Thursday, September 1, 2011

Today's Special - - Cathy Maxwell

It's our pleasure to welcome one of the nicest people in the romance world to The Romance Dish today. You can't be in this woman's presence for more than a minute without smiling. It's just not possible. Please say hello to Cathy Maxwell! A New York Times Best Selling Author, Cathy has published twenty-five delicious historical romances and four novellas, including her wonderful August 30th release, THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL.  Along with writing, her diverse background includes six years in the U.S. Navy, including a tour with Naval Intelligence, television news and working at the Pentagon.  She's fascinated by the Regency period and says writing romance is a way to express her belief that "loving well is the greatest adventure of all."  I'd add on to that by saying reading a Cathy Maxwell novel is a great adventure too!  Please extend Cathy a very warm welcome to The Romance Dish!



A New, VERY IMPORTANT Kind of Marketing.

First off, Gannon, PJ, Buffie, Andrea! I’m so glad to be here. Thanks for inviting me to join y’all for a spell.

Okay, the most important news about my new book THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL doesn’t have anything to do with the book, but about the meaning behind the K.I.S.S. and Teal label on the book’s cover. Avon Books has donated $25,000 to ovarian cancer research and has also committed to donating 25¢ from the sale of each book, physical and eBook, in the "K.I.S.S. and Teal" promotion between 8/30/2011 and 2/28/2012, up to an additional $25,000 toward programs that support ovarian cancer patients and their families. More important, the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are printed on the back page of every September book.

How did Avon Books get involved in promoting awareness of ovarian cancer? Avon Editorial Director Carrie Feron lost a family friend to this cancer and super-bestselling writer Eloisa James lost her mother. They were talking and realized there wasn’t enough being done to promote awareness--and it is such a killer. Of the 21,000 women who will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, 15,000 will die because the cancer has been discovered too late. It is important we learn the signs and share them.

For your information, those signs are: bloating; pelvic and abdominal pain; difficulty eating or feeling full quickly; and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency). I know, I know, too common, right? You are correct. But if you are feeling any of those symptoms on a daily basis, please, get yourself to a doctor. Or in historical terms, hie thee to a doctor! 

I know you are busy. I know you are juggling far too many tasks and heading into the doc for bloating isn’t something you want to do right now. I know money is tight. But please do it anyway. Think about the statistics--15,000 out of the 21,000 diagnosed with ovarian cancer will not survive. Better the doc tells you it is nothing to worry about than finding yourself one of the 15,000 ovarian cancer patients who will not beat this disease. 

This isn’t the first time Avon Books has tied promoting awareness of a charitable organization with marketing. Last Christmas, if a reader brought a toy for Toys for Tots to Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA, she received a free copy of my book HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE. Avon also made donations to the humane society when readers purchased one of Liz Carlyle’s books. I love this form of marketing. Not only does a reader have a book, she’s also helping a good cause.

Oh, yes, and one of the September writers, Stephanie Laurens used to be a cancer researcher specializing in ovarian cancer before she became the fabulous, best-selling author she is today.





Ready to talk about my book? First question, is it my imagination or is that Jon Bon Jovi on the cover?

People wonder if I have any input in the cover art. I can, but I leave most of the decisions up to the fabulous Tom Egner and his staff. I think Avon has very distinctive covers. Usually, they start the trends. You’ll see a design layout on an Avon cover and within a few months, all the other publishers are copying it. Then, Tom changes it up again.

THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL is the last book of my “Scandal and Seductions” series. Corinne was a character in HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE. She is betrothed to Lord Freddie Sherwin, the man of her father’s dreams. Corinne can’t stand the man, no matter what her father says. Of course that means she must run away, be shot, risk capture by a highwayman, and do a bit of robbery herself . . . but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

I had a great time writing her story. If I have a trademark, I think it is humor mixed with a healthy dose of what makes life meaningful.

I hope you adore THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL and I especially pray that you share the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer with all the women you know and love. 



Cathy, thanks so much for visiting with us today to talk about your wonderful new book and share the very important K.I.S.S. and Teal message. Do you have a question for our readers today?

Lord Freddie Sherwin is the man of Corinne's father's dreams--but not hers. Anyone else have the experience of Mr. or Miss Right for the parents is wrong, wrong, wrong for you? 

