Vickie McDonough and Free Books!

Sophie longs for adventure and romance, but because she has asthma, her parents have kept her close to home. When her ailing aunt requests help, Sophie sees it as her one chance to prove to her parents -- and herself -- that she is capable of living on her own.

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of A Promise Made, by Norma Downing, is:

fishingjan@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

Remember to enter your email address when you comment, as described in today's drawing information, below. If you win the drawing but haven't left your email address, I can't contact you!

Now let's revisit with novelist Vickie McDonough, author of Call of the Prairie (Whitaker House, January 2014).

Vickie McDonough grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams in her fictional stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen and others living in the West during the 1800s.

Vickie is the award-winning author of 29 published books and novellas. Her books include the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, and End of the Trail, which was the OWFI 2013 Best Fiction Novel winner. Whispers on the Prairie, which released in July, was chosen by Romantic Times as one of their Recommended Inspirational Books for July.

Vickie is a wife of thirty-eight years, mother of four grown sons, one daughter-in-law, and grandma to a feisty seven-year-old girl. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, antiquing, watching movies, and traveling.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

-- I lived in Israel for a year back in 1975-76

-- I’m primary caregiver for my 83 yo Mom who is partially handicapped

-- I’ve never drank a cup of coffee—Coke is my drink of choice

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Call of the Prairie.

Sophie Davenport fears life is passing her by. Her strict, overprotective parents have kept her close to home because of the severe asthma attacks she sometimes endures. She longs to live a normal life and hopes to marry, but that dream seems impossible.

When her aunt has a tragic accident and requests someone come to Kansas to help her, no one is available except Sophie. Her father, tied up with business, reluctantly agrees to let her go. Sophie is ecstatic and sees this trip as her one chance to prove to her parents—and herself—that she’s capable of living on her own.

But things in the small town of Windmill are not as her aunt portrayed. And her aunt’s handsome neighbor, guardian of two of the children her aunt cares for after school, obviously doubts her abilities. Will the Kansas dust, the drama, and difficulties prove too much for Sophie? Or will she lose her heart to her neighbor and succumb to the call of the prairie?

Why will readers care about Sophie?

Though Sophie is from a well-to-do family, she has had a hard, restricted life. Because of asthma attacks that left her near dead when she was young, her parents have not allowed her to live a normal life. She reads, sews, and does light gardening, but she longs to do something meaningful and hopes to one day marry. I hope that readers will sympathize with her plight and cheer for her to succeed and create a better life for herself.

What is one improvement you’d like to make in your life in 2014?

I’d like to be able to get my writing done earlier in the day, so that I have more time to do things around the house and spend more time with my family.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

The last novel I read was Return of the Cowboy Doctor by Lacy Williams. It’s a compelling story about a shy doctor, who is unsure of himself, and a strong heroine, the daughter of a doctor, who longs to go to med school. He starts working for her father, and she sees him as a threat to the realization of her dreams. It’s a good story with a satisfying ending.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a novella that will be included in A Westward Christmas Collection that will release this fall. After that, I’ll be writing Gabriel’s Atonement, the first book in a new series that is centered around the Oklahoma land rushes.

Where else can readers find you online?

Website: www.vickiemcdonough.com
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons:






CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

I like reading books about bad boys/wounded warriors who are redeemed by the end of the story. Their cockiness or grumbling usually hides a deep hurt, but they also have many hero qualities. What characteristics describe your ultimate hero?

Great question!

Thank you, Vickie, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Vickie has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 27. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Vickie's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Ronie Kendig , below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the books.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.