Author, author.... Margaret Ethridge

....read all about her !!!

 Today I have the wonderful....

Margaret Ethridge

Margaret, so glad to have you here.  Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a transplanted Yankee living in the land of y’all. I’ve switched from Pepsi to Coke, but I still call it all ‘pop’. I’m married with two mostly-grown children, three dogs, a pondful of fish, and one incredibly spoiled house rabbit.

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always been a reader, but writing was a ‘someday’ thing for me. Before I knew it, my fortieth birthday had come and gone, and I decided to stop chasing after ‘someday’ and just get to it. I had a few really awesome friends poking and prodding. That always helps.

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

I write mainly contemporary, so I haven’t had to do research that extends beyond Google and the telephone. Of course, I’m giving serious consideration to writing a story set in Scotland so I can do some in-depth research, live and in person.

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?

I have a brown leather bomber jacket recliner that has perfectly molded to my tuchas. No one else dares to sit in my chair.

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

While I’m writing, I tend to read historical romances. I have a difficult time reading contemporary while I’m in the midst of a story. I get a bit muddled.

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper?? And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?

I use both a laptop and a desktop to write. I keep notes in Moleskine notebooks and using Evernote on my Kindle Fire. I am a pantser at heart. I try to plot my stories, honest I do, but it just doesn’t work for me. I like to let my characters carry me along.

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

For exercise, I walk, jog, shoot baskets, and do yoga. For fun, I read – LOL.

Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers??

Um...I sniff books. I can’t help it. I love the smell of ink on paper. Is that weird?

Where can our readers find you??

I’m all over the place!

My web address is: www.margaretethridge.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMargaretEthridge

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MKEthridge

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4465188.Margaret_Ethridge

 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Margaret-Ethridge/e/B004CSGWZI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1334795070&sr=8-3

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

My latest is a romance for those of us who have been kicking around for a while. It’s called Spring Chickens, and it’s now available from The Wild Rose Press.

You don’t have to be a spring chicken to fall in love.

The residents of Heartsfield, Arkansas think Lynne Prescott has it all. The wealthy suburban divorcee captures everyone’s attention when she blows into town to dispose of the family farm. But her nosy new neighbors don’t know she ran away from home.

Bram Hatchett’s interest in buying the land adjoining his farm is yesterday’s news, but the handsome widower’s inability to contain his attraction to the land’s beautiful owner quickly becomes fodder for the local gossip mill.

A rickety old porch and a disturbing decrease in the poultry population bring them together—but with wagging tongues and grown children against them, Lynne’s inclination toward flight comes smack against Bram’s aversion to fight. Can they whittle away the secrets of the past in order to scratch out a future together?

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=4835

One last thing before we let you leave, do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes but it's totally up to you.

Here is the recipe I shared in The Wild Rose Press Garden Gourmet 2011 cookbook. You can download the entire collection here: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=180&products_id=4717

Chicago Girl Chicken Chili

· 1 tbsp olive oil

· 2 cloves garlic, minced

· 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

· 1envelope McCormick Chili Seasoning

· 1can Rotel (diced tomatoes with jalapeño peppers)

· 1can chili beans (with sauce)

· 1can great northern beans (drained)

· 1cs black beans (drained)

· 32oz tomato juice

 Cut chicken breasts into strips. Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add garlic and chicken strips. Sauté until chicken is cooked through. Using two forks, shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Add shredded chicken to Dutch oven or stock pot, season with packaged chili seasoning. Add Rotel, chili beans, great northern beans, and black beans. Stir to mix well. Add tomato juice to desired thickness.

Bring to a simmer then cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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Margaret, it's been an absolute pleasure having you with us today.  I swear you make me smile :)   Thanks so much for the recipe and the link to download the whole collection.  I'll be going right after that!

I wish you much success in this delightful story!!!

Readers, you know the drill......I highly recommend this so jump on it right now or you'll be sorry :)

 Until next time, happy reading...

Krista