UPDATE: Congratulations to B.R. Paulson for winning the ARC of FATED. Thanks to all of the wonderful people who left comments!
All of the Writing with the Stars Finalists should be congratulated! They worked hard and it paid off. I am fortunate to be the mentor to Maeve Greyson, a wonderful lady who writes about seriously hot heroes. We’ve gotten to know each other a bit through the contest, and I’m thankful for our friendship. Today I’d like to post an interview with Maeve so you can see what I mean.
1) Hi Maeve! Congratulations on being a Writing with the Stars Finalist. Why don’t you tell us a bit about your story?
Thank you, Rebecca, for your warm welcome! I’m so thrilled to have finaled in the Writing with the Stars contest with Eternity’s Mark. My heroine Hannah discovers those bedtime stories her grandmother used to tell her are becoming all too real. As the last one fated to save the sacred Draecna race, her only hope of surviving lies in the hands of a handsome brooding warrior. The longer Taggart protects Hannah, the hotter the yearning to make her his mate. But as half a beast and exiled from his land, how could he hope Hannah would accept his secrets and welcome his eternal mark?
2) I know you just returned from traveling in magical lands—tell us about your trip. Do you think it will impact your writing and if so, how?
I’m happy to say I was lucky enough to tour both Scotland and Ireland for a wonderful eleven days. Both countries enriched my soul with glorious countryside and lovely people. In fact, the lands were so magical…I ignored the fact that I broke my foot on the very first day and I limped my way through the lochs and castles. Of course, my husband would call it stubbornness. I prefer to think of it as being so enchanted with the sights that I couldn’t bear to miss a moment of the trip so, I waited until I returned home to see the doctor about a walking cast. Since all my stories are flavored with a “bit of the Celt”, I think now that I’ve actually touched the hallowed ground, I’ll be able to breathe more of the magic of Scotland and Ireland into my tales. I’ve shinnied my way up a twisting castle staircase. I know firsthand the chill of the stones and the whistling of the wind blowing in from the loch.
3) What was your motivation for becoming a writer?
I began writing to provide an escape from reality for my mother when she became seriously ill. Now that she’s gone, I’ve discovered she wasn’t the only one who benefited from escaping the stresses and fears of real life. Disappearing into my fantasy worlds is the best way to end a long day.
4) What is the most challenging aspect of being a writer?
Perseverance. Some days it can be difficult to ignore the negative words and to stifle that wicked little voice inside my head telling me that I should just give up.
5) Do you have any advice for other writers?
Believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.
6) Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’m so thankful to be a part of the Writing with the Stars contest. I’ve met so many wonderful new friends and experienced such an outpouring of camaraderie and warmth. No matter the outcome of the contest, I feel like I’ve already won.
And you can find all of the round one Writing With the Stars entries on the RT Website. Don’t forget to vote!
Now: Maeve just traveled to Ireland and Scotland. How FUN! Where’s the most interesting place you’ve visited and why? I’ll randomly choose one commenter to win both a signed coverflat and ARC of FATED, my debut book from Kensington Brava. The coverflat will be sent immediately, and the ARC will be sent as soon as I get them, which should be soon.
Maeve Greyson writes her paranormal romances tucked away in a five acre sanctuary in western Kentucky. Her husband of over thirty-one years caters to her whims while she pecks away at the keyboard. Her writing partner, Jasper the dog, listens closely for the words “The End”. Because he knows that signals a walk in the woods.
Maeve can also be found here:


Good Morning everyone! By the way, if you’d like to see some great pics of the gorgeous spots I visited, hop on over to my Facebook page at the link listed above. Enjoy and have a great day!
Great interview!Reading was always my escape. Writing became a way of sharing my own escapes. Best of luck!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Gale! Writing AND reading does make the best of escapes.
Wonderful interview, Maeve and Rebecca! I enjoyed the pics you posted at Facebook! The most interesting place I’ve visited is Scotland (for fun and research). Just returned last week. I am a Scotland nut and can’t get enough of the place.
Hi Nicole! I loved Scotland sooo much. I’d go back across the pond in a heartbeat. *sigh* Thanks for stopping by!
Maeve, I hope your travels inspired you with lots more bedtime stories. I recently returned from Ireland myself, a most inspiring place, especially western Mayo, one of my favorites. I voted. Good luck!
Thanks so much for your support, Pat! I read your blog about your latest excursion to Ireland. Isn’t the land sooo beautiful?
