Hi, reader friends! I am simply delighted to introduce y’all to a new author friend today! Megan Besing’s Perfect for the Preacher is part of The Mail-Order Brides Collection! She actually lives in my neck of the woods and as soon as the stars align we might even get to meet face-to-face! Until then, we can hang out here and y’all have a giveaway to enter!
about the author
Megan Besing adores reading, writing, and reviewing stories with happily-ever-afters. She’s received many awards, including being a multi-category finalist in ACFW’s Genesis and a winner of MCRW’s Melody of Love contest. Her debut Perfect for the Preacher released February 2018 in Barbour’s Mail-Order Brides Novella Collection.
She lives in Indiana with her husband and their children, where she dreams of the beach and drinks way too many Vanilla Cokes. Connect with Megan on social media and her website.
website | facebook | twitter | pinterest
five favorites
Favorite outdoor activity
Megan: I don’t know if I’d say it was my most favorite activity ever, but I’m more than ready for warmer weather so I’m going to say: Mushroom Hunting.
Does anyone else do this? In the Spring, usually starts around Easter, we go into the woods and hunt for mushrooms. I don’t find morels that tasty, however, my husband does. (You flour them and then fry them in butter. There’s salt involved too. ???? )
I do love to find them though. It’s like winning a game of hide and seek, except better, and when you find a whole lot of them you can’t help but get excited. We also like to see who’ll find the biggest one.
It’s a free activity for our family. It gets my kiddos outside, adds food to our table, and it means warmer weather is near.
Beth: Well, I don’t but my husband does on occasion. I do enjoy a good tromp through the woods every now and then.
Favorite books
Megan: We’ll go with favorite books I read last month, otherwise I’m afraid the list would be too long to post.
Beth: I certainly can’t argue with those covers! Hello! I haven’t read anything from either of these authors *sigh*
Favorite book cover
Megan: Right now, my favorite book cover is: Count Me In by Mikal Dawn.
When I first saw the cover, I was like, I don’t need to read the blurb, I’m just reading it because it’s so pretty. I think it’s the photographer in me that loves how the photos are split into thirds. The sunset just draws in your eyes, but I think my favorite thing is the leading hero.
It’s a book I will have to buy the physical copy of and have on a keeper shelf…. No, it’s one I need to have signed and put on a keeper shelf. ???? (Anyone else love signed books? #thisgirl)
Beth: YES! How can you not?! I love this cover (and this author), too! Mikal’s book is on the top of my need to buy and have signed list! Btw, she IS working on more Emerald City Romance stories ????
Favorite bookish website or app
Megan: I love my local library. Can’t say that enough! So, of course, I use Overdrive a lot. (It’s my library’s extended online section of books—it saves me lots, LOTS of money for sure.)
Goodreads helps me remember what I’ve read for the year. (That is *IF* I remember to post everything on there.). Google is my favorite ‘website’ for when I’m writing because I have to look up All. The. Things. Right up there is the online thesaurus, and if I’m writing a historical, the 1860 Census. (I like to search for character names.)
Beth: I am with you all the way, friend! Our library isn’t on Overdrive but we have cloudLibrary which is part of our interlibrary loan system. The kids and I have borrowed all kinds of ebooks and audiobooks with that wonderful app!
I have a goodreads tab open on my browser at ALL TIMES! This is a book blogger necessity. My “want to read” shelf is the size of a planet. There’s really more bookish goodness on that website than I even have time to take advantage of.
Favorite secondary character you have created
Megan: Whether I’m reading or writing, I love secondary characters. They help ground the stories and challenge the hero and heroines. When I write I don’t always plan how secondary characters appear on the page, and it’s fun to see how their personalities come to life.
My favorites from my debut, Perfect for the Preacher, were Margaret Olmstead and her husband William. What Margaret lacks in height, she more than makes up in personality and a loving spirit. And she became so animated in the first chapter, that I knew I had to put her on as many pages as possible.
Beth: Aw, yes! I love sweet Margaret!
books
Tell us about your latest release
Megan: The hero’s (Amos) inspiration for this story really goes back to my and my husband’s families. We had and have several pastors near and dear to us, and I knew I wanted the hero to be a preacher. Sophie, my heroine, really came to be because I asked myself…Who would be the least likely choice for a pastor’s wife?
