Monday, July 16, 2012

Giveaway! Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang!


Welcome to Writing for Christ Maureen Lang, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

That word, interesting, always captures me. What makes something interesting other than trauma, angst, intrigue or drama? I come from a long line of interesting lives. My grandmother was raised in a school for girls because her mother and sister died suddenly, leaving only her father and older brother in the house with her—which was considered improper in those days, so off she went so the nuns could raise her. She eventually married—then divorced—but outlived three of her four children and one grandchild, so she knew her share of heartache. My father was a POW in the Second World War, for nearly three and a half years. He weighed around 100 lbs when he was liberated by the Russian army. Interesting? And my life . . . I didn’t know I was a carrier for a genetic disorder which I passed on to my middle child. He’s nearly 17 but functions like a two-year-old (but a very sweet two-year-old). So I have two full time jobs: writing and caregiver. Perhaps that’s an unnecessarily dark look at what makes something interesting. I suppose instead I might have said I once rescued a salamander in the hope of making up for the one I’d unknowingly slain several years before . . .

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

For fiction, I absolutely love historical romance, which is why I write it. If the characters are compelling, the era almost doesn’t matter, just so long as the setting is part of the escape. I’ve written some contemporary stories and they can be a great escape, too, but I prefer the total immersion into another story world that historical fiction allows.

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

Use what you have. What I mean is, when you’re building your story, strive to use the elements you’ve already introduced in or toward the beginning rather than continually dropping in new or unnecessary characters or subplots. Go back to drop in foreshadowing if you must introduce something new, but use the pieces of your foundation first rather than adding a lot of extraneous bricks along the way. The layers are better deeper than broader.

5 things you love?

God
My family
Writing
Learning
Music that inspires me


What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

I love those times when I’m writing a story and the characters do things I wasn’t expecting them to do. I truly cannot explain it, because until that point I almost feel as if I’m in control. Then I find I’m not, but I love it anyway. My husband always tells me to never presume I could teach anyone else to write, since I clearly don’t know how this sort of thing happens.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

I’m in the process of having my website and blog combined, so I’m hoping by the time this interview goes up that people will be able to read my blog on my website. My blog really is the place to get to know me, so it makes sense to direct people there; I update it once a week, and it’s a snippet not only of my writing life, but of the way I think. I have a lot of fun with it!

Find my blog on my website at:

Thank you for being with us today!

Thanks very much for having me!

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Maureen's latest book!

Please leave an email adddress! 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 July 27th.
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 


62 comments:

  1. Love Maureen Lang books!! I am a follower and a subscriber. tammyredd@gmail.com

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  2. I've looked forward to reading this book. It looks very interesting. And I love the girl's hair on the cover. :)

    crandallberries at gmail dot com

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  3. Monday, July 16th,
    Hello Maureen,
    I would love to read your book "Bees in the Butterfly Garden" ! Cannot say I have read your books before ... but I absolutely love "historical romance" novels !!! (And furthermore, I noticed that this contest 'ends' on July 27th ... and that, just happens to be my birthday ... wouldn't that be a wonderful birthday surprise !) Anyway, the book sounds "right up my alley" (being a faithful fan of MaryLu Tyndall's historical-romance books) ... and now, I want to add Maureen Lang to my 'list of authors'. Thank-you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
    Take care, and, God Bless, In Him, Brenda Hurley
    brennie7@hotmail.com

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  4. Love the cover - I have not read any books by Maureen Lang, so I would love to win this book.
    I am a subscriber and follower

    littlebird@hur.midco.net

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  5. Thanks so much for the giveaway! Love Maureen's work!

    I'm a follower and a Subscriber!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Oh wow, that is one of the prettiest covers ever!!

    I loved Maureen's advice about using what you've got within a story rather than trying to add, add, add superfluous things that don't matter to the real story. I think that's a tip I need to take to heart. :)

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  7. Looks like a great story! I've never read any of her books, but I'm looking forward to this one! Excited!!

    Dreilly316(AT)gmail(dot)com

    Also, I'm a follower and a subscriber!

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  8. Thanks for the giveaway! Please add my name to the drawing!

    Jreilly316(at)verizon(d0t)net

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  9. love the cover. thanks for chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  10. gfc follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  11. email subscriber
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  12. I can't wait to read this book!!
    subscribed by email!

    kglushchak@gmail.com

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  13. Loved the interview. . . especially the interesting fact section! I would love a chance to win a copy of Maureen's latest book. It sounds so interesting and I love the title and cover.

    Sheri

    hspruitt{at}frontiernet[doT]net

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  14. I'm a subscriber!!

