It’s my pleasure to have Cathy Maxwell join me today on the blog. She has graciously agreed to a virtual interview as she celebrates the release of THE MARRIAGE RING, the third book in her Scandals and Seductions series. Please extend a warm welcome to Cathy. 🙂

~*~*~

Hi Cathy, welcome! I absolutely adore opposite attract stories. Please tell us about Grace and Richard in THE MARRIAGE RING.

Opposites do attract, don’t they?  But do they stay together?  That’s the question I was wondering as I developed Grace and Richard’s story.  Many of my readers will remember Grace from IN A HIGHLANDER’S BED.  She was the camp slut, poor child.  A willing one–until Fiona put a good dose of common sense in her head.  Grace also makes an appearance in SEDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS and THE EARL CLAIMS HIS WIFE.  She’s been developing confidence along the way but she does consider herself damaged goods.

Richard has always done the right thing, and it has made him boring.  He’s a square peg in a square hole–and a part of him resents it.  In many ways, Grace represents freedom . . . and isn’t that what often happens with us even today?  We are going along thinking we have a handle on the world until we meet someone who challenges everything we thought about ourselves?  Who is it that said, often the person who frustrates you the most is your soul mate?

But Grace does more than question and infuriate Richard.  She is forbidden fruit.  The Scarlet Woman.

Poor boy.

By the way, THE MARRIAGE RING takes up minutes after THE EARL CLAIMS HIS WIFE ends.  So if a reader cares about the order of stories, I’d advise reading THE EARL CLAIMS HIS WIFE first.  It’s not necessary.  My books do stand alone–but for the whole backstory . . .

THE MARRIAGE RING is the third book in your current series. Is this the end or can we expect more?

I have two more in this series after THE MARRIAGE RING. HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE (Dec ’10 Avon Books) will be Andres’s story. I have a host of fans waiting for him to have redemption. And then, I close the series with the book following Andres. My readers will meet the final book’s main character in HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE.


I see you have a book trailer for THE MARRIAGE RING. Did you enjoy doing it?

I had fun doing the book trailer but my on camera days are long behind me. When I started writing, all I wanted to do was write. I didn’t imagine the business exploding the directions it has. What an incredible world we live in today! I am constantly amazed. One thing I’m learning is that stories will always be with us.

Now here is a question running through my mind, are book trailers all that important? I don’t think so. Content is important. We are bombarded with information so we start wondering if all of this has personal importance–and book trailers seem impersonal. I’m loving social media. I have my clan of readers and friends on Facebook plus a cadre of the really loyal I-get-what-you-are-doing readers. I admit I write to please them.

But the secret, or what I long for, is meaningful dialogue with anyone. Even the guy that pours my coffee. I am a people person. In that trailer, I skimmed a vein. I didn’t open it, not quite . . . was surprised I went there . . . . and have some mixed thoughts about it. The camera catches everything, not just that five extra pounds.

What was it like the first time you found out you made the New York Times bestseller list?

Making the list was good, all good–but surprising. When I started selling, the NYT wasn’t even including romance novels in the list so it wasn’t something I aspired to. My goal was and continues to be to focus on the reader and giving the best story experience I have to offer.

Around the time I made the list, a friend and I were arguing about goals. Her goal was the make the NYT list. I contend (and still do) a “good” goal is one you have control over. I have no control over making a list. I prefer to focus on what I do control. Then I made the list. I felt vindicated in my viewpoint. And humbled. It is an honor. It carries cache.

But to the romance reader? I’m not certain NYT matters. Romance readers (RRs) are avid readers. I have discussions with booksellers who assume RRs only read in their genre in the same way mystery and sci-fi and literary readers do. Not true! RRs read everything. They are after story wherever they can find it. They come to Romance because we have loads of good stories hitting the shelves every month. And we embrace all genres. We’ll do action-adventure, fantasy, futuristic, westerns, mystery . . . we’ll even go literary. So will the RR. Give them Story.

