Marlene Bierworth

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Christian, wife, mother of two, grandmother of five, who loves to write historical and contemporary sweet romance. I’ve written over 40 books and enjoy interacting with fans. Show me picture, give me a one-liner, a situation or a conversation, and, sure enough, the story buzzer goes off in my head, and up and running to pen another great love story. I love what I do and it shows in my published work.
I also like to hang out with family and friends, walk and enjoy nature, paint, and read. I’ve worn many hats during my life-time, but am thrilled with being an author for this leg of the journey; serving God and readers to the best of my ability.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Blaire’s Ambushed Heart is my latest release – October 24/20. I enjoy mail-order-bride books and the journey so many of these women made to find happiness but oftentimes hardships and misery. Life is unpredictable, but the pioneers that left family and home, for adventure or a new start, captured my heart.
Blaire is running from being jilted at the altar and thinks she finds the perfect match, until disappointment and heartbreak comes knocking at the door one day. Marriage is full of ups and downs, some fixable and others tragically not. Love and commitment are key factors as couples face the difficult trials. Blaire wants to be strong and survive to live their happily-ever-after–if only things were that easy. You’ll have to read the book to see how it ends. No spoilers here.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sit in a chair, not an organized desk area, and I can watch TV, or talk to my husband while I write my next great romance. I write from a spontaneous word, action, picture, situation; it doesn’t take much to get my pen started with only a one-liner to pave the way. My characters like to rule the roost, and often take me down paths that I least expected. I suppose that’s why readers rave about the twists and turns in my plots. Nothing too ‘usual’ about me. Give me a cozy blanket, a fireplace a rocking chair and my computer and I am off to the races, writing my next best seller.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many online have been so gracious in sharing their expertise. Love Danni Roan, Marie Higgins, Lisa Prysock, Heather Frey and other Indie authors who write in my genre. Before I started writing I read anything and everything, but mostly enjoyed pioneer stories: Little House on the Prairie, Love Comes Softly series. These books inspired me to write in the historic romance genre – my books focus on the romance aspect – for me, history is simply the setting that makes love happen.

What are you working on now?
I just typed THE END to a Christmas story. I am involved in many multi-author groups, who each write stand-alone titles but there is some unique link that makes them a series. The Ornamental Match Maker series is fun, read while you roast the Christmas turkey kind of stories. Mrs. Claus, who unites lonely hearts with the use of an ornament is the glue that binds this series. They are considered short-reads.
I have published 8 in that series, and #9 A Polar Bear Christmas will release on November 20/20. An estranged couple, one in Nebraska and one in the Arctic, both eager to save the planet and animals who are threatened to be extinct. Lisa and Chet have a ten-year old son who will just about anything to get his parents back under the same roof, but alas, there is a woman chasing Dad which tightens his time line. Christmas is a time for miracles. Join the struggling family in the Arctic and see if first love is enough to conquer the tides of change.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is my go-to. Most of my readers congregate there. We comment and post on my fan page and often attend parties online for fun, new releases, sales, and prizes. I also have twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Instagram, but these are not where I hang out the most, just visit occasionally.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, publish, promote. Repeat. One book is not enough to retire on, but its a great start. Develop friendships with your ideal audience and authors who write in your genre. They will provide the support you need to keep going when the going gets tough. Find our where your audience hangs out and penetrate, build relationships and most of all, have fun.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nothing worth anything comes easy. Don’t give up. A steady pace wins the race. Don’t forget to have fun. Laughing at yourself brings healing to the soul.

What are you reading now?
Christine Sterlings, Blizzard Brides, Book #1 in a brand new series (of which I am a writer). Love that we have turned the phrase around and now the ladies are in charge and will pick their mail-order groom.
A unexpected blizzard takes out most of the men in Last Chance, Nebraska who are on a hunting trip to get the winter meat for the community. They perish and the mourning women (in some cases) need men to see their families through the winter months. The ad goes out and the men come running to find their bride.
I love this angle and am enjoy Christine’s introduction story to the series. Highly recommend it. Readers are loving the concept.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next year is booked with multi-author projects. I write in OMMS (which I already mentioned), Keepers of the Light, Georgia Peaches, Billionaires & Debutantes, Blizzard Brides, Marianne’s Mail-Order Brides, Brides of Pelican Rapids, Broad Street Boarding House, Mail-Order Mama, & Westward Home and Hearts. That’s in 2021. ( 3 MAPS that I wrote in last year have closed but the books are still available.)

I also write for my own series – The Jones Star Series – small town Aspen Glen, Montana, and the man Patrick Jones who started the clan which unfolds in the 10 book series. Loved writing these adventures in love as aristocrats and cowboys couple up for their happy ever after. I’ve written a Book 11 in 2020, which starts the next generation, so, I should squeeze a book into that series for sure. Also I have a War Time Romance Collection going – with only one book so far – Oregon Bride – but book 2 (Vermont Bride) should come out in 2021.

So it’s looking wonderfully busy and the characters in my head are lining up to take teir place in 2021.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible. Gone with the Wind. A Survivor’s Manual (lol) and my memoirs to remind me of who I am.

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Marlene Bierworth Amazon Profile

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