Today I have Maggie Blackbird on the blog and we talk about her writing, her debut M/M romance, Blessed, and some of her favorite books and authors.
Even better? There's a giveaway at the end of the post for an ecopy of Blessed AND it's open INT. Enjoy! :)
TBQ: Hi Maggie! Introduce yourself – perhaps in the form of 3 unique, wacky, or fun things about yourself?
Maggie: Well, a little on the wacky side is my addiction to playing Fantasy Golf. I know LOL, most people haven’t even heard of it. But I love golf, playing and watching. Since I watch the European and PGA Tours, I play along by making picks to see if I’ll finally win a prize in one of the fantasy games. So far, no luck. I’m getting my butt kicked by the other participants.
As for the unique side, I was born a B-list gal. While everyone else goes for the latest movies, music, books, fashion, etc., I’m all about the B-list, or the C-list, and even the didn’t-make-the-list.
TBQ: Nothing wrong with that -- in fact, it probably means that you get to find things to enjoy that most others don't!
Your debut, BLESSED, released in July. Congrats! Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?
M: BLESSED started out as a short story but grew into a novel. Emery and Darryl have opposite beliefs that tore them apart when they fell in love as teenagers. Ten years later, they’re squaring off again. Darryl wants revenge and is hell-bent on destroying what Emery loves. While Emery races home to save what he loves. The two must work through what previously tore them apart and why they let it destroy the love they had or each other. I think readers will enjoy the journey Emery and Darryl undertake and what they discover at the end.
TBQ: Opposites and angst -- I know that's going to be catnip for many readers!
Considering their differences then, why do Darryl and Emery fit together so well?
M: They have a deep respect for one another, even when they stand on opposing sides. They admire one another’s attributes but can also understand one another’s flaws and why each is the way they are. And of course there is the physical attraction they share.
TBQ: Of course ;)
In 5 words or less, describe Darryl for us. And let's not forget Emery-- what's he like?
M: Darryl Keejik: Passionate, emotional, sexual, loyal, and hot-headed.
Emery Matawapit: Calm, logical, sexually-repressed, kind, and cool-headed.
TBQ: Did you have any particular actors/models/etc. in mind for these two?
M: I based Darryl on a character from this old-skool TV show called the Beachcombers. I see him as Jesse Jim in his prime. As for Emery, he lives in my head, as most of my characters do. But the cover artist for eXtasy Books nailed Emery. I was very pleased with the picture she used.
TBQ: Do you have a favorite part from Blessed?
M: I’d say it’s the hybrid vision quest they undertake. I can’t say too much about it, because I would spoil the scenes for readers, but I enjoyed writing that part the most.
TBQ: Have you always wanted to write? Were you inspired by certain authors or people in your life to start your first novel?
M: I wrote as a hobby for a long time. Writing was my way of destressing because I had a demanding job that involved tons of work, too much travel, and interacting with people on a continual basis. When I was alone in my many hotel rooms, I wrote seven novels for pure pleasure that won’t see the light of day.
But becoming an author was something I always wanted to do ever since I was a young girl. I site Johanna Lindsey as my inspiration. She was the author who made me fall in love with the romance genre.
TBQ: I know many romance authors are also big readers first. What are a few of your all-time favorite books and/or authors?
M: Oh Lord, there are too many to name. Sue Harrison’s Ivory Carver and Storyteller trilogies. Vella Munn’s Soul Searchers and Soul Survivors series. Rosanne Bittner’s Mystic series and the stand-alone Song of the Wolf. I must give props to Johanna Lindsey. I still read her books to this day.
TBQ: What have you read recently that you can’t stop recommending to others?
M: I’m almost ready to begin Robin Deeter’s Paha Sapa Saga and I did an “author alert” at my blog about it. If I discover new authors, I always do book recs or author alerts. Since I refer to myself as a reader first and an author second, a good chunk of my blog at my web site is devoted to books and authors that I love.
TBQ: What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?
M: I’m on round two of edits for Redeemed, which is Bridget’s story. She’s Emery’s older sister who readers will meet in Blessed. Bridget is the foster mother of her ex-fiancé’s child. And she has her hands full because her ex-fiancé, Adam, an Ojibway from the streets of Winnipeg, is now serving parole and he wants his son back, and Bridget.
Each book in the Matawapit Family Trilogy is a standalone, though.
SPEED ROUND:
A day on a secluded island OR a day of touristy things in a big city?
I’d choose the island because I love the lake and can easily spend the day on one of the many islands here in Northwestern Ontario.
Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
Spicy.
Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Cold winter nights.
Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Blurbs always get my attention.
Where would your dream house be (assuming that, you know, money and whatnot isn’t an obstacle, dammit!)?
Tasmania. It’s not too hot and not too cold. The population isn’t extreme. Lots of nature. Plenty of golf courses. Lots of places to walk the dogs. Perfect.
Quick—name the one food that you cannot live without!
Popcorn cooked on the stove, not the microwave
TBQ: Thanks so much for stopping by, Maggie, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)
Maggie: I would love to hear from readers when they discovered the romance genre, and why they keep reading romance to this day.
Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc (July 6, 2018)
Series: Matawapit Family Trilogy, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance -- M/M
A mixed-blood Catholic seminarian struggles to discern his true calling: the priesthood or his ex-lover, a proud but damaged Ojibway man.
It’s been ten years since Emery Matawapit sinned, having succumbed to temptation for the one thing in his life that felt right, another man. In six months he’ll make a life-changing decision that will bar him from sexual relationships for the rest of his life.
Darryl Keejik has a decade-long chip on his shoulder, and he holds Emery’s father, the church deacon, responsible for what he’s suffered: the loss of his family and a chance at true love with Emery. No longer a powerless kid, Darryl has influence within the community—maybe more than the deacon, and he intends on using his new-found power to destroy Deacon Matawapit and the church.
Hoping to save the church, Emery races home. But stopping Darryl is harder than expected when their sizzling chemistry threatens to consume Emery. Now he is faced with the toughest decision of his life: please his devout parents and fulfill his call to the priesthood, or remain true to his heart and marry the man created for him.
An erotic spiritual journey…
Where to Buy*:
More Info:
An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.
Where to Find Maggie:
Maggie is offering ONE lucky reader an ecopy of BLESSED.
Open INT. Giveaway ends September 30th, winner will be announced and contacted October 1st.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by today, Maggie!
Don't forget to answer Maggie's question: I would love to hear from readers when they discovered the romance genre, and why they keep reading romance to this day.
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
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