Guest Blog with MK McClintock, best selling author of western romance and British agent novels!

Writing is a solitary profession so it's great to meet other people who have picked up the quill, so to speak, and have created new worlds, new heroes and heroines from their imagination. MK McClintock is an award-winning author of several books and short stories, including the popular "Montana Gallagher" series, the "Crooked Creek" series set in post-Civil War Montana, and the highly-acclaimed "British Agent" novels.

She spins tales of romance, adventure, and mystery set in the 1800s and lives a quiet life in the Rocky Mountains. Welcome to my website MK! It's great getting to new new authors so I asked MK questions about both her latest book and some fun questions as well. 

Giveaway
Mk is giving away 3 E-Book Editions of The Women of Crooked Creek
To enter, either leave a comment on this post or post to MK’s Facebook page, filling in the blank: “My favorite period in history is . . .”
 
If you'd like to learn more about MK by visiting her website: http://www.mkmcclintock.com.

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The Book Questions

What is your book, The Women of Crooked Creek, about?
The Women of Crooked Creek is a western short story collection about four women who each have their own unique story and background, and all are searching for a new beginning and second chance at happiness. These short stories are a prelude of sorts for the two full-length novels that are planned to release in 2017.

When and where is it set?
They’re take place at different times following the American Civil War. The first story set in September 1865 in the fictional town of Crooked Creek, Montana Territory.

Who are your main characters?
The main characters are four women: Emma, Hattie, Briley, and Clara. Of course there are the men, but I don’t want to spoil anything.
 
What has the general response been like to the book?
It’s been wonderful! I couldn’t be more pleased at how much readers have enjoyed the stories of these women, and how many times I’m asked, “When do we get more?” When I wrote the first short story, I didn’t intend to make it a series, and now I’m very glad I did.

What are you working on now – if a sequel then tell us about it and what stage in the writing are you at?
I’m currently working on Journey to Hawk’s Peak, a historical western romance, and the fifth novel in my Montana Gallagher series. As for which stage I’m at . . . all I can say is that it’s going well, I’m loving the story, and it’s due out this summer (2016). More can be learned about this series at http://www.mkmcclintock.com/montanagallaghers.

What was the most difficult book to write for you and why?
Every book presents some sort of challenge. When I’m writing, I put all of my energy, thoughts, imagination—everything—into the characters and their story. It’s both exhilarating and exhausting. I wouldn’t say any of them were difficult since every book goes through multiple drafts so it’s expected that rewrites will take place and rewriting comes easily for me. I recall getting hung up mid-way through a few of the books, but all it takes is talking it out to get past it.

Who is your favourite character that you have written and why?
I love them all for different reasons and at different times. Whichever characters I’m writing at the time is my favorite and gets all of my love and attention. If I absolutely had to choose, I would say Ethan Gallagher, but you’d have to twist my arm to pick just one.

If you were that character what do you think his or her response would be to your having “put them out there” in the public eye be?
This one makes me laugh thinking about it. I don’t imagine he’d like being “put out there”. Ethan is a private person, and while friendly, giving, and kind, he’s not the sociable sort.

Have you ever written any fan fiction? Yes – tell us about it. No – would you ever write a fan fiction novel? If yes, tell us about it.
I have not. I considered it once with Kindle Worlds, but I couldn’t get my head into writing in another author’s “world.” I prefer to create my own.

Here's a Book Summary for The Women of Crooked Creek
 
Four courageous women, an untamed land, and the daring to embark on an unforgettable adventure.

Crooked Creek, Montana Territory—1865

"Emma of Crooked Creek"
Emma Hawkins is a dedicated doctor in the little town of Crooked Creek, Montana Territory. Casey Latimer is a wounded soldier in search of a new home and a new beginning. When Casey, battered and bruised, quite literally falls at Emma's feet, she is duty-bound to help him. What happens next is something Emma never expected.

"Hattie of Crooked Creek"
Married three months before the war and now a widow, Harriett McBride can either give up and sell her ranch or fight for the life she and her husband came west to build. With the help of a friend and a stranger, she must stop the one who threatens all she holds dear. When Hattie is faced with an unexpected choice, will she bury her heart on the battlefield forever or find a way to love again?

