GUEST BLOGGER KATHLEEN MAHER: The Season of Suddenlies (& Giveaways!!)

What a thrill it is to be here on Seekerville my first time! July has been a month of firsts for me.  I became a grandma for the first time, and even though my ego is a tiny bit bruised to realize that I am old enough to have a grand, I confess the love that bubbled up inside at seeing this little bundle was far greater than the bump to my vanity. This is Lucas Joseph, certain to be best of friends with the new royal baby.

I had a first baby of another sort in July, too. My first book baby, Bachelor Buttons! Well, this one is a bit small at 60 pages. It is more a novella baby, but it is mine and it is finally in print after a fun debut as an ebook since May. Right now Bachelor Buttons is #16 in Amazon top-rated Civil War History. Carrie Pagels whose Return to Shirley Plantation is #15, helped me every step of the way from

plotting to critiquing to promoting on this project. She is a cheerleader, a nightingale of encouragement, a rallying point, a mentor, and one heck of a writer. Can I just say I am blessed to have shared this journey with her?

This project came about at a very exciting time—the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Murray Pura invited me and Carrie and a dozen other authors to contribute to a novella collection to commemorate the battles of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chancellorsville, and the Emancipation Proclamation, among other major events of 1863. Murray’s invite nearly coincided with my celebration over landing a terrific agent, the distinguished Texas gentleman Terry Burns. When the Lord moves, it is truly a season of suddenlies. Only the Lord could have orchestrated something so perfect for me. I am a Civil War fanatic, and a lover of New York state history. And not only that, but I was raised by a mother who kept alive the oral history of our Irish family back to five generations. It all gelled for me into a story about my Irish people in New York City during the Draft Riots of 1863.

Bachelor Buttons blurb: Rose Meehan longs for a better life than the tenements of New York City. Courted by two men--a young doctor who represents material security, and a poor violin instructor who has captured her heart--she must choose between a life of advantage-grabbing or a life of faith. When Manhattan explodes in mob rule following Lincoln's unpopular draft, the heroic action of one suitor brings provision for those she loves, and reveals God's plan.
Rose is based on my maternal great, great grandmother, and her two Irish suitors who really did run a foot race to settle who would have courting privileges with her. It was so much fun recreating the world she lived in, seeing again the sights of Manhattan 150 years ago, and hearing the music from the various ethnic sections that my novella touches on. From Irish fiddle music to African American “pattin’ de juba,” martial fife and drum, and the wonderful spirituals of the times, I enjoy immersing myself in the sounds from the era. I don’t want to spoil who wins Rose’s hand, but suffice to say music figures prominently in the story.

More about that season of suddenlies. My journey has been long and uneventful. I knew I wanted to be published since I was in junior high. That’s when I started writing in earnest, completing a novel in 8th grade and going on to write several since. I won’t reveal my age but you already know I am a grandmother, so you figure it’s been a long, loooooong time. I’ve known artists who wrote or painted work that glorified darkness, exploited people’s souls through gratuitous sex, the occult, or nihilism, and they seemed to find a ready audience whether they had developed craft or not. It was discouraging to say the least, and became tempting to sell out my message of hope and redemption, of God’s transformational power, but for God’s staying hand, keeping me. I long ago dedicated my writing, my craft, my message and my life to the Lord. Honoring him with all He has given me has been my offering to Him, and if He chose to bless my efforts, that was in His hands alone.

My theme verse became I Thessalonians 4:11”Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands.” I had no audience but the Lord. And for the longest time not even a steady critique partner, until I joined ACFW in 2008 and met my brilliant BFF and conjoined writing twin Debbie Lynne Costello. My craft and business savvy improved under Debbie Lynne’s eagle eye and marketing maven influence. Seekerville has played a big part, too. I felt kindred with the seekers, since some little voice in my heart told me that contests would play a major role in my own journey. And then in 2012 after entering contests since 2009, I finaled in the Genesis ... and then won! (swoon) Suddenly I was affirmed in ways I had never imagined. It was truly humbling and deeply moving, like God was receiving the offering I had given Him, and blessing it. It still makes me teary to think of how He can change our seasons from obscurity to debut in a moment. 
This is my theme song for my writing, and I hope you are blessed by it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVxerUJrKeA

ABOUT KATHLEEN:
Kathleen L. writes about New York State history http://kathleenlmaher.blogspot.com/ and enjoys promoting CBA releases on her http://fictionaddictionfix.blogspot.com/ blog. She and her husband live in a 100-year-old farmhouse in upstate NY with their three children, two rescued Newfoundland dogs, and a tuxedo cat complete their family.

GIVEAWAYS!!
As thanks for allowing me to guest on my dream blog, I’d like to offer a print copy of my novella and an ebook of Carrie’s, plus a Third Day’s Offerings CD to one lucky commenter today. GOOD LUCK!!