No. 1. The author writes like a million bucks. I don’t think I read a trite cliché or a stale phrase in this whole book. I was hooked faster than a miner on a hunt for diamonds. From page one, the sexual tension and the conflict leapt off the page.
No. 2. Cat Schield creates fifteen carat characters. Just wait until you meet Emma Montgomery and Nathan Case. The chase is on when Emma defies her tycoon father and refuses to be taken care of, or just a business deal in the eyes of the man she marries. Nathan Case’s background and struggle to get where he is will have readers falling in love.
No. 3 The plot is pure gold. Emma Montgomery learns the value of a dollar as well as to value herself. Nathan Case is a sympathetic hero who learns you can’t put a price tag on love. I’ll wager my stock portfolio you’ll be cheering them on for a happily ever after.
Okay, okay. The Get Lost Crew tells me I can’t count… er… go to a million. But I would if I could. There’s just too many reasons not to love MEDDLING WITH A MILLIONAIRE.
First, let's start with a blurb:
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!
And then...let's get Cat Schield in on this lucrative deal and ask her some questions:
DONNELL: Cat, the Desire line suits you so well, and I love the high society books that come from this line. What attracted you to write for Desire (e.g. this lifestyle)? Do you write what you know? ;)
CAT: I love alpha heroes and enjoy pairing them with the perfect spunky heroine to drive them crazy. And of course, there’s a high level of sensuality. As for writing what I know, I have little experience with private jets or million-dollar homes, but the business settings come easy to me since I’ve spent most of my life working in corporate America and can draw from my experiences.
DONNELL: When I met Nathan’s brothers, I felt a series coming on. They’re not the most likable characters in the beginning, but you deviously set it up so I want to know all about them in future books. I was excited to learn you just sold book three. Tell us about book two, and what will happen in book three! I take it we’ll see more of the Case brothers?
CAT: When I originally started this book back in 2007 I wasn’t thinking in terms of a series so I didn’t work very hard to make Nathan’s half brothers sympathetic. But Max started to grow on me and I knew I needed to tell his story. And if Max got a story, well then Sebastian needed one, too.
I knew the least about eldest brother, Sebastian, and had no idea what to do with him. Then I decided his would be a boss/secretary story, but his assistant’s name was Missy which I didn’t think suited Sebastian. I had in mind for him a more sophisticated woman than this small town girl from west Texas, but then I realized their divergent backgrounds gave me the perfect conflict.
A Win-Win Proposition comes out in October 2011. While on business in Las Vegas, Sebastian gets to see his assistant in a whole new light and it has a very detrimental effect on his self-control.
Max’s book will come out in early 2012. It’s a reunion story with lots of twists and turns.
Finally, let’s make an investment in your readers and ask them a question.
WHY DO YOU THINK MILLIONAIRE/TYCOON STORIES ARE SO POPULAR?
The winner of today’s drawing will win, what else? MEDDLING WITH A MILLIONAIRE.
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.
Any time you want to visit with Cat, you can find her right here at Get Lost in a Story, or check out her webpage at http://catschield.com/ or Twitter or Facebook all listed on the home page of this blog. Be sure to stop by tomorrow as we continue our celebration of Cat's debut week. And as always Like us on Facebook & Twitter!
Congrats on your debut release, Cat. I think millionaire and tycoon stories are popular because we love a hero who's good at what he does and lives a pretty glamorous life that many dream of.
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ReplyDeleteWow, great intro! Charming cover and terrific title! I can't wait to read about Emma & Nathan, and then get to meet Nathan's brothers : )
ReplyDeleteWHY DO YOU THINK MILLIONAIRE/TYCOON STORIES ARE SO POPULAR?
They represent our fantasies and daydreams brought to life with the turn of the page. They are intriguing, imaginative and indulgent. The males are Alphas of varying levels. They wouldn't be so vulnerable to the love of the right woman if they weren't so Alpha! The women cover a wider scope of characters than the men. They can come from numerous precarious life situations which bring them into the path of the Alpha. Money doesn't buy happiness...but it helps : ) Plus, it's a lot of fun to be reminded that even the financially elite are human, and they have all the needs and vulnerabilities that every human being experiences. They just swallow their sorrows with Dom Perignon instead of ginger ale ; 0
I just finished the book yesterday and LOVED it! I wasn't sure I'd like the brothers, but I knew you had a plan for them, Cat, so they did start to grow on me. I can't wait to see them also fall in love in October and in 2012!
