Wednesday, January 29, 2014

THE BRIDE SAYS NO (The Brides of Wishmore #1) by CATHY MAXWELL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT, REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Hello all and welcome to my spotlight on one of my very favorite authors, Cathy Maxwell. Most of you who know me also know that I only started reading romance in 2009 and since then I have been making up for lost time. In 2010 I reviewed my first Cathy Maxwell book, His Christmas Pleasure and from then on I was hooked. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Cathy in October of 2013 at the NJRW Conference and the fan girl in me was so happy. Cathy has a new book out now. The Bride Says No (The Brides of Wishmore #1) which is now a favorite of mine. 
I was able to ask Cathy some questions about herself and share them with you. So please welcome Cathy Maxwell to the blog.


KIM: Thanks so much for stopping by Book Obsessed Chicks. I am such a fan girl of yours, which I have demonstrated when I so happily got to meet you at the NJRW in October.  Since anyone can just go right over to your website and find out a lot about you on your bio page, I thought I’d go off the beaten track.

CATHY:  Sounds good.  This will be fun.  You and I are just getting to know each other. We will be two divas on a tear in Connecticut next month.

1.          What made you go from Kansas to Virginia?
         I left Kansas to join the Navy.  Now, for the record, I love Kansas.  I adore Virginia  as well and it is where I choose to live but there is something about Kansas that feeds my soul.  Big skies, wonderful people, and a sense that anything is possible.  I return to Kansas at least once a year.

2.       What began your love of horses?
My uncle had horses when I was growing up but I didn’t feel a particularly strong connection.  Then again, I must have felt something because I encouraged my two oldest children toward them. They weren’t interested (although my very oldest claims that she has always wanted a pony and would have been interested if she could have had a pony but that really is hooey. You know how kids can be.)
         However, my youngest really latched on to riding.  She had a talent for it.  I also learned that everything people say about the benefits of encouraging girls toward horses is true.  When Sam came home from middle school in one of those yippy moods, I’d say, let’s head to the barn.  Whatever was bothering her would be in perspective after a few hours of riding.
         And of course, with her out at the barn all the time, well, I drifted into loving horses as well.  When my husband died, the horses were a life line for Sam and I.
         By the way, I have to confess I am not a good rider.  I won’t go near a show ring.  A good day of riding is when I stay on.  I happen to be blessed with a marvelous horse that tolerates my silliness when he isn’t being silly himself.  Somehow it works.

3. Favorite dessert?
                  Something gooey, chocolate, and warm with vanilla ice cream and coffee.

4. Favorite drink?
         If it you are asking about alcohol, it is wine.  If you are asking in general, water.

5. What kind of car do you drive and why?
           I drive a Camry Hybrid and a Ford 250.  They balance each other out.  The Camry is easy to drive.  It is just fun and reliable.  The Ford can pull a horse trailer.

6. What made you go into the military?
         I wanted to see the world.  The Navy looked like a good way to go about it.  It was.  I traveled a good bit and met some marvelous people.

7. Guilty pleasure?
       I am a news junkie.  I read two papers a day.  One is a liberal paper and the other conservative.  I feel I can get the whole picture that way.  I enjoy thoughtful commentary and I give everyone the benefit of the doubt that they are coming from a good place.  I like new ideas that challenge my thinking.  I do not watch television news.

8. Mentor?
       The most important influence in my life was my late husband.  Kevin knew how to live fully and completely every single minute of the day.  I’m working hard to keep his spirit inside me alive. He taught me to do work I love and don’t get too wrapped around the axle over things that are not in my control or anything else for that matter.  Worry is a waste of energy. Plus, who knows if we will come this way again?  Most of the stuff that consumes us is petty and disappears on its own.  I can’t sweat it.

9.       Do you have a favorite book from your childhood?
       SCARFACE: “Being the Story of one Justin Blade, late of the Pirate Isle of Tortuga, and how Fate did justly deal with him, to his great Profit” by Andre Norton

10.   Favorite place in the world and why?
       Home.  I love to travel and meet new people but I really enjoy my home.  It is peaceful here.  Creative.  My place.

