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

The Places Behind the Story - Ouray, Colorado

Hello! My name is Mindy Obenhaus and I'm the new kid here at The Craftie Ladies. My debut novel The Doctor's Family Reunion just released! The story takes place in Ouray, Colorado, one of my most favorite places in the world, so I thought I'd take you on a little tour to some of the real places in the book.

 

They say the best place to start is at the beginning, so that's where we'll begin.

The book cover is an artist's rendering of Ouray's Main Street.

These are some snapshots I took of the actual Main Street.

 

 

I think the artist did a fabulous job of capturing the essence of Ouray, don't you?

 

In the story, my heroine owns a Jeep tour company. That might seem like an odd business to a flatlander like myself, but Ouray is the jeeping Capital of the World. Why? Well, this former gold and silver mining town is surrounded by thirteen and fourteen thousand foot peaks rich with history and beauty. So if you want to go exploring...

 

This is the "little blue building on Seventh Avenue" where my heroine's business, Adventures In Pink, is based. In reality, it's Switzerland of America Jeep Tours and Rentals. This was a big tour day, so the Jeeps and tour trucks that are normally parked out front are carrying folks through the mountains, over some of the most gorgeous, yet rugged terrain you'll ever experience.

 

To the left there, you can catch a glimpse of the historic Western Hotel. Built in the late 1800's, the hotel/restaurant/saloon is still open today, with some of the most wonderful food in town. And believe me when I tell you, this town has some fantastic food. :)

If you're a history buff, or simply appreciate Victorian architecture, you'll like the fact that two-thirds of Ouray's Victorian structures are still in use today.

 

Aside from jeeping, another favorite is Ouray is hiking. You can explore one of the many mountain trails or simply trek up Eighth Avenue to Cascade Falls like my hero.

 

Because Ouray is surrounded by such high peaks, it's light in the town long before the sun's rays actually reach it. But, oh, what a sight when the sun finally tops the Amphitheater.

 

But of all the sights in Ouray, this has to be one of my favorites.

 

Welcome to Mouse's Chocolates and Coffee.

(It's the shorter building on the right)

Best Belgian chocolate anywhere, hands down. And it's my hero's favorite morning stop.

 

I hope you enjoyed this little tour around Ouray. There's so much more I could share, but I'm afraid we'd be here all day. However, if you'd like to know more, you can go to the Ouray page on my website, mindyobenhaus.com.

 

And I hope you'll check out my debut release, The Doctor's Family Reunion, available now on Amazon (click here to order).

 

 

Family means everything to Dr. Trent Lockridge. Growing up without a father, he always yearned for a family of his own. One long-ago  summer in Ouray, Colorado, he thought  he might build a future with beautiful  Blakely Daniels. But when he abruptly fled town, he broke her heart and left behind more than memories. Years later, Trent is shocked—and overjoyed—to learn he’s a father. He’d like to earn back Blakely’s love and trust— but it won’t be easy. And the clock is ticking. He’s got only a few weeks to prove that, this time, he’s here to stay…forever.

 

 

 

 

 

Ask Elnora--About Saying Goodbye? Lenora Worth

Never can say goodbye. Remember that song by the Jackson Five? Elnora can't say goodbye either but I can say so long and farewell ... for now. I'm taking a break from blogging every Friday but I will still be on the Craftie Ladies schedule so I'll pop up when you least expect me! Like a bad penny or a dandelion that can't wait for spring.

We've had some memorable discussions here, mostly about books and shoes, of course! We've talked about plotting and bread pudding, chocolate and characters, settings and sedatives, suspense and suspenders (okay, maybe not suspenders but that just sounded so right.) We've talked about POV and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We've covered a lot of issues with a lot of tissues!

You've all been on many of my adventures with me and you all know way too much about Big Daddy!!! And I've learned a lot about our precious readers from all over the world. I met  my dear friend Olufisayo here and we've been pen pals for years now! She's working hard on her own publishing dreams and I'm very proud of that. I've talked to Aussie Jennie here and learned about her beautiful Australia! So many good times, but we never can say goodbye.

I've never been the kind of blogger who can write a term paper each week. I write what I feel and I write to make people laugh and ponder and wonder. And discuss and dissect and yes, digress. Sometimes digressing is the only expressing we can make! So I've had fun and now I've got to run.

But I'll be around (probably at  either the seashore or the shoe store!)

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