Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a full-time writer, mother of three, married, have four dogs, two guinea pigs, two rabbits, ten exotic goldfish, and one big fat red tabby officially named Lenny but fondly referred to as Yenyen. I love to write stories with strong plots, some mystery, lots of conflict, and what takes me on an emotional roller coaster ride so I don’t get bored, but all my books are romances with HEA’s (happily ever afters). I’ve written eight books in the paranormal/contemporary romance genre with a touch of magic. I love strong heroines (even when they’re mousy on the surface) and strong heroes (with big hearts) who have to battle equally strong protagonists (with black hearts) – but who always win the girl. “Geek girl meets popular jock” kind of romances really get my creative juices flowing!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cursed & Coveted is my latest paranormal erotic romance (although the erotic part is subjective considering that it’s written in between purple prose and explicit). I was inspired to originally write it for my son who was, at the time, twenty years old and who enjoyed my paranormal stories (sans erotic scenes). The original title was “Book by Its Cover”, and it’s even mentioned in the first chapter in Cursed & Coveted. When I chose to write this story, I wanted to write one about werewolves and around that time I had seen a Discovery Channel documentary that claimed that the Great Sphinx is ten thousand or more years older than Egyptologists currently believe. I got the idea to write a story of werewolves and werecats based in Ancient Egyptian mythology since Anpu’s original name was Yinepu Iwiw and he was a god with a human body and a “dog” head (iwiw actually means dog) and Bastet was the perfect werecat since she is the goddess with either a lioness head or a cat’s head but a human body. I wanted to write a unique shape-shifter story and I hope I’ve succeeded.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write on different stories, even different genres, at the same time. Although this method always puts me at risk of confusing story lines, it absolutely helps keep the ideas fresh and the inspiration flowing for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (The Flame and the Flower), Stephen King as Richard Bachman (The Long Walk is still my favorite), Judith McNaught (Whitney, My Love), Johanna Lindsey (Brave the Wild Wind), Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice), and Charlotte Bronte (Jane Eyre). I’m an insufferable romantic.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on compiling my twelve book contemporary romance series, Of Vinegar and Honey – about a mousy caregiver who is assigned to a pompous spoiled playboy who’d become a quadriplegic not knowing that the mousy caregiver he hires actually has the power of healing – into a single novel, and rewriting some scenes to make it less edgy and more romantic. I’m also working on the second book to my “The Girl in the Leather Jacket”, a 4-book YA series with the second book entitled “Illuminatus”; the 2nd book to my 3-book vampire paranormal romance series, “Blood, Lust & Spawns”(entitled Blood Lust), and a stand-alone paranormal erotic romance novel, Earth Angel. So, I’m keeping busy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My Catharina Shields’ Romantica Blog. I do all my promotion from there through paperback giveaways and hosting blog hops (there’s one now). I then tweet, facebook, and use google + to promote it. Also, for my genre, Bitten by Romance is a wonderful blog site that helps a lot and so is Laurie’s Thoughts & Reviews. I use these two blogs for book reviews of my books and book promotion. Also, Goodreads allows authors to do giveaways and I’ll soon be using it to do a signed paperback + matching bookmark giveaway for “Cursed & Coveted”, most likely this coming week.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what people want to read. This isn’t my advice, really. It’s advice from New York Times and USA Today bestselling erotica author, Selena Kitt, who has won multiple awards for her writing and has sold over a million books. I guess she knows what she’s talking about because she’s clearly good at what she does.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never look at tomorrow with the eyes of today. My big brother gave me that advice once when I was pretty down in the dumps. It helped me out of it.
What are you reading now?
The manuscript for Of Vinegar and Honey. I don’t like reading other books when I’m writing. It kills my inspiration and prevents me from finishing my books to the point that I’d lose inspiration for up to a year!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning how to promote my books via advertising. That’s a new concept for me but something, I’ve been told, that’s necessary these days for an indie author/publisher. You can write the next Shakespearean novel, but if no one knows about it it won’t go anywhere, will it?
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Long Walk; The Flame and the Flower; Whitney, My Love; Pride and Prejudice and I’m going to be just fine!
Author Websites and Profiles
Catharina Shields Website
Catharina Shields Amazon Profile
Catharina Shields Author Profile on Smashwords
Catharina Shields’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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