Say hello to Mary Connealy!!

I’ve been soo looking forward to this week!!! Why, you ask? Because I’m hosting the amazingly talented, cowboy romance extraordinaire, Mary Connealy! I had a chance to chat with Mary at the ACFW conference and she is SUCH a sweet lady, as I’m sure you’ll soon see from reading her interview!

 

So without further ado, lets say a big howdy to our guest today, Mary Connealy!

 

1 – What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done for research? Almost all my research is done online, Amanda. I really wish I had some great story of how I did something dare-devilish to get a book right. I have played around a little with rifles to get a feel for how heavy they are, my husband likes guns, but not me so much. I did recently sit on a long horn bull and while it made me feel very western rodeo-ish, honestly, when is anyone in one of my books gonna ride a COW? HUH???

I do most of my research online and through Amazon books too Mary.  And ya never know about the cow. Might come in handy someday. J

2 – If you could have dinner with one of your characters, who would you chose and why? Wow, most of my characters are a little scary. Who? Hmmm….okay this is taking a long time. I’m going to go with…Seth Kincaid. He’s crazy but he’d be fun and, since I created him, I understand him and can put up with a bit of nonsense.

A bit of nonsense. J Well, since you created him you could always tell him to be good or you’ll let something very, very bad happen to him!!

3 – How did you come up with the idea for the Kincaid Brides series? The Kincaid Brides series was inspired by a visit to Carlsbad Cavern. (we can call that the most unusual thing I’ve ever done for research if you like, but I had no idea when I walked into that cavern I’d be coming out with a book idea!) That cavern just transported me. It was amazing. I could just BE the first man who ever went in there. I could so completely imagine that place with only a lantern to light your way. There are drop offs. There were pits that looked bottomless. There were places that looked like the floor had broken like glass and there was a big hole under it. It was terrifying and it was so stunningly beautiful. I could imagine the fear and the lure. You’d want to see more. You’d risk your life with every step. I just loved it. And out of that visit, The Kincaid Brides were born.

Wow, how cool! I would love to visit a cavern like that! And that is definitely an exciting thing you did for research.

4 – Why do you write romance? It’s what I love to read so it’s what I write. I love a book with the hero and heroine sassing each other and falling in love while they’re running for their lives. And that’s what I try to do with every book.

And you do a great job with every book!

5 – What’s the worst judges’ feedback you’ve ever received when entering a contest and how did you handle it? Well, worst, hummm…I know the experience of being emotionally battered made me tough. I know I can get revision notes from an editor telling me a beloved part of my book doesn’t work and just cut that part with minimal pain. I can get ugly reviews on Amazon and, much as they hurt, it’s a familiar kind of hurt that doesn’t devastate me or stop me. (at least not for long!)

Wow, cut that part with minimal pain! Good for you! I don’t think I could be so tough. J

6 – If you could cast actors and actresses to play Callie and Seth, who would you chose? I don’t really like doing that because I have my own vision of my characters and I don’t like giving those up. But, Callie looks like Elisabetta Gregoraci only with thicker, curlier hair, and I guess Seth looks like the guy on the cover of the book, huh?

Great choices! Elisabetta would make a fantastic Callie!

6– Do you have a particular movie/TV series you watch for inspiration during the writing process?  You know what I’ve been watching lately? Longmire. It’s through for the year but it’s about a sheriff in a small town in Wyoming and he’s a really great, kind of crusty old cowboy, not too old, but not a kid either. I love the way he talks and moves and thinks. I don’t suppose I exactly watch it for the writing process. I just watch it because I love cowboys and there aren’t many on TV or movies these days.

How cool! Sounds like a fun show!

7– What’s your favorite cover out of all your novels? (You have some great covers with some really good looking guys, so picking just one might be toughJ) This is HARD. You are asking HARD questions, Amanda, shame on you!!! I’ve really loved these cowboy covers for the Kincaid Brides series. But I used to really like NOT having people on my book covers, too. Leave that up to the reader’s imagination. Honestly, I think I like the guy on the cover of Swept Away. My book releasing next spring, the best. But this is a choice between four great covers so it’s not like anyone else choosing will be a bad choice!!!

I love the Swept Away cover too!

8– Tell us a little about your next upcoming release? We start a new series in spring 2013. Trouble in Texas. Book one is Swept Away.

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.

His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

I’ll be lining up to buy that book! Sounds amazing!!! Being a mighty good cook always helps to catch a man, doesn’t it? J

 

THE GRAND FINALE!!

Wow, it was so much fun finding out some juicy details about Mary. She is an amazing author and I grateful to her for doing this interview. Don't forget to check out Mary's website at: www.maryconnealy.com where she has lots of exciting giveaways and other cool things!! Plus, don't forget to get her newest book Swept Away in March 2013. As a treat, I am giving away some special Mary goodies. One blessed reader will receive a copy of Mary's latest release, Over The Edge. And along with that I am giving away a matching Over The Edge pen and lip balms. So leave a comment along with your email address and I will pick a winner this Friday, October 19th.

 
STAY TUNED:

Next week we have author Laurie Alice Eakes! So come back for that interview and giveaway!

 

As always,

Happy Writing!

--Amanda