Ooh, good question!  I bet we've all been there.  I know I have!  One randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's blog will win a copy of Cathy's new book, THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL!

You can get more information about Cathy by visiting her at her website and on Facebook.

 ~PJ

57 comments:

  1. I have been reading about the "K.I.S.S. and Teal" campaign all over the book-world internet. A brilliant way to highlight such an important cause.

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  2. Congrats to Cathy on the new release. I think most of us have experienced our parents not liking the one we thought was Mr. or Miss Right. You thought he was the best, but everyone hated him.

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  3. I think its a great thing that Avon is doing with the K.I.S.S and Teal. It's an extremely noble cause.

    Cathy congratulations on the release of your latest book. It sounds like a fabulous read.

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  4. Kudos to Avon. I have certainly been there where the guy I thought was perfect was a disaster to my parents. And truth be told, they were so right. Parental insight even if we don't agree at the time.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  5. Breezing through to say "Good Morning" or "Good Evening" to everyone!

    Welcome, Cathy! It's so great to have you with us at The Romance Dish today. I loved your new book!!!

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  6. If I married to please my mother I would never have been married, she didn't like any of them.

    I can't wait to read this and see if Corinne becomes a Highwaywomen herself or just aides and abets.

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  7. Congrats on your newest release, Cathy!

    I have to say I've never had a Mr. Wrong experience yet, but you never know what might happen.

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  8. My parents were, thankfully, pretty quiet where boyfriends were concerned. Now with my own daughter dating it is tough to keep my mouth closed but I try to be diplomatic even when my opinion is directly asked.

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  9. Good morning, Cathy! It's sure to be a fun day with you here. :-)

    I think the K.I.S.S. and Teal is a wonderful campaign. We have a friend who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 10 years ago and she's still going strong, despite a few recurrences. She always says she's a miracle patient, because the doctors gave her less than a year to live.

    I'm laughing about your Jon Bon Jovi comment. It completely looks like him! *g*

    Lucky for me my parents always loved my hubby and my in-laws felt the same about me. I do know people who had the opposite, though. Must be difficult.

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  10. Marybelle, it is such a great way to spread the word about such an important issue, isn't it?!

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  11. Jane, I had a boyfriend my parents liked, but the thought of me marrying him practically gave them hives. Good thing I didn't. LOL

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  12. I think its a great thing that Avon is doing with the K.I.S.S and Teal. It's an extremely noble cause.

    It really is, Sonali.

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  13. Parental insight even if we don't agree at the time.

    Carol L., it's a gift, I think. My mom could always tell if someone was bad news, whether it be a friend or boyfriend. I'm pretty much the same way now. ;-)

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  14. If I married to please my mother I would never have been married, she didn't like any of them.

    LOL @ Dianna. Sometimes mother doesn't know best, I guess. *g*

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  15. I have to say I've never had a Mr. Wrong experience yet, but you never know what might happen.

    Antonia, here's hoping you only find Mr. Right. :-)

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  16. Now with my own daughter dating it is tough to keep my mouth closed but I try to be diplomatic even when my opinion is directly asked.

    Maureen, once we are the parents it's difficult to hold our tongues. I can relate.

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  17. *waving* Hi, Cathy!! We are so happy to have you back with us. COngrats on your newest release and its tie to the KISS and TEAL campaign!

    My parents didn't like any of the "Mr. Right now"s I dated until I started dating the man who is now my husband...and he was definitely Mr. Right!

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  18. Congrats on the new release & being part of KISS & Teal. I have to admit I was always lucky in that my parents never tried to influence my or my siblings romantic relationships. just offered support & loved us.

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  19. Wonderful charities! Your book sounds fantastic!

    I've been married for 34 years so luckily I didn't follow my mom's direction.

    My mom had two men that she pushed on me. One ended up in jail for bid rigging and the other has numerous health issues causing him to be unable to work.

