Cowboys! Treasure Hunts! Romance! Mystery and Suspense!
Who doesn’t love a great historical romance set in the 1800s’ Wild West? And this month’s A2A author has sold over 1.5 million books that have delighted readers–loyal readers who continue to enjoy Mary Connealy’s “romantic stories with cowboys!”
Mary Connealy is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.
She writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. Awarded a Carol Award–twice–she was also a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. And the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas.
Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.
Whispers of Fortune is her latest release. It is the first book in her new Golden State Treasure series. Readers of The Lumber Baron’s Daughters series will recognize the Hart sisters.
So excited about this new series, Mary. Can you tell us a little about the first book, Whispers of Fortune?
In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at Two Hearts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he finds them thriving at the ranch’s school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. His own options limited, Brody reluctantly takes on the role of the ranch’s doctor, and he forms an unexpected bond with Ellie. Of course she’s kept a steady eye on Brody’s two rapscallion brothers. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure.
With winter approaching and his brothers threatening to bolt again, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. But along the way, old adversaries resurface, threatening their newfound affection and the safety of the ranch.
What inspired you to set Whispers of Fortune the California of 1875?
Whispers of Fortune is connected to my Lumber Baron’s Daughters series. There were three adult, unmarried characters who lived and worked on the Two Harts Ranch. All of them were primed for romance and adventure. In researching the area, including a visit to Yosemite National Park, I learned that a Spanish Armada from Mexico had sailed up the California coast. Because of fog, they hadn’t recognized San Francisco Bay. They’d found many bays on the California coast but missed one of the big ones. In fact, it was three hundred years from this 1500s expedition until someone found San Francisco Bay. Then I started playing ‘what if.’
I wanted The Two Harts Ranch family involved. I needed to set the story in the 1870s. I came up with a ship blown to shore, lost in a storm, following an inland river and then an earthquake strands them, in the wilderness, not to be found again until the intrepid folks at the Two Harts hear those Whispers of Fortune.
Which of your characters has really stretched you as a writer?
With each book, I really try to attempt something new. I did a legal drama for part of my last book, and I’ve never done that before. There was a lady justice of the peace for Laws of Attraction–about three books ago–and I had to do a lot of research for the character.
I love asking this question of my featured authors: What did you read as a child? Or what did/do you read to your children/grandchildren?
I was a huge reader as a child. MOST any series you can think of, I read it all! The one that comes to mind is The Black Stallion Series. That’s the first book I remember thinking, “How did he do that?” “Walter, would you put me in that book.”
As I read, I could hear the thundering hooves in the races. Feel those big bodies bumping against each other. He had a deep gift for make me see, hear, feel, smell, touch the book in his writing and I remembered that skill. I try to bring that skill to my own writing.
Recently, I started my grandchildren on the Dragon Spell Series. I just love those books and so do the older grandkids who’ve already read them all.
Who are your favorite authors to read & why?
I’m a huge Karen Witemeyer fan. Love regency romance and love the books Erica Vetch is writing now set in Regency England. I also read a lot of detective fiction, romantic suspense. I love Lynette Easton, Irene Hannon, Jaime Jo Wright and Sharee Stover. Actually, I read widely in most all genres so I can’t begin to list them all.
Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks?
I have very few quirks except, I guess, I write late at night. Fortunately, I am very focused so I can write with distractions and go right back to it. Answer a
phone call, talk for a while and go right back to it. I don’t need a certain beverage, music or silence. I’m a low maintenance writer.
Many of my readers are unpublished writers who long to hold that first book in their hands. Do you have any advice for them?
I wrote for ten years before I got my first book published. When I did get my first contract I had twenty finished books on my computer at home. I had just enough encouragement through those ten long years to keep me going.
Don’t be afraid to strive and sweat and pray and fail and strive and pray some more for the desires of your heart. Because my books are proof that dreams can come true. That with God all things are possible.
How encouraging, readers! Now, how about a GREAT giveaway from Mary?
The February’s A2A Giveaway!
Yes! Thanks to Mary and Bethany House Publishing, this month’s giveaway is a paperback copy of her latest release, Whispers of Fortune–the first book in her new series, The Golden State Treasure! Also, Mary will include a companion bookmark.
There’s one winner and it could be you! How? Well, by entering! Not just once, but up to SIX times!* Leave a comment below and share this blog and if you haven’t already, please subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this blog and receive a free gift from me — and an extra entry.
NOTE: WANT TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THIS INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY?*
Check out my YouTube A2A interview with Mary. Because, in the video interview Mary answer different fun questions–and we have some great discussions! By Liking and Commenting on the video episode, you will have one more entry.* Sharing the video, another entry.* Subscribe, and you have TWO entries for a chance to win.*
The Deadline is February 13th!
Watch our interview–
That means, my friends, if you comment and subscribe -– or are already a subscriber -– to my blog, then watch the video and LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT on the VIDEO, then Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, your name will be entered SIX TIMES!*
Next month: Award-winning and bestselling author, Becca Kinzer.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Mary–I sure enjoyed catching up with her! Until March, God bless and KEEP READING!
*So sorry, entries from the contiguous US only.
