Q & A's with Cathy McDavid and Sara Orwig

With: Cathy McDavid and Sara Orwig

Congratulations to Trude V., the winner in Cathy's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!

A BABY FOR THE DEPUTY 

by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

Cathy McDavid

A secret, no-strings relationship with Aaron Travers has suited Melody Hartman just fine for the past eight months. The lives of the Mustang Valley veterinarian and the deputy sheriff have always been complicated—and are about to become more so, because Mel is pregnant!

Raising his toddler daughter and protecting his Arizona town are Aaron's priorities. But this unexpected pregnancy is a life changer. The widowed single dad is ready to do the right thing and marry Mel. Can he say the three words she is waiting to hear? Will she think he wants to marry her only because of the baby? Or will she acknowledge that their feelings for each other run deeper than either of them realized?

AMAZON

CATHY McDAVID, made it her goal to read every Walter Farley book ever written when she was in the third grade. Who knew such an illustrious ambition would eventually lead to a lifelong love of all things Western and a career writing contemporary romances for Harlequin? With more than 1 million books sold, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author is a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. An “almost” Arizona native and mom to "fairly" grownup twins, she lives with her own real-life sweetheart and spends her days penning stories about good-looking cowboys riding the range, busting a bronc, and sweeping gals off their feet. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

Q & A WITH CATHY McDAVID

1)    How did you come up with the relationship between Aaron Travers and Melody Hartman?

There seems to be a trend these days for young couples to “hang out together” rather than date --- at least, that’s what I hear and what my daughter tells me. I gave Aaron and Mel difficult romantic pasts, which made the idea of a no-strings-attached relationship appealing to them, then complicated things with an unexpected pregnancy because, well, life is complicated.

2)    What is your favorite part about writing Western Romance books?

I truly am a lover of all things western. I owned horses most of my life, grew up watching Bonanza and Big Valley reruns, and lived the western lifestyle for many, many years. For me, there is no sexier, more appealing romance book hero than a rugged, good looking cowboy.

3)    Do you have any traditions you enjoy during early Spring?

You mean besides the mandatory spring cleaning and yard work? Absolutely! I always attend the Glendale Chocolate Affair in February and Tucson Festival of Books in March where local romance writers host two to three days of mega booksignings. I love connecting with readers, both new and those that drop by every year for my latest release. Plus, I’m surrounded by books and authors.

4)    When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Like a lot of authors, I started writing at a young age. For me, it was in high school (I actually won a contest for a children’s book I wrote and illustrated). I didn’t seriously, however, until twenty years later. And it wasn’t until I finished that first book that I realized I’d found my passion. Two years ago, I quite the corporate world altogether to write full-time. It’s been a dream come true.

5)    How long does it take you to write a book?

Two weeks of intense planning and three months to write the book from start to finish. Of course, I always wind up trashing some of those carefully constructed plans in favor of better ideas that strike me along the way.

6)    Where do you get your idea to write about an unplanned pregnancy?

My publisher loves unplanned pregnancy books, as do readers! Plus, I really do enjoy writing them J  All kidding aside, I try to give my couples big, game-changing obstacles to overcome and, let’s face it, an unplanned pregnancy is pretty game-changing. I find writing believable reasons for how a couple finds themselves in this particular predicament and believable scenarios for how they cope with it to be challenging. Then, there’s the love story. My guy is going to do the right thing in the end, but he’s going to do it out of love, not just a responsibility.

7)    How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I’m in the process of writing my forty-second book. I had to look this up. My more recent favorites are Come Home, Cowboy and Rescuing the Cowboy. My all-time favorite is The Gate to Eden, a western historical. It still remains the book of my hear.

8)    What book are you reading right now?

The Sapphire Pendant --- a young adult novel by Audrey White Beyer from 1961. Part of my ongoing goal to read classics, especially young adult classics.

9)    What are your current projects?

I’m currently writing the third book in my newest Mustang Valley series, The Bull Rider’s Valentine. I’m also working on a proposal for a new three-book series in addition to writing a novella for release this summer. Yes, these books will all feature cowboy heroes. What can I say?

10) What advice do you have for writers?

My best advice is to carefully consider the advice you receive. Gather as much information as you can from a wide variety of sources. Then, be extremely selective when choosing what to follow. Opinions are free and they vary greatly. Trust your instincts. Follow only the advice that makes the most sense to you.

