Joining us today is Kate Watterson. Ms. Watterson has an extensive backlist and she also publishes under the pen names Emma Wildes and Katherine Smith. Ms. Watterson is stopping by to chat with us today about her latest Samhain, Reckless Territory, an erotic historical ménage that hit virtual bookshelves this past Tuesday.
Kathy: I find it very interesting that you publish under a variety of pen names. Could you give us a little insight into why you write under different names?
Ms. Watterson: Well, Emma writes Regencies and that was how I broke into publishing. However, I love to read (and write) other genres and I didn’t want a historical reader to buy an Emma Wildes novel and not realize they were getting a western or a mystery. So I decided to switch it out by using different pen names. It’s a lot of fun to change gears.
Kathy: You also publish with many different publishers. How do you decide which publisher to submit your novels to? Is there a reason why you would select one publisher over another?
Ms. Watterson: Different publishers offer different advantages. In a career sense, it also seemed better to diversify a little as we all know the publishing world has gone through some dramatic changes in the past few years. I like the flexibility of small houses and the strength of the big New York Publishers. It depends on the book and the vision of whether or not it has series potential. My agent is really fabulous and I definitely defer to her for the latter.
Kathy: You write both contemporary and historical romances. Do you prefer one time period over another?
Ms. Watterson: Wow, tough one. I love…almost everything. To read and to write, because all authors started out as readers after all. I’m not a huge fan of straightforward Sci-fi or sweet inspirational novels, though if the story is there, hey, I’ll read anything. So I guess the answer is no
Kathy: What types of books do you enjoy reading? Do your choices as a reader influence you as a writer?
Ms. Watterson: I read a lot of mysteries. I read a lot of romances…westerns also really intrigue me, but my answer above still stands. I’ve even written some futuristic as
Annabel Wolfe, but they are pretty sexy.
Kathy: What inspires your storylines? Are your characters strictly from your imagination? Do you see yourself in any of your heroines?
Ms. Watterson: I don’t know that any author can say a part of them doesn’t surface now and again. Me exactly? No, but I love independent heroines who don’t need rescued at every turn, can think for themselves, and are unwilling to compromise when it comes to how to love and how to live their lives. In that respect, historical is more of a challenge. Women didn’t have as many choices then.
Kathy: There is nothing worse than the “too stupid to live heroine”, so a big thank you for giving us such strong heroines!!
As a reader, there are some characters that I become so invested in that I hate to see their stories end. As an author, do you have characters and novels that are hard to let go?
Ms. Watterson: As a reader, I totally agree with you! As an author, I find it interesting that the single most asked question in fan mail is if there is going to be a sequel, sometimes for a character I never had any idea would make such an impact. Damien Northfield in Lessons From a Scarlet Lady is a perfect example. The mail just poured in asking for his story. So I told it in Twice Fallen. It was a delight to make him meet his match.
Kathy: Can you tell us a little bit about Reckless Territory?
Ms. Watterson: I admit to having a weakness for westerns and sexy cowboys. Yeah, I really do. So I thought…well, what if a proper English lady found herself stranded in the American West, unprepared, abandoned, destitute…and thought how intriguing it would be if she was rescued by three outlaws who had absolutely no idea what to do with a woman with an aristocratic background but no skills of survival. They all confounded each other, and the result was a lot of fun for me. Er… for them as well
Kathy: I am looking forward to reading it!
What projects are you currently working on? What does your publishing schedule for 2012 look like at this point?
Ms. Watterson: In August, The Third Duke’s the Charm (Ladies in Waiting series) will be out from NAL, and in September the first book in a new Regency series, Ruined by Moonlight, will be released from Emma Wildes with Signet Eclipse also. Then, and I am really delighted by this, at the end of the year, Kate Watterson has a thriller/suspense novel that is also the first in a series, Frozen, out from Tor/Forge. Though a warning; it is really isn’t a romance, but serial killer novel with some dark romantic overtones.
Kathy: Ooh, I am looking forward to your upcoming books, and I am especially intrigued by Froze.
I have enjoyed chatting with you today. Is there anything else you would like to share with us before you go?
