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Looking Out the Window: Welcome Miss Mae







Today, I’m happy to have Miss Mae, the founder of The Sweetest Romance Authors. About them she says, “We enjoy the kinder, gentler romances our mothers and grandmothers grew up with.” But, she’s quick to point out that these are not boring stories. Be sure to stop by her Web site after the interview to pick up a free download of “Fated Destiny.” It’s http://www.missmaesite.com

Hi Miss Mae. First, tell us a little about yourself.

So, can I blow my own horn here? LOL Okay, I’m awed to say that my books, “Said the Spider to the Fly”, “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady”, “Dove Island”, “When the Bough Breaks”, “It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred” are all award winning best sellers. On the personal side, I’ve been happily married to the same Georgia country boy that I met 38 years ago. Our one daughter is married, so we replaced her absence with the company of four orphaned, very noisey canines!


Congratulations on your success. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read?

Yes, I loved to read. I devoured the books in my school’s library, borrowed books from friends, you name it. Even when I was in sixth grade, my high school brother was kind enough to search his library to give me “grown up” romantic mysteries. I especially remember one I read of a girl, Wendy, entering college. Its title was, “Mystery Walks the Campus”.

What a nice brother, and "Mystery Walks the Campus" sounds like a fun book to read. Sometimes people associate avid reading with those who write. Why do you write?

I always wanted to write. When I read Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, I envisioned different stories with exciting adventures. I tried my hand at it, but of course, they were just awful. LOL

Tell us about your latest book.

Sure! My blurb for “Catch Me If You Can”:

Washed ashore on a South Carolina beach in the middle of a ferocious hurricane, Lois Steinberg regains consciousness in the bedroom of a historic plantation house. Her handsome rescuer, Victor Helm, informs her the resort was scheduled as the site for a convention of ‘Catch Me’ game enthusiasts.

Lois, together with the eight ‘Cathie’ attendees, has no choice except to wait out the storm. When the cook is found murdered, the already tense atmosphere explodes with accusations and suspicions. Who could have wanted the man dead? Everyone is a stranger with no connection to each other except for their love of the ‘Catch Me’ games -- right?

Inside the house, Lois, aided by Victor and his golden retriever, Mite, combat a deadly storm that rivals the strengthening hurricane. To find the killer, they must sort through a series of plots far more complicated than the ‘Catch Me’ creator could ever have devised.

It’s not a game they seek to solve - but the saving of their lives

The sound of thunder roaring and a murder already have me on the edge-of-my seat. What inspired you to write this particular book?

It’s not anything I can really pinpoint. But I feel, because I love the intricacies of a good “who-dun-it”, and I absolutely adore jigsaw puzzles, cryptograms, etc., that I’m partial to twists and turns. (Maybe I’m just weird! LOL) With the plot of “Catch Me If You Can”, I knew I wanted something that had to do with a video game. (I love those too, btw). I wanted the game to be unique, but I had to think of “why? Why would folks covet something like this?” The more I thought about it, the more it all shaped up.

I’ve read one of your books, and the twists and turns were a big part of it. BTW, I liked it a lot. What themes do you write about?

Mysteries, suspense, a touch of romance, triumph of good winning at the end.

What is your writing schedule and where do you write?

I write in my back bedroom, and I don’t really stick to a schedule. I’m at the computer every day, sometimes more hours than my hubby likes, but a lot of the time is spent with marketing/promoting/emails, etc. instead of plain old writing.

Do you put yourself in your books?

I believe I do. All my heroines will have some of my morals. For instance, none engage in pre-martial sex, they don’t swear, they love animals, and they get scared at the things I get scared at. They aren’t perfect, and I do give them flaws, but there are certain bounds I’ll never allow them to cross.

Now for a fun question. What is the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you?

