HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CHERYL!
To celebrate I’m giving away a signed copy of my August
release Over the Edge. Leave a comment and your email address here on the blog to be entered in the drawing.
Here’s a bit about what makes it fun.
Writing a Crazy Man
One of the things I’ve done in a lot of my books is taken
modern psychiatric problems and applied them to history. Post Partum Depression. Regular depression. Post Traumatic
Stress Syndrome. I’ve dealt with abused wives and children, neglected children
and I’ve tried to act these things out without using modern language and yet
with the knowledge we have from modern medicine.
Enter Seth Kincaid.
He’s crazy.
Back then, you called what Seth is: crazy, a lunatic,
furiously mad. But Seth had a terrible traumatic injury and was haunted by
nightmares. He’s not crazy he’s got Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome poor guy.
Then he goes to war and endures more terrible trauma.
He’s also had a bad reaction to drugs and he suffering from
hysterical amnesia.
So how to write that? And he’s not going to be allowed to
just SNAP get better, that’s lazy. He has to deal with it.
And of course it’s all got to be done within the parameters
of romantic comedy.
I had more fun writing Seth Kincaid than any hero in recent
memory. I especially loved pairing him up with Callie, a no-nonsense lady
rancher from Texas. When she finally tracks down her abandoning rat of a
husband, all her common sense tells her to just shoot him.
And then he kisses her and blast it, she remembers why she
agreed to marry him in the first place.
Over the Edge
Order your copy from amazon:
OH MARY! You really heaped poor Seth up with all kinds of issues, didn't you? I always seem to physically wound my heroes, but Seth's wounds are in his mind and emotions. I really look forward to reading this book. My hubby was in Viet Nam and for years after we were first married he was pretty volatile (we didn't know about PTSD at the time...) This is a great issue to tackle, and I can't wait to see how you resolve it with your hero and heroine!
ReplyDeleteCheryl P.
Hi Cheryl. Wow, Cheryl and Cheryl. Great name! :)
DeleteMary, I can't wait to read this one, I've been waiting since Out of Control. I think I started to root for Seth in those pages. And you give me hope for my dysfunctional characters.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary, Cheryl. Sending hugs your way!
Dawn we need to get together. Keep cranking out those dysfunctional characters, girl. Aren't we all kinda doing that?
DeleteWaving madly at you, Dawn! Big hug right back.
ReplyDeleteI still remember that fudge. mmmmmm
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI have psychiatric issues and I live in Texas. Sounds like the book for me! I look forward to reading OVER THE EDGE. Great title. Very apropos. :-)
Wow Meljprincess, just going to say that if my advice differs from you Health Care Professional, probably best to go with the doctor.
DeleteSounds like my kind of book. Looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeleteLilsis, I'm guessing you're someone's Little Sis??? Maybe? I'm someone's little sister, too. I had so much fun writing this book. I think you'll have a lot of fun when you get it.
DeleteActually I am the oldest of 7. Back in the day of cb's my brother thought my handle should be BigSis and as I have fought a lifelong battle with my weight I refused to be anybodies BIG Sis.
DeleteHave read all of your books, Mary and have met you a couple of times at book signings herfe in your home state.
Know people like this. Would love to read your take on it as an outsider. Could use this to help others with these disorders!
ReplyDeletedesertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Hi Linda. It's really interesting to study on old treatments for medical issues and mental health issues. I read stuff and I just find myself counting up how long my characters have to wait for penasillin. Medicine was a hard business back then.
DeleteI am so excited to read this book! I have been waiting for Seth's story. Although Cheryl St.John is my mother and of course my favorite. I have to admit I drool all over your books!! I have them read within a couple hours of them entering our house. I love your books, and the characters. I love all the bad to the bone gun toting women! anyways clearly I am a HUGE fan =0) Thank you for sharing your stories.
ReplyDeleteKristin
kristinmotherof2 @ yahoo.com
Little did you know that this book is lying on my desk right this moment. I can touch it. I can open the pages...
DeleteA bullet slammed through he door of the stagecoach, threading a needle to miss all four passengers.
Wow, catches you right off, doesn't it?
"It's a holdup!" Callie grabbed her rifle. "Get down!"
Mean, aren't I?
Mary, Kristin is at work, so I'm torturing her. She is taking two summer classes toward her bachelors degree, and she's been way too busy to note the new book. Had she known I had it I'd wager algebra would have been on hold for a day.
Kristin, your mom taught me everything I know. :)
DeleteOh, I am SO just laughing at this. NOT!
DeleteWriting about psychiatric problems would be challenging in any day and time but I admire you for tackling this issue during a time that just going to the doctor and getting a prescription is not an option. Looking forward to reading Seth's story.
ReplyDeleteAmy
aimmesser@yahoo.com
Don't you wonder what women did who suffered from post partum depression? Back when the treatment for being dispondent was pretty much getting your face slapped?
DeleteI think of it as the General George Patton school of psychiatry.
I've read accounts and I'm sure you have too about women who either just wandered off or hung themselves or did really crazy things. You know when I had babies, no one knew about post partum depression. Suck It Up was the theme song.
