Tuesday, February 16, 2021

“Ride With Me” By Marion Ueckermann and a GIVEAWAY

 

  Please give a warm welcome to my special guest at the Diamond Mine. She has traveled all the way from South Africa to be with us today. Ms. Marion Ueckermann. I have had the privilege of reading many of her charming books.

USA Today bestselling author MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape. 


 Email: marion.ueckermann@gmail.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ueckie



Renette:  Let’s not waste time as she needs to get back to South Africa soon. Would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

 

Marion: I’m a wife to one hubby, mother of two sons, mother-in-law to two daughters-in-law, grandmother (or Ouma as they call me) to two grandsons and a ginger-haired granddaughter, sister to three siblings (one sister, two brothers), aunt to nine nieces (including the one in heaven) and two nephews, great-aunt to four grand-nieces and seven grand-nephews, great-great-aunt to two great-great-nephews … and this excludes all the men and women married to my siblings and nieces and nephews. Despite being spread across three continents (Africa, Europe, Australia) and five countries (South Africa, UK, Finland, Australia, New Zealand), this large family, manages to stay close (well, most of them).  

I was born in Zambia, but have lived in South Africa since I was six (excluding the eighteen-month stint in Ireland). I started writing about twenty years ago and pursued it as a full-time profession nearly five years ago. Renette; Wow, what fun to have such a diverse family. I love to travel. But with things in our world right now it is kind of limited. We need to rely on GOD more.


Renette: Do you have a life verse? 


Marion;  Jeremiah 29 v 11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 


That verse is a reminder each day that God has got my life and my future in the palms of His hands. I can face today, and I can face tomorrow, no matter what.  


Renette: Definitely an encouraging verse for these times. Besides the LORD who has had the biggest influence on your life 


Marion: My mother. Because of her, I am the woman I am today. 


Renette: I think most of us could say the same. Mothers are special. There is something so comforting about a mother. What and where is your favorite way to relax?  


Marion: Most nights you’ll find me relaxing in bed with my hubby binge-watching our next favorite new series until the early hours of the morning. After a long day in the office writing or designing, I need to just switch off. 


Renette: I can understand, we all need down time. Did you have an occupation before writing? 


Marion:  For decades, I worked in the corporate world as a Personal Assistant/Executive Secretary.  


Renette: Does it influence your writing?  


Marion: Working in that environment for so long has definitely helped my grammar and spelling.  


Renette: I bet it did. Spelling is not one of my strong suits. What was your inspiration for this story?  


Marion: Tash Thornton, the heroine of Ride with Me (Book 10 of the multi-author Chapel Cove Romances), was a secondary characters in the previous book I’d written in the series, Accept Me (Book 8). She played a minor part in the story, being the owner of the stables in Chapel Cove. 


At the time I wrote Accept Me, I visited my brother. His wife owned a beautiful black Friesian named Myrtle, who subsequently also played a small part in Accept Me. But I knew I wanted Myrtle to play a larger role in a story, which she did (as herself) along with Tash in Ride with Me. When I found that cover image, I knew I had Tash and Myrtle’s book. My only regret is that it wasn’t Myrtle on the cover. You’ll need to read the book though to find out whose horse made it to the cover of this story. 


Renette: “Accept Me” was so good. I know this one will be as well. Can’t wait to read it. I’m curious, do you listen to music or do you prefer a quiet room while you write?  


Marion: Usually, the room is quiet when I write. Mostly because I just plain forget to put on music. But when I do, I will go to Spotify and start a playlist of worship songs beginning with my favorite, Dancing on the Waves. Spotify just keeps playing similar songs — most are so awesome. 


I have been known to play Michael Bublé ad nauseam when writing a Christmas story LOL.  


Renette: I like your choice in music. And Michael Bublé on repeat would be wonderful for me. His music is sure memorable. What do you hope your writing leaves the reader with?  


Marion: Most of my books have themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the fact that God will work all things for good for those who love Him. I hope my stories will leave readers with a stronger faith to trust God in their own circumstances.  


