Author Spotlight: Maisey Yates

Today the Minxes are so very thrilled to have with us fellow writer and friend, Maisey Yates. For those who aren't aware, Maisey is one of the newest authors to be initiated into the Harlequin Presents stable and we shared her excitement when she received The Call a mere eight months ago. Since then, she's sold a further 3 books and is already writing her 5th, we believe!

So without further ado...Maisey Yates!

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

Five years ago I'd never finished a manuscript. I'd never read a romance. And I couldn't even imagine finding the courage to finish a story, because then..I might have to submit it. I had dreams of being a writer one day, but I never really believed that that's what I would end up doing.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?
It came from the heroine Elaine. I sat down and started writing, and there she was, proposing to the hero. She's a strong woman with a mind of her own, and she definitely had her own ideas for how her story was going to go.

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

Writing Presents, raising my kids, loving my husband...maybe in a slightly larger house.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

That's tough, because there are a lot of moments in a lot of books that make me say "WOW! Why couldn't I say it that way??" But, I just read Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale and I had to wonder where that story came from. It was just so deep and emotional. I had some serious writer-envy there.

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

The first Presents I read was by Miranda Lee. (and I can't remember the title...so...if anyone want to talk after class and help me figure it out...) When I read that book, and all the passion and drama and emotion, everything clicked into place for me. I knew that was what I wanted to write.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?
Love scenes are my favorite thing to write. For me, they're always intensely emotional to write. For me, the scenes are specifically built around the couple I'm writing about, and it's always fun when all the tension you'll built up gets to...explode.

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

That's hard, because my husband is kind of a paragon. I have the most perfect wedding picture of him standing at the head of the aisle just when he's seen me for the first time and he has tears on his cheeks. But, I think that him bringing a bouquet of roses to my first pre-natal appointment when I was pregnant with our son wins.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?
I don't know very much yet! But I will say: take it all in stride. It's amazing, and I'm having the time of my life, but no doubt there will be low points, more revisions, rejections, bad reviews. And then there's exciting things like good reviews and release days and covers. Even with all of that, good and bad, you have to just keep writing.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?
I think the best advice I ever received was from my CP, Jilly Aston. She said, yeah, you're going to have to rewrite the last half of your MS. And I emailed my editor and said, DO I REALLY? And she said...yeah, you do. But it was the best advice I've ever been given...and freeing, if you can believe it.

10. Tell us about your latest release.

In His Virgin Acquisition, Elaine Chapman is willing to do whatever it takes to get her father's company...even if it means offering marriage to the man who just purchased the company, Marco De Luca. She's got everything planned, and she presents him with an offer he can't refuse. Of course, not everything goes according to plan...she hasn't counted on actually being attracted to her new husband...

11. What’s next for you?

My next release, A Mistake, A Prince and A Pregnancy will be out in the UK in October. Imagine my hero's shock when a woman he's never met comes to tell him she's pregnant with his baby...

Thanks you so much for blogging with us today, Maisey, and for giving us a sneak peak at the new Presents covers! :)