Ms. Watterson: Thanks so much for having me here! I’ve really enjoyed it. I love to get letters from readers. Please, don’t be shy and feel free to write to me. I answer all my mail myself, though it might take a few days.
Kathy: Ms. Watterson, congratulations on your new release and thank you so much for visiting with us today. Feel free to drop by anytime you happen to be in the neighborhood.
For more information, please visit Ms. Watterson’s website.
To celebrate the release of Reckless Territory and Ms. Watterson’s visit here today, I am giving away a digital copy of Reckless Territory to one lucky commenter.
Title: Reckless Territory by Kate Watterson
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Historical, Romance, Red Hots!, Menage
Length: Category
Summary:
When desire collides with danger, rope up and hang on for the ride.
Lady Victoria Mead cannot believe fate has been so cruel to her yet again. First, her father squandered the family fortune and died in the process. Now, her quest to secure a future in America has been foiled by an attack on her wagon train, leaving her alone and half-naked in the wilderness.
Her only hope lies in three outlaws who seem to have absolutely no idea what to do with the proper daughter of an English earl.
Ranching partners Cole, Jace and Robert can handle any threat with cool, swift precision. But when it comes to the gloriously lovely Lady Victoria, who seems to have no discernible survival skills, they’re in the dark.
Underneath Victoria’s fragile exterior lies an inner resilience they all come to admire—and a deep well of sensuality that tempts them to offer her a permanent place in their home, their beds…and their hearts.
Product Warnings: Strong sexual content, multiple partners, Western bad boys, Western bad language and some mild violence
Ms. Watterson is giving away one print copy of Beautiful Triad by Kate Watterson or Untamed by Emma Wildes (winner’s choice) to one lucky commenter:
Title: Beautiful Triad by Kate Watterson
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, Multiple Partner, Suspense
Length: 56,561 words
Summary:
[PolyAmour: Erotic Multiple Partner Romantic Suspense, M/F/M]
Drew Fletcher is one hot, young pilot with no roots and no rules. Toss in his best friend, Rob Hanson, and Lauren’s vacation in the wooded beauty of the Smoky Mountains takes confusion to new heights. She finds Drew with his reckless smile devastatingly attractive. But Rob is all too close, and with his sensitivity and dark good looks, she isn’t sure how to act. Nice girls can’t be so attracted to two men…can they?
Lauren Hanes is intelligent, gorgeous, and everything else a man could want. For months Rob and Drew have pretended nothing is wrong, but neither of them is fooling the other one. As if tensions weren’t high enough, a woman has disappeared from the area and local authorities are afraid she might be a murder victim.
Two friends, the woman they both desire, and a possible serial killer cross paths, and someone might just end up dead…
Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among the men.
“I love suspense. Throw in two reckless and attractive young men, a remote setting, some danger, and an intelligent, resourceful heroine, and well, let’s just say I had fun writing this one. I hope you all enjoy!” ~ Kate ~
Title: Untamed by Emma Wildes
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Historical, Romance, Red Hots!
Length: 256 pages
Summary:
In the untamed old West…
Riding West
Just take her. Parker West is frustrated after courting Celia Evans for years. When he decides to take matters into his own hands, things get explosive. Celia isn’t one to come along quietly and he realizes he is in for the fight of his life but the prize will be worth it if he can just win the fiery woman of his dreams…
Lawless
He’s wanted. Cal Riker is a lawless renegade on the run, charged in Texas for the murder of a judge, and the last man any innocent young woman should love. But when he rescues Laurel Daniels from an outlaw gang, one dangerous gunslinger finds himself defenseless…
Product Warnings: Strong sexual content, lawless handsome bad boys, language, some mild violence.
To enter today’s Friday’s Feature contest:
You must do two of the following:
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Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:
5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.
And don’t forget to:
6. Leave a comment this post telling me which print book (Beautiful Triad or Untamed) you would like to win by 5 PM Mountain Time Sunday March 4th. Each commenter will automatically be entered in the contest to win Reckless Territory.
It’s that easy! The winners will be announced Monday March 5th.