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39 ratings | 2 reviews | avg rating:4.97

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Mary Andersen

Goodreads Author

Genre

Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance

Influences

Deeanne Gist and Tamera Alexander, among others

Member Since

April 2013

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/maryandersen

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I was raised on a farm in northern Alberta, Canada. Some of my fondest memories are of time spent with my parents and siblings hauling hay, working with the cattle, or just goofing around. We would often gather around the piano and sing together, and sometimes neighbors and friends would join us in this, and we would sing into the wee hours together. We didn't have running water or indoor plumbing, and, for quite a while, we also did not have electricity, but it did not matter a whit to any of us. Those are not the kinds of things that really matter. In the evenings sometimes we gathered around the kitchen table and had contests of who could do math questions in our head and get the answer the quickest. Our accompaniment was the whir of the I was raised on a farm in northern Alberta, Canada. Some of my fondest memories are of time spent with my parents and siblings hauling hay, working with the cattle, or just goofing around. We would often gather around the piano and sing together, and sometimes neighbors and friends would join us in this, and we would sing into the wee hours together. We didn't have running water or indoor plumbing, and, for quite a while, we also did not have electricity, but it did not matter a whit to any of us. Those are not the kinds of things that really matter. In the evenings sometimes we gathered around the kitchen table and had contests of who could do math questions in our head and get the answer the quickest. Our accompaniment was the whir of the gas lantern. Such great memories! Sometimes, even now, I light a kerosene lamp and turn the other lights off, just for the comforting atmosphere of it. We spent a lot of quality time together, and I think that's one of the reason's we're such a close-knit family.

My love of traveling started very early on. Most of our relatives lived in the States and so we would take a road trip to visit them in the summertime whenever we could. If the 5-day forecast called for rain so that we couldn't be out haying, Dad would announce that we were to pack up and that we would be heading out the next morning. I always loved those trips. That probably had a lot to do with my eventually moving to the US. I spent almost 5 years down in southern Nevada in a wonderful, irrigating farming valley, and that is where I met my dear husband. We eventually ended up back in Canada, and now live with our three children near my childhood farm in Alberta.

As for how I became an author, I guess it started with writing blurbs about my ancestors. I'm big into genealogy, you see. It wasn't long before I ventured past the names and dates, and started trying and determine what their lives might have been like. I also read a lot of inspirational romance novels. One night, after finishing such a book, I had this strong impression that I needed to get out of bed and start writing a tale of my own. I did so, and that book (A Willing Heart) is now complete, and the next in the series is done as well except for some editing. I have grown to love the characters and it amazes me to think they would not exist, for me or anyone else, if I hadn't started typing that night. It has been a beautiful journey so far. ...more

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Combine Editions
Mary Andersen’s books

Average rating: 4.05 · 317 ratings · 41 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	A Willing Heart (Souls of Indenture, #1) 3.93 avg rating — 189 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Trusting Heart (Souls of Indenture, #2) 4.22 avg rating — 128 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Trusting Heart 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Mary Andersen's Blog

Happy New Year!

I've been thinking a lot lately about what's really important. I think sometimes nowadays we put too much emphasis on material goods, or fail to fully recognize or appreciate our blessings. We always want more, or something new and different. This is something I hope to continue pondering in 2014... what's really important in life. For me, some of those things are love of God and country, our free Read more of this blog post »

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