I am so, so please to have my good friend and fellow Golden Heart sister (and Golden Heart Winner) joining us today. But Cat Schield is no stranger to Get Lost in a Story - she was an original member of the crew! Welcome back Cat!
Before we get to finding out more about Cat, just a reminder, Cat is giving away TWO copies of her April Harlequin Desire, SECRET CHILD, ROYAL SCANDAL Make sure you comment below! MEET CAT SCHIELD
CAT
SCHIELD is an award-winning author of contemporary romances for
Harlequin Desire. She likes her heroines spunky and her heroes swoon-worthy. In
2010 she won the Golden Heart for series contemporary romance and sold her
first book, fulfilling a lifelong dream. While her jet set characters live all
over the globe, Cat makes her home in Minnesota with her daughter, two
opinionated Burmese cats and a goofy Doberman. When she’s not writing or acting
as her daughter’s chauffeur, she’s hanging out with friends or
searching for inspiration on Pinterest. Nan: This is Book 3 in the The Sherdana Royals series. I loved the first two books, tell us a little more about this one. THE STORY BLURB
The prince must produce an heir. Little does he know, he
already has…
Christian Alessandro lives life in the fast lane. But
royal duty calls, and the bachelor prince must settle down and sire the future
king of Sherdana. That's when a chance encounter with former flame Noelle
Dubone yields a bombshell discovery: Christian's already a father! Marrying
Noelle will make his boy the legitimate heir. It's a rocky reunion. The determined
dressmaker refuses to fall in love—or in bed!—with Christian again, even as
old, intense feelings return with a vengeance. But what the prince wants, the
prince gets…
Nan: Love this premise! Can't wait to dig into the third book.
READ A LITTLE, BUY THE BOOK
Stop over at Cat's Website for an excerpt and the Buy Links.
A LIGHTING ROUND OF Q&A WITH CAT SCHIELD
NAN: How often do you get lost in a story?
CAT: Everyday.
I've always got a book or two going.Right now I'm listening to All The Light You Cannot See and reading
Susan Sey's Picture Me and You.
Nan: I'm jealous, I can't listen to books. My mind wanders!
NAN:Is
writing or story-telling easier for you?
CAT: Storytelling is much easier. The writing
sometimes gets in the way ofwhat I'm
trying to convey. Lately I've been dictating my stories, especially when I'm
feeling blocked or stuck, and that has made a big difference. I can get the
story down and later go in and revise to make the words pretty.
Nan: I love the idea of dictating. I may have to try that!
NAN:What
will always make you smile, even on a bad day?
CAT: No
matter how bad my day is going, my daughter can me smile.She always has great stories about her
friends or things that happened in school.
Nan: She's pretty amazing!
NAN:What
are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?
CAT: I
just bought The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck and Whisper Beach by Shelly
Noble. My bookclub is reading Bossypants by Tina Fey. I have been sitting on
The Mask by Taylor Stevens since summer waiting to sink into the story. And
Calamity by Brandon Sanderson. I love to read across genre lines.
Nan: What a great list.
NAN:What
dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
CAT: The
biggest one. I'm currently writing full time. It's been my dream forever and I
love it.
Nan: It's pretty cool to spend all day with imaginary people, isn't it?
NAN:What
could we find in your heroine's purse?
CAT: My
heroine is a wedding dress designer so there's always a sketch pad and pencil.
Red lipstick. A measuring tape, wallet and keys, one of her son's dinosaur toys
and a security badge that gets her into the palace.
NAN'S GOTTA ASK: What sound or noise do you love?
CAT'S GOTTA ANSWER: The
sound of my cat snoring. It's a cross between snorting and purring and she only
does it when she's super snuggled next to me and very relaxed.
Nan: awww, sweet.
UP NEXT FOR CAT
Nan: Treat looks pretty delicious.
FIND CAT SCHIELD:
Contact: news@catschield.net
Website: http://catschield.net
Facebook: http://facebook.com/catschieldauthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/catschield
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4611671.Cat_Schield Nan: Thanks for spending the day with the crew, Cat!
