Mary Manners and Free Books!

Sometimes miracles and mischief go hand in hand.

Before we revisit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Zero Visibility, by Sharon Dunn, is:

Campbellamyd@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail 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!

Now let's visit with novelist Mary Manners, author of Miracles and Mischief (Pelican Book Group, August 2012).

Mary Manners is an award-winning romance writer who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee with her husband, Tim, their daughter, Danni, and the cherished cats they've rescued from local animal shelters...Lucky and Gus. Both of Mary’s sons, Tyler and Brad, serve our country in the United States Air Force.

Mary’s debut novel, Mended Heart, was nominated Best Inspirational Romance 2010, and was finalist for the Bookseller’s Best Award and her follow-up, Tender Mercies, was awarded an outstanding 4 ½ star rating from The Romantic Times Book Reviews and was also a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Buried Treasures, her third novel, was named Book of the Year by The Wordsmith Journal. Light the Fire, her fourth novel, has also been nominated for the 2012 Inspirational Readers Choice Award.

Mary writes romances of all lengths, from short stories to novels—something for everyone. To date, Mary has sixteen books in print, with a dozen more under contract with White Rose Publishing.

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

--I am terrified of heights

--I love flavored coffee…any flavor

--I love to mow my law (push mow)…it’s great for writer’s block

--I wrote my first full-length novel in the sixth grade (yes, my journey to publication was long and winding)

--I sing in the shower

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Miracles and Mischief.

NFL running back Nate Saylor is the best in the league, a star in his own universe…until a brush with the law tarnishes his career. When his agent suggests he sign on with the Moments for Miracles Foundation, a charity organization that grants wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses, Nate agrees with a half-hearted shrug, never expecting to be contacted. As the offseason begins, he retires to his property on the outskirts of Mill’s Landing, secluded from the press…and fans that are so quick to judge.

Shayna Grady is a single mom struggling to stay afloat financially while tending to the needs of her son, Zac, who’s been struck with childhood leukemia. A bone marrow transplant is Zac's only hope for survival, but a match has yet to be found. While they wait, Shayna plans to see that Zac’s special wish is granted…to spend a day with his hero—NFL running back Nate Saylor. Though Shayna has reservations about pairing her son with the player whose blistered more than his fair share of negative headlines, she writes a heartfelt letter to the Moments for Miracles Foundation, pleading for their help.

Shayna’s letter—and her love for her son—are a pick-six to Nate’s heart. He finds himself longing for more, but is it too late to grant Zac’s wish…and to prove to Shayna there’s more to him than newspaper headlines reveal?

What is it about Nate that will make your readers care about him?

Nate has a tough exterior, but he’s very tender on the inside. He just melts around Shayna and Zac.

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

Wow…I believe I’d have Ryan Gosling



and Rachel McAdams. Who wouldn’t want to see them together again?



You romantic, you.

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

I would recommend Monday's Child by Clare Revell. It's the first in a seven-book series tailored after the Monday’s Child poem. Each book will offer a fantastic blend of romance and suspense.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on the second book in my Willow Lake series, titled Warrior in Willow Lake. This is a four-book series centered around friends who are reunited following an tragic accident.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website

Facebook

Twitter

Pelican Book Group

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

What makes you laugh the hardest?

Thank you, Mary, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Mary has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, August 2. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Mary'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 Lillian Duncan, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a copy of the book.

And 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.