Award Winning Author, Mary Moore

Last year my Storm's Interlude won Award of Merit as a runner-up in the HOLT Medallion Contest in two categories, one of them being Best Book by a Virginia Author. HOLT is an acronym for Honoring Outstanding Literary Talent and is a contest run by Virginia Romance Writers.

Mary Moore

Since Storm was my debut book, I was ecstatic. Still, I wondered about the author who won the Medallion in this category. Well, folks, I've got her here today and I'm beyond excited.

Mary Moore, award winning author, is my special guest. Her The Aristocrat's Lady won the Reviewer's Choice Award in addition to the HOLT Medallion. This inspirational romance also garnered several other prestigious awards.  We've communicated some by email and I found her very warm--and generous. She's giving away a copy of her latest release to one lucky commenter today. So leave a message and include your email address so she can contact you.

 

Before we start to talk about her latest release, Beauty in Disguise, Mary has agreed to answer some interview questions. Tell us, what is your life like away from the computer? Tell us something about your household.

 

Well, it’s just me, my husband, Craig, and our “child” a black lab named Darcy. We left the Washington, DC suburbs where we had both lived all of our lives and moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia. It’s been a bit of a culture shock, for sure, but it’s so beautiful and it’s home now. My husband retired from the Veteran’s Hospital here locally and I work two days a week at a local family business. We are very active in our church, so we keep pretty busy. Fortunately, I’m a night owl, or I’d never get any writing in!

 

* What authors and genres do you like to read?

 

I love to read what I love to write, the Regency genre. It started with Jane Austen when I was 15! My favorite authors are Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Bronte.

 

I also love Christian fiction. Francine Rivers is a favorite along with all of my other Love Inspired authors. You can check out www.RegencyReflections.com for the rest!

 

* Oh, I love Victoria Holt. Tell us, what is the story behind your book title?

 

My heroine is disowned by her family when she is caught in a compromising situation by a well known rake. She must make her own way in the world, and in Regency times all that was available to ladies of quality who had come down in the world was the position of governess or companion. Those are nothing more than glorified servants in the house in which they work. But she discovers that wives will not hire beautiful women for such positions because they don’t trust their husbands around them. The households that will hire her leave her open to insults by the other male servants and even male visitors to the house. Therefore, she creates a disguise for herself that makes her blend into the background. She can do her job and pretty much remain unnoticed. Until one of the male guests invited to the house where she is employed recognizes her and learns she has been perpetrating a hoax. What evolves is a love story that teaches them all the power and necessity of forgiveness.

 

* What part of the writing process brings you the most pleasure? The most angst?

 

I really love creating the stories. I like to write books that satisfy avid Regency readers and still appeals to new readers that might become Regency fans. I always want my stories to have an inspirational message in them, and I enjoy writing around that.  I like doing the blog tours, and I love hearing from readers.

 

I really get anxious at the marketing side. I’ve done book signings but I’m not a natural “out in front” person, so I have to really work at it.

 

* Has your road to publication been a walk in the park or a steep mountain climb? Could you give us some details, Mary?

 

Probably somewhere in between! I started writing about 15 years ago, but it was only for me. I just had the ideas and wrote several stories. I made a few attempts to get them published and entered a few contests, but I knew absolutely nothing about how to go about it so the tries were a dismal failure.

My sister-in-law, who is also one of my best friends, wanted to read them and for some reason I let her. She got behind them and over the years she kept after me to try to get them published.

 

Ten years ago my husband and I moved and I boxed up the manuscripts and put them in the attic. I battled breast cancer and its treatment for a year and during that time my husband found the box of manuscripts. While dealing with the treatment, I rewrote many of them. I realized I never had real life experiences when I actually wrote them and I was excited about infusing them with some of my personal experiences. I did a little more research about how to go about finding an agent and with God’s help and my sister-in-law’s support, I found one and she got me published. 

 

It’s very surreal!!!

 

 

Back of the Book Blurb:

 

After her scandalous first Season, Lady Kathryn needs a new beginning. Concealing her stunning hair and sapphire eyes beneath a dowdy façade, she’s grateful to earn her keep as companion, Kate Montgomery. Until she comes face-to-face with her past in Lord Dalton, the only man she has ever loved. 

 

The debutante Dalton fell in love with years ago was beautiful beyond compare. The gentle, mysterious young woman he encounters at a country house has qualities he now values more highly-until he learns of her deception. Kate has broken his heart not once, but twice. 

 

Can faith help him see that love, like true beauty, always comes to light?

 

 

 

Mary Moore has been writing historical fiction for more than 15 years. After battling and beating breast cancer, Mary is even more excited about her career, as she incorporates some of her struggles throughout her books, dedicated to encouraging others in the Lord and using her writing for God’s glory. 