CAT SHIELD WANTS TO KNOW:Christian owns a vineyard. Do you prefer red or white wine? Cat is giving away TWO copies of her April Harlequin Desire, SECRET CHILD, ROYAL SCANDAL Make sure you comment below!
We have a special guest who stopped by to give the Crew the fifth degree right before Christmas. Oh no, some of us just might get
stricken from the gift list.
THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS
SANTA: DO YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS?
ANGI: Do I believe? DO *I* BELIEVE? Seriously, there are some certainties you never have to think about.
ALEXA: Absolutely!
MAUREEN: Um, is it bad if the sci-fi fantasy author is the only one so far who answers no? :)I do, however, believe in the generosity of spirit inherent in Santa.
DONNELL: Yes, don't you?
SUSAN:Oh, my yes, of course! "I really do believe in you! Let's see if you believe in me...." (From Santa Baby, my signature Christmas Karaoke song)
JILLIAN: "...been a good girl, Santa Baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight!"
SIMONE: I'd say no, but then... you never know, right?
LIZBETH: You
know what, I really do! I think Santa is real in all of us, and I believe he
actually shows up for all of those who need him. Have you ever gotten something
so special and meaningful you know it didn’t just come from Mom and Dad or Aunt
Susie? THAT’s Santa!
HEATHER: The Heir and the Spare saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night... :) So yes, I believe!
SANTA: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE? DO YOU WATCH IT
WITHOUT FALLING ASLEEP?
MAUREEN: A Christmas Story. I could watch it a hundred times and not fall asleep. Parts are mildly offensive, but it still makes me laugh. DONNELL: It's a Wonderful Life.
SUSAN: I have to pick one? Okay... It's a Wonderful Life.
SIMONE: Die Hard. Christmas isn't Christmas without it.
LIZBETH:I really do think “It’s A Wonderful Life” is a
given. If that movie doesn’t move you, nothing will! When George Bailey runs
through Bedford Falls after getting his life back (“Hello you wonderful old
Savings and Loan.”) it makes me want to hug everyone in my life!My silly favorites though are the Santa
Clause movies with Tim Allen. They’re hokey but they really do have a strong
family message, plus—who wouldn’t want to have Santa for a dad? On a note that will get tomatoes thrown at me from Maureen—I’m one of the few strange people in the world who doesn’t fall in love with “A
Christmas Story.” It’s most peoples’ favorite—but I find the leg lamp
creepy and Ralphie kind of a little sneak. I know, I know . . .
JILLIAN: Love, Actually HEATHER: No fair! Jillian stole mine!!!
ANGI: THERE ARE SO MANY !! We watch a different one almost every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Christmas eve it's the original MIRACLE on 34th STREET. It might seem funny, but one of our holiday movies is Galaxy Quest. We originally saw it on Christmas Day and took all the family...remember Santa? You gave us the tickets in our stockings...all fourteen of us.
ALEXA: A Christmas Carol-
any version.
SANTA: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONG? DO YOU HUM IT ALL
YEAR LONG?
DONNELL: Oh, Holy Night, Sleigh Ride...No, my policy is to move on to something else by February.
SUSAN: O Holy Night, Santa Baby, and All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan (Kenny Chesney) Yes, I do sing--not hum--them all year long.
JILLIAN: Santa Baby (see above) or All I Want for Christmas is You.
SIMONE: Carol of the Bells! But I can't even listen to Christmas carols at other times of year, let alone sing them.
ANGI:Hands down, Karen Carpenter's CHRISTMAS WALTZ & MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING LIZBETH: My
favorite Christmas song of all time is “The Little Drummer Boy.” I don’t hum
Christmas songs all year, but I look forward to the first time I hear this
carol every Christmas season. It actually makes me teary-eyed. The idea of
Jesus smiling and accepting even the most insignificant of our gifts and
talents is humbling and comforting to me.
HEATHER: It's a toss up between Oh, Holy Night and Come, Oh Come Emmanuel. But I cry when I hear the handbell choirs, because I remember lying awake at my Nana's house beneath the white lights, listening to them on Christmas Eve night. I miss her.
