Writer’s Desk with Mary Connealy
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.
Her most recent book series is Wyoming Sunrise.
Other series are The Brides of Hope Mountain, Garrison’s Law, High Sierra Sweethearts, Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, and Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas.
Connect with Mary on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Amazon, and sign up for her newsletter here.
More about Marshalling Her Heart
Will their lives and romance survive the trouble coming their way?
Becky Pruitt has always prided herself on knowing everything happening on her successful ranch, so an unexpected admission from her foreman, Nate Paxton, comes as quite a surprise. With the notorious Deadeye Gang on the loose, Nate—a former U.S. Marshal—believes Becky’s ranch is the best spot for a group of Marshals to use as a base to hunt them down.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial for the town of Pine Valley, and Becky feels obligated to help. But after escaping the grasp of her harsh father, she’s never liked giving up control, of her life or her ranch. If there’s anyone she can trust with her ranch and her heart, it might be Nate. But the outlaws won’t go away quietly, and as danger draws ever nearer, Becky and Nate are faced with impossible choices that will test their growing bond.
Purchase a copy of Marshalling Her Heart here.
Scroll below to enter to win all three books in the Wyoming Sunrise series + a $15 Amazon gift card!
Q&A with Mary Connealy
TG: What is your writing process like?
MC: I write 1000 words a day, seven days a week. I miss sometimes but rarely. I often write late into the night because I tend to be a night owl.
TG: What is your writing Kryptonite?
MC: Lots of things may distract me for a time, but I very rarely am knocked down and out for good. I gather myself, as Superman so often does, and get back to work.
TG: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
MC: You know, I started writing before Google, before we had the internet in our home. I’d been writing for years before I found out there was such a thing as Christian Fiction. I wish I’d had that knowledge and all of those tools, but they just weren’t that easy to get back then. I guess, bottom line, I like where I am now and I suspect I needed to do it, go through all of it, to be exactly here. So, no changes.
TG: What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
MC: I suppose it was the cost of attending my first ACFW Conference. I gained so much from that.
TG: What did you edit out of Marshaling Her Heart?
MC: Okay, I’ve been thinking of an answer to this one for too long. I give up. Bethany House is so great to work with. They really let me write my own books my own way. They help me along the way, of course, and their help is so solid and useful, but I can’t remember my publisher ever saying to me, “This has to go.”
TG: What is the most difficult thing about being an author?
MC: Getting away from my computer and doing real life. Being an author is my default life choice. It’s other things that are difficult.
TG: As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot?
MC: A horse, for sure!
TG: Which book that you’ve written is your favorite?
MC: Mean question, Tricia, shame on you. 😊 You KNOW this is hard. I have a personal love for Now and Forever, and my sweet, wounded vegetarian protagonist who must enter a marriage of convenience to a mountain man trapper. It took some work to get those two all the way to “happily ever after”. I consider their wedding to be the funniest scene I’ve ever written.
TG: Which of your books was the most fun to write?
MC: All of them are fun. Writing is the most fun thing I’ve ever done.
TG: Which was the most difficult — and why?
MC: Sigh—these questions!!! The next series was a struggle. I’m dealing with characters with mental health issues and the insane asylums of the time, and I really wanted to treat mental illness respectfully. It’s not something you can—or should—just toss jokes at. So being thoughtful and careful was something I really had to strive for.
TG: If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
MC: How do you stand living without air conditioning?
TG: What is coming up next for you?
MC: My next series begins in February of 2024 with Chasing the Horizon. A daughter helps her mother escape from an insane asylum, where she was locked away by her tyrant husband. (Back in the day, people could get away with doing things like that to women with very little cause.) And the chase is on for three books!
Enter for a chance to win a copy of all three books in the Wyoming Sunrise series + a $15 Amazon Gift Card!
*Due to shipping costs, the winner must have a US mailing address.
Click, Save, + Share!
I am the biggest fan of Mary Connealy and all her books. I really love all of her book series with ‘Texas-Montana-Petticoats’ as my favorite.
Hello Mary, Really looking forward to this series!!
When I pick up a book by Mary Connealy, I know for sure that I am about to enjoy a wonderful story. Many of her books have left me giggling out loud. This series is a definite must read.
Hi Mary! I love your books and I know this one will be great too.
I would choose a horse too!
I have enjoyed Mary’s books for years. 💛
Thank you for this exciting giveaway opportunity!
Hi Mary, I love your books but I’ve missed Now & Forever. You’ve convinced me that I need to read it, and your next series sounds amazing also. Congratulations on the completion of the Wyoming Sunrise series! Thanks, Tricia, for this giveaway.
I hope you are having a blessed week.
Love the cover!
Love Mary’s books! Thank you for this offer!
Loved reading your interview!!
Hello, this sounds like a wonderful book that I would enjoy!
Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Good afternoon, Mary. I hope you have a nice weekend.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Sounds like just the kind of book that I love to read
Can’t wait to read!
Hi! Thanks for a new book/series to look into!
Can’t wait to read more!
One of my go-to authors!
Hello this sounds like such a great book! Have a Blessed Day
A wonderful author that I so enjoy reading.
Looking forward to reading this great sounding book!
I love your books
It was exciting to meet you at the 2022 Storyfest!
Looks like a great book! Definitely one to read soon!
The first books I read by Mary Connealy were her Montana books because I was born in Montana.
Hi Mary. This book sounds great.
Hello! I very much enjoyed the interview and have the same thoughts about air conditioning! Always appreciate Mary’s interesting characters and excellent historical research.
This book sounds great! I will have to add it to my list.
This sounds like a great read! I can relate to Becky, b/c I LIKE to be in control!
I love a good western setting. These sound like very good reads.
Absolutely my favorite author!
Hi Mary, very much looking forward to reading these.
Hello Mary, Have a great day !
Thanks for the chance!
Hi Mary! Love your books and can’t wait for your next series! Your characters are such fun.
Sounds awesome!
Howdy all!
Great giveaway!
Happy autumn 🍂
I think I’ve been reading Mary’s books almost as long as I’ve read Tricia’s. Both are some of my favorite authors. I’m pretty sure I’ve read all of Mary’s books. I love the Q and A’s. God bless, Kim
I’m an ARC reader of Marshaling Her Heart. I loved it!
This series sounds captivating, so I am adding it to my tbr list right away. Thanks for the chance of winning this set of books!
Hi! Can’t wait to read this series! I love books set in Wyoming!
Hi Mary!
Thanks for writing! I have read several of your books a d enjoyed them!
Hello. Thanks for sharing this give a way on your blog. I am such a huge fan of hers. She speaks to my heart and I love to learn new ways to make my faith stronger
Love her books, suspense, humor, a little of everything!
I always enjoy Mary’s books. Keep using your gifts for His glory!
Hi Mary! I always enjoy your books!
So nice to meet you
Awesome!!