Reunited with the Rancher

by USA Today bestselling author Sara Orwig

Will secrets tear this rancher's marriage apart—or lead to a reunion?

For estranged husband and wife Tom and Emily Knox, a heartbreaking loss in their past is keeping them apart in the present. They still share a ranch, but not a bed. And when the blackmailer terrorizing Royal, Texas, accuses Tom of keeping a secret family behind Emily's back, they're thrown into an even deeper tailspin. But could their darkest misunderstanding contain the seeds of a second chance, as Tom and Emily come together to dispel false accusations and face their past?

SARA ORWIG is an Oklahoman whose life revolves around family, flowers, dogs and books. Books are like her children: she usually knows where they are, they delight her and she doesn’t want to be without them. With a master’s degree in English, Sara has written mainstream fiction, and historical and contemporary romance. She has 100 published novels translated in over 26 languages. You can visit her website at saraorwig.com.

AMAZON

Q & A WITH SARA ORWIG

1)    Describe the relationship between Tom and Emily Knox. Were there challenges in writing it?

Reunited with the Rancher is about an estranged couple whose young child has died.  My vision for that book was that losing a child has to be one of the most agonizing, disruptive events in a marriage.  It was a challenge to write about such a loss and so much pain.  The love between Emily and Tom has to be deep and lasting, strong enough that they can’t give up even in such a traumatic situation.

2)    What is your favorite part about writing Contemporary Romance books?

My favorite part of writing contemporary romance is just that—it’s contemporary.   There is an immediate feeling about contemporary—it’s today and what is happening now.  It is current places and fun background things like limos and rodeos and terrific makeovers.

3)    Do you have any traditions you enjoy during early Spring?

Early spring means my husband and I can get the garden ready for flowers and some easy-to-grow veggies.  We love and raise roses.  My favorite rose bush is a Chrysler Imperial.  Early spring means I can walk outside.  One spring tradition is at Easter the family gets together for the grandkids to dye eggs and bake a bunny cake.  

4)    When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was growing up, I never thought of being a published writer.  As far back as I remember I loved books.  It didn’t occur to me to try to become a published writer until after I was married.  I wrote and sold a short story and then started writing books.

5)    How long does it take you to write a book?

My writing schedule isn’t routine.  I had children and now grandchildren.  I’ve taught in high school.  I’ve also taught at the University of Central Oklahoma.  Later I worked for a state agency where I retired three years ago, so I don’t have regular hours or a regular schedule.  When I travel, I carry an iPad.  I have a laptop and a PC.  I write in airports, in the mountains, wherever I have some time.  There isn’t a regular, consistent amount of time.

6)    Where do you get your inspiration to write about a heartbreaking past and a hidden family secret?

 Stories come out of living, going through the happy times, as well as the painful moments.  I’ve known sorrow and I’ve known joy, so that all goes into my feelings about what happens to characters in my stories and how they deal with life.

7)    How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I had my 100^th. book out in July 2016, Expecting the Rancher’s Baby, Harlequin Desire.  This year in January, The Rancher’s Nanny Bargain, Harlequin Desire, was out and now this March, Reunited with the Rancher, Harlequin Desire, will be book #102.

My favorite Desire book is a Texas Cattleman’s Club book, The Playboy Meets His Match.  My favorite of all 102 books is a Harlequin Regency Romance, The Fairfax Brew.

8)    What book are you reading right now? 

I’m currently reading several.  Sometimes I read more than one at a time.  I’m reading an old book that I love and read over and over again: The Joyous Season by Patrick Dennis.  I love that book because I can laugh all the way through it.  I’m also reading Maureen Child’s The Baby Inheritance, Karen Booth’s Pregnant by the Rival CEO and Maisey Yates’s Take Me, Cowboy.    

9)    What are your current projects?

My May book, The Rancher’s Cinderella Bride, Harlequin Desire, is the third book in a series called Callahan’s Clan, about Texas best friends whose relationship changes to their surprise.  The fourth and last Callahan’s Clan book, The Texan’s Baby Proposal, Harlequin Desire, will be out this summer and then I’ll have a new series called Texas Promises.

10) What advice do you have for writers? 

My most important advice for new writers would be to network with other writers.  Go to writer’s conferences and enter writing contests.  Advice for writers in general is to stand up often if you sit to write.  Walk, swim, go to the gym, whatever works.  Exercise is essential for me. 

Giveaway: 
One lucky reader leaving a comment or email entry will win a copy of both of these books.

Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST March 26th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.