Digressing here . . . I think alot of the success of the Paranormal romances is that the writers were writing with a fresh eye, building strong worlds, and being imaginative with story. I come across Historical writers all the time who don’t realize how important the “world” they are creating is. I recently did a Romance Radio interview with Vampire writer Jeaniene Frost on her latest book (www.authorsonair.com). Hearing her conviction in discussing the parameters of her characters’ “world”, reminded me of how important that level of authenticity is. I’d just finished vetting a manuscript by a first time author where she was loosey goosey about the history in her time period. There are things the RR will let you do and things that will get you blasted, and every writer should know what the margins are for her genre.

By the way, Jeaniene felt the Historical writers had it tough for research. I think the Contemporary writers must be more wary. It’s hard for a reader to go back in time . . . but very easy to know that people don’t sit side-by-side in Space Mountain or folks don’t pump their own gas in Oregon–and woe to the writer who gets those every day facts wrong.

Oh, what were we talking about?
Yes, thank you very much, I like being on the NYT list. And I don’t think the fam and I did anything special. It was a good moment, and then we moved on.

~~~

The Marriage Ring
Author: Cathy Maxwell
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Pub. Date: February 23, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061771927
368 pages

The woman who will one day wear Richard Lynsted’s ring will be genteel, dainty, and well-bred.

This eliminates Grace MacEachin on all three counts. A hellion of the first order, the alluring, infuriating woman would be nothing more than a passing temptation to an upstanding gentleman like Richard—if it weren’t for the fact that she’s trying to blackmail his father!

Or, as Grace sees it, trying to get justice—and maybe just the slightest hint of revenge on the family that tore her life asunder when she was just a girl. And as for Lynsted, well, the stuffy, humorless man wouldn’t suffer for time spent in company more exciting than that of his company ledgers. Only when Richard gets Grace alone, she discovers he may know a thing or two about excitement after all . . .

~~~

How do you like writing novella compared to writing single titles? Does the word count make it an easier go?

I like the intensity of writing a shorter story and I hope the exercise translates to my full length books. My favorites are “Flanna and the Lawman” and “Nightingale.” I actually think it is harder to write shorter. Every word must count.

Do you have a daughter? If so, does she read your books? Do any of your children want to follow in your footsteps and become an author?

I have two daughters, both RRs! They do read my books. I wrote about one of them in the essay “Bedside Reading” that can be found at my website (www.cathymaxwell.com) I don’t know if I have any future authors amongst my children although each (I have three) is a very good writer. They know words convey more than just facts. If anything holds them back from writing, it is the sight of their mother sitting in one spot for hours, days at a time.

You state that you married a man you knew for less than a month. Do you believe in love at first sight?

I do not believe in love at first sight. I do believe in “Lust at First Sight”–but I wasn’t in love or lust with my husband. I couldn’t get rid of him. Every time I turned around, he was there. Kevin was a real Alpha guy, which is interesting because I’m an Alpha gal. And then, I just found myself agreeing to all of his ideas–including marriage. I knew I’d met my match and jumped in before I thought too much about it. I’m glad I did. We had a great synergy.

THE MARRIAGE RING Book trailer


Would you like to write in another genre someday, perhaps contemporary?

I don’t know what the future holds. It’s been six years since Kevin died, a real roller coaster of emotion. Anyone who has lost someone dear to them knows what I’m talking about. I had my career mapped out with all sorts of possibilities before his death and then I spent a good deal of time just hanging on.

And let me interject right here about how wonderful Avon and HarperCollins was during this period. Sometimes you will hear writers complain about how heartless publishers can be. That has not been my experience. Ever. Even before Kev’s death. Decisions have to be made because publishing is a business. At the same time, the majority of people I have met in publishing have great hearts. They are passionate and professional (passionately professional? Professionally passionate? Maybe both!) about what they do.

My goal has been to get right side up on my deadlines, then stretch ahead, and then see what is on the horizon. I’m really tired of paddling as fast as I can.

One thing I do know–I won’t leave Romance. I have many goals for my writing and I haven’t attained what I set out to do. I’m working on it, but I’m not there.


What’s coming up next for you? Can you give us a miniature blurb?