DeleteI have been waiting for Seth's story, and from the excerpt I have read I am already loving Callie! Hats off to you for handling a tough subject with humor. Love and Laughter are a big part of healing from any kind of emotional wounds.
ReplyDeletecastings at mindspring dot com
Another Cheryl? Wow? Is this a rule that you need to be named Cheryl to hang around here? I didn't get the memo.
DeleteI'm going to name a heroine Cheryl next thing. If I could just get each Cheryl to buy a copy I'd be rich.
It's sort of like Mary, I guess. There's one popping up every time you turn around.
DeleteI've always hated that the meaning of Cheryl in the baby books is "the feminine version of Charles."
Just call us all Girly Charlies.
It shows that "Cheryl" was a popular name back in the day. I won't say how far back! LOL
DeleteCher, I prefer the French meaning of our name. It's BELOVED. Perfect name for a romance heroine. :-)
the definition of Mary is BITTER.
DeleteSeriously.
I have been waiting for Seth's story to come out. I can't wait to read it. catlover0112 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteWhat does regency girl mean? I love regency romance! I mean LOVE IT! It might rise to the level of OCD (there's another mental issue). Do you think people used to have OCD? Or Anorexia? Are these the illnesses of 'too much time to think'? I wonder. We certainly don't here of historical cases of people starving themselves to death in the midst of lots of food.
DeleteI'm intrigued.
Intriguing thought...
DeleteCan't wait to read this. I just know Seth will find his sanity in Callie and I'll laugh all the way. Mary - you are way too cool. Thanks for having her Cheryl. ksucindy(at)excite(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy. Seth will get a grip but he's always gonna be a wildman. :) Callie's got her hands full.
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading this next book in the series! My bookshelf is behind me. If I turned and snapped a picture you'd see lots of books but it wouldn't take long to figure out who my two favorite authors are: Cheryl St John and Mary Connealy books have top billing.
ReplyDeleteadamsfammys@yahoo.com
Hi, Jamie, you sweet thing!
DeleteJAMIE! Take that pic and I'll post it here tonight!
ReplyDeleteOh I can't wait to read this book!!! Thank-you so much for the contest! :)
ReplyDelete~Joanna
ZachandZoesMom(at)att(dot)net
Hi Joanna. I love Zach and Zoe...great names!
DeleteThat's so interesting about the psychiatric problems in your book. This book sounds so good and I can't wait to get my hands on it! Congrats on the new release too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Cheryl!
ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com
Liz, I don't want to be disrespectful of those problems either. I don't think I am. In Doctor in Petticoats that hero was really messed up. He had his hands full pulling out of the trauma. I usually give them TIME. I come into the story after they've been dealing (badly) with their troubles for a long time.
DeleteI also have characters with an 1880's mindset so sometimes there isn't much understanding or patience with the troubles. I try and thread that needle.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book. I have read all of your previous books and loved every single one of them! Keep those great stories coming!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily and Rebecca. Good luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletedowelljanet@hotmail.com
Read the first one can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeletewinterrose at comcast dot net
I can't wait to read Seth's story! I would love to win it!
ReplyDeleteamylachina@gmail.com
I can't wait to read Seth's story! I would love to win it!
ReplyDeleteamylachina@gmail.com
I would love to win this book. I have some of your other books. Really want to read this.
ReplyDeleteForgot to put my email address:
ReplyDeleteHere it is.
karensuekimberly@yahoo.com
Haha sounds like a very fun ride! I have read the previous two book and would really like to read Seth's story!
ReplyDeleteKim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com
I can't wait to read this book! I love your books and I have got my mom and sister hooked on them too! Misscassiejane@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to reading Seth's story and meeting Callie. I introduced your books to my book club so you have several more fans. Thanks for the chance to win Over the Edge.
ReplyDeletepmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Love your books, Mary & Cheryl! I'd love to win this one:)
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, love your books and I can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteSorry forgot my email addy
Deletequiltlady110 AT gmail DOT com
WOOOOOOOOOOOoooo... recognize your book covers! Would love to win this one! Thanks for opportunity! Kathleen
ReplyDeletelanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Good luck in the drawing everyone. You've all been so SWEET. Thank you.
ReplyDeletehi mary.. i never read your books before. great recommend to me. sounds good.
ReplyDeletethanks. laniwaticecilia952atgmaildotcom
Congratulations on the book! It sounds good.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Cheryl - you are just being ornery!!! We want to read it too!!
ReplyDeletecoolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
Sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteEnter me!! I would love to win this book!!!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
Love to read your books! Can't wait for this one! redhawkswife@wowway.com
ReplyDeleteI don't think I did this right - I came up as under anonymous - I'm not on twitter, and I don't know what the other options are. I'm still a huge fan, even if I don't get all this technology stuff! Georgie
DeleteDefinitely on my to-read shelf. Love Historical Fiction. can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHannah
alpacagirl88@aol DOT com
Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jodie Wolfe
digging4pearls(at)comcast(dot)net