Thursday, September 21, 2017

God in the Research and Contest

Dear readers,

Dropping by to let you know about a very exciting historical fiction contest on Suzanne Woods Fisher's blog. I'm a guest sharing how God 'showed up in my research' when I wrote Trusting Grace. Nine other historical authors share their stories as well like Melody Carlson, Jane Kirkpatrick and many others. Enter to win books!

So here's your chance to enter this big giveaway. Enjoy and good luck!

http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/fun/celebrating-fall-with-historical-fiction-maggie-brendan/ .

 
Happy reading~!
Maggie


Sunday, May 14, 2017

RADIO INTERVIEW ON DOTTIN' THE I

Reader friends

Happy Mothers Day!~ I have a quick update to tell you about a live radio interview with Ivy Donovan on Dottin' the I broadcast about my new book, Trusting Grace and its background. Here's the link. Scroll down to listen live. It's at 4:30 today May 14th, 2017. https://dottinthei.com/.

Have a blessed Sunday,

Maggie

Tuesday, May 09, 2017

TRUSTING GRACE RELEASED

 
Dear Readers~I'm happy to say that Trusting Grace has now been released. This is the final book in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series.  I hope you're planning on getting a copy, or if you are an influencer for me, you may have already received your personal copy from my publisher, Revell.
 
The reviews from different sources have been great. This is what people are saying:
 
Romantic Times-4 Star review: "Brendan once again writes an engaging tale set in the Montana of the Old West." Sarah Frobisher
 
Booklist: "Brendan draws on firsthand experience as she gives readers glimpses into the painful challenges and tender silver linings of a loved one's battle with a chronic illness, capturing the selfless love that fuels the caregiver's spirit. " Kate Campos
 
Foreword Reviews: "Brendan smartly uses the West and the aftermath of the Civil War to ground her characters and their conflict and in so doing, writes not only a charming romance, but an interesting piece of historical fiction." Camille-Yvette Welsch
 

 
Please drop me a line and share with me your thoughts about Grace's story and please tell your friends about the book. Please check out my Facebook author page and  Pinterest. I'm also on Instagram and Twitter. I love it when readers chat with me. Don't forget audio books for this series are now available too. :)
 
Now that I'm leaving Montana Valley behind, I'll be trying to decide what strong female characters I'd like to write about next. Do you have a story idea that you'd like to see written about? Let me know.
 
Happy Spring!
 
Maggie




Monday, March 06, 2017

UPCOMIMG BOOK RELEASE and AUDIO TOO!


Trusting Grace is less than a month and a half from releasing! This was an fun book to write and I believe readers will enjoy reading how Grace Bidwell handles all that life throws her. The title is a play on her name as you can probably guess. We can use all the grace that God so generously provides. Agree?

Other good news to share--the audio rights have been purchased for all three books in the Virtues and Vices series! I received a sample clip of the audio and I love the reader's voice. If I can figure out how to share it on my blog, I will but you can listen to a sample on my Maggie Facebook Author page. Many have asked me if my books would ever be on audio so this news made me very happy. Here's the link if you like to listen. https://www.facebook.com/MaggieBrendan/

Our little Pepper (Maltipoo) is nearly a year old now and as sweet as can be. As a Christmas gift, our daughter gave us manner training for her and Pepper is a quick learner. At least the hard part of puppy training is over! :)

I hope you'll be reserving you copy of the new book. No Place for a Lady is a free ebook currently if you've not read. Here are those links:


Kindle  https://tinyurl.com/zq56mkm  

NookBN   https://tinyurl.com/gt8xmnl

CBD:  https://tinyurl.com/jmlhcl7
HAPPY SPRING and happy reading!
Maggie

Sunday, December 18, 2016

MERRY CHRISTMAS!



With this Christmas season I wanted to take time to wish my readers a Very Merry Christmas! I've just turned in the page proofs for Trusting Grace, which releases in May, 2017. I hope you've added it to your wish list for spring.

Christmas has a deeply spiritual meaning for me personally and my family as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. I was asked by Family Fiction Magazine:

One Question: What is the number one way you and your family help yourselves to remember the real meaning of Christmas?