 

Her debut novel, The Aristocrat’s Lady, won several acclaimed awards, including the 2011 Reviewers Choice Award by RT Magazine for Best Love Inspired Historical, and the 2011 Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers for Best Book by a Virginia Author. She also received an Award of Merit for Best First Book and Best Long Inspirational by the VRW.

 

Mary is a native of the Washington, DC area, but she and her husband, Craig, now live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia. When not writing, she loves to read, minister in her church, and spend time with her husband and black lab, Darcy. 

 

Mary would love to hear from you! She can be reached by visiting her website at www.marymooreauthor.com. She can also be found on facebook.com/mmooreauthor and can be reached at her email address mmooreauthor@swva.net.

 

 

DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN BEAUTY IN DISGUISE.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR NIPPLE? by Mackenzie Crowne

I've got a special guest here today. An online buddy, a Rose sistah and one of my heroes in life -- Mackenzie Crowne.

 

Styling like Scarlett

What lover of romance doesn’t bow down to Scarlett as the greatest heroine of all time? “What a woman!” to quote Rhett. I mean, how can you beat a heroine who faced the ravages of the Civil War without losing her sense of style? Despite the troubles she faced, I wanted to be her when I was a teenager. I even had a life sized poster of Rhett on my bedroom wall.

Of course, one could argue that Scarlett was something of a bitch, and they’d be right. But what strong woman doesn’t have to pull out her inner bitch once in a while to do what needs doing? Actually, she didn’t start out that way. Okay, so she was spoiled, petulant, and annoying, but when push came to shove, she hitched up her petticoats and fought the battle to survive.

I’m no Scarlett and as one of eight kids, I certainly wasn’t spoiled. I admit to being a bit of a weenie when it comes to confrontations. I guess I just don’t have the killer instinct it takes to be a genuine bitch. But I believe we all have a little bit of Scarlett in us. We just don’t recognize it until we face our own petticoat hitching moment.

 

My moment came in the form of a breast cancer diagnosis. Like Scarlett, I faced an enemy bent on my destruction. The horrendous battle left the landscape of my life ravaged and my body scarred, but like Scarlett, I survived. I thought of her often during my battle and employed her philosophy on winning. Oh, I never went after my cousin’s husband - actually, now that I think of it, if by some measure of magic I could ever speak to Scarlett, her fixation with Ashley is the first thing I’d address. Like, what she was thinking? The guy was a dweeb. And Rhett was…Oh, now that was a man! But I digress…

Where was I? Oh, yes. Her famous lines, “I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.” carried me through some of the darkest hours of my life. Yep, I was Scarlett so often during those eight months of treatment, I may as well have been wearing a dress made of drapes. I think I even began to speak with a Southern accent.

Scarlett teaches us that whatever your battle, a little faith, patience, and perseverance, and even a spoiled brat can come out victorious. So whether you’re battling breast cancer, or just a job you hate, don’t give up. Take things one step at a time. Slip into your best hoop skirt and style for all you’re worth. You’ll get there eventually.

 

After all, tomorrow is another day. 

 

Buy link: Amazon

Mackenziecrowne.com

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THE SISTERHOOD OF FALLEN BOOBS

I went for my mammogram today. I won't say I was looking forward to it. But, in life, it is one of those necessary evils like changing the litter box or getting a root canal. I mean, face it, a mammogram is the only medical proceedure where you can walk in a 46 Regular and walk out a 52 Long.

Once I was through, I returned to the dressing area where three other women sat in their gowns, waiting for their boobfest. After changing into my clothes, I stepped out of the cubicle and asked if any of them were readers. All three nodded. "Romance?" Wide smiles spread, and they chimmed in the affirmative.

(I must stop mid-story to tell you once I recieve my bookcovers, I order regular-sized postcards from Vistaprint. I download my cover for one side and have my blurb printed on the other along with places it can be ordered. I arrange the covers in the order of their release, tie a ribbon around each set, and carry several in the outside pocket of my purse. This makes it easy to whip out a set and give it to someone. Cost? 100 cards--12.49 + download of bookcover--2.49 + color printing backside--4.99 = $19.97. If I can catch the postcard when they're offering them for Free, the cost is even cheaper.)

 

 

Back to the tale of my shameless act of self-promotion. I handed each of the ladies a set of postcards. "Maybe you'd enjoy reading one of my books."

 

"Did you write these?" One lady looked at me in awe. Guess I just don't look like the mental perception of a "hawt" romance writer.

 

"Yes." I smiled and turned to walk out.

 

"Wait!" One lady stood. "You...you seem so...so approachable."