ALEXA: Let the Good Guys
Win. It’s actually a New Year’s song. For a more traditional song, I love The
Holly and the Ivy. Yes, I do sing both throughout the year.
MAUREEN: Tough one. I sang in my church choir for years and have so many favorite carols... but I'm going to pick In the Bleak Midwinter because it's so hauntingly beautiful.
SANTA: WHICH FOOD WOULD YOU EAT ALL YEAR LONG IF YOU COULD?
DO YOU?
JILLIAN: Chocolate covered Cinder Toffee from Fortnam & Mason. Yum!
SIMONE: Mint chocolates. They say Christmas to me. I could eat them any time of year, but I only eat them now.
LIZBETH:Christmas cookies! These little gems, whatever the
variety, are the best way to ingest sugar on the face of the Earth. Russian Tea
Cakes (decadent and short-bready with that powdered sugar melting on your
tongue), peanut butter blossoms (Hershey’s kisses-say no more), krumkake (so fun
to make), and, and, and . . . Yup, I’d eat ‘em any time!
HEATHER: TACOS!!! Wait, did you mean Christmas food??? You didn't specify, Santa. Hmm...in that case, peanut brittle.
ANGI: Hands down, my mother's Divinity. I'd weigh 800 pounds, so thank goodness she only makes it once a year.
ALEXA: Candy canes! I try
not to eat too many because I have no self control when I’m around them and I
know how bad they are for me.
MAUREEN: Turkey dinner.
DONNELL: Fudge, so hard to resist.
SUSAN: Harry & David's pears & all the other goodies in their collections.
SANTA: WHAT’S THE WORST GIFT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
SIMONE: Five bucks. I wish I was kidding.
LIZBETH:I don’t think I've never received a bad gift! But
I do remember the most disappointing. When I was quite young (six or seven) I
asked for a pair of cowboy boots. Lo and behold, on Christmas morning they were
sitting under the tree! But, Santa had gotten the size wrong—they were too
small. Mom and Dad brought me to Sears Roebuck (as it was known in the dark
ages) but they were out of my correct size. For some reason I never got a pair
that year. I've had boots since, but none as cool as the pair that didn't fit. HEATHER: Day of the week underwear...not that they are bad, per se, but you see, my birthday is December 28, so I got them along with a "Ho Ho Happy Birthday" card, which meant they were for both Christmas AND birthday. Sigh :)
ANGI: The third or fourth bottle of perfume (same person)...I'm allergic.
ALEXA: A tire gauge. I
opened it, laughed and thought, “What do I do with this?”
MAUREEN: I don't believe in bad gifts. No such thing. :)
DONNELL: A box of cow patties. ----gag gift.
SUSAN: A vacuum cleaner. This was from my first husband. We weren't married long.
JILLIAN: I'm sure I've received a less than thoughtful gift or two over the years but I just don't remember any of them!
SANTA: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION?
HEATHER: I loved making shortbread cookies with my Nana. It's kind of sad, but I don't have a favorite holiday tradition anymore...so much traveling between my parents and hubby's, spending Christmas Eve in someone else's house, having Santa visit our children there. The Heir is 4 this year and the Spare 1, so this year we decided to stay home for Christmas Eve/morning and not travel until we've done our own little family Christmas. I think THAT will end up being my favorite tradition.
ANGI: This will seem funny to most, but I grew up in choir and always had holiday music to practice. Voice strain caused me to give it up, but I still love singing. (Here's the strange part) Every year we clean the house just after Thanksgiving and decorate...the Christmas carols are blaring through the stereo and no one's tired of listening to them yet. So we clean, decorate, wrap gifts and sing at the top of our lungs. It happens every year and has become one of my favorite things to look forward to.
ALEXA: Since my mom is
from England originally, we always use Christmas crackers either at breakfast
or dinner on Christmas day. And yes, we wear the silly paper hats all through
the meal!
