Good morning. It’s Meet and Greet Monday! 

With us today is Romance Author, Mia Catherine.
Welcome, Mia!

Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions for 2014?
I’m not much for resolutions, but I’d like to become more organized. I wear many hats in my daily life and I waste too much time searching for things or scrambling for time. Getting things (and myself) more organized will go a long way to relieving stresses.

What goals have you set for your writing career in 2014 that you’re determined to meet? Priority number one is my current work in progress, a western/military story called
Culpable. It was originally written as a novella, but I was asked to make it into a full length and I’m excited to flush it out. Then I’m on to the sequel to Unexpected Consequences called Vengeful Consequences. I hope to have both finished in the first half of 2014.

Tell us, what’s the first thought that comes to your head when you read the following words…
Romance … Forever love
Vampires … Not of interest to me
Resolutions … Happily ever after
Dean Winchester … Who? ** OMG, *Kacey flails, really?? Oh dear … **
Duck Dynasty … I’ll keep that to myself. 🙂

Tell us about your “big break” in the publishing world.
I’ll never forget that day. I was sitting in my office on a Sunday morning. Who expects a life-altering email on a Sunday? I had written a full-length story and while waiting to find out if that story would be accepted, I wrote a short novella for the Decadent 1Night Stand line. I was stunned to receive a reply from them a couple weeks after submission, offering me a contract! My euphoria was multiplied when I received another offer days later for my full length, which was Unexpected Consequences. I signed both contracts within days of each other.

Was there any one person believe in your work first (besides yourself of course)?
My dear friend, Carol. I began writing as a way to kill time at the end of a pregnancy. Carol, who is an incredibly talented writer, complimented my work and encouraged me to continue. I’m not sure I would have if not for her confidence. When I got that first offer, I couldn’t WAIT to tell her, and of course she wasn’t home! The hour I had to wait for her to call me back was sheer torture!

What did you do to celebrate your first contract?
My celebration was dinner with my cradle-Catholic parents, breaking the news that not only did I write a book, but it contained some graphic scenes.  Yeah, should have picked a better way to celebrate, but they were amazingly supportive and have even read my work (and liked it).

Did you always want to be an author?
Never dreamed of it. I wasn’t even much of a reader until my late thirties. I found websites with amateur stories, and one day decided to give it a try. I never expected to fall in love with the process!

What is the most devilish thing you’ve ever done?
I hate to admit this now, but I was always a good girl. Probably the most devilish thing I did was toilet paper a friend’s house the night before he left for basic training. Of course, we all went over the next morning and helped his mom clean it up…

Name one quirk you have.
I’m quite OCD. There are many things I need ‘just so.’ I can’t even use the nice laptop desk I bought for my bed because it is off center (has a side edge for a mouse). I need things to be centered!

What do you like to do for fun and relax?
I use my writing as my relaxation. I love getting lost in a story, especially one I control completely. My day job is rather dry and unexciting, so writing is my release.

What is your favorite TV Show?
My husband and I love to watch Person of Interest, but because we’re too busy, we have a mess of them piled up on the DVR. We also like to watch Survivor with our kids.
** POI is one of my fave shows too. And our DVR has hundreds of hours on it to watch **

No matter the story, where do you always draw inspiration from when you begin each story?
I find myself creating the hero first. I’ll have an idea of who this man is and derive the heroine from that. Who’s his perfect mate? I usually go into a story with little more than a concept. My characters speak to me and tell me which the direction they’d like to go. I admire people who can create an outline and stick to it. That doesn’t work for me. I’ll often go back and read my stories and say to myself, “Where did that come from?”

What book – print or e-book – is sitting on top of your to be read pile that you are eager to read?
I have a list of well over 200 books on my to read list. I’d love to have time to devour them, but it’s difficult for me to read one story while crafting another. I don’t want any influence on my characters from someone else, so I try not to read much unless I  have my current work in progress well formed.

What three words do you think best describe you?
Independent, intelligent, stubborn.

If you were given an all-expense paid, five day/night trip to anywhere, where would you go?
Disneyworld. My husband and I did the land/sea vacation for our honeymoon and I’d LOVE to do it again!

What is the most played song on your iPod/MP3 Player?
I’m not a big music fan, but my current favorite song is “Waiting for Superman” by Daughtry.

What song are you most sick of hearing right now?
Anything by Miley Cyrus. I wouldn’t mind if she just went away.
** I agree with you, Mia! **

Who is your celebrity crush?
Jason Momoa…yummy!!!!  (and a family man, which I respect)
** Mmmm, agree with this too!! **

Who/What are you currently reading? 
Nothing at the moment, but I look forward to the day I can dive into my “to read” pile!

What do you find most challenging about writing?
Finding the time. With all my other commitments, kids and husband, time to concentrate is at a premium. I’m hoping my resolution to organize can clean up some things to allow the time I so desperately want!

 

From Mia: Resolutions
Resolutions. It’s a word you can’t avoid this time of year. The calendar turns from one year to the next, and we expect a magical transformation of the universe. I’m going to start going to the gym, I’m going to quit smoking, I’m going to finally publish my memoirs. What is it about this day that makes us delude ourselves so?

Well, maybe I shouldn’t include myself in that category. I’ve always kept every resolution I’ve ever made, not that I ever need to make any. My life is exactly as it should be, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m perfect in every way – thin, beautiful, patient, loving, understanding, and rich beyond my wildest dreams.

What? You don’t buy that? Well, I am a writer. I can’t help living in fantasy.

In truth, I’ve learned not to make resolutions. The only time I’ve ever resolved to do something and actually followed through was when I just did it. I was a smoker when I was younger. One day, as I suffered from bronchitis and struggled to smoke my cigarette, I thought, “What the hell am I doing?” The next day, I quit. I had a few stumbles here and there, but now the mere smell of cigarette smoke makes me sick.

While I don’t make resolutions, I do have goals. I am going to finish the two books I’m working on at the moment, and plan to have more before the year is done. I’m also plan on spreading the word to expand my audience, a challenge I had underestimated before my stories were published.

But until my audience grows, I’ll just relax in my luxury beach house in Maui—sunning myself in my string bikini while my hunky young husband gives me massages and feeds me peeled grapes.

I love being a writer.

Blurb from Unexpected Consequences:
Kelsey Braden has lived her life obeying the rules, but now that she’s back in her hometown of Brookfield after having accepted her dream job, she wants more. Stuck in her protective shell and desperately wanting a way out, she finally decides to be spontaneous and acts on impulse.

Nick Jensen has lived a life full of challenges and pain. An intimidating loner, his history of mistakes and bad choices have alienated those once close to him. Now that he finds himself working for the wrong people, he struggles with his current assignment – betraying his former best friend.

When Kelsey finds out the hot stranger she’s fallen for is not only working for a well-known gangster, but that his target is her brother, she vows to cut him from her life. Unfortunately, the powerful men Nick is involved with have discovered the connection Kelsey has with both Nick and her brother, and decide to use her as an insurance policy. Nick has to find a way to save his new love, protect her brother, and prevent Kelsey from hating him, all while battling demons of his own.

Buy Links:
Total E-Bound: http://bit.ly/16RdWTL
Amazon: http://amzn.to/17lRT1M

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