ReplyDeleteHi, everyone. Thanks for stopping by Cat's release date. I love millionaire stories much for the same reason you mentioned above. For escapism, the same reason we loved the movie Dallas, or why many of us were enthralled with Kate and Williams' wedding. It gets me at least away from doing dishes and into a fantasy.
ReplyDeleteCat, best wishes with your fabulous debut novel!
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S C A T ! ! !
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview for a wonderful story and a wonderful debut author.
There's no wondering here why you've sold three books, Cat. If you need any more Texas research, you know who to come to. Can't wait to read Max & Sebastian's stories. It's going to take some pretty strong Texas women to tame them.
~~Angi
Hello everyone! Thanks for coming by. Believe it or not, I'm still so surprised that I not only did I sell a book, but that it's finally out.
ReplyDeleteDonnell, THANK YOU for the fabulous interview. I loved the questions.
Jane, I love a man who's good at what he does no matter what that is. There's something so sexy about all that confidence. And the glamorous lifestyles are so much fun to research. Then I get to transport myself into that world in my imagination. It's lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteVirginia C, how absolutely eloquent you are in describing the appeal of a Millionaire/Tycoon story. I love the contrast between the alpha heroes having it all financially and the emotional struggle they go through when it comes to love.
ReplyDeleteLexi, thanks for being here. I'm so glad you loved the book. I can't wait to be able to share Sebastian and Max's stories with everyone.
ReplyDeleteAnd for anyone who wants to read how Cody and Jaime got together. Her Secret Millionaire is their story. It's a novella I put free on my website www.catschield.com.
Donnell, again a HUGE thank you for the interview.
ReplyDeleteThese stories are fantasies. A chance to escape into a world of wealth and romance for a few hours. I watch travel shows on TV for the same reason. For a half an hour I imagine what it'd be like to visit the ancient monuments of Egypt or eat my way across Tuscany. It's wonderful.
Angi, you know how much a fan I am of your writing so it's a huge compliment to hear you say such nice things about mine.
ReplyDeleteI loved doing research in Texas and if I keep setting stories there, I might just have to spend a little more time down there!
Hi Cat! I'm so very excited that your book is finally out! I am dying that I haven't gotten to read it yet, but my husband saw my Kindle sitting out the other day and decided to put it up so that the toddler didn't get it. Problem is, he can't remember where he put it...AND I CAN'T FIND IT!!!
ReplyDeleteThe moment I do, I am starting on my copy of Meddling With a Millionaire. I've been excited about this book since you first told us about it!
I wish you every success, and am really looking forward to a Win-Win Proposition, too :)
Heather, I'm laughing about how you lost your Kindle. One fall my mother gave me a pair of tennis shoes for my daughter. I didn't find where I put them until spring. Fortunately her feet hadn't outgrown them.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like Meddling With A Millionaire. And I can't wait until I get to buy Sweet Enemy. We've come a long way since Chicago 2010.
Hi Cat!
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting time for you. Looking forward to reading MEDDLING WITH A MILLIONAIRE! Have a great launch week and here's to lots and lots of sales!
Congrats on your first release. The book sounds great. I cannot wait to read about Emma and Nathan. I think we like tycoons because of the power. Who doesn't love a man with the power to rule the world. Just makes your heart beat quicken thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteGjillian, thanks! It's quite a sensation seeing your book on the shelves. Can't wait until you get to have the experience.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I agree about loving a man with the power to rule the world. And it's awesome that love can teach him about gentleness and humility.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release Cat!
ReplyDeleteI like to read tycoon/millionaire stories because it is nice to take a peek behind the curtain and see how the other half lives. It is also interesting to see how some of these men are really lonely at the top. They have gold-diggers after them all the time. Falling for the right woman who wants him for love instead of money is very satisfying to read.
StacieDM, I couldn't agree with you more. Watching them drop their guards is my favorite part. Oh, how they hate to trust and how great it is when the right woman comes along.
ReplyDeleteHooray Cat! Happy release week!
ReplyDeleteI love release weeks on here. Number three and counting :)
Thanks Simone. I love the release weeks as well. It's good to all the hard work pay off!!
ReplyDeleteBecause who doesn't want to find out that the guy their interested in is a millionaire?? I know that would make me like him any less, haha ;-)
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