This December (2010) Andres’s story will be on the shelves–HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE. Remember, titles can, and do, change but that is where we are now. I love that book. Many of you remember Andres from SEDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS and THE EARL CLAIMS HIS WIFE. I’ve had boatload of mail from readers asking when they can expect his book. I hope they are not disappointed. I really love this character–a silver-eyed Spaniard who has been both villain and lover. Doesn’t get better than that!

And right now in in the beginning stages of the last book in the “Scandals and Seductions” series. It will be out in 2011 and feature a character from HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE. After that–I want to head to Scotland again. I’ve got a new series brewing in my mind that will be great fun.

Thank you, Bev, for this interview. It’s been fun. By the way, please remind your fans that I’ll be interviewing you March 25, 2010 1 p.m. EST on Romance Radio. We have a series of shows that live forever at Romance Radio (www.authorsonair.com) featuring the movers and shakers of in this special genre that we all love so well. Hope everyone can join us.

~*~*~

Isn’t she sweet? Cathy, thank you so much for joining me today and sharing a bit of yourself with us.

Cathy will be popping in now and again throughout the day (February 22nd), so please feel free to ask questions. Also, make sure you enter to win 1 of 5 copies of THE MARRIAGE RING and corresponding signed book cover posters, which Avon Books has graciously offered up for raffle. Click here for entry details.

Comment today and 4 entrants for THE MARRIAGE RING will also receive a copy of one of the following books:

       

Avonguest bloghistoricals
By Authors, Avon Books, Contests, Giveaways, Interviews58 Comments on Cathy Maxwell ~ The Marriage Ring

58 Replies to “Cathy Maxwell ~ The Marriage Ring”

  2. Hi Cathy. Thanks for your very thoughtful interview. I’m interested in what you say about the business of writing changing so much. I don’t know when you first were published, but I wondered what you think are the most rewarding changes – online audio (Romance Radio), blogs, videos, etc. Are there any new technologies that you tried and gave up on?

  3. Hi Cathy, it’s almost midnight here. And need to post this before i got to bed 🙂

    It’s always great knowing a new for me Author. And your works sound wonderful.
    – would you please describe your stories in three words ?

    Nice to have you here Cathy !

    uniquas at ymail dot com

  4. Hi Cathy! I was lucky enough to find “The Marriage Ring” already out in a town near where I live, so I picked it up happily yesterday!…and finished it today! Excellent, I really enjoyed the character of Richard. I could sense his changing through the novel although her father made me a little sad. Excellent book Cathy!! Can’t wait for the next one!!

  5. Hi Cathy, so enjoyed your interview. I am anxiously awaiting, The Marriage Ring, I was captivated by the chemistry between Grace and Richard since The Earl Claims His Wife. I did not however, know that Grace has such a “scarlet” history that is even better! (I will now have to go buy all the back books). Oh boy, I can hardly wait for Richard’s unraveling.

    I also couldn’t agree more with you on your comment about RR’s reading beyond the romance genre. That claim peeves me more than any other stereotype. Yes, folks…I love Cormac McCarthy AND Cathy Maxwell, I adore Joan Didion AND Elizabeth Hoyt. I find it so offensive that certain people think the human brain is so limited and that we can’t appreciate “serious literature” and a bit of lusty, sensual prose, which does NOT necessarily mean it is poorly written. Anyhow, sorry for the rant. 🙂

    Have a great day!

  6. Hi Cathy. Great Interview! I always like finding out about an author that I’ve never tried before. I just went to look up you other works. I can’t wait to read one of your books.

  8. Hi Cathy!
    Surperb interview. ^^ I actually do like watching trailers for books. Sometimes i find that the burp on the back of the book just doesn’t interest me enough. Then i watch the trailer and it really captures me in a way that the burp didn’t.

    You mentioned that your daughters read romance and i was curious as to your thoughts of whether you think romance reading is passed down from female family member to family member or it is something young girls just naturally pick up. I know this is a strange question, but i’m curious because i’ve heard different people share different experiences of how they first read their first romance. Some read them because a female family member passed on a book to them and some pick up a romance on their own right. I’m rather curious to see what you think is the prevalent way young girls get into romance reading.

