Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Margaret Ethridge on the blog today. We are looking forward to learning more about Margaret and her book Contentment
Margaret’s bio: A graduate of Illinois State University, Margaret Ethridge migrated to Chicago where she attempted to make a living as a professional spinster. She met a Southern man with a sexy drawl and big chocolate brown eyes, and her career plan went down the tubes. Now, Margaret lives in Arkansas with that sweet-talking Southern gentleman, their two children, three spoiled dogs, ten hungry goldfish, and one impertinent house rabbit.
Hi Margaret, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses
Margaret: Hello!Thanks so much for having me here, Kelly.
Q1) Margaret, can you share a little bit about yourself
Margaret: Well, let’s see… Each day I roll out of bed with my make-up already applied and every hair in place, hop in my sports car and zip through a traffic-free commute to my office. There, I count bottles of booze. Literally. My mother is proud. I have her dream job.
When I return to my spotless abode each evening, my loving husband greets me at the door wearing nothing but black mesh boxer briefs and a smile, asks about my day, and leads me to a candlelit table laden with Steakburgers from Steak ‘n Shake, heaps of McDonald’s fries, bowls of candy corn and Smarties, platters of Krispie Kreme crullers, and a convoy of Route 44 Diet Cokes from the Sonic. I consume them all without ever gaining an ounce or getting a zit whilst Colin Firth climbs out of the pond in our back yard wearing a wet white shirt…
Yeah…Um, where was I? Oh! Me? I write fiction. I like to spin stories of ordinary people living extraordinary romances. The statements above were a dramatization. I cannot actually eat Krispie Kreme crullers without gaining weight. Do not try this at home.
Q2) When did you decide you wanted to be an author?
Margaret: I think I’ve always wanted to be an author, but it was always one of those amorphous ‘someday’ things. I started writing about four or five years ago, and I haven’t been able to stop since.
Q3) Can you tell us something that is on your bucket list that might surprise people?
Margaret: Ha! Well, I just did one thing on my list yesterday. I ran in a 5k race. I know it may not seem like much to some people, but I smoked for 24 years. I just quit in April, and one of the goals I set was to start running. Like the ‘someday I’m going to write a book’ thing, the running was always a ‘someday’ thing to me and this someday happened to be yesterday.
Other than that? I hope to travel to Scotland with my friend Michelle. We have plans to peek under kilts and stalk anything remotely connected to James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (From Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series).
Q4) Can you tell us about your book Contentment
Margaret: Contentment is a story that’s near and dear to my heart. It’s the story of the slow disintegration and rebuilding of a marriage. It’s not a pretty story, it’s not always exciting, but I believe it is a real-life romance. Here’s the blurb:
Tracy Sullivan seems to have it all, a handsome, devoted husband, three beautiful children, a steady career, and the perfect suburban home; but she isn’t happy.
The petty resentments that have built over fifteen years of marriage surface when Tracy tells her husband, Sean, that she is no longer interested in sex, and their marriage threatens to implode.
For the sake of their children, Tracy and Sean agree to lead separate lives under the same roof. With the help of a healthy dose of adult-rated fiction and some gentle prodding from a good friend, Tracy begins to rediscover who she is, what she wants, and the reasons she fell for Sean once upon a time.
After two years of soul-searching, Tracy is finally ready to embrace her happily ever after having learned that while happiness may be fleeting, contentment can last a lifetime.
Q5) How did you come with the idea for this story.
Margaret: To be perfectly honest, many of my friends were living this story. They may not have been living it to the extreme of living separate lives under the same roof, but I think most had reached that point where they looked around and asked, ‘Is this all there is?’
It’s natural. The feelings that Tracy wrestles with throughout the book – dissatisfaction, ambivalence, insecurity – those feelings of inadequacy are lurking in the back of everyone’s minds.
Q6) Can you tell us about your current work in progress
Margaret: I am in the process of editing Commitment, which is a spin-off from Contentment. I say spin-off because it isn’t really a sequel. Commitment runs concurrent to Contentment (how was that for alliteration?) and tells the tale of Tom Sullivan – Sean’s playboy older brother. Commitment should be available from Turquoise Morning Press in early 2012.
I’m also writing a sequel to my first book, Paramour, which will be called Inamorata (TMP-June 2012) and I’m editing my first book for The Wild Rose Press – a contemporary romance featuring mature hero/heroine – Spring Chickens.
Q7) Does your family read your books?
Margaret: My husband and kids do not, and it boggles my mind. I am from a family of readers. Both of my parents and all seven kids – we consume books like candy. My husband will read my short stories and he has skimmed most of my novels, but he does not read for pleasure in any form. Weirdo.
Q8) Best piece of advice you would share with budding authors?
Margaret: Keep writing. No matter what anyone says or writes, and despite the silence that speaks volumes, keep writing. I think we all get better with every word we type. This is an incredible roller coaster of a ride. I’m just starting out myself, so know there are many more dips, twists, and turns to come, but what a ride!
Q9) is there anything else you would like to add?
Margaret: One of the best things about being a writer is hearing from readers. Thank you so much for your messages. Whether through email, Facebook, or Twitter, there is nothing that puts a smile on my face faster than hearing from a happy reader!
Books-n-Kisses, Margaret: it has been a pleasure to have you here today. Please come back any time.
Margaret: Thank you so much for the opportunity to ‘meet’ your readers, Kelly. I truly appreciate you! Happy reading!
Giveaway Time
Margaret has offered to give away an e-copy of her book Contentment.
To Enter:
Please leave a comment or questions for Margaret
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Extra points for each place you share this interview & giveaway
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Giveaway ends Oct 14th
Winner announce Oct 17th
What to learn more about Margaret?
Find her here:
Website: http://www.margaretethridge.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MKEthridge
Yah, I'm first!!! Margaret, we have swapped bucket list…I went to Scotland 3 years ago with my family but haven't run a marathon yet! I'm terribly impressed about your 5k!! Your book sounds great and I love the interview!
books4me67 at ymail.com
Thanks so much! I have a friend from school who is running the Chicago Marathon today (26.2 miles!). I don't know that I could ever work up that kind of determination, but never say never. For now, I'm happy with the fact that I can trudge 3.1 miles without collapsing. I appreciate your comment. Happy reading!
*SQUEEE* I am on someone's bucket list! *dances*
Great interview to go along with an awesome book!
Congrats on all your success.
MichelleKCanada @AnotherLookBook
Hi Margaret:
Thanks for the funny interview. Very clever…made me want to read your book as I haven't read any of your work yet, so…hopefully i'll win the giveaway!
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT
PS. I'm a GFC follower as MJB
Such a fun interview! People should be writing books about YOU, Margaret! You're an inspiration! Congratulations and all the best to you! 🙂
Thanks for being your charming self. Girl, you were born to write, even you interview are fun!
Tom is getting a story?? Oooh I'm very excited for that, I loved him!! Great book Margaret!!
Hi Margaret, Great interview, Congratulations on quitting smoking, I know how hard that is, I quit 6 years ago now and have never felt better, wish I had your life, LOL, being able to eat without putting on weight, and having my hubby waiting with mesh boxers on, who wouldn't want that, loving the sound of Contentment, it is now on my TBR list, Thank-you for a great give-away
I am a follower
julienewberry(at)btinternet(com)