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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Guest Blogger Maureen Lang and Bees in the Butterfly Garden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MAUREEN LANG writes stories inspired by a love of history and romance. An avid reader herself, she’s figured out a way to write the stories she feels like reading. Maureen’s Inspirationals have earned various writing distinctions as a finalist for the Rita, Christy and Carol Awards, as well as garnering a Holt Medallion and winning the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest. In addition to investigating various eras in history (such as Victorian England, First World War, and America’s Gilded Age) Maureen loves taking research trips to get a feel for the settings of her novels. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband, children, and Labrador retriever.


BEES IN THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN
by Maureen Lang
Published by Tyndale House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ian Maguire is determined to stop Meg Davenport from following in her father’s footsteps. He was, after all, a thief. But considering Ian learned everything he knows from Meg’s father, he may not be able to convince her otherwise, not even when they both end up over their heads in the biggest heist of Ian’s unlawful career. In trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

Readers, buy your copy of Bees in the Butterfly Garden today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Is Reading A Good Book Like Falling In Love?

Not long ago I came across this quote on GoodReads:

There is no mistaking a real book when one meets it. It is like falling in love. —Christopher Morley

While that's no doubt a dramatic statement, to me it's at least slightly true. When I was falling in love with my husband, all I wanted to do was be with him (and I still count those as some of my best moments of the day!). Likewise, when I'm immersed in a good book, all I want to do is read.

When I'm reading a good book, everything around me fades into oblivion. I'm fascinated by getting to know the characters in a way that's reminiscent of when I was learning every little detail of my new love's life. When I'm reading a well-crafted book, I feel what the characters feel, I want what they want, I fear what they fear. If a novel captures my emotions, I'm there. Just as when I bonded with my husband: we took on the same or similar goals, we became a single unit.

Granted, some books that I've enjoyed over the years haven't lived up to this heart-stirring/wrenching/pulsating sensation. But enough of them have so that each time I start a new story, I hope for a repeat experience.

even read somewhere not long ago that when we're totally immersed in the experiences of a book, the effect on our brain is similar to actually having lived through such experiences. Perhaps that's why dreams sometimes take on details from the books we read.

This may be part of the reason I have something instantly in common with many other avid readers. Even if we don't like the same genre, we still have that basic understanding of what it's like to escape into another story world, a place that's separate from reality and yet believable enough to feel like we're living it.

I once read survey results that looked for personality differences between readers and nonreaders. Basically it concluded that nonreaders might be looking for higher stimulation activities, otherwise they wouldn't be reading about such things. They'd be doing them. On the other hand, avid readers tended to be the type looking for new ideas. They wanted to better understand the world and the people in it. Both are experiential, but one is obviously more hands-on than the other.

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Thank you, Maureen, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: What about you? Why do you love to read? Is your reading experience similar to mine, or do you have other reasons to love reading?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win an autographed copy of the book featured above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to US residents only.

8 comments:

Janet Chester Bly said...

Love the cover on this book! Also have a feature on Bees In The Butterfly Garden at http://BlyBooks.blogspot.com
Blessings,
Janet

Tonja said...

I love to read simply for the world in which I get to live for a little while. My life is full but redundant and sometimes boring. But entering into a world with new people, new situations - new everything is wonderful. I always feel like I've just been on a long and fascinating journey without every leaving home! Hi Maureen! Can't wait to read your book.

Tonja

Unknown said...

I love to read because for me, reading is like a huge conversation where we're all imagining "what if?" Or if I'm reading a history book, the author's sitting there telling me "I think it happened this way." I love it when a book puts a scenario into my head that I've never imagine before, or shows me a new side to a familiar story.

Paula said...

Love this analogy! I think I read to discover God, myself, and how other people think. And because I love to get lost in a good story. If I'm stressed or hurting, a good book is my escape for a while. If I'm happy or strong, a good book provokes thought. And when I find God in a book's pages the book goes from good to great. It doesn't have to be God-talk, just a picture of His heart. I pray I can write like that.

Vickie McDonough said...

Maureen,

I raised 4 sons, and for many years, we didn't have a television. Reading was my "me" time. I've always been a huge reader and love Christian fiction.

The concept of your new book sounds great. I'd love to read it.

Merry said...

I love to read, it is a door to adventure, mystery, romance, history... I could go on and on. Reading enhances my life and lifts my faith.
I'd love to be entered for Bees in the Butterfly Garden.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I'm glad I visited your site today, I thoroughly enjoyed what you said about reading. It felt I could have the same thoughts and feelings as you described. I can get lost in a story and relate to people and situations. I do love reading, mostly historical, romances, family saga and just about everything except horror, science fiction, paranormal and things that are hard to relate to and evil. Good question. Thank you for this giveaway and the chance to win a terrific read.

Blessed by Grace,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Tonja, I can relate to the redundancy, but "boring"? Nope. Not with 2 little ones underfoot. LOL!

Jane, I love your remark about the "what if?" and Merry, the doorway to adventure is a perfect description.

Paula, discovering God in a new way is always exciting, and Vickie, kudos to you for raising 4 boys! Yikes. :)

Barbara, I'm with you. I don't do the "weird" stuff. I leave that to my husband. :)

As for me? I read to get away from the day-to-day life, or to discover a new twist on a common "truth", or even to learn/explore an area where I've never been.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Drawing will be done tomorrow. Good luck!