There’s so many! I have to pick one? LOL Okay, for starters, I’m hard of hearing. It can be embarrassing when I mishear, or don’t hear at all, something that’s been asked of me. But I’ll share one particular incident of when I was in the 8th grade. I, and two other girls, walked to a schoolroom, and the door was stuck. Arms full of books, I thumped against the door with my rear end to nudge it. I didn’t see the other girl raise her leg and kick the door. I fell, right in front of the kids already inside, hard on the floor. They roared with laughter, and I wanted to melt through the wood planks.

Ah, the perspective of youth. Today, the same people probably would simply say you made a grand entrance and rush to see if you were hurt. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Yes! When my contract for “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” expired with my publisher, I didn’t renew. I self-published it, and it’s now available as both ebook and print. (I designed the cover). I’m also pulling another book and will self-pub it as well. “Catch Me If You Can” is self-pubbed, already available as ebook at Smashwords, and will soon be in print at Amazon, B&N, and other online retailers.

I’m going to be doing more self-publishing, more in control of how my work is handled. And I’m having fun designing my own covers!

BTW, I also have a free read, “Fated Destiny” available for download at my site, if anyone would enjoy this short to just get a taste of my writing.

Comments

Anne Patrick said…
Hello ladies, great interview!
Congratulations on your success, Miss Mae, and best of luck to you with your new releases.

(((Hugs)))
Anne
Miss Mae said…
Hi Gail,

Thanks for having me today, and hello, Anne! Good to see you so early. :)

Hugs!
Diane Craver said…
Miss Mae,
I love your embarrassing moment - I can see that happening to me. LOL

You're an aweome writer and I love your books! Keep writing. And I understand the husband thinking you're on the computer more than he likes. Mine is the same way!
Gail Pallotta said…
Hi Miss Mae,
It's great to have you on my blog. I too relate to the husband thinking the computer takes too much time!
DanielleThorne said…
Thank you for the interview with Miss Mae, Gail. I really enjoy her books. It's always fun learning more about this mystery writer with the clever who-dun-its.
Gail Pallotta said…
Hi Danielle,
You're welcome. It's my pleasure to have Miss Mae.
Gail Pallotta said…
Hi Danielle,
You're welcome. It's my pleasure to have Miss Mae.
Linda Swift said…
Hello Miss Mae, I enjoyed your blog today. It's nice to get to know you better. I am in awe of your self-publishing and I wish you much success with a that. Linda
Hi Miss Mae and Gail,
Loved the interview. I can't wait to read this newest release. I also love twists and turns and keeping me guessing to the end (and usually I've guessed wrong with MM's books. LOL) Congrats and wishing you much success on the self-publishing trail.
Miss Mae said…
Hi everyone!

Thanks for coming over, I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. Becca, are you slurping on that Dr. Pepper I sent over? *grin* And Linda, thank you so much for being here. I hope to get to know you, and everyone, tons better!

Hugs! :)
Gina said…
Hi, what a wonderful interview! You are both such inspiring women, Gail and Miss Mae! Best of luck to both of you!
Hugs,
Regina
SP said…
Hi Miss Mae, cool interview. Was it easier to do the self-publishing thing and did your book sell as well? Keep up the good work. :-)
Thanks, Gail for having Miss Mae. As you know, Miss Mae, I've read two of your books and really enjoyed them. I'll spring for the others in the future. I relate to the spouse, my wife in this case, thinking I spend too much time on the computer either online or revising my novels. Yes, moments can be embarrassing.
Gail Pallotta said…
Hi Larry,
You're welcome. I loved having Miss Mae.
Unknown said…
Fantastic, Miss Mae! I will never say what my most embarrassing moment in my life was--it was that embarrassing. If I have to name one, I make up something! congratulations on all your award-winning books. I knew you were good, but I didn't know you were superb! Celia
Hywela Lyn said…
Heello Miss Mae and Gail

Wonderful interview. As you know MM, I am a fanatical devotee of yours (sounds better than just a 'fan' doesn't it?) LOL. Having read all your books I'm amazed by your ingenuity and ability to keep the reader on the edge of her seat while having so many twists and turns it's impossible to fathom out what's going to happen next. And you're just as good a cover artist as a writer. Congratulations, my friend, wishing you even more success with your latest release!

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