The hardest part about writing Perfect for the Preacher was squeezing all the conflict down to fit inside a novella. When my agent called and told me Barbour wanted this story for their collection I was ecstatic! Then we hung up, and reality set, and I wondered how in the world would I fit everything in. But it worked (after a lot of prayer) and I hope you love these characters’ happily-ever-after as much as I do.
Beth: Novellas are so hard to review (without spoilers), I can’t imagine trying to write one!
The Mail-Order Brides Collection
What kind of woman would answer an advertisement and marry a stranger?
Escape into the history of the American West along with nine couples whose relationships begin with advertisements for mail-order brides. Placing their dreams for new beginnings in the hands of a stranger, will each bride be disappointed, or will some find true love?
Perfect for the Preacher by Megan Besing
1897, Indiana
Fresh from seminary, Amos Lowry believes marriage will prove to his skeptical congregation that he’s mature. If only his mail-order bride wasn’t an ex-saloon girl, or worse, pregnant.
goodreads | amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
review
Beth: To read more about the other stories and my brief (spoiler free) review of the collection, hop over to The Mail-Order Brides collection.
What are you working on right now?
Megan: I would love to go back and visit the town and church of Hilltop Chapel again. I have plans and high hopes for an entire preacher’s series, if that opportunity arises. However, right now, I’m actually writing a Christmas themed contemporary.
Beth: Oh! So exciting!
q&a
Describe your writing style in five words.
Megan: Creative. Voices. Panic. Layers. Chaos.
Beth: That actually sounds a lot like my swoof process!
What is your go-to beverage?
Megan: Vanilla Coke. ????
Beth: Woo! Too hard for me! (I’ll just sit over here and sip my wimpy ice water, lol!)
What book are you reading right now?
Megan: I’m currently reading three: Say You’ll Remember Me
Beth: A fellow tandem reader! How wonderful!!! ???? Thank you so much for visiting today, Megan!
you’re invited
The authors of The Mail-Order Brides Collection are hosting a Facebook party on March 3 at 10:00 a.m. CST and y’all are invited, reader friends!
giveaway
Megan Besing has generously provided one paperback copy of The Mail-Order Brides Collection
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Let’s chat! Who else is looking forward to warmer weather and mushroom hunting?
Do any of y’all share one of Megan’s favorites?
Be sure to pick up a copy of The Mail-Order Brides Collection with Perfect for the Preacher!
Faithfully Bookish 
No don’t share any of her likes. I looking forward to warmer weather and spring to be here.
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Absolutely! Warm and dry, please ????
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Well, we at least share the looking forward to spring thing!
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Yay for warmer weather. I can’t say I’ve ever been mushroom hunting. I do love my local library!
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Libraries are wonderful places!
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Yes, more library fans! #unite
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I have never even heard of mushroom hunting . . . definitely showing my city-girl side here. I do love the outdoors, walking (on a trail or sidewalk).
I think my favorite book cover . . . . .drum roll . .. of all time is “The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn” by Lori Benton. But from a photography standpoint, Mikal’s is lovely.
Great interview!
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Sidewalks are the only thing I miss now that we finally moved out of town. I need to acquire all of Lori’s books for my shelf!
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I haven’t read any of Lori’s yet I don’t think….goes to add it on Goodreads…..
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I haven’t read any of Megan’s books yet, but it sounds like I would like them. I also love using Goodreads (and am so glad it connects with my Kindle automatically to make recording what I’ve read almost seamless) and read Starstruck and really enjoyed it. And do photography. 🙂
Thank you for this interview with her.
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Sounds like you two have a lot in common! I think you would definitely enjoy Megan’s story!
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Oh yeah! I love meeting people who share book likes with me. 🙂
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Love stories involving preachers, so looking forward to reading this one.
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Amos is a great guy, he makes me smile!
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I do hope you enjoy meeting Amos and Sophie!
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Love morel mushroom hunting. Love mail-order bride stories. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Hi Sandra! Great to have you here!