MAUREEN: Sitting in the darkened living room and admiring the tree. Sometimes without my glasses. One advantage to being as crazy short-sighted as I am, is that without glasses, Christmas tree lights turn into huge puffy balls of light that all blend into each other at their edges. Really quite pretty.
DONNELL: Going to Midnight Mass with family and friends, coming back home and drinking hot chocolate and then opening presents.
SUSAN: Christmas brunch at my parents' house.
JILLIAN: Putting up the Charlie Brown tree! Ever since we gave up spectacular holiday decorating, Christmas has become more of a joy than ever. It really is sort of darling...really, it is!
SIMONE: For the last few years, we've started going out for Indian food on Christmas eve. It's delicious and different, and it means no cooking or cleaning for anyone that night :)
LIZBETH: Unloading
our family Christmas stockings. My late mother-in-law had THE BEST stocking
stuffers in the world and the tradition at her house was to open the main
presents and keep the stockings for very last. Now that she’s not with us,
we’ve tried to keep that tradition at our house. I have all my kids together in
one spot and I love watching them get almost more excited about the crazy
things in their stockings than the big gifts.
SANTA’S GOTTA ASK: ARE YOU ON THE NAUGHTY OR NICE LIST? AND
CAN YOU SAY WHY?
ALEXA’S GOTTA ANSWER:Of course I’m on the NICE list, Santa! I’m the sweet and innocent one.
No, really. Hey, stop laughing!
MAUREEN’S GOTTA ANSWER:Only Santa knows for sure. Wait... I claimed I didn't believe in Santa...
DONNELL’S GOTTA ANSWER: I'm on Santa's Nice List, but my characters... well, don't let them fool you, they're on the Naughty List. SUSAN’S GOTTA ANSWER:It could go either way. I'm hoping for the best. (Jillian, I just read your answer, and I'm thinking you're on the naughty list!) :)
JILLIAN’S GOTTA
ANSWER: The last time I was on Santa's knee, he was the naughty one, not me!
SIMONE’S GOTTA ANSWER: Depends on the day. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm terminally nice. (PS Santa: Don't believe Jillian!)
LIZBETH’S GOTTA ANSWER: I
think I must be on the nice list. Not that I necessarily deserve to be there, but at
some point I must have done something good, because it’s been a really blessed year for me. My first book came out,
I got to take a dream hiking trip to England, got to visit my adopted home in
Alaska and, best of all, my son and his wife are expecting their first baby
come May (my first grandchild). My biggest concern now is figuring out how to
stay off the naughty side of the list!
~~~ CAT is under a pressure deadline and couldn't be with us today. She wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a big thanks for joining us at Get Lost In A Story. ~ ~ ~
DON’T FORGETto FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us
on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join us
Thursday and Friday for Cindi Madsen and Danita Cahill.
SANTA WANTS TO KNOW:
What was the favorite gift I ever left under your tree?
As our Treasure Hunt continues celebrating our 2nd Anniversary, we're sharing one of the books or authors that influenced us. (Details about the Treasure Hunt and giveaway are below.)
