Interview and Giveaway: Mary Wine with Highland Hellcat

Today I welcome Mary Wine to my blog. She is the author of Highland Hellcat, among other books. At the bottom of this interview there is giveaway, 2 copies to win so what are you waiting for :)

Welcome to Mur-y-Castell!

Tell me something about yourself, so we get a better understanding about the woman behind the author.

MW: I’m a scatter-brained mother of two who gets bossed around by the family parrot…oh…well, maybe that’s not the best way to put it. LOL. The parrot does boss me around but he’s just so darn cute. I practice Tae Kwon Do with my boys, and we have all earned our black belts. My other love is sewing. I make historical garments and enjoy finding an excuse to wear them.

Your newest book is called Highland Hellcat; can you tell me what it is about?

MW: This is the tale about what happens when well-laid plans don’t go as planed. Brina was promised to the church, a rather normal practice in this time. Families that had three living daughters and sons too were expected to promise one to the service of the church. Those cathedrals took a lot of care. But there was food on the table and a roof over your head, so for most it wasn’t very different than they would have had. Connor is a laird and he has a choice…be a good laird and earn respect or just take it as his due. He decides to earn it. That means he will marry for the alliance it brings his clan. He makes a deal with a large clan for the eldest daughter but she believes herself in love with someone else. Connor needs to secure a bride without rumors clinging to her so he takes Brina instead. Like I said…plans going astray.

Who is your favorite hero from the Highland series, and why?
MW: At the moment it’s Quinton but I believe that’s due to the fact that I wrote his book most recently. I tend to become absorbed in my work in progress.

The last book in the series is Highland Heat, when is that book out? Can you tell us a little bit about it?
MW: This will be Quinton’s tale. It will release in March and the cover is wonderful! Quinton is jaded and Deirdre is distrusting of men. For these two to fall in love and admit it, took an amazing story.

What kinds of books do you read? Any favorite authors?
MW: Karen Roberts, Lora Leigh, Jo Goodman… and many others. When I’m not reading romance, I’ve got my nose stuck in a history book. My kids are forever living in fear of mom saying, ”Did you know, there were street vendors as early a 1640 in the New York city area? They sold hot potatoes…” LOL.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
MW: Finish the book and write another. You can’t expect to see every book and you can’t sell what you haven’t written.

To some different ones now:
Why do you think romance readers love the Highlands?
MW: What’s not to love? It’s a beautiful place but it’s the character of the people which draws me. These men carved out a living in one of the hardest landscapes and never let it defeat them. They maintain their lore when others where trying to force them to conform.

Who is your fav Scottish person?
MW: This past summer I was in Alaska, sitting in a restored cat house when I heard one of the thickest brogues. I turned to discover an older gentleman sitting beside me and he was in fact a true Highlander. Mr. McKinney was kind enough to enchant me with tales of life in Scotland today. Yes, he plays golf and believes a cell phone would interrupt his game. For the moment, he’s my favorite Scot.

I wonder, what do Scots wear under those kilts?
MW: Old Spice. 

B: Thank you for stopping by Mary :) I am looking forward to Q's tale.

GIVEAWAY:

2 copies of Highland Hellcat

Open to US and Canada

1. Not a must, but it's always fun if you ask a question, comment on the interview, or anything you want :) Like why you love the Highlands.

2. Ends October 29th

3. if your email is not in your profile, then leave it here or email me so that I can contact you if you win.

have fun!

HIGHLAND HELLCAT BY MARY WINE—IN STORES OCTOBER 2010
“Hot enough to warm even the coldest Scottish Nights…”
—Publishers Weekly Starred Review of To Conquer a Highlander

He wants a wife he can control…
Connor Lindsey is a Highland laird, but his clan’s loyalty is hard won and he takes nothing for granted. He’ll do whatever it takes to find a virtuous wife, even if he has to kidnap her…

She has a spirit that can’t be tamed…
Brina Chattan has always defied convention. She sees no reason to be docile now that she’s been captured by a powerful laird and taken to his storm-tossed castle in the Highlands, far from her home.

When a rival laird’s interference nearly tears them apart, Connor discovers that a woman with a wild streak suits him much better than he’d ever imagined…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Wine is a multi-published author in romantic suspense, fantasy and western romance; now her interest in historical reenactment and costuming has inspired her to turn her pen to historical romance. She lives with her husband and sons in southern California, where the whole family enjoys participating in historical reenactment. For more information, please visit http://www.marywine.com/website/. 

Interview: Edie Ramer, and Cattitude Contest (open to all)

Today I have Edie Ramer, over, the author of Cattitude.

At the end of the interview there is a contest for the book. And it's open to everyone one the planet.

And as always don't be shy to ask Edie questions.

Hi Edie, and welcome to my blog :)

Since I only know you recently from Lori Brighton’s blog, could you tell me something about yourself?

I live in southeastern Wisconsin with my husband, two dogs, and one important cat, where I write paranormal romance and women's fiction.  My short stories have been published in national print magazines.  I'm also published in non-fiction articles and greeting card verses. Because of the latter, I possess a drawer filled with cards for any occasion.

