southernbellewriter: 2017

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:

iTunes: https://tinyurl.com/h77e3y6

Kindle https://tinyurl.com/zq56mkm

NookBN https://tinyurl.com/gt8xmnl

CBD: https://tinyurl.com/jmlhcl7

HAPPY SPRING and happy reading!
Maggie

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From Romantic Times...

FROM ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEW- 4 stars

Two mail-order brides, one groom and a few misunderstandings collide in the second blue Willow Brides book. Brendan's characters are witty, charming and fun to be around, and she brings her trademark writing style to the Wild West.

Then Book summary:

In 1888 Central City, CO, Greta Olson is determined to be happy as a mail-order bride to Jess Gifford. Then she learns that another woman, Cora Johnson, has answered the same ad. She is certain Jess didn't place the ad. Jess knows that his brother, Zach, placed the ad and he's furious.

Zach and Jess will have to decide which woman each wants to marry-- but surprises await them when the women have their own opinions. --Patsy Glans

What people are saying...

Here's where people are saying on Amazon about Deeply Devoted...

“ I would highly recommend Deeply Devoted to anyone wanting a good Christian romantic story to read. ” Cindy W. | 18 reviewers made a similar statement

“ I love the story and Maggie makes all her characters come to life with her excellent writing. ” Lynn Underwood | 21 reviewers made a similar statement

“ The characters were very easy to like and had me thinking twice about certain issues in history. ” loving5kids | 11 reviewers made a similar statement

Praise for Deeply Devoted...

Maggie Brendan has done it again—stolen my heart with a love story that left me breathless. As gentle as a prairie breeze and as delicate as the Blue Willow china for which the series is named, Deeply Devoted is a tender and haunting tale that stirs heart and soul—deeply—well beyond the last page. -- Julie Lessman, Best Selling Author of Daughter of Boston series

Brendan, Maggie. Deeply Devoted. Revell. (Blue Willow Brides, Bk. 1). Sept. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780800734626. pap. $14.99. CF
Instead of choosing the young lady his mother has picked for him, Peter Andersen sends to Amsterdam for a mail-order bride in this new series by Brendan (“Heart of the West” series). Catharine Olsen arrives in Cheyenne, WY, with her mother’s china and her two sisters in tow. Peter is patient not only with Catharine but with her sisters. However, as the two begin their life together on the wheat farm, Peter’s mother will go to any length to see her son’s marriage destroyed. VERDICT This novel should appeal to fans of Lori Wick who enjoy a gentle romance with a Western twist as well as those who like reading about cultural clashes. --LibraryJournal.com

Maggie Brendan

Welcome and thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your interest in my books.

I can’t ever remember a time when I didn’t want to write. Each time I entered our small town library or school library, I’d breathed in the musky, smell and ink of books the way someone would sniffed perfume. I loved that I could be “somewhere” else in a manner of moments just from reading….so it was as natural as breathing for me to create stories. I wrote my 1^st book The Silver Crown, in third grade when my sweet teacher saw me writing during my free time and supplied me with paper. Quickly, I wrote another story—Mystery at Nubbins Ridge in 5^th grade, unpublished, of course! In 10^th grade biology class, as school as I finished my projects, I handed them to my girlfriend to read for feedback.

I still have the first story written in my longhand with a green construction paper for binding, and it looks pitiful. Inspiration and encouragement came early on from my late brother Gary. He nudged me in to the world of writing. Under the pen name of Jess McCreede, Gary wrote seven novels. One of my greatest pleasures comes from finishing a book. Another joy is receiving feedback from readers who share with me how much they enjoyed my books, and their anticipation for the next one. My readers are wonderful blessings to me, and hearing such sweet words from them is what makes me strive to make each story better than the last.

Although I’m definitely a Southern Belle, I loved reading Zane Grey novels, and found myself curious about the state of Colorado and the West. When we were a young couple, my husband, three month old baby girl and I, relocated to Colorado for a better job opportunity. It was my dream to live out West. That’s how I came to be so fond of everything western! My books are definitely inspirational with a faith theme woven into all of my stories through the characters as they face life's decisions.

If my stories have blessed you or encourage you in your faith, please write to me or post a message on my blog.

Happy Trails,

Maggie Brendan