11.   Book boyfriend… Is there a hero in either your books or someone else’s that you would love to be real and know more?
       Interesting question . . . no.  Well, wait.  One of the reasons I loved SCARFACE is because I was caught up in the character of “Justin Blade.” There is a bit of the independent rebel in all of my heroes and they may stem from him.  Well, that is something to chew on.

12.   Do you have a pet peeve?
       Intolerance in all forms—liberal, conservative, racial, nationalism, sexism . . . I don’t have time for it. My friends have learned I am not the one you send a joke about a sitting POTUS to.  I am not a fan of disrespect and I try to stay away from judgmental people.  I’ve discovered their lack of a sense of humor or tolerance for ideas other than their own is infectious.  I don’t want to catch it.

 13.   Are you superstitious, if so what is that superstition?
       I am not superstitious.

14.   What would you like readers to know about you?
       That I appreciate and value their support.  We’ve had a good run together.  Some of my readers have been with me from the beginning.  I hope I never disappoint them, and I also hope I continue to entertain them.
         I’m excited about “The Brides of Wishmore” series that starts with THE BRIDE SAYS NO.  THE BRIDE SAYS MAYBE will be out this March (yes, they are back to back) and then THE GROOM SAYS YES will be out in October of this year.  I hope to spin off the couple in GROOM for a small mystery series.  Of course, I’ll keep writing romance.  I have some ideas for a series around duelists.  There it is!  A Justin Blade reference.  Kim, I didn’t realize how deeply that book from my childhood had inspired me until now!

15.   Famous last words?
       I look forward to seeing you soon, Kim!




MY REVIEW OF CATHY MAXWELL'S  ~ THE BRIDE SAYS NO ~ (THE BRIDES OF WISHMORE) 



Meet Aileen and Tara Davidson. Well-to-do sisters from the beautiful Scottish countryside. Unfortunately for these ladies, their father is a reckless gambler who is always looking for a way to get out of debt only to jump right back into it. When Aileen leaves for her season in London in hopes of finding love and then marriage, Tara is devastated. She didn't want things to change, but life is continual change.

Years later, a divorced and disgraced Aileen is back on the childhood estate after doing the unthinkable and the most scandalous things a lady of the ton could do, she has divorced her abusive husband and has been accused of having an affair with his friend. So Aileen is relegated to a lonely existence while the now engaged Tara is days away from her wedding to the recognized bastard of a duke, Mr. Blake Stephens. Once again change comes to Annefield when Tara appears on the estate's doorstep dressed as a boy, running away from her wedding to Stephens. The selfish Tara has left London days before her wedding to seek out her true love, but all is not as it seems in her idea of paradise.

When Blake appears on the manor's doorstep with Tara and Aileen's father, things do not bode well for the sisters, for Stephens will not be slighted and the Earl needs his daughter married off. Tara is in love with Ruary, an expert with horses, but a commoner,  and she only realized how much when being faced with a marriage to a man she does not love. Mr. Stephens is no man to be trifled with and Aileen realizes that from the first meeting with her sister's would be husband. What Aileen does not count on is her attraction to the broodingly handsome man. 

Once faces with the guilt her determined father riddles her with, Tara back peddles and begrudgingly agrees to marry Mr. Stephens, leaving Aileen aghast with her foot in her mouth from defending the weakened Tara. Blake Stephens quietly admires the steel of Aileen's manner, and so begins the debacle of if Tara  will marry or not marry Blake. 

The Bride Says No, the first book the the Brides of Wishmore series by the indomitable Cathy Maxwell, is a brilliant and exciting start to her latest series. Aileen Davidson is now one of my all time favorite heroines of romance with her spine of steel and her understanding of the world she lives in. No longer jaded by the illusion of a happily married life, Aileen's abuse by her former husband transform her into a force to be reckoned with. At first I disliked Blake Stephens for his aloof manner and his slightly facetious personality, but that is a facade that Aileen gradually and unknowingly chips away. Cathy Maxwell's books are always so engaging, so full of humor, so very hard to put down. The Bride Says No is perfection from cover to the final words. I so thoroughly enjoyed Cathy Maxwell's, The Bride Says No and I highly recommend it to all.

~ KIMBERLY ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

36 comments:

  1. Cathy I've not read any of your books. This one sounds good. Which book of yours would you suggest I start with?

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    1. Start with this one, Lori. We are at the beginning of a new series. Seize the moment, so to speak. (And I hope you love the book.)

