Maisey Yates USA Today Bestselling Author under the Spotlight!

Today I’m honored to be hosting Harlequin Presents/Modern Author Maisey Yates

Maisey, thanks for agreeing to do this interview. It's great to have you here!

Thank you Nas! I'm so pleased you asked me to be a guest!

You are welcome, Maisey. The pleasure is all mine! So I kicked off with some easy questions first....

On Writing and Reading…

So, when did you start to write and how long did it take you to be published?

I started writing seriously in 2008 when my youngest son was born and I was published in December of 2009. So it was quite fast for me! (though it seemed long at the time!)

I bet all that juggling of jobs, relationships and commitments gives you plenty of fodder for your books. What sparks your creativity?

Anything and everything. I'm always amazed at where ideas can come from. A line in a song, a headline, a fairy tale. I don't usually draw book concepts from real life, but real life moments certainly make it into my books!

What do you love most about being a writer?

Writing. The actual act of writing the books is my favorite part.

What do you like least about being a writer?

Probably the fact that a lot more people know about you, so there are more people to criticize you. I don't know, I both love and hate the being well-known aspect. ;)

Where were you five years before?

 I was a new mommy, and not thinking much about writing!

...on a shelf in my country!

Where do you envision yourself five years from now?

Being a busy wife and mother, still, and being a writer, still.

Do you have a favorite locale or setting for your novels? What is it and why is it your favorite?

I love researching new locations, but I used Thailand in one book and I'm planning on using it again because it was just lovely. I also used Malawi in an upcoming release and found it very inspiring.

Which of the books you have written is your favorite?

I'll be honest and say I like them all, because if I didn't believe in them, I wouldn't want them out there. But The Inherited Bride was one of the hardest books, and as a result, I love it. And The Highest Price to Pay which comes out in the UK July 15^th is the book of my heart in many ways.

What is your favorite recent title by another author?

I loved Immortal Champion by Lisa Hendrix. Such an amazing hero!

What are your five all-time favorite books (with authors)?

That's hard! Um...

Anything For You by Sarah Mayberry,

Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale,

Expecting His Love-Child by Carol Marinelli,

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery and

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi.

(Those last two books really cemented my love of reading when I was younger, and they made me want to write!)

What one specific piece of advice would you give a would-be writer trying to kick-start a career?

Write. You have to write to get better. It's not all about reading blogs and taking courses. Actually write and finish a book.

On Romance...

Describe the ultimate romantic meal.

One where I'm not being mauled by children! My husband and I just had our sixth anniversary and we ate at this gorgeous restaurant at a table outside. It was so quiet, and I was with the man I love. Perfection.

What is your all-time favorite romantic movie?

Bend it Like Beckham. I love it.

What is your all-time favorite romantic song or composition?

From This Moment On by Shania Twain is our wedding song, and even though I'm not usually a big country music fan, that song is really special to me.

What is the most romantic gesture or gift you have received?

My husband brought me flowers to my very first doctor appointment when I was pregnant with our first child.

How do you keep the romance alive in your relationship?

We're friends! We love to talk, and be together. We invest time and laughter in each other.

What tip would you give your readers to make their lives more romantic?

I think real romance is sharing a life with someone, ups and downs, good and bad, and staying together. Invest in your spouse or partner. Let them know how much you love them. Romance will follow.

Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever traveled?

I'm short on travel. ;) But my husband and I went to the Oregon Coast on our honeymoon and it was lovely. Quiet and a slow pace, time to just enjoy each other!

All About her...

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

 Yes and no. I've always thought it was glamorous, I've always written. But I've wanted to be a lot of things. It wasn't until I discovered Presents that I knew, this is what I want to write.

Besides writing, what other talent would you most like to have?

 I wish I was a good housekeeper. I'm not.

Who is someone you admire and why?

I admire my parents. They did a fabulous job of making sure I knew I could be whatever I wanted, but that I would need to work for it.

Do you have a good luck charm or superstition?

Not as such. When I get stuck on a book I pray a lot.

What quality do you most admire in a man?

A man who changes diapers is a sexy thing.

What is the one thing you've always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try? I'm just getting started. At 25, I've tried a lot of things, and don't regret the things I avoided! LOL.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

 I would be a famous singer, naturally. ;) Really? I have no idea. Maybe something in advertising? I find how you sell products to people and what entices them to buy things pretty fascinating.

What quote or personal saying do you live by? Who said it? 'And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love' That's 1 Corinthians 13:13

To finish up, do you have any advice/handy tips/craft skills you'd like to share with unpublished authors?

My biggest tip is: don't be afraid to let your own voice shine through in your books. Don't fall back on things that might be cliché, bring you to your writing.

There's a scene in The Inherited Bride where the heroine and hero are arguing about something menial, and the argument is kind lifted from my real life. It was real to me, and a way to bring my unique perspective on life and relationships into the book.

NOW TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK….

The Inherited Bride is about a princess who's promised to a sheikh. She's done everything she's been asked to do all over very-sheltered life, but as her arranged  marriage approaches she realizes she wants more form life. The chance to pick out her own underwear, tour Paris and try her first hamburger. And who better to guide her, and make sure she's safe, than her future husband's brother, the captain of the guard. But attraction that's impossible and forbidden blooms between them and both Adham and Isabella have to make the choice between duty and desire.

Princess Isabella was certain of three things…
She desperately didn’t want to marry the Sheikh to whom she wa s betrothed…

There was more to the darkly handsome, dark-hearted desert stranger
escorting her back to the altar than met the eye…

And, having kissed the stranger once, she was never going to be the same
again…

Thanks for sharing your insights about writing and some fun facts about your life, Maisey, it's been a honor having you here.

And folks, to connect with Maisey, check out her fun and sometimes serious craft posts over here. Her FACEBOOK page always have some sassy updates. And for more flirty fun connect with her on Twitter!

The goodness doesn't end there though, folks. Maisey has generously donated a copy of THE INHERITED BRIDE to one lucky person.

All you have to do is “LIKE” her FB page and leave a comment or question for Maisey and you'll go into the draw for this book.