"Baking Christmas cookies, last minute shopping, and wrapping gifts, were only part of how we spent Christmas Eve with our son and daughter. But the highlight of our evening culminated at church. After an early dinner of Cornish hens with all the trimmings, we’d venture out into the cold or sometimes snowy Colorado twilight to celebrate the birth of Christ-the true meaning of why we exalt Him at Christmas. The church was filled with people, and evergreen trimmings scented the sanctuary as we lifted our voices in hymns of Christmas praise before our pastor read the birth of Christ from St. Luke with the children gathered at his feet. We ended the evening singing Silent Night, as each of us in turn lit candles representing Christ, The Light of the World. A benevolent offering was collected at the door as we left calling our “Merry Christmas” and well wishes to our friends. Now our children are grown, but we know that we’ve instilled in their hearts traditions for their own family, but most of all how one tiny babe changed the world for all eternity.

God bless you and your family in your Christmas tradition and may all the joys of the season be yours!
MAGGIE




ookies, last minute shopping, and wrapping gifts, were only part of how we spent Christmas Eve with our son and daughter. But the highlight of our evening culminated at church. After an early dinner of Cornish hens with all the trimmings, we’d venture out into the cold or sometimes snowy Colorado twilight to celebrate the birth of Christ-the true meaning of why we exalt Him at Christmas. The church was filled with people, and evergreen trimmings scented the sanctuary as we lifted our voices in hymns of Christmas praise before our pastor read the birth of Christ from St. Luke with the children gathered at his feet. We ended the evening singing Silent Night, as each of us in turn lit candles representing Christ, The Light of the World. A benevolent offering was collected at the door as we left calling our “Merry Christmas” and well wishes to our friends. Now our children are grown, but we know that we’ve instilled in their hearts traditions for their own family, but most of all how one tiny babe changed the world for all eternity
 
 
 


Monday, October 31, 2016

COMING IN MAY~TRUSTING GRACE!

I'm so excited to share with YOU, my dear readers the book cover for Trusting Grace which releases in May, 2017.

I'm sure you will agree with me the cover is lovely and as always Revell does a beautiful cover. I showed them the gown I wanted and they had it made for the model. I couldn't be more pleased.

It ready for pre-order most of your favorites websites.
Here's a little to whet your appetite until then:

All her life widow Grace Bidwell has longed for a loving husband and children but now chances are looking slim and prospects low as she cares for her elderly father and struggles to maintain the chores on the farm…until she places an ad for a hired hand. Robert Frasier arrives with three pitiful bedraggled children and nothing but the clothes on their backs and a wagon, applying for the job…along with a load of hurt, pride and anger. Rachel’s unaware the children aren’t his and he’s feels duty bound to raise them. Grace believes this is divine intervention but how can she convince his reluctant heart when they begin to have feelings for each other?
I hope you'll want to read Grace's story and enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

Blessings,
Maggie

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

FALL GREETINGS

It's been such a long time since I've blogged and much has happened. You already know that my new book, A Sweet Misfortune, released in February and next May, the third and last book in the Virtues and Vices series, Trusting Grace, releases. I can't wait to share the beautiful cover that Revell has created, and once again they gave me exactly what I asked for and even had the gown created for the heroine. Soon as they give me the go ahead, I'll post the cover picture. The galleys have been submitted and I await page proofs. I believe you're going to love Grace's story, and I can't wait for you to read it! :)

I'm finally settled in at our new location in Georgia, and still tweaking a few things around the house. After much discussion, I finally gave in and we now have a Maltipoo puppy named Pepper. It has been years since our Sheltie died after living 16+ years so we'd forgotten the work involved in training a puppy. I'm happy to say we've made it! But she still likes to chew things like all pups. Pepper is a cutie but it's hard to get a good picture of her because she's black.

Are you a dog lover? Write and tell me what type of dog you have if you are.

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook.

Enjoy your fall. Thanksgiving is just around the cover and don't we all have so much to be thankful for this season?

God Bless,
Maggie




Tuesday, January 26, 2016

AVAILABLE NOW~A SWEET MISFORTUNE EBOOK RELEASES TODAY!

Yay! Today the eBook for A Sweet Misfortune is available now at these fine websites!

The paperback will release in stores on February 2nd. But you can pre-order the paperback now if you prefer that to an e-reader.

I'm really excited about this book and Rachel's story. If you haven't read the first chapter you can scroll down in the blog to read it. I hope it will captivate your desire to read the rest of Rachel's story.

 I'm busy writing the last book in this series, The Virtues and Vices of the Old West, which releases in 2017. A sneak peak of the first chapter is included at the back of A Sweet Misfortune.