"Briley of Crooked Creek"
Far from home and with no family left, Briley Donaghue answers an advertisement from a rancher seeking a wife in Montana Territory. She arrives in Crooked Creek to find an empty cabin, a letter from her fiancé, and too many unanswered questions. Alone and uncertain, Briley forges a new life in an unfamiliar land.

"Clara of Crooked Creek"
No longer willing to allow society's opinion to influence her life, Clara Stowe sought a change, and what better place than the frontier. With her young daughter by her side, she embarks on an unexpected undertaking to the Montana Territory. With grit and determination, they arrive in Crooked Creek to shape the life Clara had always dreamed of and honor the memory of the one they lost.

The war is over between the North and the South, but the battles at home are just beginning. If you love stories of bravery and courage with unforgettable women and the men they love, you'll enjoy The Women of Crooked Creek.
 
Buy Links
Kindle | Paperback | Amazon UK
 

And Now...The Fun Questions

If you could time travel where would you go and why?
188os Montana Territory or the same time period in Scotland (notice a theme?). It was a time of change but not too much, and I would have loved to have seen both places as they once were. I only hope they are as I imagine they would have been when I write.

If you could be any historical person who would it be and why?
Flora Macdonald, the Jacobite heroine who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Scotland following the Battle of Culloden in 1746. She’s highly romanticized, but to have been a part of that kind of history and to have the bravery she did to help at the risk of her life, is amazing. She was imprisoned (which wouldn’t have been fun to live through) but then released and sent back home to Scotland. The Skye Boat Song’, published in 1884, is about Flora’s part in the escape. I’m partial to Phil Coulter’s instrumental version.

If you could be any fictional character in a book who would it be and why?
Brenna from Gallagher’s Pride or Elizabeth Bennett from Pride & Prejudice. Brenna because I adore her character, she’s from Scotland, and she gets Ethan Gallagher. Elizabeth because I love the story and she gets Mr. Darcy.

If you suddenly found yourself inside Pride & Prejudice would you be one of the main characters and if so who? But if not, create a character you would be and tell us a bit about him or her.
Besides her affection for walking and reading, she and Mr. Darcy get their happy ever after, and I do adore dear Fitzwilliam. Have you ever taken one of those quizzes like, “Which Pride & Prejudice Character Would You Be?” I’ve taken it a few times and it’s always Elizabeth.

Mr Darcy, Mr Rochester and Rhett Butler – romance superheroes against which no mere mortal, especially a modern-day mortal can hope to compete: true or false and why?
True to an extent, though I do believe the description can be applied to many others in historical fiction. These men, while perhaps not all endearing to their women—or the readers—during the full course of their stories, they are gentlemen, and heroic by word and deed. These men do not need gadgets and disguises; they are who they are and better for it.

What books are currently on your nightstand/bedside table that you’re reading, give us a brief rating on each and tell us why.
There are six, I think, so I won’t list them all, but at the top three are . . .
 
America’s First Daughter by by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

• I’m only a few chapters in, but so far I like it. Strong writing, though I wish it had more dialogue. It’s an interesting story.

 
Takeover by Lisa Black

• I like a good thriller and I’m finding the story well-paced.

 
Sixkiller, US Marshal by William W. Johnstone (and J.A. Johnstone)

• I’m about 1/3 the way through this book and as always, I like his stories, but I believe this is one where J.A. finished up the manuscript. It doesn’t read as well as a lot of his earlier books, but still good.

Do you believe in love at first sight and happy ever afters in real life – why?
Love at first sight . . . no. I believe that there can be an immediate connection that can later be mistaken for love at first sight, especially if there’s no parting between the two people, but I don’t believe love can be explained so simply. Happy ever after . . . absolutely. Otherwise, what’s the point of it all? Not everyone may find it, but it most definitely exists.

Thanks, MK. It was lovely to meet you and good luck with the new book.
If you would like to find out more about MK and her writing visit her website and don't forget about the giveaway competition: http://www.mkmcclintock.com

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