This week I’m hosting Debby Mayne with her book, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida, Mary Connealy with her book, Montana Rose, and Steve Bonenberger with his book,
Through the Gates of Fire. If you want to enter the drawing for the book, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you
can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (June 14th) evening.
Heroine interview from Montana Rose:
1. Cassie Griffin Dawson, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m the descendent of a Spanish countess. My father owned a railroad and I was the coddled daughter of wealthy, loving parents. After my father’s death, my mother arranged for my money and guardianship to be handled by a business man she trusted. When my mother died, when I was twelve, this man became the only real presence in my life and I married him when I was fifteen and he was about forty. Now, three years later, my wealth is gone. Griff moved us from our home in Chicago to avoid the gossip about our marriage, and I’ve been taught to be completely submissive to my older and wiser husband. Sometime he teaches me with a very harsh hand, but only when I’m bad.
And now Griff is dead, I’m penniless and with child and dozens of men stand on my husband’s just-filled in grave and demand I pick one of them because woman don’t survive in the rugged west alone.
I picked Red Dawson, a man I attacked with my fists and fingernails and feet to try and stop him from digging my husband’s grave. The most outrageous behavior of my life. But Red was the best of the awful choices. And now, as his wife, I am determined to accept whatever punishment I deserve for my attack, as a woman should.
2. What do you do for fun?
Griff insisted I learn restraint. I haven’t laughed in three years. He proposed to me and, when I laughed and said, “Yes,” and threw my arms around him, he shook me until my neck stung and my arms were bruised. I have, ever since, been doing my best to be mature and worthy of Griff’s exacting standards.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I do as I’m told. The only thing I put off is speaking my mind, even though Red insures me he wants to know what I’m thinking. But he doesn’t really. He’d be horrified to know about the tumult and anger and rebellion that boils inside me. He keeps insisting I defy him. Instead I’m trying so hard to obey. . .except of course obeying him about defiance. Marriage to Red is very confusing, but he’s so sweet. And I want to much to please him
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
The childish thoughts that rage inside of me and how everyone would hate me if I once gave them voice.
5. What do you want out of life?
I want to be safe. I want to trust, Red, but I can’t, I just can’t. I’ve been trying to work around the ranch because he said he wanted me to do my share. Griff always said a woman’s place was firmly within the home and he wouldn’t even allow me to garden or feed the chickens. An now, I’ve let his flock of chickens escape and I’ve nearly burned down his barn and I was nearly killed by a mama pig that got loose, and Red’s horse hates me and bucked him off when it ran from me. I keep waiting for Red to get angry, but he doesn’t. I wonder when he’ll finally have enough of my foolishness?
6. What is the most important thing to you?
I’ve found my faith again with Red. I was raised in a family of believers but Griff had no use for religion, so I’d lost that important part of myself in my hears with him. Now I’m with a man who is a strong believer and being allowed to pray and read the Bible and worship is like water soaking into my weary, thirsty soul.
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
I do read. Red made me realize how unusual that was in Montana Territory. I’d gotten used to believing I was stupid, because Griff told me so all the time, but I used to do well in school. I’d forgotten that. I really am NOT stupid. Red has his well worn Bible. That’s the only book in the house and he reads it to me in the evening.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I could get the riotous thoughts in my head to calm down. I’ve learned self-control outwardly, thanks to Griff, but I could never control my unruly thoughts.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
On Red’s ranch was have a nervous horse named Buck. A kicking cow named Rosie and a visious mama pig named Harriet. They’re not pets, and each has given a good try at killing me. Some days I think Red likes them more than he likes me. He’s certainly known them longer.
Although he did kiss me the other day. But he’s never done such again. I wonder why? What did I do wrong?
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d go back to the time before my parents died. It was a nice life, full of love and comfort. Wishing to be somewhere else though, is just another way I’m childish, I’m sure.
If this is a contest, please count me in. Thanks.
gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net
Well, that's kind of heart wrenching and sad. Poor Cassie.
I promise Montana Rose is a riotous comedy. Submissive Cassie trying to obey Red. Except he won't give her orders. So she has to GUESS what he wants.
Except she keeps guessing wrong.
Red is so smitten with Cassie but he doesn't dare kiss her. Especially once he realizes how terribly obedient she is. Because she'd let him and he'd never know if she welcomed his touch or not. He can't stand that thought that he might reach for her and she might endure silently.
Meanwhile, Cassie's going crazy trying to figure out how to get Red to kiss her again.
