Scroll down for a chance to win a copy of Maggie’s newest book, Trusting Grace. Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature.

Maggie Brendan’s newest novel in her Virtues and Vices of the Old West series, tells the story of Grace Bidwell. All of her life, Grace Bidwell has longed for a loving husband and children, but now the chances of her dreams coming true are looking slim. Widowed and caring for her elderly father, she struggles to maintain her late husband’s ranch, until she places an ad for a hired hand.

Robert Frasier arrives in town with three pitiful, bedraggled children who have nothing but the tattered clothes on their backs and a load of hurt, pride, and anger. Believing this is divine intervention in her life, Grace welcomes them with open arms. As feelings grow between her and Robert, Grace will have to convince him that she is a woman who can be trusted with his heart.

Readers will be swept away into 1860s Montana’s lush Gallatin Valley, nestled among towering mountains and proud pines, in this emotional conclusion to the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series.

Author Spotlight with Maggie Brendan

Can you tell us about your newest release? Is it part of a series or a stand-alone?

Trusting Grace is the last book in the series, The Virtues and Vices of the Old West, however, it is a stand-alone novel. The story centers around a lonely widow who struggles with running her farm then decides to hire someone to help with mounting chores while caring for an ill father. It just so happens that her hired handyman is down on his luck and homeless. He’s hard working and strong-minded individual but a man of few words. They’ve both been hurt before—and though attracted to each other—they find it hard to overcome their past. Their relationship slowly develops into mutual respect until they both entertain thoughts of marrying again.

Is anything or anyone in this book based on real-life experiences?

This one is not, unlike my other books.

Who was your favorite character in this story, and why?

Grace, the heroine, was definitely my favorite character. She has a warm, thoughtful personality, and her virtues, among others, are her relationship with her father and God. She’s deeply caring of others, but one of her vices is putting her father above herself.

Compared to your other books, was this one easy to complete or challenging? Any idea why?

It wasn’t hard to write but definitely challenging in the fact that we moved from Atlanta after thirty years, along with the fact that my husband has a chronic disease, that became a tiny piece of my story.

What was the hardest scene in this book to write? What made it difficult?

Discovering that Robert, the hero’s children’s were about to be taken away from him. With no children of her own, Grace had come to love Robert’s children as her own, causing her deep sadness that she might never see them again.

What did you (or your editors) edit out of this book?

You know, I’m almost sure no scene was cut but maybe moved to a different spot which worked out perfectly.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing from the point of view of the opposite sex?

Since I had three brothers, I’d like to think I had plenty of experience with the mind of the opposite sex, and added insight from my husband and grown son. I actually find it fairly easy to do, but I do run some of the male POV scenes by my husband to make sure I have written them in the way a man thinks. I do find it enjoyable to write the male POV.

Thank you for spending time on my blog today! Where can readers find you, and where should they buy your book?

website | blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | GoodReads | Instagram

My books may be purchased here:

Amazon | CBD | Barnes and Noble

Maggie Brendan is the CBA bestselling author of the Heart of the West series and The Blue Willow Brides series, as well as The Trouble with Patience. Her books have received the Book Buyers Best Award from the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America and the Laurel Wreath Award. A member of the American Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, and Author’s Guild, Maggie lives in Georgia.

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