Loved the encouraging words about persevering, Maeve. This is a huge obstacle in my life at the moment. Though my husband continues to encourage and push, my self doubts loom insurmountable at times.
I lived in Germany as a kid for a number of years and loved the Bavarian countryside. I was born in Munich so it must come naturally. The quiet of the forests and the draw of the mountains would be enough to sustain me the rest of my life.
You can do it, Jeannene! Don’t ever give up. Your gift with words is great – I’ve enjoyed your blog for awhile now so, I know your book must be even better. It WILL happen.
Maeve, it sounds like a wonderful trip, despite the limping. I’m sure it will make your stories even more powerful. My own special place is Greece. Mary Stewart’s three Greek-set novels started the fascination when I was a teen, and my dream was to visit. Now I’m lucky enough to have been there twice. Once, I wrote much of a romantic suspense novel while traveling in Crete. Still haven’t sold that one! But I do have a book coming out in July that’s set on the Greek islands, so that will be another dream realized.
You are so right about believing in yourself. Writing is great, but becoming published and remaining published is a tough journey, and you travel large parts of it alone (except for the wonderful imaginary friends in your stories). It takes guts, perseverance, and most definitely belief in yourself.
Best of luck on your own journey, Maeve, and in the WWTS contest.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Susan! And I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. I love the architecture and the history stemming from that region. It’s on my “bucket list” as a place to visit.
The architecture and history are great, but so’s the quality of light, the colors, the pace of life – and let’s not forget the food! Hope you make it there one day.
I love Scotland and Ireland too, but my most amazing and magical place was a trip around the Great Ocean Road in Australia. I find it surprising that not as many people are aware of it as Uluru (Ayres Rock), because it’s a non-stop succession of beautiful sights, and always changing with the weather conditions and light. Most of my favourite spots are seaside ones – maybe I’ll have to write a seaside story soon!
Wow Stephanie! I would love to go to Australia. There was an Australian couple in our group in Scotland and they were so nice and had some great pics of their place back home.
I’m with you, Maeve, if I ever get a chance to go anywhere farther than Las Vegas, I’ll struggle along even with a broken foot, or leg, or whatever.
Thanks for stopping by P.L. And there’s nothing wrong with Vegas – I’ve been there twice and had a blast both times!
What a great interview Maeve! I am so sorry to hear about your ankle, but I can definitely understand you not wanting to miss a moment of your trip!!! Congratulations on finaling in the Writing with the stars contest!! You deserve it!!! Wishing you the best of luck!!!
Andrea
Thank you for your kind words, Andrea! I really appreciate you popping in and saying, “Hi!”
Wow! That was a great intervew! And I’m looking forward to traveling the world . Your a insperation
Sorry about your ankle and I hope it gets better
Thanks so much, Danielle! The foot is much better now – just a bit of a bother in this clumbsy boot.
Great interview. Good luck to everyone in the contest.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lynn!
I am so excited to read this book! Your description was excellent! Good luck with the contest!
The most interesting place? I’d have to give two.
One is Scotland – we toured this castle that a hole in the rock high above some cliffs that was used for the toilet… yeah, yuck.
And then there is a place between Montana and Idaho (right on the stateline) called Jerry Johnson Warm Springs. You walk in about a mile and a half and set amongst these boulders is a large creek that wraps around small hot spring pools. A huge rock back a ways has a hole in it like God pushed his thumb in and hot water springs from underground to make a natural hot tub. It is the coolest place! No sulfur smells and lots of hippies! Love the place!
Thanks so much for your kind words, B.R. That “natural” hot tub you described on the stateline between Montana and Idaho sounds HEAVENLY! Definitely worth a look see. Thanks for the info!
The most interesting place I’ve visited? I was lucky enough to be chosen to go on a Girl Scout Wider Opportunity in 1976. This was a wagon train across North Dakota.
I loved that trip. I got to see a part of the country I’d never been in. The scenery was amazing as we rolled across the prairie in our wagon train. I was 15 that summer and it’s a memory I will always keep.
Arwen – that trip across the plains of North Dakota sounds like an awesome experience. We lived in Grand Forks, ND for a year while my husband was in the Air Force. The people are lovely but the weather can be harsh and the wind blows constantly! The country is beautiful, though and it’s always wonderful when you get to visit somewhere new. Thanks for dropping by!