Margaret Brownley on being a RITA finalist and her new book

A LADY LIKE SARAH, the first book in my Rocky Creek series, was a RITA finalist.

The RITA is the highest award given by Romance Writers of America for women’s fiction and I was a finalist in the inspirational category. I didn’t win but boy did I have fun. For a short time it felt like I was rubbing shoulders with the likes of Nora Roberts and Julia Quinn who between the two of them probably have enough RITAs to hold up a house. During the RWA conference I got to wear a bright green ribbon on my nametag emblazoned with “RITA finalist” in big gold letters. I was like a newly engaged woman showing off a two-caret diamond ring. My back ached from pushing out my chest so people could see my nametag, but it’s my own fault for being too cheap to spring for breast implants. I couldn’t move without someone congratulating me. One man even bowed which I thought was carrying things a bit too far until I realized he was simply tying his shoe. The night of the big award ceremony I suddenly realized two things: one, I hadn’t written a speech and two, I had a big glob of butter on the front of my dress. After trying my best to wipe off the spot I used the same paper towel to jot down my speech and couldn’t remember the name of the man who has supported my writing all these years. I did remember, however, that I was married to him. It was probably a good thing I didn’t win. I sure would have hated to stand in front of 2000 people and thank the love of my life, “What’s his name.” All in all it was a great experience.

Even if you’re not yet published, you can still enter the RWA Golden Heart contest for unpublished writers. Just think, if your book makes the finals not only will you get to wear a bright green ribbon–you might even catch an editor’s eye. I’ve now come down from Cloud 9, and my chiropractor assures me that my back will be as good as new with just a few more treatments I have to admit, though, it was kind of a shock to walk into the bathroom my first morning home without hearing someone wish me good luck.

Blurb for A SUITOR FOR JENNY

Pub Date: 09/27/2010 – Thomas Nelson Publishing

Jenny Higgins is certain falling in love and finding a husband are matters of the mind. But her heart has other plans. After their parents died, Jenny felt responsible for seeing that her two younger sisters were well-taken care of. Tipped off by an article naming Rocky Creek the town with the highest number of eligible bachelors, Jenny rolled into this Texas town with a clear objective: find suitable husbands for her two younger sisters and then start fresh somewhere far, far away. Jenny believes that women who fall in love at first sight often wish they’d taken a second look, so she diligently begins to follow all the rules set forth in her handy manual on how to land a husband. But while Jenny is interviewing the less-than-promising candidates, her sisters are falling in love the old fashioned way–with men of their choosing. And the longer Jenny stays, the more her sense of control slips away. The town isn’t living up to her expectations, her sisters are rebelling against her practical choices, and soon her own heart starts to betray her, as US Marshal Rhett Armstrong stirs up emotions in her that weren’t part of her plan. To relinquish her control to God and calm her restless spirit, she’ll need to give up her foregone conclusions about marriage, love, and faith.

 

How fun! Thank you, Margaret, for coming on board and sharing your experience – one I’m sure more of us would like to relate to .                                                                                              

Please visit Margaret’s homestead to learn more about her and her books!

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