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.