Get Lost in a Story
Readers, it’s such a treat to visit and to bring with me a special guest.
Award-winning, bestselling author Michelle Major. Her books not only make you
smile, they yank at your heart strings until your hooked all the way in and
ready for the next one. Please welcome, Michelle Major back to Get Lost in a
Story.
A BABY AND A BETHROTHAL
WANTED: HUSBAND
& DADDY Serious Candidates Only!
Katie Garrity is proud of her work at her Life is Sweet bakery, but it's high time she showed the town of Crimson that she's more than just "The Cupcake Lady." She wants to be "Mrs." and "Mommy" so badly she can't stand it! But in the small mountain town, the pickings are slim…until the one who got away returns.
As a forest ranger, Noah loves protecting the places and people he loves—he just can't commit to forever. Katie has been his best friend since high school, but when did she turn into such a lovely woman? And is that desire he feels? Still, Crimson holds too many memories, and Katie wants things Noah can't give. But after one explosive night, it just may be too late. Only nine months will tell…
Katie Garrity is proud of her work at her Life is Sweet bakery, but it's high time she showed the town of Crimson that she's more than just "The Cupcake Lady." She wants to be "Mrs." and "Mommy" so badly she can't stand it! But in the small mountain town, the pickings are slim…until the one who got away returns.
As a forest ranger, Noah loves protecting the places and people he loves—he just can't commit to forever. Katie has been his best friend since high school, but when did she turn into such a lovely woman? And is that desire he feels? Still, Crimson holds too many memories, and Katie wants things Noah can't give. But after one explosive night, it just may be too late. Only nine months will tell…
Get Lost in a Story, it's time to learn more about Michelle Major!
DONNELL: Michelle, I’m still
smiling after reading the excerpt to this wonderful book. Katie is such a
sympathetic heroine, and who can’t relate to an awful first date, or wondering
if you’ll ever meet “the one” or have a family.
Katie and Noah were secondary characters in one of your books. Which
one, and did you know immediately when you created them that they’d have their
own story?
MICHELLE: Aww, thanks Donnell! I could tell you
some awful first date stories…yikes! Noah was introduced in the first Crimson
book (A Kiss on Crimson Ranch) and Katie arrived in the 2nd in the
series (A Second Chance on Crimson Ranch). I think part of writing a series is
figuring out how to develop readers’ interest in supporting characters and how
everyone fits into the world you’re creating. I knew Katie and Noah would get
their own story but it took them hanging out for a few books for me to create
what I thought was the perfect set up for the two of them.
DONNELL: When
you create these secondary characters, does that interfere with your muse or
the current story you’re writing? How do you keep them in the background until
you’re ready for them?
MICHELLE: Writing the Crimson,
Colorado, series has become like revisiting my friends each time I begin a new
story. If I had a gazillion pages and endless hours, I'd love to draw all of
the bit players and previous couples into each book. It's fun to discover what
everyone's been up to since we last saw them. But I think the key is
pulling in the secondary characters that further the current story and making
the most of their moments on the page. The central romance is the reason for
the book, so sometimes I have to limit who we see outside the hero and heroine.
Other times, a secondary character who I might introduce in one book can become
the inspiration for a future story. In fact, one of my upcoming Crimson books
introduces readers to the town's hottie sheriff, Cole Bennett. I'm working on
ideas for his story now and can't wait to bring him fully to life!
DONNELL: oooh
me either J
I loved Katie’s response to the gluten-intolerant date. You write
a lot of food into your stories. Are you a foody?
MICHELLE: Well, I like food a lot. Especially
baked goods, although I don’t bake too often because I have very little
willpower when it comes to sugar. But I love to post new recipes on Pinterest
and my daughter likes to cook and bake so it’s something we do together. I’m
about to embark on a kitchen remodel and the stove I have in the current
kitchen seems to have two settings – off and burn. So it’s not that motivating
for me right now. I hope to be re-inspired once things change. J
DONNELL: Here’s
something I’m dying to know. You’re writing for Montlake and for Harlequin.
You’re creating a lot of characters. Do you ever get them mixed up, which
character belongs in which book and goes with which publisher?
MICHELLE: Actually, no, although maybe I’m
jinxing myself now. The two series are different lengths (one is category and
one is single title) and they have different tones and settings. When I’m
writing characters, they become such fully-formed individuals in my mind with
unique voices that I don’t mix them up. Eye color is another story. I have trouble
keeping eye color straight.
DONNELL: Which author(s) did you
read growing up, and who inspires you?
MICHELLE: Probably my favorite series growing up
was Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I think that was my first official
book binge. There is a passage in the third of the series, when Anne and
Gilbert Blythe finally admit they’re in love, and I swear those few subtle
pages hooked me on romance forever. Historical romance has always been my
escape but I read lots of genres and I’m inspired by any one working to create
amazing stories.
DONNELL: Is category romance your
passion for the foreseeable future? –
and here’s something else I’d love to see.
Will we ever see one of your books on the Hallmark channel?
MICHELLE: I love writing the category-length
book but am also grateful to balance those shorter stories with the
single-titles I write for Montlake. It’s fun to mix it up and I’m about to
start my first novella so I’m excited to try that out, too. I write a lot these
days (4-5 books a year – a lot for me anyway) but the more I write, the more
ideas I have.
DONNELL: What comes next for Michelle Major?
MICHELLE: I’m honored to be part of
the 20th anniversary of the Harlequin miniseries, The Fortunes of
Texas. My contribution, Fortune’s Special Delivery, comes out in April. My
first British hero and I loved writing him. I also have another 2 Crimson books
coming out this year and one more for Montlake in October. Otherwise, it’s more
writing with an occasional dog walk thrown in to keep my fur babies happy!
Michelle, thank you. You are rockin' with your career. Now
it’s your turn to ask readers a
question. (and Readers, you’re in luck. Time for a giveaway from Michelle
Major!)
MICHELLE'S QUESTION FOR READERS: My kids have spring break
at the end of the month and we’re heading to Ohio to visit my grandma, who
recently turned 94. But I’m yearning for a trip to the beach – preferably a
tiny island with white sand and blue water. Where is your ideal vacation spot
right now? Two people who comment will win a copy of A Baby and A Betrothal
(print or ebook – winner’s choice).
To find Michelle and learn more about the rest of her fabulous books, follow this link: http://www.michellemajor.com/