I’m also a huge reader, but you probably guessed that. I volunteer too much and need to say no more often.  I’m the co-founder of an inspirational site for writers, WriteAttitude.net, and of a group blog, Magical Musings (magicalmusing.com).  We recently added bloggers and changed our focus from writers to readers.  We often have giveaways.

Your newest book is called Cattitude; can you tell me what it is about?

It’s all in the Cattitude . . .

After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with her former owner. Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better.

If you could change body with an animal, which one would you choose? 

A bird.  I’d love to fly.

How come you chose the road of self-publishing? 

My dream was always to sell my books in print.  I seemed to be on the right road.  My short stories were published in numerous print magazines in the 90s.  I’ve won RWA (Romance Writers of America) contests with my books.  I was an American Title V finalist, and I’ve come close to selling many times.  But my books don’t fit well into slots, and when I try to write for the market, it doesn’t work. 

My option is to make my own slots.  A friend, Zoe Winters, is doing better with her digital novellas than some NY published friends do with their print books.  When J.A. Konrath blogged about Karen McQuestion (who wasn’t published before she put her e-books on Amazon) outselling him on Amazon, I knew it was time for me to put my books on Amazon and other digital markets.

Since I’ve published, I’ve felt empowered.  It’s an exciting time for me and for many writers.

You have an upcoming book called Dead People, could you tell about that? 

When Cassie Taylor talks, ghosts listen. She wants to heal their souls so they can leave earth. Brooding songwriter Luke Rivers wants to give his recently found daughter a normal home, but he discovers his new house in small town Wisconsin is haunted by a ghost with an attitude. His ghost whisperer has an attitude too — even before someone tries to kill her. So why does he have the hots for her? And why does she lust after him?

He wants conventional; she wants acceptance. No wonder she thinks men are hard and dead people are easy.

Thanks for asking! Dead People should be online in a few weeks.

I am sensing a cat theme when I looked at your blog. Aren’t cats just the best? ;) 

Yes!  It’s because I love my cat so much that I wrote a book about a cat who changes bodies with a woman. She’s the queen of the house, yet she’s a cuddler and a sweetheart.  When she wants to be sweet, of course.  Belle the cat in Cattitude has a lot of the character of the cat in my house.

I already mentioned my two dogs.  I plan on putting the 17-year-old beagle we inherited early this year in a future book.  She has arthritis, she’s flatulent, and she snores.  Yet she has the best personality, and she takes joy in life and any attention we give her.  Her character will be the loveable comic relief.

What kinds of books do you read? Any fav authors? 

I read across the genres and non-fiction, too.   Karin Tabke, aka Karin Harlow, Cynthia Eden, Lori Brighton, P.J. Alderman, Liz Kreger, Zoe Winters and Loretta Chase are some of my favorite writers.  And a new author: Michelle Diener.  She’s my critique partner.  Her debut book, Illuminations, a historical, will be out late spring 2011, published by Gallery (a Pocket Books imprint).  It’s brilliant, and so is she!  She’s going to be huge.   

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Trust your voice.  Put your energy in your writing; it shines through.  You’ll make mistakes, and that’s why it’s important to find a great critique partner.  Look for one who’s on the same level as you or higher.  You want to grow as a writer.  Write, write, write, and then write some more.

It’s not an easy road, but if it’s your passion and you believe in yourself and you aren’t a quitter, you can make it.  Everyone says it’s the worst time for publishing, but it can be the best time for authors.  We have more opportunities than ever before.

(B: Since I like to mix it up, here are some shorter ones).

Fav ice-cream flavor?

Mint chocolate chip.

(Blodeuedd: I love that, even had it yesterday ;)

Fav tv-show? 

Memphis Beat.  I love the main cop character Dwight.  He wants to fix everyone, even his mother, his lieutenant, his ex-wife.  Every episode ends at a blues club with him singing with the band.  It makes me want to swoon.

Name 3 things you would take to a desert island.  

Hugh Jackman.  A knife for cutting fish and slicing open coconuts.  KY jelly. 

Are there aliens out there? 

Absolutely.  To think we’re the only intelligent beings in this world is the height of arrogance.  And maybe our dogs and cats are aliens sent to see how we treat them.  That’s a scary thought, isn’t it? 

(B: Looks around, you mean my beloved cutie is an alien, scary, I must look him in the eye and ask him)

Thanks!

Thank you for inviting me to be your guest.  The questions were fun, and I love being here.

(B: And I enjoyed reading your answers.)

Like I said, if there is anything you want to ask Edie then go ahead :)

GIVEAWAY:

2 winners, 2 e-copies of Cattitude 

1. Open to all, hey, even aliens.

2. Ends October 7th

3. Please leave an email if it's not in your profile, if you do not want to leave it then email it to me.

4. Not a must, but it's always more fun if you write something about the book, author, interview or ask a question.

THE CONTEST PART IS NOW CLOSED