Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Interview With Vickie McDonough!! And Book Giveaway!


Today we have with us the author of 23 books! That is a lot, people:) Vickie McDonough, author of the new book, The Anonymous Bride is here today and she has offered to give away a copy of any book off her site!!

Thank you for being with us today, Vickie! How long have you known you wanted to be an author?

Actually, I never considered being an author before I started writing. I've always loved to read, but way back in school I hated writing. Then about ten years ago a story started running through my mind like a movie. It got so bad that it was severely affecting my sleep. I finally decided to write it down in hopes that it would go away and leave me alone. Well, as soon as I finished that story, here came another one. By the time I finished my second book, I began wondering if God was trying to get my attention. I prayed hard and talked
with my husband, who encouraged me to go for it, so I jumped in with both feet and started learning all I could about the craft of writing. It shocks me more than anyone to know I've sold 23 books in such a short time. I've met some fabulous people, and it's been an amazing journey, so far.

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?

I hope that they will miss my characters like they'd miss a good friend who moved away and look forward to reading the book again or picking up the sequel. Also, I hope I've encouraged them some way in their faith journey.

Can you tell me a little bit about your book?

The Anonymous Bride is the first book in my Texas Boardinghouse Brides Series. It's the story of a Texas town marshal who suddenly has three mail-order brides arrive, each expecting to marry him. But he never ordered a bride. A contest is held to see which gal would make him the best wife, but instead of three entries, there's also a fourth-an anonymous entry. Speculation runs rampant as everyone tries to figure out who the mystery bride is, while the marshal must decide whether to marry or head for the hills.

Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?

Yes!! I have a goal of visiting all 50 states. So far I've been to 35, I think. I would also love to visit Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

Ugh! These kinds of questions are sooo hard. I really don't know. I'd have to think long and hard about it. My first thought was Harrison Ford:) But I'd so love to meet some people who'd lived in the late 1880's, who could talk about what life was like then. I wish I'd talked to my Grandma about her life as a child before she died, but I was just a kid back when she was still alive. She was born back in 1876. Kind of mind-boggling, isn't it?

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?

I'd like to have ridden in one of the Oklahoma land rushes. I can't imagine the excitement of that day or how high hopes were riding for the thousands of people who dreamed of getting free land and a fresh start. Remember that thrilling scene from Far and Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, racing for their land? I know several people whose families still live on the land they won during the land rushes.

Do you have a favorite hobby?

I used to do counted cross stitch. I have a farm scene that is huge and took nearly a year of steady work to complete it. Now I mostly read in my free time or watch movies. What I love most though is traveling. Whether it's a research trip or a vacation, I love getting away from home and seeing places I haven't seen before.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?

I lived on a Kibbutz in Israel for a year:)

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?

Learn your craft and have lots of patience. It can take years to get published. Keep writing and polishing your story, but don't be afraid to submit it to a publisher. Once you finish a book and send it in, start another one right away. Another thing is to read lots of books in the genre you write.

Any last thoughts for your readers?

I've just finished the final edits on Second Chance Brides, the sequel to The Anonymous Bride. It releases Sept. 1st. It continues the tale of two boardinghouse brides who are left after the marshal picks the woman he'll marry. The third book in the series, Finally A Bride, releases April 1, 2011. It is set 10 years from from the last book and tells the story of Jack aka Jacqueline, who is now grown up. Have no fears, she hasn't changed a lot. She still gets in plenty of predicaments. There will also be a character or two from the past who returns to Lookout.

And how can they connect with you?

My website is-www.vickiemcdonough.com
I'm also a regular contributor on www.bustlesandspurs.com
I'm on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you so much for hosting me today!!
Vickie

READERS-Comment with how many states you have visited:)
EXTRA ENTRIES-Become a follower of my blog.
Become a follower on Twitter-kingsdaughter24
Tweet about this giveaway! One tweet a day. You can get 7 entries on this:)
Become a subscriber to my blog.

Giveaway will end 6/1. Winner will be chosen through Random.org.