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  20. Congrats on the new book release Cahty! Love the K.I.S.S. and Teal Campaign- it's a great idea and such a good cause. As for the questino about Mr. Right for the parents being wrong for me...oh yeah...have unfortunately experienced this several times and perhaps that is why I am still single...the ones I like they hate and the ones they like I hate..lol..but I do enjoy looking....lol

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  21. I love the KISS and Teal campaign. I reminds us as woman to not forget about getting our yearly exam and doing breast exams. I do it often because a couple of aunts had breast cancer and get a yearly check-up because my grandmother died of ovarian cancer. Another aunt also had ovarian, but she beat it. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  22. Hi Cathy! Great to see you here at the Dish. I have already bought a few books from authors who are involved with the "K.I.S.S. and Teal" campaign. I am happy to do my small part to support this great and worthy cause. :)

    As to the question at hand, fortunately, I haven't gotten to the point where my parents are trying to fix me up with "the perfect guy" or who they see as the perfect guy. But that day may not be long off. I was recently asked when I was going to get married. ::Sigh::

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  23. Please enter me, as the book sounds so good!

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  24. Hello -

    Did perhaps my parents called and to tell you that even as a child I never listened to my parents? Not only did they not approve they were shall we say unhappy?

    The best advice I never took and just so you know my husband and I celebrated our 41st anniversay this year!

    My thanks to Cathy and all the other authors who are supporting the K.I.S.S and Teal campaign. My best friend Sheilah died from ovarian cancer. She loved reading so much that she became a Manager of a bookstore supporting the love of reading in children as well as supporting authors with wonderful booksignings and promotions. She is sadly missed but used her years wisely in teaching others about learning more about this deadly disease. I miss her still.

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  25. just offered support & loved us.

    That is the most important thing, gamistress66!

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  26. Congratulations on 34 years of wedded bliss, Laurie G! Wow, sounds like you made the right decision!

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  27. but I do enjoy looking....lol

    LOL, Maria! Even us married gals enjoy looking, Maria. That's why I enjoy Buffie's Hot Dish so much!

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  28. Chris, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, so campaigns like this mean a lot to me, too!

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  29. Oh, Lisa, just wait until you do get married. Then the question will be, when are you having kids? and then when will you have another?. It's always something, isn't it? lol

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  30. niteofblu, it does sound good, doesn't it?

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  31. Congrats on 41 years, Jeanne M!! That is awesome!

    I'm so sorry for your loss. Your best friend sounds like such a lovely lady and left behind a wonderful legacy!

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  32. My mom liked most my boyfriends so I was lucky. Funny though the one I ended up hating she loved. I told her to date him instead. She was not happy with that! LOL! Thanks for sharing with us today!

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  33. I just love the K.I.S.S and Teal campaign. I think it's great to bring awareness to such an important cause.

    I can't wait to read this book. I am such a big fan of all of Cathy's books and I especially can't wait to read this one.

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  34. Congratulations on the new release and thanks for bringing awareness to this disease. Someone very dear to me had it.

    As to your question, thankfully I haven't run into a Mr. Right who is completely wrong.

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  35. Hello Cathy,
    THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL sounds terrific and congratulations on it's release. I have been reading a lot about Avon's "K.I.S.S. and Teal." Good on Avon for this wonderful promotion amd matching funds progam for a supremly worthy cause.

    This is one of the reasons I enjoy the Romance Dish so very much. You are always right on top of the latest and best in romance writing as well as providing relevent information to your readers. In this case it is important and possibly live saving news.

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  36. congrats on your new release. None of my family liked my Husband. But they are stuck because we have been married for 14 years and hopefully many more.

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  37. Now, as for my Mr. Right; my mother can spot a winner or looser at first sight! The Winner was a great guy and I liked him very much, just not in THAT way. The looser was someone I really thought was THE ONE. She hated him. Later I found out he was Gay. To quote Seinfeld: "not that there's anything wrong with that." Meanwhile, Mr. Wrong would not go away. We dated off and on for a few years. As I slowly got to know him, I began to see what a wonderful man he is; I started to feel THAT way about him!
    We have been married 33 years. I like to say that he chased me for 5 years, until I caught him. Mother did know best!

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  38. I love that Avon is doing the K.I.S.S. and Teal campaign. I have already got one of the books and will be getting the rest during the next month or so. Great cause, great books.

    I never had an experience where my family thought someone was Mr. Right. They never liked my choices, which probably should have told me something. So glad I did not get stuck with one of them longterm. (I could really pick the losers, lol). Still looking for Mr. Right.

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  39. The campaign is a great way to get the message out there.

