Mona Hodgson ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 6 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details, as the requirements are different for this giveaway!*

Today author Mona Hodgson is telling us about her new book, Too Rich for a Bride (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series #2). She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Hi, everyone!

Welcome, Mona! Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a wife of 38 years, a mother of two daughters in their thirties, Grammy to three boys and a girl, a children’s book author, and a novelist. I love to spend time with my sisters, picnic, take road trips, play tennis on the Wii, and travel to Africa.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was seven years old when I attended Vacation Bible School at Trinity Baptist Church in Indio, California. During the Bible story one morning, Mrs. Bacon spoke about sin, our separation from God, Jesus’ deity and sinless nature, Jesus’ death on the cross, His resurrection, and our forgiveness through belief in Him. That sunny June day in Southern California, I chose to believe in the name of Jesus and prayed to invite Him into my life as my Savior.

Are you:

A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
I have deadlines. For the most part, I’m a scheduled writer. And I’ve learned to write pretty much anywhere, any time.

Stubborn, or compliant?
Me? Of those two choices, stubborn. Although I prefer to refer to myself as “persistent and tenacious—one who perseveres. :)

Organized or completely chaotic?
Yes. Hee hee. I tend lean toward organization. That’s my bent. That’s what I prefer. But…you wouldn’t know that looking at my office or pantry right now.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
You mean, after I place the blame on my poor hubby? (: Like Ida Sinclair in TOO RICH FOR A BRIDE, I’m the oldest of four sisters. During disasters and in the face of BIG problems, I tend to step into the “Big Sister” role, come up with a plan, and do what needs to be done to move through it.

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
Best: I’m intentional about things. I’m a planner. I set goals. I like taking steps toward something even knowing the plan or goal can change.

Worst: I’m intentional about things. Okay, that’s probably not my worst trait. Unless you’re someone who prefers to take things as they come…wait and see, and you live with someone who is intentional.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’ve kissed a giraffe. Okay, not exactly, but I did feed a reticulated giraffe from my mouth. I’ve ridden a camel. And I’ve held a baby crocodile. I love Africa!!!

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
Hmmm. I really don’t know. I’d be interested in hearing which Christian Fiction author you think shares my writing style.

I’d give the romance in my novels a G rating.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I am currently writing BEYOND A BRIDE, Book Three in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series.

How can readers get in contact with you?
http://www.monahodgson.com/

Facebook: Mona Hodgson Author Page

Twitter: MonaHodgson

Book blurb:

As the business-savvy Sinclair sister, Ida has never wanted to settle down. Instead of love, she craves success. But while searching for one, she just might find the other.

Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniably successful businesswoman, Mollie O’Bryan. Ida’s sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career.

Under Mollie's tutelage, Ida learns how to play the stock market and revels in her promising accomplishments. Fighting for respect in a man's world, her ambition leaves little room for distractions. She ignores her family's reservations about Mollie O'Bryan's business practices, but no matter how she tries, she can't ignore the two men pursuing her affections—Colin Wagner, the dashing lawyer, and Tucker Raines, the traveling preacher.

Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed “suggestions” that young ladies don’t belong in business. Will it take unexpected love—or unexpected danger—for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
The first chapter is not available until May 2011, but here’s the first page or so.

Portland, Maine

18 September, 1896


Ida Sinclair didn’t know where her ambition would take her, only that she possessed a liberal measure of it. That was why the Merton School of Business was the perfect place for her. And why she sat in the front row of the classroom. She didn’t want to miss any bit of information or instruction that could mover her closer to success.

Gazing from the calculations on the blackboard to the guest lecturer’s dark eyes, offset by traces of silver at his hairline, Ida waited for Mr. Bradley Ditmer to finish his point about customer relations and then raised her hand.

“Miss Sinclair, you have another question?”

Ida moistened her lips. “Yes, I’d like to know how one goes about securing financing to launch a busi—”

A roar of laughter started her and she turned to glare at the source—a gangly, beak-nosed young man in the row beside hers.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about financing, missy,” he said. “Learn how to make a good pot of coffee and keep a file cabinet organized, and maybe I’ll hire you to work in my company.”

More laughter swept across the room until the professor made his way to the mouthy student’s desk. Mr. Ditmer’s footsteps stilled all other nose.

“Mr. Burn—”

“Burkett.”

“You are a child to indulge in such hubris. Kindly keep it to yourself.”

Ida felt the same burn she’d become accustomed to since her first day in class. Her fellow students didn’t approve of her plans and aspirations. Even the women. But she also felt somewhat vindicated by Mr. Ditmer’s gallant stand against such boorish rantings.

The professor cleared his throat. “To answer your question, Miss Sinclair, bankers, private investors, and those on the stock exchange could provide necessary funding for a business.” He sauntered back to the front of the room then turned to face her. “However, no investor is wont to throw away money on frivolous pursuits. Each business proposal is weighed individually by its likelihood of success.”

“Thank you, sir.” Ida sealed her mouth shut against the numerous questions his answer raised.

She was still recording her thoughts and idea in her notebook when Mr. Ditmer dismissed the class, making her the last to head for the door.

“Miss Sinclair?” Mr. Ditmer’s clear tone resonated off the empty desks in the room.

Ida stilled her steps a few feet from the classroom door and turned to face her instructor. A pleasant view, to be sure. The man was no Teddy Roosevelt, but he exuded the same commanding presence and compelling confidence.

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
Each of Sinclair Sisters books features a true historical character. In TWO BRIDES TOO MANY it was Sister Mary Claver Coleman of the Sisters of Mercy. It’s business woman Mollie O’Bryan in TOO RICH FOR A BRIDE.

By the time Mollie O’Brien was twenty-two she had moved to Cripple Creek from Lake City in the San Juan Mountains. After opening a stenography firm there, she quickly became the first female member of the Cripple Creek Stock Exchange and part of the investment syndicate that organized the Big Four Gold Mining Company in late 1895.

A fascinating woman to know and work for, don’t you think? That’s what Ida decided.

~~~~~

**USA, Canada, Australia, or England residents only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Too Rich for a Bride!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+4 Comment on my interview with Marnie Swedberg, following the directions listed IN THAT POST. This will get you *FOUR* entries into this giveaway!

**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (November 12) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (November 18). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 19th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.