~Alexa BOOK & AUTHOR: OUTLANDER, Diana Gabaldon REASON: After reading that first story in the series, it became my mission to create characters that readers could love as much as I loved Jamie and Claire. TREASURE HUNT: NaNo Web Badges AlexaBourne.com ~Angi BOOK & AUTHOR: The THREE MUSKETEERS, Alexander Dumas REASON: I loved the action, adventure and the suspense. TREASURE HUNT: Next Blog Appearance AngiMorgan.com ~Cat BOOK & AUTHOR: REASON: TREASURE HUNT: CatSchield.com
~Donnell
BOOK & AUTHOR: The First, Second, Third & Fourth Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders
REASON: I knew after reading that series, I wanted to be a writer. TREASURE HUNT: Angi & Donnell's Picture DonnellAnnBell.com
~Heather BOOK & AUTHOR: Depends on what day you catch me! I've been reading since the age of 3 (which makes it odd to me that I didn't sit down to write until my 30's), and I think every single thing I've read has had some influence on my writing self. REASON: Because I've learned something, either good or bad, from everything I've read that has either informed me as a person or taught as a writer what to do or not to do. I love to see how other people tell stories... TREASURE HUNT: Liliana and Geoffrey's love letters to each other HeatherSnowBooks.com ~Jillian BOOK & AUTHOR: I am muliti, multi, influenced by artists like Harper Lee, Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, Charles Dickens, Alfred Hitchcock, Stan Lee, Diana Gabaldon, Ken Follett, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Guillermo del Toro, Anne Rice, Emily & Charlotte Bronte. Sigh, you see, I could just go on and on, and you ask me to pick one... REASON: Because they are all great storytellers. TREASURE HUNT: Spy Camera JillianStone.com
~Lizbeth
BOOK & AUTHOR: HUMMINGBIRD by LaVyrle Spencer REASON: i had read many, many Harlequin & Silhouette romances by the time I was out of college, but LaVyrle (a fellow Minnesotan) touched my writer's soul with her rich storytelling. I loved the beautiful descriptions and her warm, real characters. "Hummingbird" had a great hero (Jesse DuFresne, a supposed train robber) and one of the best set of love scenes I've ever read to this day! I knew I'd found the kind of storytelling I wanted to do! TREASURE HUNT: Picture of a moose! LizbethSelvig.com ~Maureen BOOK & AUTHOR: The Stand, Stephen King REASON: I admire how clean and simple and compulsively readable his prose is. That's a lot harder to do than many people imagine... TREASURE HUNT: Name of Maureen's French Publisher MaureenMcGowan.com
~Simone BOOK & AUTHOR: Anything by Mary Stewart (Try AIRS ABOVE THE GROUND for a start) REASON: Strong heroines, exotic locales, adventure, action, mystery, romance, rooftop chases, and a retro feel - to me, these are perfect books. TREASURE HUNT: A photo of Sarah SimoneStJames.com
~Susan BOOK & AUTHOR: Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse books. REASON: Strong Southern heroine in a small town, surrounded by friends and family who range from quirky to shapeshifter. TREASURE HUNT: Which blog will I be on tomorrow, December 3? SusanmBoyerBooks.com
PRIZES:
1. Angi -- signed copy of DANGEROUS MEMORIES
2. Angi -- Winner's choice from my TBR pile
3. Jillian -- signed copy of latest release: A PRIVATE DUEL WITH AGENT GUNN or reader's choice of one of the Gentlemen of Scotland Yard books.
4. Alexa -- Winner's choice of a book from my TBR pile
5. Alexa -- Winner's choice of a book from my TBR pile
6. Alexa -- Winner's choice of a book from my TBR pile
7. Donnell -- A signed copy or digital copy of THE PAST CAME HUNTING
8. Simone -- A Kindle copy of Maureen's DEVIANTS 9. Lizbeth -- signed copy of THE RANCHER AND THE ROCK STAR 10. Lizbeth -- RANCHER & ROCK STAR collector's mug and goodies
11. Susan -- One ebook, Winner’s choice, from Amazon or B&N, up to $15 value
12. Maureen -- One signed hardcover copy of DEVIANTS plus a totebag and other goodies
13-17 Heather -- 5x 2 winner's choice books from her historical romance collection, Sweet Enemy or Sweet Deception (winners 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 will each get 2 books)
WHAT BOOK INFLUENCED YOU in your childhood? college? or recently?
As our Treasure Hunt continues celebrating our 2nd Anniversary, we thought it would be fun to divulge what some of our characters would give each other for either Christmas or their second anniversary. (Details about the Treasure Hunt and giveaway are below.)
