Vicki McDonough and Free Books!

A music teacher’s dream of being an opera singer fades when she flees Boston with her deceased cousin’s newborn son to protect him from his cruel father.

Today we're chatting with novelist Vickie McDonough, author of Song of the Prairie, book 3 in the Pioneer Promises series (Whitaker House, August 2014).

Bestselling author 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 Old West during the 1800s.

Vickie is the award-winning author of over thirty 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 was a Romantic Times Recommended Inspirational Book for July 2013 and was a Holt Medallion Award of Merit winner.

Vickie has been married thirty-eight years to Robert. They have four grown sons, one of whom is married, and a precocious eight-year-old granddaughter. 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 bought a motorcycle with money I’d made babysitting when I was 14.

-- I lived on a kibbutz in Israel for a year, right after I was married.

-- I’m primary caregiver for my eighty-four-year-old mother.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of your novel.

Janie Dunn’s dream of being an opera singer suddenly fades when, at her dying cousin’s request, she flees Boston with her cousin’s newborn son to protect him from his abusive father. She moves to Kansas to live with her brother, but life takes another dire change when he is suddenly killed.

Is a marriage of convenience the answer to her problems? Is Kansas far enough away from Boston that they are safe from the baby’s vengeful father?

What is it about Janie that will make your readers care about her?

My heroine is willing to give up her job and dreams to protect and raise her cousin’s newborn son, even though she knows nothing about raising a baby.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Janie Dunn, heroine = Zena Grey



Aaron Harper, hero = This is the guy I always envisioned as my hero in Song of the Prairie. Don’t ask his name though because I don’t know it. Photo is courtesy of Rob Lang Photography.



Do you ever attend writers’ conferences? At what point in a writer’s career do you think she or he should consider attending conferences, and why?

Yes. I try to attend two each year. I think that once you’re serious about writing you should start attending conferences. Writing is such a solitary life. You need to be around other people who understand you and what you face as a writer. You will learn lots of things, most likely have a chance to meet with an agent or editor and pitch your book idea, and you’ll go home excited and ready to work, having made some new friends.

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

I’m currently reading Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green. It’s an incredible portrayal of life during the Civil War. Her descriptions are stunning and you’ll suffer with her characters and empathize with them as they endure those awful days and rejoice with then when a rare happy event occurs.

What are you working on now?

Joline’s Redemption, book 2 in my Land Rush Dreams series. It’s the story of a stubborn young woman who’s bad choices have left her in dire circumstances, and the one person who can help her is the last person she wants to ask.

Where else can readers find you online?

Website: www.vickiemcdonough.com (There’s a sign-up link for my newsletter on the Home page)
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Christian Fiction Historical Society blog


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?

My husband and I are currently traveling. In Arkansas, we saw a sign for a park named Toad Suck Park. I also know of a place in that state called Booger Hallow. Then in Tennessee, we saw a sign to Bucksnort. What’s the oddest name for a town or place that you’ve come across?

I love that question! Thanks, 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, September 8. 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 interviews with Mary Ellis and Mary Hamilton, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of the book.

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.