On my last blog post I tried to give away three copies of The Trouble With Patience, but unfortunately, I had no one participate. :( I'm hoping that was because you all have your own copy but I thought it would be nice to give as a gift to someone, or you were busy with the holidays.) :)

If you read my last blog post, you saw that I lost my nephew suddenly right before Christmas. Since that post, two weeks later, my daughter lost her sweet, mother-in-law who live down the street from me, and it was very sudden to all of us. So December turned out to be a difficult month for me, so I apologize to all of you who've check back to read my blogs (even when you don't post a comment to me) and didn't see any a new post. Two deaths, two weeks apart--very difficult then trying to wrap my head back around the story when you're own heart is aching for all involved, especially my grandchildren and son-in-law was not easy.

I don't want to end on a sad note though, so I can tell you that God is good all the time and we are never far from His love even when life becomes so hard to bear. Trust Him. I wonder how those who don't trust in Him get through those difficult times.

Until next time,

Maggie

Tuesday, December 01, 2015

A Grateful Heart


Dear Readers,

I had intended to write a post about Thanksgiving with a giveaway, but another death in my family  occurred the day before Thanksgiving. My nephew passed away and it was rather a shock to all of us. He will be sorely missed. I had another relative die this year...my brother-in-law. Both of these, while sudden, are no surprise to our Lord. While we grieve for them, they wouldn't choose to return if they could since their souls are at rest in Heaven. This is our blessed hope.

Death is always a sharp reminder of the brevity of life. We can decide to let it keep us from experiencing life to the fullest or make us more mindful to choose what we do NOW wisely, thanking God for what he's done for us through his Son Jesus. I'm not saying that I'm over it, and the sadness of losing three family members in two years, (my nice) but even more I'm fixing my eyes on Jesus. What better time to do that in the Christmas season?

So many things to be grateful for~~my family and friends, my home along with the ability to somehow continue to write my stories for you. But I'll be honest it's a little harder in times of sadness.

Two things to tell you about: Deeply Devoted is a free eBook currently, if you've not had a chance to read it on these sites:
Christianbook.com: http://tinyurl.com/ocfkdtw
Nook: http://tinyurl.com/lxfdkkv
Google Play: http://tinyurl.com/j2mnmfu

Since I'm feeling grateful to you for reading my books, I'm giving away three copies of The Trouble With Patience!!! Here's how-- Just post me a comment  on my blog with the link to your Facebook AFTER you have posted the free Deeply Devoted eBook with the links on your Facebook wall or Twitter. That's all there is to it. :) We'll draw a winner. When you do this, be sure and leave a way to contact you if you're the winner for your snail mail address.

Soon, my new book, A Sweet Misfortune, will be released in February. Be looking for news on that. I'm so excited about it!

Happy late Thanksgiving! May your lives be fully blessed this season.

Maggie

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

SNEAK PEAK CHAPTER~~A SWEET MISFORTUNE

Happy fall to my readers everywhere. I'm still waiting for fall to hit Georgia but I fear it won't be a pretty leaf change this year because of all the rain we've endured. :(

I thought you might enjoy a preview of the first chapter of A Sweet Misfortune releasing in February to whet your appetite. There's nothing like reading with a mug of your favorite hot beverage at your side and perhaps a fire glowing in the grate where you are. So sit back, relax and read the teaser of Rachel and John's story.

If you like what you read, I hope you'll pre-order your copy today. Happy Reading!

MAGGIE


A Sweet Misfortune

A Novel

Maggie Brendan

© 2016 by Maggie Brendan

Published by Revell




Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data


A sweet misfortune : a novel / Maggie Brendan.

     pages ; cm. — (Virtues and vices of the old West ; book 2)

ISBN 978-0-8007-2265-4 (pbk.)

1. Frontier and pioneer life—Montana—Fiction. 2. Man-woman relationships—Fiction. 3. Ranches—Montana—Fiction. I. Title. PS3602.R4485S94  2015 813.6—dc23         2015032723

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

16 17 18 19 20 21 22   7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For Bruce and his support, but most of all for his love.

 

 

[Jesus] said to them, “Watch out!
Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;
life does not consist
in an abundance of possessions.”

Luke 12:15

1

Paradise Valley

Cottonwood, Montana Territory

September 1862

John McIntyre reined in his horse along the ridge above Cottonwood Creek overlooking Paradise Valley below. The vista before him never failed to impress him, and this perfect fall day with its cloudless sky was no exception. He fished inside his leather vest pocket for a piece of paper and read it for the third time.

I need your help, John. After I left Paradise Valley, I received a letter from my sister, Rachel, that has me very disturbed. She is now working in a saloon called the Wild Horse as a dance hall girl. You have to get her out of that situation until I can return. I’m begging you, do what needs to be done—horse-tie her if you have to. And knowing her fiery disposition, you might have to. Get her out of there before it’s too late to save her reputation. With all your connections, maybe you can find her a decent job.