~Alexa COUPLE: Aidan and Rachel, FRACTURED PARADISE GIFT: Rachel would give Aidan a framed picture of his favorite spot in Cornwall, England, and he would give her a mini-replica of Penshaw Monument. TREASURE HUNT: NaNo Web Badges AlexaBourne.com ~Angi COUPLE: Levi & Jo, DANGEROUS MEMORIES GIFT: Dancing Boots to each other, you can find out why in the book. TREASURE HUNT: CRYSTAL NECKLACE AngiMorgan.com ~Cat COUPLE: GIFT: TREASURE HUNT: CatSchield.com
~Donnell
COUPLE: Melanie Norris & Joe Crandall GIFT: For their second anniversary, Mel would give Joe a pink pair of handcuffs for evening activities and a slight slice of revenge, and Joe would give Melanie the Teresa Alder vase he was too broke to buy her during their "courtship." That or one of his mother's clocks from Bravaria, Germany. Joe always likes to have a backup plan. TREASURE HUNT: Angi & Donnell's Picture DonnellAnnBell.com
~Heather COUPLE: Emma and Derick, SWEET DECEPTION GIFT: Emma would give Derick a new, framed map of Derbyshire, to replace the one she scribbled all over--twice--while plotting coordinates to help catch a traitor/murderer. Derick would give Emma three sets of matching and properly sized boots and coats... (you can see why, for both, in the book!) TREASURE HUNT: Liliana and Geoffrey's love letters to each other. HeatherSnowBooks.com ~Jillian COUPLE: I have just begun the first chapter a Gentlemen of Scotland Yard novel that is a Christmas 2013 release. The hero is Detective Inspector Flynn Rhys and the heroine is Alice Armistead. GIFT: (Shared gift) A Dragon Kiss––A kiss so flamin' hot you have to keep a pint close to put out the fire! TREASURE HUNT: Spy Camera JillianStone.com
~Lizbeth COUPLE: Abby and Gray, THE RANCHER AND THE ROCK STAR GIFT:First of all, in their stockings would be their favorite candy bars for making hot chocolate: for Abby a Cadbury Royal Dark and for Gray Hershey's Symphony bars. These two are chocolate fiends! Abby hates ostentatious gifts, but Gray never listens to her. He would give her the beautiful black and white show bridle she covets for her horse Gucci. Abby is always trying to come up with something extremely personal and then something funny. She would give him a tacky sweater that would make his fans laugh themselves silly if they saw it. Then, she would give him her latest portrait of the two of them--one she took in black and white and framed with simple elegance. TREASURE HUNT: Picture of a moose! LizbethSelvig.com ~Maureen COUPLE: Cinderella and Ty (it would be spoilerish to even speculate whether Glory, my heroine in Deviants, ends up with Burn or Cal.) GIFT: A trip to a far off land TREASURE HUNT: Name of one of Maureen's French publishers MaureenMcGowan.com
~Simone COUPLE: Sarah and Matthew from THE HAUNTING OF MADDY CLARE GIFT: A ghost-hunting kit TREASURE HUNT: A picture of Sarah SimoneStJames.com
~Susan COUPLE: Ha! This is tricky, because I have no idea who Liz will end up with--Michael or Nate. GIFT: But, since Nate is also her partner, they'll celebrate Christmas by having dinner together. If Liz has her way, it will be at the Pirates' Den on Stella Maris. TREASURE HUNT: Photo with Susan Elizabeth Phillips. SusanmBoyerBooks.com
PRIZES:
Angi -- signed copy of
DANGEROUS MEMORIES
Angi -- Winner's choice
from my TBR pile
Jillian -- signed copy of
latest release: A PRIVATE DUEL WITH AGENT GUNN or reader's choice of one
of the Gentlemen of Scotland Yard books.
Alexa -- Winner's choice of
a book from my TBR pile
Alexa -- Winner's choice of
a book from my TBR pile
Alexa -- Winner's choice of
a book from my TBR pile
Donnell -- A signed copy or
digital copy of THE PAST CAME HUNTING
Simone -- A Kindle copy of
Maureen's DEVIANTS Lizbeth -- signed copy of
THE RANCHER AND THE ROCK STAR Lizbeth -- RANCHER &
ROCK STAR collector's mug and goodies
Susan -- One ebook,
Winner’s choice, from Amazon or B&N, up to $15 value
Maureen -- One signed
hardcover copy of DEVIANTS plus a totebag and other goodies
Heather -- 10 winner's choice from her historical romance collection, Sweet Enemy or Sweet Deception
The prince must produce an heir. Little does he know, he
already has… 
