books!

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  39. +1 I am a GFC follower.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  40. +1 I am a subscriber.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I recently finished Second Chance Brides, which gave me tingles. I'd love to read another one of Vicki's books.
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Would love to read any of her books!

    Am a follower and a subscriber!

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I absolutely LOVED The Anonymous Bride. Vickie is a great writer! I'd choose Second Chance Brides!

    Thanks for the chance!

    mybabyblessings [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thank you for entering me to win Second Chance Brides!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  45. +1 entry, I am a follower.

    Thank you,

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  46. +1 entry, I am a subscriber.

    Thank you,

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  47. I always enjoy finding a new author. These books sound good.
    I am a follower and a subscriber.

    Thanks,
    Jennifer

    jmschwindt at cox dot net

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hey!
    Great interview!!
    I am a follower.(+1)
    And i am a subscriber.(+1)
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I have read one of these books and it was great! Would enjoy reading another. Thanks for giving away a copy.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  50. I would love to win one of these books! I'm a follower. shondaet@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Wow what a choice! All three sound really interesting. If I had to pick one though, I would probably go for the 'Christmas Mail-Order Brides'... I guess just because I am in the Christmas mood with the season creeping up. Thank you so much!!!
    April
    apeygirl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I am a follower :)
    April
    apeygirl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Ooh, I like the summary of "The Anonymous Bride" . . . I've never read anything by Mrs. McDonough, but it sounds like it'd be fun! Thanks for the chance to win!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'm a subscriber via e-mail.

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hmm... I would choose "The Anonymous Bride." Thanks for having this wonderful giveaway! It's so fun to actually choose which one you would like to read (if you win).

    I'm already a follower.
    +1 I subscribed

    gracethorson at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. What a nice interview. I would love to win Christmas Mail Order Brides. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. All of these books look great to read. I haven't read any of them and would be happy with any one of them.Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win one of these fun to read novels. I hope I win.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Please enter me in this giveaway.

    +1 I am a subscriber
    +1 I am a follower

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. loved this posting...

    i'm a follower
    i'm a subscriber, too

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'd love to win Christmas Mail-Ordered Brides! Thanks!

    I'm a follower!

    - Kait
    momiswayweird(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Please enter me in the giveaway!

    +1 I am a subscriber
    +1 I am a follower

    Thanks for the chance!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  62. I would love to read The Anonymous Bride, as this is the first book in the series.
    Without God in my life I would be lost. Thanks Vickie for writing books that uplift a person and shows the true meaning of being a Christian.
    I am an email subscriber and google follower.
    God Bless You1
    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I would love to read "The Anonymous Bride" ! Thanks :)

    ksmiley2[at]kent[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  64. I subscribe by e-mail ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I would love to be entered to win one of these books. I have not read her books but they sound so good. I would love to read either one of the bride books.

    jenmmcclure at yahoo dot com

    Thanks,
    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  66. I subscribe with google reader

    jenmmcclure at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I would love the opportunity to win an inspirational read.

    I am a subscribed follower!
    Thank you for giving each of us an opportunity! Good look ladies & happy reading.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I've read The Anonymous Bride - and I'd love to read either of the other two - I guess Christmas would be my first choice given the season!

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/10/vickie-mcdonough-book.html

    ReplyDelete
  69. I came over from Carmen's blog and would love to win one of these books - probably the anthology. nloewen(at)sasktel(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  70. Carmen sent me and I'd like to take a chance to win one of these great books. I haven't read any of them, and Anonymous Bride appeals to me very much. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win. I hope I do.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)