Your friend,
Preston Matthews

John sighed, wishing he didn’t have to get tangled up in a situation not of his own doing, and he stuffed the letter back into his vest pocket. He’d known Preston a long time and didn’t want to let his friend down. A saloon was no place for Preston’s sister. John hadn’t seen Rachel since she was a gangly adolescent and he’d already graduated from high school. Would he even recognize her now? He remembered a time when they’d argued at a church picnic after he didn’t want to enter the potato sack race with a girl. She could never take no for an answer.

With a gentle tug of the reins, he turned Cutter in the direction of the trail into Cottonwood. He wanted to get this done and get back to his ranch on the outskirts of town as quickly as possible—and he only knew of one way to do it.

John made his way through dust-filled Main Street, hearing piano music coming from the saloon long before he reached the hitching post. He dismounted, then stepped aside to let two drunks stagger through the swinging café doors. They dissolved into laughter and slapped one another on the back. The odor of liquor was strong, and he wondered how on earth a man could derive any pleasure from imbibing and losing control. He preferred to stay in control . . . most of the time.

He strode into the Wild Horse, his senses assaulted with the buzz of activity and music. There were girls dancing on a small stage, twirling about in scanty satin outfits, their bare legs kicking high into the air while they kept time with the beat of the banged-out notes of the piano. He scanned the room quickly, noticing men oblivious to the dance hall girls while they concentrated on their cards. He was surprised it was crowded this early—it wasn’t even dark yet.

John looked from left to right at the young dancers’ faces until he spotted Rachel. He strode to the stage and in one leap was in the middle of them, ignoring someone who yelled for him to get down. After lifting a strawberry blonde off her feet, he moved down to the floor again.

“What the devil do you think you’re doing?” The young girl thrashed about and pushed against his chest.

“Rachel, you need to come with me NOW!” he ordered.

“I’m not Rachel, you fool! Let go of me.” She twisted away. “I doubt Rachel’s gonna let you manhandle her either!” She giggled, covering her mouth in an attempt to hide the gap between her teeth.

“Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am,” he said, stepping back before swinging his line of vision across the stage floor to peer at each painted face.

Some of the ladies were still dancing, but one stopped—placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him. That’s Rachel! In two strides he was up the steps on the stage and lifting her unceremoniously to his shoulder, despite the pounding of her fists on his back and unintelligible mutters under her breath. The music stopped and the piano player stood up. “Where do you think you’re going with Rachel?”

“Move aside, man,” he said, pushing his way through the crowd who stood by watching. “Don’t get in the way of a lovers’ quarrel.”

“I ain’t never seed you here ’afore,” a snaggletoothed patron sputtered.

“Let me go, you brute!” the lady yelled, kicking her heels in the air.

John ignored her protest, continuing on past the café doors and straight to his horse. He straddled Cutter and, holding tightly to Rachel, settled her on his saddle. One swift kick in the side of his horse, and they galloped off—leaving bystanders in a cloud of thick dust.

———

Rachel had no choice but to hang on for dear life while she considered her options: jump off and risk a broken neck, or wait until the crazed cowboy came to his senses—which she hoped would be any moment now. He smelled of sunshine and the outdoors mixed with the peculiar smell of his worn leather vest, and despite her predicament, she found herself mystified by this man.

There was something vaguely familiar about his tall, dark looks and penetrating eyes that held hers briefly before he’d reached for her. Had she met him before? Perhaps he’d been to the saloon before. Why couldn’t she remember? Lord, help me get away! Her heart thumped hard against her ribs.

The landscape rushed past, and she closed her eyes to keep from getting dizzy until the horse began slowing. She opened her eyes to see they were at someone’s home. Before her sprawled a two-story Victorian ranch house, smoke curling from its chimney. Nearby were a large barn and corrals—some with horses and cattle being tended by ranch hands. A sheepdog rushed up to greet them as the cowboy slid off the horse’s back. Well, at least he didn’t take me to a deserted hideout to be his slave!

“Stay back, Winchester.” The dog sat next to his master with his tail curled, and the cowboy turned to stare up at her briefly, holding out his hands to assist her down. Instead of accepting his help, Rachel abruptly slid forward onto the saddle, grabbed the reins, then slapped the horse’s flanks and raced out of the front yard in the direction they’d come. She barely glanced back but saw the cowboy with his jaw dropped.