  9. Hi Cathy, What kind of books do you enjoy reading….and who are some of your favorite authors???

    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

  10. I have also never read any of Cathy Maxwell’s books. They appear to be very good. I will have to go back on the series.

  11. Oh what a great giveaway! I don’t think I have read Cathy’s books before either! They sound like fabulous reads and i would love to read one! Do you enjoy your research?

    ghurt110 AT bellsouth DOT net

  12. Cathy, I recently read the first 3 books in this series, and I really enjoyed them. I am so glad that the next book is here. I am especially looking forward to Andres’ story. He is a wonderful character, and I want to see him get his own HEA ending. Does Andre make an appearance in THE MARRIAGE RING?

  13. i read the earl claims his wife when it came out and i liked it!

    question for cathy: if you can have only 3 books with you for the rest of your life, which ones would you choose?

    please count me in for the draw.

  14. Very nice interview and The Marriage Ring has an intriguing storyline. I’d love to find how the hero and heroine resolve the blackmail dilemma and their attraction for one another. Looking forward to reading it.

  15. Hi Cathy,

    Have enjoyed your books very much, one of my favs is ‘You And No Other’ You new book sounds wonderful indeed. And I loved your interview. And a new series you are planning for Scotland? How exciting! All the best for your release!!

  16. An excellent interview, ladies. 🙂

    Cathy–Your joy for what you do bounces off the screen! I love that. I think it’s the passion, the enthusiasm for this genre that helps to create the wonderful stories the romance world gives us. Your book sounds fantastic, and as I’m a read-in-order kind of gal, I’m just gonna “have” to run out and get the others along with this one.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
    🙂 Bryn

  21. Congrats on your new release! I’ve enjoyed reading your books over the years and am excited you have more releases coming up this year.

  22. What a great interview, Cathy and Bev! Thank you.
    Congratulations on your new release, Cathy. Can’t wait to read it!

  23. Fantastic and very entertaining interview 😉 I don’t believe in love at first sight either, though I very much believe in lust at first sight too lol

  25. Hi Cathy! Great interview and congratulations on the release of “The Marriage Ring”. “The Earl Claims His Wife” was my first book I’ve read by you and loved it. I’ve been anxious to read Grace’s story ever since. So glad to hear that there will be more of this series!

  26. I have heard lots of good things about Cathy Maxwell. It started when I was pitching a story to Amanda Bergeron (Avon editor), and she asked me if I’d ever read Cathy Maxwell. I told her I hadn’t. After that, I started hearing her name everywhere. Boy, did I feel stupid then. lol Now I MUST read one of her books!!!

    ~Phyllis~

  27. Great interview Ladies
    Hi Cathy you are one of my favourite authors and an autobuy for me I have not missed one of your books since I “discovered”your stories and have been collecting your books that were published before I discovered you and have quite a few of yours on my TBR pile. Now I just need to retire so as I have more time for reading LOL

    Have Fun
    Helen
    BTW I started Sinful Surrender last night Beverley and am loving it

  28. I really enjoyed reading this interview. “The Marriage Ring” looks like such a romantic and interesting book with a great plot! The book cover is very pretty also.

  29. It has always been so hard for women to rebuild their lives. If they made a mistake, they were damaged goods. Men on the other hand, could get away with it. They would have a reputation as a rake or rascal. They would be gossiped about and given a hard time, but society would still accept them. Everyone loved a reformed Bad Boy.
    Hardly fair, but the way things have been.
    I like the sound of this book as well as the others in the series.

  30. Cathy, I like that you changed the roles of the main characters. It can get tiring to have a rake getting matched up with an innocent. Have editors/publishers been open to the ideal of the heroine being loose (camp slut) in the past or is this a change that is more recent? I don’t recall too many books like this. The heroine is usually a virgin or a widow if she isn’t.

  31. I just read A Seduction at Christmas. I love your stories Cathy. I’m always so pulled into the story and characters. I don’t go out of my way to watch book trailers. Personally I don’t because I create what the hero and heroine look like in my mind as I start reading (I’m sure we all do this) and if I see a trailer with someone who looks really different, that’s it I can’t go on. lol lol I’ll stick to my favorite Authors, book blurbs and covers as well as trusted word of mouth. Great interview Cathy. Your love for your writing is so evident in your trailer. Keep on writing Cathy ! 🙂
    Carol L.