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  2. Most excellent interview and review! I share your enthusiasm for Cathy Maxwell and her books! We will ROCK the Big Book Getaway at the Mohegan Sun Resort!

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    1. Yup, we are going to make some noise!

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    2. Awww thanks ladies!!! I am so excited to have you here... I hope your morning is going great... It's a tad cold here in NY. One son is home with HS mid-terms and the 12 yr old is home with a cold. FUN FUN.. Upside.. they will both sleep til the late afternoon :)....

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  3. What a wonderful interview. My daughter and I started riding together last year and it's become our thing. I grew up riding (when I got the chance) and I love sharing that passion with her. I'm with you, though, you won't find me near a show ring...unless I made a wrong turn. :-) Congrats on your new release!

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  4. I look forward to reading this book. I enjoy Historical Romance but don't read them as often as I used too. I have joined a local book club which has yearly visits from 3 local authors who write historicals, Gaelyn Foley, Madeline Hunter and Victoria Roberts. I've jumped back onto the historical bandwagon thanks to them.

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  5. Great interview, Kim. Cathy Maxwell is truly a legend!

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    1. Form your keyboard to God's ear! Thank you, Cynthia.

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  6. Great interview! I am totally with you on the intolerance. I try every day to pass that along to my daughters!

    FYI! The title alone of this book grabs my attention and make me want to read it!

    Thanks so much!

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  7. Congrats to Cathy on the new release!!! I'm just discovering her books and I'm so excited to jump in :) Thanks for a fun interview!

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  8. Great interview! Cathy, I liked your statement about political intolerance. I know people on both sides that believe their view is the only right way. It is very stressful to listen to the "spewing". The book sounds great! Looking forward to the new series.

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    1. I hate "spewing." But discussion I like. Hope you enjoy the series.

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  9. What a great interview! Thank you both. It's fun to go off the beaten track. And Cathy your new book sounds like a good one! I've always loved your Scottish romances.

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  10. I have some books by you Cathy that I haven't had the chance to read, they have just moved up in my TBR pile.

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  11. Do you know what I like best about your site, Kim? That I have to click on the "i understand" there is adult material. It makes me feel kind of wild!

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    1. LOL You are a WILD one Cathy! Thanks for coming on over... (((HUGS)))

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  12. Congrats Cathy on your new release! I enjoyed getting to know you a bit more through your Q&A. And I'm really looking forward to reading The Bride Says No! :-)

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  13. I look forward to reading this book. Cathy, I love your writing style and was hooked from your first book. I attended last year's RWA Conference in Atlanta and thoroughly enjoyed your inspiring speech at the keynote luncheon!

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  14. This book sounds really good and it will be my first by Cathy Maxwell!

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    1. Awesome Allie!!! It's a good place to start!!!

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    2. The pressure is on! :-) I hope you enjoy it. Allie.

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  15. Cathy, I do not believe I've ever read one of your books. But this one, THE BRIDE SAYS NO, is just begging to be read.
    I've now visited your website and looked over the list of books. Several titles are going to be on my TBR list.

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    1. Thank you, Donna. I hope I don't disappoint you.

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  16. Listen, y'all have been great today. Thank you so much. I loved the questions Kim asked me. Nothing run of the mill--of course, I'm not surprised. :-)

    Enjoy!

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  17. Hi Cathy! I'm so looking forward to starting this new series! I've enjoyed all your books so far and I must say, I absolutely love the covers of your books, which first drew me to reading the Cameron Sisters series :)

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  18. Cathy, I have read many of your books and loved them all! I am sure that I will enjoy this one as well. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

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  19. The other day I was going looking at some new Avon books and came across this one. I loved the cover and blurb and put it on my wishlist. Sounds like a great book and I am glad I found you. I love historical romance so I will be looking into more books by you!

    Mary

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  20. Cathy's stories have been on my TBR for years - this looks like another winner!

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  21. Thanks for the interview. It was interesting and the book looks like a good one with the two sisters.

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  22. Cathy is amazing and I love her books. Thanks for the great interview!

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  23. CAthy I'm looking forward to reading your books thanks for the giveaway

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