    Sheri

    hspruitt[at]frontiernet{doT}net

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  15. I'm also a follower!!

    Sheri

    hspruitt[at]frontiernet{doT}net

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  16. I'm so excited to read this book!! I absolutely love the cover!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  17. I'm also a follower!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  18. I'm also a subscriber!!!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  19. I have never read any of Maureen's books but would love to start!

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  20. I follow via gfc

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  21. I subscribe via email.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  22. This sounds like a good book and a new author for me. Plus the cover is gorgeous! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  23. I'm a follower.

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  24. I'm a subscriber.

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  25. Maureen and Casey - Thank you for the great interview and a chance to win a copy of Maureen's book. Love the cover!
    Sharon
    smoore at tcq dot net

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  26. I love the cover! Thanks for the wonderful interview.

    loree dot huebner at yahoo dot com

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  27. I'm a subscriber.

    sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com

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  28. Very pretty book! I enjoyed the interview.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  29. email subscriber
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  30. GFC Follower
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  31. I love Maureen's books, and I can't wait to read this one!

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  32. Thanks for the interview Casey and Maureen! I love learning more about authors and the writing life.

    gabriellevan@hotmail.com

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  33. Bees in the Butterfly Garden has a beautiful cover and sounds like it has a unique plot. I'd very much like to read this book. Thanks for the interview with Maureen and for giving away a copy of the book.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  34. I just wanted to thank Casey again for having me on her lovely blog! And thanks, too, for all of the lovely comments. I wish I could take some credit for the many compliments about the cover for Bees In The Butterfly Garden, but it's the wonderful product of Tyndale's talented design team. I was so thrilled the first time I saw it, and have been ever since. By the way, I think the model has incredible hair, too! Clearly the only thing on her with a bit of weight. :-) The dress is vintage, and my editor told me it was so tiny even this perfectly petite model had to squeeze into it. Just goes to show us how our improved diets have made us grow a bit bigger than a hundred and fifty years ago.

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  35. Casey, another great interview of a great-sounding story. Thank you for another generous giveaway!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  36. I'm a subscriber and a follower!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  37. I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com

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  38. I don't think I've read any of Maureen's books. This would be a great way to be introduced to a new author. Maureen, it sounds like you have your hands full with writing and taking care of your son.

    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  39. I am a subscriber.

    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  40. I am a follower.

    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  41. I would love to be entered in the giveaway! Thank you, ladies, for the interview! :)

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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  42. Woops, forgot to say that I am a follower & subscriber! :)

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

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  43. I'd love to read this book.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. I have to admit that when I spotted the cover a few months ago, I automatically decided to read it. If I hadn't, though, your introduction would have sold me. Wow! That is very interesting(although sad).

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

    +1 follower
    +1 subscriber

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  45. I have been a fan of Maureen's since my first Kindle download of one of her titles. This title sounds like another winner. The cover is great too.
    Francine, Tamara and Deeanne are all wonderful writers. I couldn't agree with you more.
    Blessings to you Maureen and Casey.
    Shirley
    beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(d0t)net

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  46. I am a follower
    Shirley
    beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(d0t)net

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  47. I am a subscriber
    Shirley
    beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(d0t)net

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  48. That is such a lovely cover! Very pretty! :-)

    agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  49. I am a follower

    agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  50. And an email subscriber!

    agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  51. The cover is just beautiful and the story sounds quite interesting.

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

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  52. I'm a subscriber

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

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  53. I'm a follower!

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

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  54. This book has a beautiful cover, and looks so good, although I don't know anything about it. And the interview was charming and funny :) I would definitely love to win a copy! (I'm also a follower.)

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  55. Hi! So far I haven't read any of her books. I love finding new Christian authors! I am a follower, am a subscriber and my email is surfinbabe404@gmail.com. Thank you for hosting the giveaway!

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  56. Pat Hines --- I am also a subcriber and follower. I just finished reading your first book of The Great War series and was very impressed with your writing. That is the first book of yours I have read and an anxious to read more of you. Please enter my in your contest. Thank you and God Bless.
    pshines@frontiernet.net

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  57. That is a delightful cover and so it intrigues me. I love historical romance and when they are written by a Christian author I just rejoice. Please enter me in your drawing.

    My email is spangldlady@sbcglobal.net

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  58. I am a follower and a subscriber

    spangldlady@sbcglobal.net

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  59. Oh, my gosh!! That's a beautiful cover! It alone makes me want to read this book!! I'm not sure if I have read anything at this point by Maureen, guess it's time to find out.

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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  60. I am a follower.

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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  61. I am a subscriber.

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete

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