Getting to know you Thursdays with Mary Moore and giveaway

Today I am welcoming Mary Moore whos debut book has just been released with Love Inspired Historical. I got to know Mary after winning her book at the 400 member party at the Love Inspired Historical Goodreads group. Mary has also offered to give one of my blog readers a copy of her new book. Please feel free to leave comments for Mary also.

1.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure!  I’m 55 years old and my husband, Craig, and I live with our black lab, Darcy, in the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia (USA).

2.  When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

My sister and I had the story of Cinderella that came with four yellow (if you can believe it) 45 records (which you have never even seen J) that you listened to as you read along with the book.  That was pretty ahead of its time and we wore it out! (Jenny here I know what a 45 record is I still have some. I have some nursery rhymes and even and Noddy and big ears story on one.)

3.  Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?

Absolutely!  I’m a Regency fanatic.  I started reading Georgette Heyer’s Regencies in my teens and I was hooked.  That was before I’d ever heard of Jane Austen!  Since then I read all that I can find (that are pretty clean and/or inspirational).

4.  Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

I pretty much gave this away in #3.  It is definitely Georgette Heyer.   I love the era of her stories, but her stories are always witty and intelligent with heroes/heroines you love to love.  And each story is so different than the one before it…she was just so creative and funny.

5.  When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Actually, I never really wanted to be an author; at least not in the way I always thought of as an author.  I started writing the stories for myself and when a few people told me I should try to get them published, I sort of tried, but when nothing came of it, I just kept writing them for me.  When I pulled out the old manuscripts a few years ago, that’s when I decided I would polish them and try again.  Imagine my surprise when my agent, Jenni Burke, liked them!  I think I might know NOW that I want to be an author!

6.  If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

Retired!  I’m kidding, I think.  I never really wanted to “be” anything but a wife and mother.  When we determined that the Lord didn’t intend us to have children, I had a career in the health insurance industry for 20+ years in the Washington, DC area.  It was never actually a chosen career, but I worked my way up through the ranks of a great company and didn’t leave there until we relocated to VA.  I work part-time at a “real” job, and I’m looking forward to writing as a way to retire and do something I really enjoy. (Jenny again, I wanted to be a wife and mother too only I never found the husband which kinda made it not happen.)

  

7.  Outside of reading what do you like to do?

My husband and I have always liked to do quite a few things.  We like antiquing, though we can’t afford to actually buy antiques! J  We love the fall when festivals and fairs abound.  We enjoyed weekend travelling, but our lab is pretty old now so we can’t take her with us and we won’t leave her behind.  We love movies and special date nights.

  

8.  Do you have a place you would love to visit?

Actually, my family is all Irish and I have always wanted to visit there.  Of course, it would be amazing to travel to England and experience some of the sites and history of the Regency era.  It would be really fun to combine those two!

9.  If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

My husband would always be one, wouldn’t be any fun without him, but the other two, that’s hard!  I think one might be Billy Graham.  How awesome to just sit and listen to him talk about his experiences, where he’s been and who he’s met.  It just amazes me when I think about the impact he has had on our world.  There are so many inspirational people in the world; I know one gentleman I would love to talk to one-on-one is the gentleman from your side of the world, Nick Vujicic.  He’s an amazing witness for the Lord!

(Nick is the man with no limbs I believe he is very inspiring)

I wanted to let you know about my new book with Love Inspired, The Aristocrat’s Lady.  It’s a Regency, of course, and my debut novel.  I’m so excited about it and hope your readers will give it a try.  I pray there’s a message in it for everyone.  You can reach me at www.marymooreauthor.com, facebook.com/mmooreauthor, and/or mmooreauthor@swva.net.  The book is available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com as well as on Kindle and Nook.

Jenny, thanks so much for this opportunity to introduce myself to some of your readers.  It’s been a blessing!