  32. I have read several books from Cathy Maxwell but I haven’t read this new series. I’m definitely reading forward to it though. Thanks for the contest and congrats on this new release !!

  34. Just wanted to say hello to Queen Cathy-to -the-Max!! You know how much I love your books, and I think you’re pretty fabulous yourself. 🙂 *smooches*

  35. I really enjoyed this interview. Must admit that I have never read a book by Cathy Maxwell, but this one sure seems great. Most historical’s I read have all such good girls as heroines. That Grace has a past and blackmailes Richard’s father makes her sound very interesting. I would love to read it! Best, Kirsten

  40. I have been a fan of Cathy’s books for awhile now and enjoy reading the kinds of books she writes. Enjoyed reading the interiew. Always good to know something about the authors one reads.
    The Marriage Ring has been added to my TBR list.

  42. Cathy – I can’t wait to pick up my copy of The Marriage Ring when I get out of work tomorrow! I have finally gotten the manager of my local Waldenbooks trained to put aside a copy of your new releases as soon as they come in! You have a hugh following here in my neck of the woods of southern Rhode Island!

  45. Hello! I had the devil of a time finding my way here . . . plus, I’m running out in a few minutes to do my stint at the Free Clinic. I’m the volunteer coordinator. The volunteer Volunteer Coordinator! I love being at the clinic. Every time we are open, we save lives.
    Okay, ’nuff of that . . . I am a bit shocked at the number of people who haven’t read my books before. I got a ways to go before I become a household name. I signed books at Nora Roberts’s store in Boonsboro, MD yesterday. (She is a household name.) And again, I met readers who haven’t read me . . . so I hope many of you take a chance–and love my books! :o)

  47. Katrina–in answer to your question about the changes in the biz . . . I was talking to someone about this today: I published my first book in 1994 and an Independent bookseller could help build a new author’s name. Then we lost that venue for a while. They disappeared; the big boxes took over. Websites were popular but very impersonal. However now, we have blogs and Facebook. I love ’em. Once again, I can hear what readers think. We can banter back and forth and have a good time along with a more meaningful dialogue.

    I love the romance radio http://www.authorsonair.com because again, listeners can text questions and we can reply imediately. BTW, hope y’all are listening this Thursday at 1 p.m. est when my guest is Vice President and Executive Director of Avon Books Carrie Feron.

  48. Jeanne Miro–Your comment made me think we should do a mini-internet course for training booksellers. That could be alot of fun! First, set all romance novels aside for ME!

  49. Jediskora aka Melissa . . . good comment about how girls discover romance novels. I interviewed Jeaniene Frost last week and she said it all started with discovering a Bertrice Small book in her mother’s stack of reading. My mother reads romance. She was a member of several Harlequin book clubs. Once my sisters and I started reading romance novels, we sat around the table talking about them the way lit profs carry on. We consider ourselves demanding readers!

    I discovered Georgette Heyer in the library stacks. What a great day that was! Passed on one of my faves THE BLACK SHEEP to one of my romance reading daughters and she wasn’t impressed. Shocked me!

  50. Gotta go . . . I’ll be back in a few hours to check in with you all.

    Bevereley, thank you so much for inviting me. You have a great group of readers here. What topic shall we take on next?

  51. I enjoyed the interview and I really enjoy romances with heroes and heroines who are opposites. It’s fun to watch them fight their feelings.

  52. Great interview Cathy. I’m looking forward to reading more of your books.
    Beverley, thanks for featuring another great author on your blog.

  53. I have read several of Cathy Maxwell’s books and enjoyed them all, but my favorites are been set in Scotland so I am especially glad to hear that she will be returning to that setting in the future. The interview was very interesting. I don’t normally take time to read author interviews but I think I have been missing out!

  57. Wonderful interview Cathy I love series books and look forward to reading the( Scandals and Seductions) series. They sound great.

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