Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Author Spotlight - Cat Schield


Today, we have a debut Harlequin Desire author joining us in the spotlight.

Please welcome Cat Schield!

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?
In February, 2006 I had written a travel article about sailing in the British Virgin Islands that was being published by International Yacht Charters Magazine. Seeing my name in print gave me the confidence to write a book aimed at publication.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?
The original idea was for two strangers to meet at a party and get overwhelmed by passion only to discover the next morning that they had a connection neither expected. The fun was in how they dealt with the complication of that one night.

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?
Writing full time. Hitting a couple bestsellers lists would be amazing.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?
There’s a YA author I love by the name of Tamora Pierce. Her Bloodhound book is the sort of thing I’d love to try my hand at.

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?
I’ve been writing since I was in high school and at the time I was a huge fan of Janet Daily’s Harlequin Presents and Phyllis Whitney’s mysteries.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?
I’m giggling as I type this. My editor tells me I’m on the higher end of Desire’s sensuality scale and he regularly has to tell me to tone things down so I’m definitely in the giggle-worthy category.

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?
Since I’m not married, I don’t have a lot to draw from. But there was a guy I dated that drove through a snow storm so we could spend Christmas Eve together. That was pretty amazing.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?
Promotion is a huge time suck. I knew that, but I didn’t KNOW that. Write like crazy before you sell. Even if it’s not perfect, having books under the bed that you can pull out and polish will make your life easier.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?
Learn to love revisions. You need to believe in your writing, but you also must be willing to make changes. Sounds easier than it is, and I know a lot of people who struggle to let in someone else’s opinions on their book.

10. Tell us about your latest release.

No Man’s Bargaining Chip

Emma Montgomery wouldn’t be manipulated into marriage as part of Daddy’s business deal—even if he cut off access to her trust fund until she complied. The talented jewelry designer would just make her own way. Or go down trying. Too bad her intended groom--maverick businessman and former crush Nathan Case--made her stubborn stance so difficult. The heat of his touch had her nearly betraying herself at every turn. Resisting Nathan and regaining her money were the name of the game—but meddling with this millionaire might land her right back in his arms!

 11. What’s next for you?
My second book for Harlequin Desire--A Win-Win Proposition--comes out in October 2011. In between writing short contemporaries, my agent has encouraged me to try my hand at single title. I’m busy writing one set on a fictional island in southwest Florida.
To celebrate my debut I wrote a novella that ties into Meddling With A Millionaire. Her Secret Millionaire is the story of how Emma’s brother and Nathan’s best friend, Cody, meets the girl of his dreams and journeys to his happily ever after. It’s available as a free read on my website.

I'd like to offer a copy of Meddling With A Millionaire to one commenter. My heroine designs fine jewelry. Which do you wear more often, yellow or white gold?


Cat Schield lives in Minnesota with her daughter and their Burmese cat. Winner of the Romance Writers of America 2010 Golden Heart® for series contemporary romance, when she’s not writing sexy, romantic stories for Harlequin Desire, she can be found sailing with friends on the St. Croix River or more exotic locales like the Caribbean and Europe.


You can purchase Cat's debut Desire, Meddling With A Millionaire, right here.

15 comments:

Maya Blake said...

Super congrats on your debut, Cat. I read your Call Story on eharl last year and was really chuffed for you. Wow, the release has come around so fast! Congrats again, and thanks for being a Minx for the day! I look forward to reading this debut and your future books :)

Alexa said...

Great interview!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Cat! Yes, promotion is a HUGE time suck - though you get to meet really nice people online.

Good luck with everything!

Unknown said...

Hello all, sorry for being so tardy. This trying to promote AND work a day job keeps me hopping. And blogger is giving me fits today about staying signed in at work. Something about cookies. Anyway, I'm home now and am finally able to post.

Thanks to the Minxes for having me today. Have I told you all that I think your name is AWESOME? If not. It's AWESOME!!

Maya, I can't believe how fast the time goes. I can't believe how disorganized I am. I feel as if I should write an article and list what to do each month after the call. I hope you enjoy Meddling. It was such a fun book to write.

Alexa, hello! The Minxes gave me such great questions. It's so much fun to do an interview. I really struggle with what might be interesting topics for a blog.

Aimee, I actually love promoting. That's part of the problem. I could spend a ton of time on the internet doing nothing but following people on Twitter and Facebook instead of writing the next book. Must find balance.

Jackie Ashenden said...

Yay, Cat!!! Can't wait to read your book. And Tamora Pierce is an excellent writer - my daughter loves her Protector of the Small series. Anyway, you're an awesome lady and it's so fabulous your book is out. I need to get reading - love a hot love scene or two (or five even). ;-)

Unknown said...

Hey Jackie!! Great to see you! All those wonderful comments are making me blush! Has your daughter started Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper series? It's wonderful! I hope you enjoy Meddling With A Millionaire.

Romy Sommer said...

Thanks for visiting, Cat. As a Minx, I'm not eligible to win but I'll start the ball rolling by saying ... neither. I prefer silver jewellery!

You don't seem disorganised at all. With a book and a novella out, and the next already in the pipeline (and a day job!) I'd say you're well on your way to making that 5-year aim come true.

Nas said...

Hi Cat,

COngratulaions on the release of Meddling with a Millionaire!

The storyline sounds awesome.

And I prefer white and yellow gold jewellery! Well to match my colorful sarees, I wear yellow gold and for my western outfits anything or nothing will do!

An Open Book said...

Congrats on the new release- I'm also a romance author and have NO romance in my life- I live vicariously through my books
Dawne P

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the new releases!

I prefer white gold or silver jewelry!

Sally Clements said...

Congrats, Cat! Ooh I love that 'driving through the snow' story-sounds very mills and booney!

Marcy said...

I LOVE to hear about how new authors are doing with their writing. Congrats on your success, Cat!

As for gold, I usually wear yellow gold but I just got a lovely necklace an earring set in white gold and I LOVE it!

Marcy

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Cat on your debut. Can't wait to pick it up when it hits the shelves around here.

Rachael Johns said...

I seem to be late to the party! Cannot WAIT to read Cat's book but think that in one of the next one's you just HAVE TO have the hero drive through a snow storm to spend CHristmas with the heroine. That's so sweet.

Lolarific said...

I love to wear white jewelry, but here lately i've grown fond of rose gold.