September 20, 2010

Spotlight On... Margaret Tanner


The contest winner has been annouced.
Congratulations, Susan Macatee.



Please help me in welcoming historical romance author, Margaret Tanner, to the keyboard today.  Margaret will be giving away an e-copy of her new release, Reluctant Father, to one lucky person today, so make sure to comment!

Welcome, Margaret, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thank your for the welcome Sarah.
I love delving into the past. No book is too old or dusty for me to trawl through, no cemetery too overgrown.

I live in Australia and am married with three grown up sons and a lovely little grand daughter. She is the light of our lives. We only had three sons, hubby is one of four boys, but, of course, we don’t spoil her????

Tell us about RELUCTANT FATHER and where we can find it.

Reluctant Father is released by The Wild Rose Press.
It is set against the turbulent background of the Vietnam War. Although none of the main characters participated in the conflict their lives are touched by it.

The heroine, Sarah Watson, is the daughter of an elderly minister of religion. She wants to marry and have babies, sooner rather than later, as she has gynecological problems like her mother and grandmother did.

Due to his deprived childhood, Jordan, the wealthy hero, is obsessively clean, and cannot stand dirt in any shape or form. He is also allergic to babies.
He believes that money can buy anything – whereas Sarah knows it cannot buy true love, which is what she feels for him.

Do you have a favorite character or one that you identify most with?

Not really. I always like my main characters, even though my hero’s are often the brooding, ruthless types, but they are always redeemable.

Describe your writing in three words.

Passionate, emotional, exciting.

Why did you choose your genre?

I have always liked Australian history. Some would say I am obsessed with it.

Where do you get your ideas?

They just jump out at me. I never really know when they are going to come. I always carry a pen and paper around and jot down ideas, in case I forget them.

How do you do your research?

I go to the library and use the reference books, peruse family diaries, harass elderly relatives for information on their childhood, not easy when some of them are as deaf as a post, but the dear old souls are really very helpful. Cemeteries and museums are a great source of information also.

What advice would you give to the new/unpublished author?

Be determined, hone your skills and never give up on your dream of publication. It is a hard road to travel, but worth it once you hold your book in your hand and lovingly caress the pages.

What’s next for you?

I am currently writing a longer 95,000+ word historical which I would like to place with one of the large publishing houses.

Where can we find you on the web?

http://www.margarettanner.com/

Is there anything you would like to ask our readers?

Yes, what draws them to buy a book, the cover, the blurb or the author’s name.

Margaret, thanks for visiting with us today.

Readers, don't forget to comment for your chance to win a free e-copy of Margaret's newest release, Reluctant Father.  You can read an excerpt HERE.


26 comments:

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Sarah,
Thanks you so much for the lovely welcome, it is pleasure to visit with you.

Regards

Mrgaret

Sarah Grimm said...

It's great to have you here today, Margaret!

~Sarah

Cheryl Pierson said...

Hi Sarah and Margaret,

Great interview! I always enjoy your interviews, Margaret--seems I always learn something else I didn't know. Your excerpt sounds wonderful, as always! I can't wait to get my hands on this book. Jordan sounds like someone who's going to have to go through a lot of "redeeming." LOL
Cheryl

Sarah Grimm said...

commenting for Sue:

Nice interview. I tried to leave a comment and it wouldn't let me. The book sounds inviting.

Sue

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for dropping by I appreciate it.

Regards

Margaret

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Sue,
Thanks for dropping by, sorry you couldn't leave a comment. This kind of thing happens to me quite often too. I sometimes wonder whether blogger doesn't hate me.

regards

Margaret

Keena Kincaid said...

Allergic to babies! I love it, Margaret. I can see Jordan breaking into a rash every time one of the little cookie crunchers crawls too close. LOL!

I'm learning so much about Australian history through you. It's fascinating how it's similar to U.S. history but so very different. And I know that sounds like a "no duh!" statement, but the strange familiarity really does interesting.

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Keena,
Thank you for dropping by. Our two countries do have a similar history and outlook. Particularly our Outback and your Wild West. We just talk a bit different.

Regards

Margaret

Cherie Le Clare said...

Ooh, great tension between your characters in the excerpt,Margaret!
All the very best with your BIG novel project - 90,000+ words - wow.
You've been doing brilliantly this year with sales/popularity.
Cheers,
Cherie Le Clare
cherieleclare@gmail.com

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Cherie,
Thank you so much for stopping buy.
90,000 words is a bit of a jump from my usual 60,000 words.

Best wishes

Margaret

Tanya Hanson said...

Hi ladies,what an interesting post, Margaret. It's great learning more about you. This book has such interesting characters. Allergic to babies...as if they're puppies. I love that description.

Good luck with the book, and with your 90K one. Tell us a bit about it...

Best,
~Tanya

Nikki said...

Great interview. This book sounds really good and I like the cover!

Sue Perkins said...

Hi Margaret, lovely interview and the excerpt is tantalising.
Cheers Sue in NZ

Susan Macatee said...

Hi, Margaret! Great interview and excerpt!! Congrats on your newest release!!

Cate Masters said...

Wonderful interview, ladies. Congrats on another release Margaret! Such an adorable cover. I love complex characters, too, and Jordan sounds as if he won't disappoint! Wishing you many sales.

Karlene Blakemore-Mowle said...

Hi Margaret!
Huge congratulations on your new release- It sounds fantastic. Fellow lover of anything Australian here, and you've picked a particularly interesting time in history for this book.Good luck with yet another great story!
Karly.

Jannine Gallant said...

Hi Margaret,

Great interview. In answer to your question... I'll pick up a book by an author I know or a cover that catches my eye, but it's the blurb that makes or breaks the deal. Good luck with sales!
Jannine

Helen said...

Hi Margaret

This book sounds soo good. I too love stories with history involved I remember when I was young asking my relatives about their time as a child and how they managed without the luxuries that we grew up with LOL alwyas fun times

Congrats on the release

Have Fun
Helen

Margaret Tanner said...

Good morning,
Nikki, Tanya Helen, Sue, Susan, Cate, Karlene and Jannine.
Thank you so much ladies for dropping by I really appreciate the support.

Regards

Margaret

LK Hunsaker said...

Hi Margaret, your new book is also set in Australia during the Vietnam war? That would be interesting to read. :-)

As for buying a book, generally the title grabs me first, especially if it yells "history!" or "travel!" but also a pretty pastel/nature/water cover will pull me to check the blurb.

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Loraine,
Thanks for dropping by. Yes the book is set against the background of the Vietnam War (1960's). I have to say I like an eye-catching cover, makes me pick the book up to read the blurb.

Regards

Margaret

Liz Flaherty said...

Nice interview, Margaret. Vietnam era is so bittersweet to me. My own hero came home, but so many didn't. Your books sounds terrific.

Margaret Tanner said...

Thank you Liz.
Yes, in retrospect it certainly was a tragedy.I am glad your hero came home.

regards

Margaret

Caroline Clemmons said...

Margaret, your new book sounds very intriguing. I loved Frontier Wife, so I know your writing is top notch. Since I won that copy, don't put me in the drawing. I do plan to acquire the book, though. Continued success with your writing career.

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Caroline,
Thank you so much for dropping by and for your kind comments, I really appreciate it. O.K. I will leave you out of the draw.

Regards

Margaret

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Everyone,
Thank you all for dropping by to leave a comment. I really appreciate it. The winner of a download of Reluctant Father is Susan Macatee who I will contact privately.

Regards
Margaret