Renette: When I read your stories, I see hope and forgiveness. Especially when you chose to write your heroines as women beyond their teenage years. 



Fall for someone who could destroy her livelihood? 

Never! 

A person and person kissing on a horse

Description automatically generated with medium confidenceHotel magnate Henry Scott lives life in the fast lane. True to form, when his great-uncle leaves him property and a Victorian house in Chapel Cove, he takes a weekend drive, only intending to stay long enough to evaluate his new found assets. If they aren’t a viable option for the next Scott Leisure Resort, he just might consider selling to the couple who’d expressed an interest in buying the old place. After all, if not for them, he would never have known about this last part of his great-uncle’s will, sealed for almost a decade. 


When her new neighbor rolls into town, Tash Thornton is less than impressed. Not only is the man presumptuous and audacious, he’s downright egotistical. His grand plans for the property adjoining her stables, tack shop, and riding school do not bode well for her business. 

Love thy neighbor, the Bible teaches—those people who cross your path each day. But with Henry Scott owning the land right next door, Tash fears God may expect her to show him a double portion of love. 


Purchase a copy in these places: 

 


Marion: 

I hope the readers of Diamond Mine enjoyed getting to know me a little better. But in conclusion, when I’m not writing (or flying back and forth to Cape Town to look after and homeschool my grandkids), I’m either designing book covers for myself or other authors. And very occasionally, you’ll find me crocheting a square for one of the two large Star Wars blankets I promised my grandsons for Christmas. Um, I didn’t say which year!


I’d also like to give away an ebook copy of Ride with Me to THREE randomly chosen readers who comment on this post. 


 Renette; I enjoyed getting to know you better and I’m sure those here did as well. Thank you so much for joining me here today on the Diamond Mine. May your pen continue to be blessed by His SONshine. I look forward to reading many more of Your stories.


Everyone be sure and grab your copy of “Ride With Me” 

Or comment below for your chance to win a great read! 


Renette Steele 

LadSONshine 





22 comments:

Marionu said...

Thank you for having me today, Renette. It was fun!

LoRee Peery said...

This story looks so good, Marion. I'll add it to my to purchase list. Always a pleasure to see your face.

Marionu said...

Aw, thank you, Loree ❤

Marionu said...

Aw, thank you, Loree ❤

Renette Steele said...

You are welcome. Pleasure having you. I enjoyed it.

Renette Steele said...

Thank you for stopping by LoRee.
Always good to see you.

Jeanine Ellis said...

Ride With Me sounds like a wonderful read, Marion. It will be interesting to read more about Tash's story. Thanks for the opportunity!

Mary Manners said...

What a lovely interview. It was great to get to know you more, Marion. I am looking forward to Ride with Me!

Lisa Stillman said...

You are an incredibly busy and talented lady!

Renette Steele said...

Thank you for stopping by Jeanine.
I'm excited to read Ride with me, it sounds so good.

Renette Steele said...

So glad you stopped by Miss Mary Manners.
Thank you for your kind comments.
You blessmy heart.

Renette Steele said...

Thank you for popping in Lisa.
Marion is extremely talented in many areas.

Marionu said...

Thanks, Jeanine 😊

Marionu said...

Thanks, Mary. Glad you enjoyed it ❤

Marionu said...

Aw, thank you, Lisa🤗

Tanja Charlotte said...

Great interview. I have not heard of the author before. But I sure am curious now!!! Thank you Renette 🤩

Renette Steele said...


Tanja Charlotte,

Thank you for dropping in. I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview.

Marion is a delight and her stories are charming!

Let me know what you think.

Marionu said...

Thank you, Jeanine. I hope you get to read Ride with Me.

Marionu said...

Thanks so much, Mary. Glad you enjoyed the interview.

Marionu said...

Thank you, Lisa.

Marionu said...

Thank you, Tanja. I hope you get to read some of my stories.

Marionu said...

Thank you ladies for stopping by and commenting. I've decided to give each of you a copy of Ride with Me. So, Loree, Jeanine, Mary, Lisa, Tanya, please contact me with your email addresses so that I can give you your books. You can email me on marion.ueckermann@gmail.com.