And Red's horse really does hate her. He bucked Red right off the side of a cliff trying to avoid Cassie…
But Red doesn't get upset with his sweet, well-meaning klutz of a wife. It wasn't a real STEEP cliff
What a great way to do an interview! Can't wait to read this one. Thank you so much for your giveaway, as always.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I LOVED this "interview" the pet's question made me laugh out loud! Poor Cassie…poor Red for that matter! Can't wait to read their story!
Forgot my email…woops!
steelergirl83atgmaildotcom
I commented on a post earlier this week to win this book not sure if I was supposed to comment on here or not, if not please disregard my comments on here LOL!!
steelergirl
What a fun interview! LIke Renee, the insane pets cracked me up! Sounds like a fantasticly fun read!
sherrinda(at)gmail(com)
Boy, I know what it's like to guess what someone wants, and all getting it wrong. Sounds like an interesting story. Please add me in.
OOPPSS! Forgot my email:
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com.
I like this heroine. I want to read this book. Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Great interview. Can you please add me to the contest?
mystylee[at]bigpond[dot]com
Montana Rose sounds like another wild ride out west with Mary! Please include me, thanks.
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
I really liked this interview.I can't wait to read the book. Please enter me in the drawing.
debracollins(at)tds(dot)net
What a fun interview! Montana Rose sounds like a must read for me!
Barb C.
ChristianHomes[at]gmail[dot]com
I'd love to win this book! Mary, I love all your books, and this one sounds really fun!
melaniedickerson at knology dot net
Great interview! I would love to win a copy of Montana Rose. It sounds like a good book. Thank you.
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com
Hi. What else to say about Montana Rose. I got in a little trouble writing it because the hero…Red Dawson…is possibly the perfect man.
He's got a red hot temper that he has under pretty good control. But we had just a little bit of trouble giving him his own growth and conflict because he's just a sweetie. I am totally in love with him.
I hope everyone else agrees. No troubled, tormented hero here, only poor overwhelmed, sweet hearted Red. That's really not the way you're supposed to write heros, but Cassie needed kindness so badly, I just couldn't make Red too difficult.
He does have trouble because he's completely crazy in love with Cassie, and has been drawn to her since loooooooong before her husband died and knew that was wrong of him.
Now he's got her and all he sees is the temptation of her, being unequally yoked. Marrying a non-believer almost certainly against God's will.
Especially because, though she needed saving, Red believes, though everyone else things he making a sacrifice to marry her. He wants her something fierce and that feels like sin to him.
What a fun interview! Thanks so much…I really enjoyed it. I'd so love to read "Montana Rose"…love your cover art. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you!
Blessings,
Sandy
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
I'd love to read Cassie and Red's story. It sounds more serious than your other books, but I suspect there's plenty of comedy too.
I love the interview! I've never thought about writing an interview for any of my characters. I'm just going to have to read the book now.
~Nicole Leatherwood
mrs.leatherwood@gmail.com
Oh, Mary, you always come up with the most amazing stories and characters! What a fun interview! This story sounds delightful!
Hi Mary,
I can't wait to read "Montana Rose"! It sounds like it going to be a great book. I just recently finished "Gingham Mountain" ~ wonderful series!
I'm also keeping an eye out for "Christmas Cowboy", it's already on my Wishlist. LOL I did notice that the cover art changed a couple of days ago ~ I like the most recent one the best. 🙂
Great "interview", btw! Thank you for sharing.
Lori S.
sugarandgrits[at]hotmail[dot]com
I got home from work yesterday to find my first copy of Montana Rose in the mail from Barbour. It is beautiful. I probably hugged a few wrinkles into it. 🙂
This has to be one of the most fun interviews that I have read although my heart really goes out to Cassie. I really want to read this book. It sounds wonderful!
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Please enter me for this drawing. Thanks! ohibuckeye91 [at] gmail [dot] com
Ooh, thank you for the interview–wow… Can't wait to read Cassie and Red's story! It sounds like classic Mary, which is a wonderful thing!
f dot chen at comcast dot net
Oh, poor Cassie. I hope Red loves some sense into her! I can't wait to read this book. All of yours are great, Mary!
ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com
I have heard wonderful things about this author and would like a chance to read one of her books. Please enter me in the drawing for this book.
Thanks
Katherine
peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com
Wow, I know I'm gonna be screaming in my head while reading this one in defense of Cassie. I can see her growing just through the few questions even. She can heal and I can see it coming, now I want to read about it!!!