Teach him to snatch a lady! she thought with a chuckle. Suddenly there was a whistle from behind her and the horse came to a screeching halt. Despite her pull on the reins and another swift kick in his ribs, the horse wouldn’t budge. She muttered under her breath when she observed two ranch hands on horseback approaching her. There was no way out—the horse obediently turned around, trotting straight back to his master, who stood with hands on his hips and a dark look directed right at her.

———

John sighed and looked up at Rachel’s face, which was red with anger. He knew Cutter would listen to his commands, but he had to admire her—she had tried—and he supposed if it were him, he would’ve done the same thing. He walked over, taking the reins and giving Cutter an affectionate pat on his head. “Good boy.”

“Why don’t you let me help you down and then we’ll talk.”

WE have nothing to talk about!” she spat out. When she turned her nose up in the air like she was the queen of England, he laughed out loud.

“Suit yourself, but you’re going to get mighty tired sittin’ up there, and I believe supper is being held for us.” By now, more than a few of the ranch hands had sauntered over to see what was taking place, and stared at the pretty lady in her satin outfit.

“Meet Rachel Matthews, men. She’ll be staying with us for a while—”

“I will not!” Rachel sputtered, sliding off the horse to confront him, feet apart, her thin arms akimbo. She looked rather ridiculous in the frilly purple satin can-can skirt, high-top heels, and messy hair. “You had no right to bring me here and I demand that you find a horse to take me back to Cottonwood.” A snicker filtered out through the small bunch of hands, and she glared at them.

One bowlegged cowboy swept off his hat and bowed slightly. “Pardon me, ma’am, but I don’t think you’re gonna fit in with the bunch here lessin’ you know how to rope a steer!” The others guffawed and slapped their thighs.

“No thanks to you loggerheads—none of you are even man enough to stop this brute from kidnapping me!”

“Never interfere with a man and his lady when they’re in a spat, is my motto,” another cowpuncher added.

The cowhand’s comment seemed to infuriate her even more. “I’m not his lady!”

John watched as Rachel rolled her eyes, then folded her arms across her chest. He could tell she was not in the least bit flattered by their attention, and he hadn’t wanted to embarrass her. His eyes flicked over her willowy form and the pretty face underneath all the paint and powder. It was hard to believe she’d grown into such a beautiful young woman. Wonder why Preston never told me what a pretty young lady she’s become? He shifted his weight from one hip to the other. “You men go on about your business now.” The punchers shuffled out of the yard leaving the two of them to battle it out.

He stepped forward to take Rachel’s hand but she snatched it away. “Rachel, if you’ll step inside, I’ll explain everything to you.”

“How do you know my name?” She tapped her foot in the dirt. “And what do you want from me?” Her eyes snapped in anger. “I demand to know your name and why you’ve kidnapped me!”

“I choose to call it a rescue. My name is John McIntyre, and I own this ranch. Your brother, Preston, wrote and asked me to rescue you from the Wild Horse to protect you from that unscrupulous lifestyle.”

Her head thrust upward in surprise. “Preston? You’ve heard from Preston?” It was almost a whisper. For a moment her face softened and she seemed to forget her anger at him.

“Yes. Now, will you please come inside and we’ll have supper and talk?” He was pleading with her, which was against his nature. What had he gotten himself mixed up with? On any ordinary evening he would have been long finished with supper and sitting by the fire with a good book, or planning the next day with Estelle, his grandmother, or discussing ranch work with Curtis, his foreman. He was beginning to get impatient with this painted lady from the Wild Horse.

Reluctantly, Rachel nodded. “I don’t plan on being here for longer than I must, so you’d better explain what you have to do with my brother.”

“Fair enough.” John motioned for her to go ahead of him up the steps to the front door, then reached over and opened it for her. A light scent of rosewater tickled his nostrils as she walked past him, and he wondered how many men had held her in their arms . . . He shook himself, clearing away the thought. What she’d done in the past didn’t involve him one bit!

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

FREE EBOOK PROMO

Dear Readers,

I don't know about you but after a relocation to a new city and the heat and humidity, I'm getting ready for fall. I'll begin by dragging out my fall decorations and hope that cooler weather will soon follow. :) How about you? Many of you already are experiencing nice temperatures and I'm envious!

I'm excited to tell you that my publisher is having a promo for my book, Deeply Devoted. You'll find it free today on Apple and these other sites. Be sure and share with your friends.

 
Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/ps776nh
KindleUK: http://tinyurl.com/p7sawqh
 
I've finished page proofs for A Sweet Misfortune that releases next February and let me tell you~you don't want to miss this book!
With all the move and setting up the house, I've had little time to blog with my deadlines. Hopefully that will improve.
Back later and love to you all!
MAGGIE