How long have you known you wanted to be an author?
Since I was eleven-years-old. I grew up in rural America in a day
when we didn't have television and other communication means that we enjoy
today. My favorite pastime was reading. Not having access to a public
library, the neighbors traded books, so that we had many different titles. I
mostly read westerns written by Zane Grey, Charles Alden Seltzer, Harold
Bell Wright, and William MacLeod Raine. One day, after I'd finished a
particularly interesting book, I thought, "I'd like to be able to do for
others what that writer has done for me." I still remember the place I was
sitting in our front yard when that thought entered my mind. I took a
notebook and pencil, went up on the hillside, sat under a tree and started
my first book. I don't remember what I wrote or how much, but from that day
to this, I've never lost the desire to express myself in the written word.
My call to become a writer occurred the same year I became a Christian and
was baptized into church membership.
Can you tell me a bit about your book?
It's a novella and is included in a two-book anthology, Love Finds
You Under the Mistletoe. The other novella is written by Anita Higman. My
story takes place in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky, 1946, entitled
An Appalachian Christmas. The plot revolves around Julia Mayfield, who
comes to Mistletoe, Kentucky, expecting to be there for a few days only.
That is, until, she meets handsome mountaineer, David Armstrong, a man whose
past is surrounded in mystery. When Julia learns the secret that keep her
and David apart, she knows it's time to return to city life and forget him.
Is there a place you have always wanted to visit?
Actually, I've been about everywhere I've ever wanted to go. My
husband and I have been in all fifty states and thirty-five foreign
countries. We haven't been to Russia, however, and I once thought I'd like
to go there.
What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?
I'm looking forward to being in the Rapture.
Do you have a favorite hobby?
I've had several hobbies through the years, such as crocheting and
quilt-making. In my spare time, I read, mostly from my book collection,
which numbers at least 3,000 books. My husband and I have been "walking" for
years, and we still walk at least two miles several days each week. I also
send cards (get-well, thinking of you, birthday, anniversary, and sympathy)
to all of our church attendees and family members, at least 25 cards each
month.
Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
Lots of things, because I try not to bore my acquaintances about
my/our personal affairs. People know we tithe, but they don't know how
much. (I'm the church treasurer.:) I graduated from high school when I was
fifteen years old. I had to walk five miles (round trip) to catch the school
bus to our county seat when I went to high school.
Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?
I have several slogans hanging in my office, which remind me of who
I am and what my purpose in life should be. One is a statement by Erma
Bombeck. "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that
I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used
everything you gave me." Another, I copied from a writer's magazine years
ago. "Success isn't given to the talented. It's taken by those who
struggle, sacrifice and reach for it."
How can they connect with you?
My e-mail address is ibrand@hughes.net. My website,
www.irenebrand.com
READERS-Irene has offered to giveaway a set of Blenko Candle Holders. She does not have a picture but the Blenko Glass Company looks really neat. Check it out:)
MANDATORY ENTRY-Leave me a comment telling me what you like on your ice cream. This is a follow up from yesterdays question. Come on, tell me exactly what you like:D
EXTRA ENTRIES-Please leave a separate comment for each thing you complete.
1.Follow my blog through GFC.
2.Subscribe to my RSS Feed.
3.Follow me on Twitter.
4.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done 3 times a day.
5.Tell me if you have read any of Irene's previous books.
This giveaway will end 10/21. Winner will be chosen through Random.org. They have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be chosen.
67 comments:
Thanks for featuring Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe on your site. Irene and I had fun writing the novellas.
Merry Christmas...a bit early.
Anita Higman
www.anitahigman.com
I love the peanut butter topping from Friendly's. Yum yum! Lately I have been partial to caramel topping. I used to like Magic Shell but it is SO unhealthy for you. I'm excited about my pumpkin ice cream in the freezer. No peanut butter on that. Ick! Just nuts and whipped cream.
kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you with Google Reader. Thanks!
kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you with Google Friend Connect. Thanks!
kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com
I like the (as Kristie mentioned-unhealthy) magic shell in the Reese's flavor with cool whip. Hmmm...no wonder my desk chair groans....
ape2016(at)aol(dot)com
follow on twitter
@ape2016
I have not read any of Irene's books yet, but I will add them to my list of must reads!
