Margaret Daley: A CAROL Finalist!

We're so excited to have a CAROL finalist among us. Margaret Daley has been a member of the Craftie Ladies since the beginning.

 

So, Margaret, what first made you pick up your pen (keyboard) and write a romance?

I love to read romances and was sure I could write one. I was naive when I thought that, but I've learned and grown as a writer.

 

What led you to Harlequin's Love Inspired?

I sold my first LI in 2000 and knew I found my home.

 

How many books have you published?

84

 

How many times have you entered the CAROL?

Probably about 9 times.

 

What made this book stand out?

For me, it's a book of my heart about a subject that means a lot to me: human trafficking.

 

What is your writing day like?

I write throughout the day with breaks in between. I often write 6 or 7 days a week.

 

What can we expect to see next?

Saving Hope was the first book in the Men of the Texas Rangers Series from Abingdon Press. The fourth and last book will be out in October called Severed Trust. Each one of these books is a stand alone but they all are about a different Texas Ranger in a different town in Texas.

Also for Love Inspired I have started a new series called Caring Canines Series (1st book in August called Healing Hearts and 2nd book in December called Her Holiday Hero).

Thanks,

Margaret

CAROL Finalist: Dana Mentink

So, Dana, what first made you pick up your pen (keyboard) and write a romance? 

We need more love in the world, don't you think? My first book was actually about an older woman who had lost her husband. It's a nutty little mystery with an off beat romance. It just sort of evolved that way somehow. I think every great story has an element of love in it. 

 

What led you to Harlequin's Love Inspired? 

Suspense was a good fit for me since it shares characteristics with mystery. I pitched a few times and was rejected until I got a letter asking me to rewrite which I did. That was dozens of books ago, so I guess it's still a good fit! 

 

How many books have your published? 

Hmmm, maybe 14 or 15 or so? There's a three in one chucked in there so I'm not sure if that counts. 

 

How many times have you entered the CAROL? 

Many times, but I've only finaled once before with my first book, Killer Cargo. 

 

What made this book stand out?

 It's a series about treasure hunters pursuing a priceless painting. Lots of excitement and danger, plenty of great moments in dark tunnels and such for a romance to develop. A fun roller coaster ride, but with some deeper themes such as mental illness.

 

What is your writing day like? 

I give the rooster a run for his money. Bang away on those keys well before dawn, is my aim! Then it's "get the bear cubs off to school time" followed by a few more hours of writing before they return. Two days a week I'm teaching third grade so I'm hanging out with young writers. Nothing more exciting than mentoring a gaggle of kids in writing. They are the greatest because they're not afraid to try new techniques. 

 

What can we expect to see next? 

I'm just finishing up a natural disaster series entitled Stormswept. Earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. Oh my!

The Craftie Carolers!

Craftie Carol Recipients and Finalists

*The Carol was formerly known as BOTY (Book of the Year)

Last Thursday we talked a little about what the CAROL was.  Today we'll do more than that.  Below, you'll see the Craftie Ladies who have won the CAROL as well as the many who have finaled.  I'd need a bigger blog to list the Craftie Ladies who have it on their bucket list to win.  Just keep in mind, i the next ten years you'll see more names because we're a writing bunch of women! 

Winners

2007: A Season for Grace by Linda Goodnight - contemporary

2007: Hearts on the Line by Margaret Daley– suspense  

2008: The Heart of Grace by Linda Goodnight – contemporary

2009: Broken Lullaby by Pamela Tracy - suspense

2011: Her Healing Ways by Lyn Cote - historical

   

Finalists

2005: Ahab’s Bride by Louise M. Gouge – historical

2005: Good in the Fire by Margaret Daley – suspense

2006: My So-Called Love Life by Allie Pleiter – contemporary

2006: Strictly Confidential by Terri Reed - suspense

2006: Hannah’s Rose by Louise M. Gouge – historical

2006: Twas the Week Before Christmas by Lenora Worth - novella     

2006: A Place Called Home by Janet Lee Barton –contemporary

2007: No Place Like Home by Debra Clopton - contemporary  

2007: Her Christmas Protector by Terri Reed - suspense

2007: The Perfect Blend by Allie Pleiter – contemporary

2007: Son of Perdition by Louise M. Gouge - historical

2008: Fugitive Family by Pamela Tracy - suspense

2008: Bluegrass Hero by Allie Pleiter – contemporary

2008: The Cookie Jar by Janet Lee Barton - novella

2008: Buried Secrets by Margaret Daley – suspense

2008: Nowhere To Hide by Debby Giusti - suspense

2008: Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley - contemporary

2009: Forsaken Canyon by Margaret Daley – suspense

2009: Killer Cargo by Dana Mentink - suspense

2009: Countdown to Death by Debby Giusti - suspense

2009: Her Unlikely Family by Missy Tippens – contemporary

2009: Code of Honor  by Lenora Worth - suspense

2010: His Cowgirl Bride by Debra Clopton – contemporary

2010: Her Patchwork Family by Lyn Cote – contemporary

2010: A Mule Hollow Match by Debra Clopton – novella

2010: Christmas Homecoming – contemporary

2011: The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight – contemporary

2013: Lost Legacy by Dana Mentink – suspense

2013: Saving Hope by Margaret Daley – historical

2013: When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason - suspense

The CAROL

For the last few months, every Thursday, we featured an inspirational finalist's book for the RITA.  In the secular writing world, that's an Emmy.  Here on the Craftie Ladies' site, we had Missy Tippens in the running, and we were all rooting for her.  "Go, Missy" was our chant.

For a night, she was a princess.

The Christian writing world has an award for outstanding writing, too.  It's called the CAROL.  The CAROL is the American Christian Fiction Writers' award for best Christian fiction publishing by traditional publishing houses.

It's a "Hey, you nailed it!"

The CAROL is name after the editor who 'discovered' Janette Oke.

The Craftie Ladies have three members in the running:

Dana Mentink for Lost Legacy
Margaret Daley for Saving Hope
Lynette Eason for When a Heart Stops

We are so proud of you ladies!