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Hi Sandra! Good luck with the giveaway and with mushroom finding 🙂
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My favorite season is Spring and yes I am looking forward to it!
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Between spring and autumn, my favorite is whichever is closest ????
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We do hunt mushrooms. 🙂 I will have to say though that I don’t care for them but evidently I do pretty good fixing them up in the kitchen according to my hubby. 🙂 I love spring! It’s a time for regrowth and for things to start fresh with new beginnings.
I also love Goodreads and use it for keeping track of books I want to read/have read as well as finding out about authors and new books.
I’d love the chance to read “The Mail-Order Brides Collection” and I appreciate the chance to win a signed paperback copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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I don’t much care for eating them either, Kay. I love spring too! And Summer. 🙂
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We’re definitely kindred spirits, Kay ????
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I’ve never been mushroom hunting. I love this warmer weather we are having here in south Alabama. It’s been in the upper 70s. More time to sit outside and read. Reading is one of my favorite outdoor activities.
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I love reading indoors and outdoors too, Emilee. 🙂
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Oh, Emilee! Your weather sounds delightful! We’re itching to go south for a reprieve from the dreary wetness.
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Ummm. . . yes, to warmer weather, although we just got a foot of snow a couple of days ago. No, to mushroom hunting. I like mushrooms, but they don’t like me.
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It’s been a long time since we’ve had a foot of snow! Enjoy the view and read a book, my friend! 😉
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Defiantly looking forward to warmer weather and hope to plant my garden soonish!
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No hunting foodstuffs for you! Clever! 😉
Thanks for dropping by, Hope!
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I don’t think I would like to hunt mushrooms but I love spring and the pretty flowers and my grandkids getting to play outside more. Thanks for the giveaway!
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That sounds lovely!
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I enjoy warmer weather and the heavy bloom of wildflowers to photograph and appreciate. Mail order brides are always a fun category of historical fiction.
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Yes! Bring on the flowers!
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I don’t think mushroom hunting is for me, but I am looking forward to spring! The flowers in bloom make it one of my favorite seasons!
And I LOVE Goodreads! it’s so helpful to figure out what books you’ve read already or want to read. And it’s pretty fun to have a yearly book challenge too 🙂
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Agreed! Plus giveaways!
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I am DYING for warm weather and I LOVE going mushroom hunting with my dad!
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Hello Beth and Megan! I use Goodreads to keep up with the books I’ve read and want to read. I’ve done the annual reading challenge for a couple of years now. I try to increase my reading goal each year.
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Absolutely! I love the reading goal, it helps me stay on track and be consistent! (I had to move mine down for this year, so much going on!)
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Ah!!!! Megan, THANK YOU!! I’m gobsmacked. 😀 And, um…I think it’s safe to say we share a love of that book cover. HA! But also a love for vanilla Coke! The mushroom thing, though? Full-on city girl right here. I’d never even heard of mushroom hunting until I moved to the US.
Congratulations on Perfect for the Preacher!!!
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You’ve been missing out, my friend! ????
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I am certainly looking forward to spring! Mushroom hunting… never tried it!
Coke made a Vanilla Coke Zero in the past that I liked, not sure if they still do.
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Warmer weather – Yes!! Mushroom hunting – not really. But reading this book… yes! I love these novella collections and this cover is beautiful! Megan, it’s very lovely to meet you!
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I am really looking forward to spring. I haven’t ever been mushroom hunting. I love using Goodreads and review all my books there as well as doing the reading challenge
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Warmer weather for sure…enjoying sun and 60s today but it’s still winter in Michigan! Mushroom hunting not so much. Looking forward to reading this collection though. Thank you for sharing.
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I am looking forward to the warmer weather. I can’t wait for spring’s rain showers, flowers and the start of longer days. I’ve never mushroom hunted before. I’ve heard of truffle hunting but not mushroom hunting. Are some of the wild ones poisonous? I really liked hearing your favorites. I always have Goodreads open on my browser, too. And I love the cover of Count Me In — it’s gorgeous! Now, I just have to read the book. 🙂
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Looking forward to spring and sunshine! I have never been mushroom hunting-I didn’t even know that was a thing…I love my local library ????
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