Hot Fudge, A mile high lol carebears81719ATyahooDOTcom
Hi, on my ice cream I like peanut butter sauce, whipped cream, and caramel. Thanks for the great giveaway!
maddiemb (at) comcast (dot) net
I follow your blog via Google Friend Connect.
maddiemb (at) comcast (dot) net
I subscribe to your RSS feed.
maddiemb (at) comcast (dot) net
I follow you on Twitter (@shala_darkstone).
maddiemb (at) comcast (dot) net
Tweeted - http://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/27432204126
maddiemb (at) comcast (dot) net
I haven't read any of Irene's books but I'd love to try them.
maddiemb (at) comcast (dot) net
i like carmel,whip cream sprinkles ,and a cherry
stracey2010@live.com
I love caramel...whipped cream and maraschino cherries on top of my maple walnut ice cream...yummmers...heavensent1@yahoo dotcom
I'm sorry...I have never read any of Irene's books...heavensent1@yahoo dotcom
Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and cashew nuts.
I love butterscotch on my ice cream.Thats it..My husband says I'm boring when it comes to ice cream but thats all I like...
I love this book..
Great posting,
follower GFC
Heidi
heidijohnjeff@verizon.net
I love chocolate syrup and whip cream ans nuts and cherry's yummy...
venomousviper90@aol.com
following you on GFC
venomousviper90@aol.com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/soullessprinces
venomousviper90@aol.com
following you on twitter
venomousviper90@aol.com
i have not ready any of her books im a big reader so i will certainly read one of her books.
venomousviper90@aol.com
I'm a simple girl :) Hot Fudge! YUM
wendyhines at hotmail dot com
It's a hard choice but my favorite is fresh strawberries and lots of whip cream. sonflower277 at gmail dot com
i love some caramel
galyettina(at)yahoo(dot)com
i didn't read any of her books, so it can be a nice discovery
galyettina(at)yahoo(dot)com
i like some chocolate on my ice-cream
devotus(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like chocolate fudge sauce!
kclements2001 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I have not read any of her books, but I am going to check our library for availability.
kclements2001 (at) hotmail (dot) com
follow you on GFC (KateC)
kclements2001 (at) hotmail (dot) com
just a touch of chocolate sauce and chopped peanuts, maybe a few m&m's.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
following you on twitter @jhitomi
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
hot fudge sauce and nuts :)
aunteegem@yahoo.com
I have not read any of Irene's boosk
aunteegem@yahoo.com
I love: Peanut butter, Caramel, Chocolate Syrup, Whipped Cream and nuts. :)
mjcommets at embarqmail dot com
I like good hot chocolate sauce yummm.
malmort01 at optonline net
follow you on twitter
follow your blog
malmort01 at optonline net
I now follow you via GFC. (mhcommet)
mjcommets at embarqmail dot com
I now follow you via Twitter. (hjcomme)
mjcommets at embarqmail dot com
Here is my Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/hjcomme/status/27968072094
I have not read any of her books. . Would love too though. :)
mjcommets at embarqmail dot com
I love caramel on my ice cream
floatingonabiscuit@gmail.com
I like chocolate syrup, peanut butter topping, and mini peanut butter cups on my vanilla ice cream.
charsaltz at yahoo dot com
I am a GFC follower
charsaltz at yahoo dot com
I follow on Twitter
@CHAKASA58
charsaltz at yahoo dot com
I have not read any of Irene's books yet.
charsaltz at yahoo dot com
I like vanilla ice cream with chocolate and strawberry syrup!
jl.klement@gmail.com
i am following on GFC!
jl.klement@gmail.com
I am following on twitter @jameeklement
jl.klement@gmail.com
I have not read any of Irene's books
devotus(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like hot fudge and whipped cream.
hewella1 at gmail dot com
gfc follower.
hewella1 at gmail dot com
I have really gotten into carmel on mine. But with ice cream... I can eat just plain ol ice cream. Peanut butter & chocolate is good too. Oh, now I want some.
cjcmommy@gmail.com
I am following you in google.
cjcmommy@gmail.com
I am following you in twitter! @cjcmommy
cjcmommy@gmail.com
I subscribed to you in reader.
cjcmommy@gmail.com
I'll eat almost anything on my ice cream, but I especially like caramel, hot fudge and nuts! And peanut butter, cherries, banana, reese's pieces....
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com
I follow your blog!
I follow you on Twitter (pilgrim86)
I've read Kentucky Brides, one of Irene's books, but I'm not sure about any others.
I love hot fudge, sprinkles and caramel on my ice cream.
clenna at aol dot com
I follow via Google .
clenna at aol dot com
I follow via RSS feed
clenna at aol dot com
I have not read any of her books but I'd like to
clenna at aol dot com
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