 

Goodness how did she expect me to act? "I'm just a retired woman who fills her days by writing love stories. I'm no different than you." I smiled and waved a hand toward my bust. "Besides, don't you think there's a sisterhood of fallen boobs in the mammogram waiting room?"

 

They were all laughing as I walked out. "Save the girls," I chimmed as I closed the door, nearly running into the mammogram technician who'd come for her next patient. I was nearly at the end of the hall when the technician called for me to stop.

 

She was running toward me. "Mrs. Davis, may I have some cards, too?" She gave me the once over, her eyes huge. "I had no idea I was handling the boobs of a writer," she all but oozed. Well, for heaven's sake.

 

I just checked novel rank and saw I'd sold two copies of each of my books today. So maybe my self-promotion wasn't a complete "bust." Moral of the story: Always be ready to promote, much as you dislike it. Like a Boy Scout, be prepared.

 

Next month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. If you haven't had a mammogram in the past year or two, please do yourself and your children a favor and schedule yours. Ten minutes of discomfort is a small price to pay.

 

While I have your attention, I'd like to ask if any of you have faced this terrible disease or have a loved one who has? If so, you should gift yourself or that loved one with a copy of Mackenzie Crowne's story of her battle with breast cancer. It's an uplifting story of hope written by someone who's been there.

 

 

AMAZON:   http://amzn.to/TDVvL9

MACKENZIE CROWNE -- Romance Author

Lucky me, I've got Mackenzie Crowne, my fellow Rose sistah, visiting today. And folks, she is a dearheart. Truly. You can't spend much time around her, even if it's online, and stay down. She's got a buoyant personality -- like a butterfly floating on the breeze. Give her some love today, because she's a debut author who's been on a whirlwind virtual book tour.

Will the real Mackenzie Crowne please stand up!

Since I first read the words, We think Gift of the Realm would be a perfect addition to our line, I’ve been plunged into chaos.

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria!

Okay, not quite, but that line from Ghostbusters has crossed my mind a number of times since signing that first contract. Here I was, realizing my dream, floating on a high drug dealers would kill to bottle and sell. The spoiler? Promotion. I was shocked to discover how much there was to learn and do.

 I’m not sure what I thought exactly. Maybe that my story would magically find it’s way into the hands and hearts of readers. In my ignorance of the publishing game, that made perfect sense. I’m a reader, after all, and I pick up books all the time without any conscious thought of what the author or publisher went through to get the book in front of me.

  ~ Now I do. ~

Promotion is the key. Though it’s the most important, writing a good story isn’t going to do the job. The cover must pop, and make the correct first impression. And the blurb, that synopsis on the back of the book? If it sucks, so do your chances of seeing your book in the hands of readers. In my humble opinion, I have both of those issues covered. So, what’s left? Social media hell!

I’ve joined the groups, read the blogs, tweeted my little heart out. I planned the blog tour, answered the interview questions, and tweeted some more. Basically, I’ve run myself ragged for months, getting my name out there in every way I could think of. I’ve given it my best shot. Now my efforts will have to stand on their own, because today I’m letting my promo hair down. Thank you, Vonnie, for suggesting I speak on the joy and excitement of realizing my dream,

So, here you have it. The real Mackenzie Crowne.

Four years ago I was facing a diagnosis of stage three breast cancer. Today, I’m a published author. I find that reality frigging awesome! Like a great big ‘screw you’ to the demon cancer. What’s more, I achieved that reality by doing something I love.

I’m a pantser by nature and thoroughly enjoy letting the characters do most of the heavy lifting. I love learning about their dreams and goals, discovering their weaknesses and fears. Like a voyeur in my own manuscripts, I crouch over my keyboard, gleefully watching my characters meet, struggle to find their footing, and ultimately fall in love. I laugh and cry with them, cringe when they are hurt…and make faces in the mirror in order to describe their reactions to one thing or another.

I’m here to tell you, writing is a pure joy. Okay, sometimes I want to rip my hair out when the characters take me off in a direction I didn’t expect, but for the most part…Wow, what a ride. And writing Gift of the Realm was a blast! Fairies, gorgeous hunks, curses, a mystical ring of stones, magical gifts, and did I mention gorgeous hunks?  Oh, yeah. I’ve got the best job in the world!

To see a story I love succeed, and find it’s way into the hearts of others, I’ll do the promo thing. I’ll answer the interview questions, and race from blog to blog. I’ll host a virtual scavenger hunt (Details @ mackenziecrowne.com ). I’ll tweet until I can’t tweet no more! I’ll run myself ragged, shouting from virtual mountain tops, but at the heart of it all, I really am living my dream. I’ll continue to write, and have a ball doing it.

My friends call me Mac, I hope you will too.   

Buy links: The Wild Rose Press & Amazon

Website: mackenziecrowne.com