    I am sure my parents and I agree on certain qualities in a guy, but we probably have different ideas on who would be the right guy for me.

    Can't wait to read the new book, Cathy.

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  40. Cathy ((hugs))!!!! It is so good to have you with us!

    I must say that I am so happy with this campaign by Avon. My sister lost her mother-in-law to ovarian cancer. JoAnn was such a wonderful lady and we all miss her dearly.

    Looking forward to reading your new book!!!

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  41. Funny though the one I ended up hating she loved. I told her to date him instead. She was not happy with that!

    LOL! I can only imagine how well that went over, Johanna. Not!

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  42. I can't wait to read this book. I am such a big fan of all of Cathy's books and I especially can't wait to read this one.

    Danielle, you have a treat waiting for you with this one. This may be one of my all-time favorite books by Cathy. It really is wonderful!

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  43. What a great cause, fantastic! And I LOVE the cover!Lol about Bon Jovi. He fits the hero to a tee, I think.

    It's funny, Karyn but that's the first thing I thought when I saw the cover too...after I stopped drooling enough to think, that is. ;-)

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  44. Congratulations on the new release and thanks for bringing awareness to this disease. Someone very dear to me had it.

    Penfield, I'm so sorry you've experienced this disease first-hand through your friend. So many people have lost loved ones to it.

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  45. This is one of the reasons I enjoy the Romance Dish so very much. You are always right on top of the latest and best in romance writing as well as providing relevent information to your readers. In this case it is important and possibly live saving news.

    Thanks, Flora. We do our best! :)

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  46. None of my family liked my Husband. But they are stuck because we have been married for 14 years and hopefully many more.

    The one who's opinion is most important is you, Rebekah. I do home they come around eventually though!

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  47. As I slowly got to know him, I began to see what a wonderful man he is; I started to feel THAT way about him!
    We have been married 33 years.


    Flora, tell him I'm glad he stuck around long enough for you to develop "those feelings." He's a total sweetheart and a definite keeper!

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  48. June M said, I love that Avon is doing the K.I.S.S. and Teal campaign. I have already got one of the books and will be getting the rest during the next month or so. Great cause, great books.

    It's a wonderful campaign and I'm so glad they're doing it. I'll be adding my dollars too, especially with the fabulous books that are "wearing" that teal ribbon!

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  49. Thanks for stopping by, Kasey. Hope you enjoy Cathy's new book. It's a winner!!

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  50. KISS & Teal is so important - Thank you for participating in it. I've enjoyed several of your books & look forward to reading more.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  51. My parents didn't have a choice for me to marry, but they sure weren't happy with the choice I made. I guess they were right after all, but what did I know when I was 17, even though I thought I knew it all.
    I'm looking forward to reading The Seduction of Scandal, it sounds fabulous. And I love the promotion, what a great cause.

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  52. I loved His Christmas Pleasure. I'm so glad to know The Seduction of Scandal is releated. Of course, having (why, yes, it is!) Jon Bon Jovi on the cover can't hurt the new book.

    I never really had the Mr. Right is Wrong issue with my parents. It sure is fun to read about, though. Thanks for the interview and for the thought-provoking comments on cancer preparedness.

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  53. When I was about 5 years old my mom had a best friend with a son the same age. She encouraged us to play together and even that young I remember her wanting us to get married. We had to kiss each other briefly for a picture. "Aren't they cute together type of thing..." Didn't like that and burned the evidence, not my guy.

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  54. My parents let me be but they had hopes between my brother and a daughter of one of their friends. My brother wasn't that interested though.

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  55. Lovin' the comments! Sorry to be so late to the party. I had a terrible time signing in. LIfe on the road!
    Here's my story--My mother encouraged me to go out with a guy who turned out to be THE worst Mr. Wrong in the WORLD. For a first date, he took me to a topless bar where the dancer had to feed her own quarters into the jukebox! I was livid--on many different fronts! It was a short date and Mother was never allowed to make suggestions ever again.
    And now you know where my inspiration for the egocentric, crude Freddie comes from . . . :)
    Cathy

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  56. Oh my gosh, Cathy! I've had some bad dates in my life but I think you just trumped them all with that story. What a loser!

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  57. Congrats on your new release!

    My parents left me to make my own decisions on my own. Thank goodness.

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