Celebrating Over Coffee With…..Sandy Mauck
***Anita Heath, you are the winner of our coffee chat giveaway! We hope you enjoy the book!***
On this beautiful sunny morning in Southern California, I am having coffee with the wonderful Sandy Mauck. Sandy’s More Than She Dreamt is one of my favorite books that I have read this year! Come, pull up a chair, let me pour you a cup of coffee and let’s get to know more about Sandy Mauck!
Will you tell us about your books?
My first fiction novel is More Than She Dreamt. I love the era of 1900-1910 and it takes place right in the middle. It can be technically called a sweet romance but with many strong scriptural life messages woven within. I have found this is my best way to communicate the Christian walk. Many of the reviews I have been getting are making me smile, as they are catching the message in the heart of the story. And they seem to be loving my characters. I have tried to bring hope for the beaten down along with the beauty of a new life. Humor is a part of who I am and that will be a part of every book I write. There is also some action because of evil enemies, which I found to be really fun to write.
My very first book was a small non-fiction book that I wrote for ministry to single moms. I had been a single mom for seven long years with four children. It is called Psalms for Single Moms. It was published for free on-line twenty years ago, long before e-books. I am working on a revised edition with the use of my favorite calligrapher, Mindy Sato’s beautiful work for my poetry within the book. It will be a free book on my site when it is ready.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I love answering that question because I had to really come to terms with it in my writing life. I sat in plotting classes trying to make myself a plotter. I thought I was hopeless and went home a bit discouraged. Then I read Steven James’ book, Story Trumps Structure and wanted to run through the hills like Fraulein Maria! Haha! Now I happily let my characters run the show. Not that they didn’t already. They are so much happier that way and I think they like me better, too, and that’s a good thing.
Will you tell us about your journey with Christ?
First of all I will say I cannot even imagine making a life’s journey without Him. I was 18 when I became born again and I have never turned back, despite every obstacle and crisis and I have had many. He has brought me through a nightmare first marriage, cancer, loss, seven years as a single mom with little income, and so on. But He got me through and I know I would not be alive if it wasn’t for His love and keeping power. He is first in my life and I give Him every morning before I start my day. My heart is to encourage others to look to Him and walk the walk He has called them to walk.
What are your hobbies?
Right now that almost sounds funny. A writer has little time for hobbies and some of my favorites have been set aside. I love to crochet and have
done many projects through the years.
I am also a professional artist having once had my own gallery. But I have been on hold for a long season mostly due to writing. I plan to connect my artwork with my writing, in the future. If I can keep up with all my ideas!
Can you tell us about your current work in progress?
The next in the series of the Rose Arbor Brides, is coming along. It is More Than She Imagined. It takes some of the characters from More Than She Dreamt and weaves a new romance set at the time of the great San Francisco quake of 1906. My heroine, Audrey is whimsical and quirky with two suitors, a big discovery and the quake that sends her lovely art tour into a wild ride.
I am also working on a warm-hearted Thanksgiving story, which may be a novella. Hopefully out by Thanksgiving, it pulls together a small charming but lonely handful of people into a surprising holiday dinner. And of course there is romance. Always.
Sandy Mauck writes Historical Romance in the light of the gospel and with the heart of her Savior. Slip into a comfy chair with a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate and travel back to the first years after the turn of the century.
Enjoy faithful Christian characters who have come through a spiritual wilderness into a place of hope. Stories of charming romance sprinkled with humor and topped with redemption. And be sure not to put the cup too close to the edge of the table because there are enemies lurking about.
Sandy lives in her own happily-ever-after with her Bible doctrine writer husband in the west they love. They have five children and nine grandchildren. She enjoys crocheting (a different kind of yarn) and is also a professional artist.
Visit with Sandy at her website at www.sandyfayemauck.com
I don’t know if I have a favorite Hobbie. I like trying different things but not very good at any.
Once I get settled from moving I plan on working as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. To learn how to fix up houses and help others. I think that is what my Hobbie might be.
I do some paint by numbers and like it.
I think your hobby is serious reading Justina! But mostly you are an encourager to everyone! I know everyone would agree with that!
My favorite hobby is reading!
Me, too, Laurie, I love to read. The downside of being an author is reading less than I used to. Just have to find those extra moments and squeeze it in!
Hi Sandy! I enjoyed reading about your book and your life. Your painting is beautiful and More Than She Dreamt sounds interesting.
As to my favorite hobby, that would be reading. I am an avid reader and post reviews for many Christian fiction authors.
Blessings, Tina
Thanks Tina, it is always fun to chat and share. I loved writing More Than She Dreamt. I love the era, the less complicated life. It was fun to watch the characters act out their story. And thank you about the painting. I do love to paint, especially the sea and gardens. That one was a combination.