43 comments:

Unknown said...

That's cool you lived in Israel! I was wondering, however, what is a Kibbutz?

Your book sounds awesome! :) The whole concept sounds so fun and unique! :)

God bless!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

P.S. (I am a follower and an RSS subscriber and I also follow you on Twitter) :)

Bluerose said...

I've only visited 8 states. The ones surrounding mine.
bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bluerose said...

I'm a follower.
bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

BrendaC said...

I am a follower and I have only visited 3 states. Thanks for the chance to win a great book. Blessings Brenda kittycrochettwo@msn.com

runner10 said...

I've visited 12 states.
I am a follower.
csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

Vickie McDonough said...

Kim asked what a kibbutz is. It's basically a communal farms. People banded together for protection decades ago, and the kibbutz is the result. They are villages where Israelis reside. Most have some kind of industry like fruit orchards or they produce a product. I was on Kariat Anavim, which had a 5-star hotel, peach orchards, they raised tens of thousands of chicken, and built trash containers.

Most people there eat in a communal dining hall. Children sometimes sleep in a children's home instead of at their parents' house. This is for protection. If the kibbutz was raided at night, all the children would be in one place, thus easier to protect. It's true socialist living.

Pain SUX said...

I have visited like 16 of the states so far.

~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com

Pain SUX said...

I follow you on google friend connect.

~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com

Pain SUX said...

I also subscribe to your blog via email.

~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com

Pain SUX said...

I follow you on twitter

~Steph\
soklad@hotmail.com

Pain SUX said...

I put a tweet out there about the giveaway....

soklad Giveaway Lady is giving away a chance to win your book of choice by Vickie McDonough....http://giveawaygal.blogspot.com

~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com

karenk said...

i've visited about 20 states...thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Aimee said...

I've lived in 6 states but only "visited" 2.

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Aimee said...

I follow you on twitter @pixie13sweeps

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Aimee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/14801953603

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Momma Told Me said...

I've driven through 21, but I've 'visited' 8.
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Momma Told Me said...

I follow you on Twitter-pyrodamsel
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Momma Told Me said...

I'm already a follower!
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I've only been to 3 states.

peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm a GFC follower.

peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm a blog subscriber.

peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

Hey...

I have visited 7 so far...

Thanx for having this giveaway.

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

I am a GFC follower.

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

I tweeted it here :

http://twitter.com/estherym

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Marian Perera said...

I've visited five states - Texas, Georgia, NY, Arizona and Colorado. Always wanted to see California and Hawaii, though.

Marian

mdperera at hotmail dot com

Sheri ~ Tx said...

I have visited 15 states. Thanks for this opportunity. I am also a follower!
rse at valornet dot com

Aimee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/14878667669

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

holdenj said...

What a great interview and fun premise for a book. I've been to 21 states, we always drive on vacation. Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Aimee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/14944252879

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Linda Kish said...

Probably 10 or so but mostly when I was young.


lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

Tweeted at :

http://twitter.com/estherym

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

apple blossom said...

I've lost track. I visited many states as a kid. I could easily say I have visited 20-25 states
I have some of Vickie books and I'd love to win another. Thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Aimee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/15008737949

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Renee G said...

This new book sounds great. I'll be looking for the series. I've visited 16 states.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Aimee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/15077764039

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Ashley said...

I've only visited five states..all in the south.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Mystee said...

I have visted 35 states and 6 countries :)

majik.of.mystee(at)gmail.com

Mystee said...

I'm also a blog follower :)

majik.of.mystee(at)gmail.com

Amanda said...

I have visited 15 states and three other countries!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Aimee said...

tweet 5/31
http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/15142095070

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Vickie McDonough said...

Wow!

Some of you have visited lots of states! I'm impressed. Good luck in the book drawing and thanks for commenting on this blog and for tweeting about it!

Sarah G said...

I've been to 26 states! :)

hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

Giveaway Lady said...

And the Winner, chosen by Random.org, is Jenna Wood!! Congrats!!

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