It’s funny how I got emails from two quilt book/novel authors about a week apart! I’m always happy to share and host a giveaway, so of course I said Yes too when Mona Hodgson emailed me about it!
She quickly sent me “The quilted heart” and I started reading it in the car when I wait for my son at the bus stop, as we all sit there for about 30 min after picking up my oldest daughter from middle school. This book is 3 novellas in one and I thought it was so funny that the main character in book #1 is Maren, who’s an immigrant from Denmark!! (like me) and there’s quilting too in it of course 
About Mona (from her website)
A daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grammy, Mona Hodgson is also a speaker and author of 40 books, historical novels and novellas for adults and children’s books, including her popular Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series. Her children’s books include bestseller, Bedtime in the Southwest picture book and board book, Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional, The Princess Twins Collection, and many more. Mona’s writing credits also include several hundred articles, poems and short stories, which have appeared in 50 different publications.
When Mona isn’t writing, she might be speaking for a women’s group, book club, school, or at a conference for writers and librarians. Or hanging out with family and friends.
I asked Mona the same questions as last week’s author, here are her answers
Questions for author
From Bea Lee (BeaQuilter)
February 2017
How long have you been a writer?
I’ve been writing for publication for 30 years.
When did you decide you wanted to write?
I was 30 when my hubby and I attended a weekend retreat for law enforcement officers and their families. During a meal time, a writer asked for couples who might be interested in being interviewed for a magazine article she was working on. While my hubby and I sat at a round table with her and her mini-recorder, list of questions, and tablet and pen, I wondered about the possibility that I could be a writer. This fall, I will celebrate 30 years of writing for publication.
What’s the name of the first book you wrote? And what is it about?
I started writing for magazines and had a newspaper column. My first book, Friendly Differences, an Early Reader, released in 1998. Dozens of children’s book followed. My first novel was published in 2009, and now I have several historical and novellas published as well. Including The Quilted Heart.
Tell us about your historical fiction novel collection, The Quilted Heart.
Broken hearts, like a quilt, can be pieced together.
Once a week, Elsa Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather there have all lost men to the Civil War, and are facing their painful circumstances together in friendship. Some will choose to rebuild their lives in war-torn Missouri, while others will seek a fresh start on the Oregon Trail.
How long have you been quilting?
Actually, I’m not a quilter. Two grandmothers were, and my Sis Linda is. But I am intrigued with the craft and skill, the historical significance of quilts and quilting, and how quilting circles brought women together. That’s how I came to write the stories about the Saint Charles Quilting Circle in THE QUILTED HEART. My Sis Linda and a local quilt shop owner serve as sources for quilting research for my stories.
What’s your favorite color (for quilts) or color combination?
My Sis Linda made me a lap quilt using my favorites—aqua and lime with brown. The quilt drapes the thinking / plotting chair in my office.
Tell us a bit about where you live and your family
I live and write in central Arizona with my hubby, Bob. But I have the privilege of traveling as a author and speaker for research and book promotions as well as speaking for women’s groups, book clubs, writers and librarians, and schools.
Here’s where you can connect with Mona online
https://www.facebook.com/mona.hodgson/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/602227.Mona_Hodgson
And of course Mona is giving away a book too!!
We started a group…QBees
I love shorter stories! Sweet giveaway. You are not far from Albuquerque!
A few new bloggers started a Bee this year. Bee Inspired. It is my first Quilting Bee.
I belong to a traditional guild, and I also participate in a Facebook group and instagram groups.
Beautiful quilt. Thanks for the chance to win this great giveaway.
Sounds like a great book. I'm in 2 different quilt guilds (one meets tonight). One is large, and one is tiny and more like a bee. I love them both, for different reasons.
Bea, I'm glad you enjoyed The Quilted Heart novellas. Thanks for sharing it with your followers. Happy Reading and Happy Quilting, Friends!Mona
The book sounds wonderful. I am part of a group of ladies who sew together but have not joined a guild. I have been in contact with a local guild that I hope to connect with soon.
I've been reading Mona's children's books to my kiddos at school for some time. I would love to read one now for me, too!
Hi, Teresa. Good to see you here. Blessings!
I am a part time member of the Bama Belles- but since I am a guy, I usually say the Bama Belles and one Ding-a-Ling. (I am the latter.)
I don't belong to a bee or a guild. Besides quilting and gardening, I also love to read.
So kind to share their love of quilting through story.
I don't belong to a Guild, or a Bee… I do love quilting with my 2 Daughter's as often as we can! :)Thank you for chance to win this Book too! Looove to read…real books, not on a Tablet! (Love turnin pages as I go..giggle)
I don't currently belong to a guild but follow several groups online.
When I moved to the area I am in now the quild I belong to now became my main source of friends. My new family.
I love reading books about quilters and historical fiction is one of my favorite categories. Thanks for making this giveaway possible. I will be checking out Mona's books soon.
I love reading, I love quilting and better yet love reading about quilting. I don't belong to our local guild but was recently invited and may take them up on the offer. The local guild has a quilt show April 1-2 and I can't wait!
I just started quilting-so no-however, I follow all kinds of sewing/quilting blogs! Thank you, Susan
We moved from IL to AL almost 4 years ago. I had never belonged to any kind of guild or sewing group, and truthfully had heard some negative things about them. At the same time that we moved, I decided to stop doing fashion sewing and concentrate on quilting, so I kept all my cottons and gave away over $1,000 of high end fashion fabrics. Would you believe, my neighbor of our new house is a quilter and belongs to the local quilt guild, so I decided to give it a try. Well, I love this guild. It isn't anything like the negative things I had heard about guilds in the past. So glad I took the plunge and joined. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
I don't belong to a group as I find it extremely difficult for me on account of being deaf.
I don't belong to any quilt guilds or bees
I belong to a quilt guild called Tall Pine Quilters Guild. The name came from all the pine trees that grow in our area.
I belong to two guilds, one is small and we meet each Friday morning. The second guild is larger and we meet at night two times a month.
I don't belong to a quilting guild or bee. I do go once a month to our local craft store where they have what is called quilt club. we get to see all the new fabrics, books and supplies. They have a block of the month pattern and fabric you can buy for a low price. This year we are doing a row quilt.
I don't currently belong to anything but would really love to find something in my area, especially to be able to connect with other quilters who use EQ7 and the Accuquilt Fabric Cutters. THank you