Thanks Sandy for the great interview with mom . She is so Wonderful and so are you. I am blessed beyond measure for knowing you personally. Sandy Faye Mauck is an amazing woman who lives life serving the Lord and other women. I am excited to read the second book in her series. The Thanksgiving story will be awesome and inspirational. Praise God for having two wonderful Sandys in my life,both are extremely important and Special women who inspired me to write about some things that I need to get out there. Love you both dearly.
Choosing a favorite hobby is hard other than reading, I love to crochet, cross stitch, embroidery, sew, make primitive things for myself and others, bake, garden, raise my (chickens) kids, etc
Thank you for the chance.
I love to crochet, too, Lucy, but I am a flunkie at cross stitch. I admire it so much when others do it. Haha I never thought of raising kids as a hobby, that was a big one for me years ago.
Aww, Kelly you are so sweet. Sandy B is sure a blessing, I agree! And I want to thank her for her amazing support and chatting with me, today, too! The Thanksgiving Story is shaping up. I can’t wait to get back to it!
I have always considered reading my favorite hobby but I also love gardening, both vegetables and flowers. It is so sayisfying to “dig in the dirt” and reap the results that nourish both my body and soul. Sandy’s book sounds wonderful and God has certainly blessed her with many talents!
Thanks for this giveaway
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Connie, I love gardening, too. You hear a bit about it in More Than She Dreamt. I love growing food and flowers. Looking forward to some of that when we get a home one day soon. We have been in an RV way too long. I always tell my husband, he needs to grow things to see the awesome God applications that are there.
That is a hard tie. Reading, and photography! Although, photography can also be a small business for me. 😉 Loved the post today.
Blessings, Carol 🙂
Carol! Two things I love. I love photography, too. God has so many cool things to capture. Ask my hubby. We take a trip, I am on either on the laptop working or dropping it for the camera for gorgeous scenery, LOL. As we speak I cannot find my camera battery charger and am like a fish out of water.
Thanks for the giveaway. I don’t really have any other Hobbies besides Reading unless you count entering contests and giveaways I spend a lot of time doing that and I occasionally Play bingo Do you need our email addy?
Well reading is good Linda! No doubt! And I, for one am happy you enjoy reading. (;
I cannot say I have one favorite hobby as I enjoy early morning walks, yard work, and reading. Sandy, thank you for s great chat and interview with Sandu Mauck today over coffee. The cover is lovely for More Than She Dreamt–I’m definitely going to have to read this book.
Thanks, Marilyn, I was really blessed with this cover. The beautiful cover model is a very sweet gal who is a personal friend’s DIL. The cover was done by my amazing wedding photographer daughter and son-in-law and designed by writer/book designer Lynnette Bonner. It is wonderful to have the cover fit your expectations for your story!
My favorite hobby is reading and I also do the card ministry at my church for the shut ins.
Maryann, I think that is a beautiful ministry. I received cards like that and I know many others that have through the years. A sweet gift to say just the right words and I bet you have lovely handwriting! Something I sorely lack. LOL
Can’t say enough about how proud I am of you! Just thinking about the 30 plus years I have known you is a blessing ! How the years fly by …. Our memories last forever and ever and we sure have them. Our Heavenly Father has blessed you and you in turn bless everyone around you…it shows in your writing your paintings and all your crafts .You continue to give of yourself in all circumstances you are in (and most are not pleasant for you. )You give most of all your Love Of Christ and don’t even realize it He is truly first and foremost in your life!
I love you and am so excited for you
Your sister in Christ
Jan
Sniff, sniff. I am so humbled dear friend. I am not sure I live up to all that. Makes my heart so full. Thank you so much. You bless me so much. Hate to say it but I think it has been 40 years. Wow! So happy you loved the book. You never know how even your friends and family will react to you bookchild. And who was it that started me painting?? Hmm…I wonder. (<; Love you, Jan!
I love you too and pray Joshua 1:8 for you as I know how you love this verse as you do many many others.
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Ah, Anita, a fellow “quirky”, Hurray! It is really great to find that quirkiness is more than just okay, it can be embraced! Yes, I found plotting made me crazy. My characters are far to stubborn. Every time I have a great plot idea, it is like they stand there with their arms folded and eyes rolled back. So I just go with them.
I used to love to do cake decorating. I guess the artist in me, but I was far too sloppy to be really good at it. I didn’t know I could paint until I was in my early 40’s. I was never very good at art so you never know. I know! writing takes up sooo much of your life. My TBR pile is sky high!
Greetings, fellow pantser! 😉 I would have despaired in that plotting class as well, LOL. Such a fun interview and sending you warm wishes and a prayer for your WIP. I hope your writing time goes splendidly, Sandy!
Hi Joanne! So good to know you are a fellow pantser! I love that. Thank you for the warm wishes and prayer! And thanks for coming to visit!