One of my favorite book themes is reunited lovers and you get just that with Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake by Cate Masters. Keep reading to get a taste of this sensual and heartwarming tale of the renewal of hope through love as well as getting to know its author a bit better through an interview. You can learn even more about this book by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Make sure to fill out the form below for your chance to win a Decadent Publishing backlist title too!
It's time to Welcome Ms. Masters.......
TSP: Knowing what you do now about the publishing business, would you have done anything different career-wise?
CM: Writers can never help asking ‘what if’, lol. But I doubt that I’d have done it differently. I’ve been extremely lucky to work with some fantastic publishers and editors, and I’m happy my work is out in the world. Readers and reviewers have given my stories wonderful feedback, so I feel I have a strong foundation now. I’m always looking for ways to grow my writing.
TSP: What does your writing space look like and do you surround yourself with any particularly inspirational items?
CM: Messy! But that’s the sign of a creative person, isn’t it? Yes, let’s go with that, lol. Over the years, I’ve collected several writing totems – the dragon is from the Pearl S. Buck House, where I went to collect a first place award for my short story. The Sergeant Pepper’s music box commemorates my first record I ever bought, and first band I fell in love with. The crystal tree and paperweight are made from amethyst, my birth stone. I’ve had the cloisonne paperweight for years, and Gumby dances for me when I need comic relief. And who can say no to Nathan Fillion, the Avengers and Loki?
TSP: Your books cover an assortment of genres, do you have a favorite genre to write in?
CM: Not really. I follow the story wherever it takes me. I’ve had more fantasy/paranormal published, so I suppose that means that genre calls to me more often. But to me, it’s more about telling a good story, regardless of genre.
TSP: Beyond its synopsis, what do you want us to know about Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake?
CM: The story takes place between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, but it’s not a traditional holiday story. It’s more a love story, so readers can enjoy it any time of year. It launched a new Blue Moon series, linked by theme and tone rather than characters. In every story, though, the characters are among the most realistic I’ve written, and I think the most compelling. It’s also a story about second chances, having that rare opportunity to right a past wrong and change your life’s course.
TSP: Which of your books would you like to see made into a movie and who would play the main couple?
CM: All of them! Lol Probably because they play in my head like movies while I write. I started a series on my blog called Casting Call to show who “starred” in those movies. For Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake, you can see most of them here:http://catemasters.
TSP: Of all the heroes you've written, who's the most heroic in your opinion?
CM: Ooo, tough question. I fall in love with all my heroes! For sheer heroism, I’d have to go with Bruno from Cursed, Charmed and Claimed, who had to overcome both external challenges while controlling his inner monster.
TSP: How has the digital revolution affected your career and how you market yourself? Do you have an eReader yourself?
CM: Considering most of my books are digital, I’m all in favor of it! There are downsides to all aspects of publishing. For digital, authors have to contend with illegal downloads/sharing, which has a terribly negative impact on the writer’s profits.
I try not to over-market my books because it gets old quick for readers, so I try to keep it about new releases, sales or other special news. I love connecting with readers on Facebook, my blog, newsletter and wherever I can.
I have a Kindle and love it, though the 1-click purchase can be a dangerous thing sometimes!
TSP: My site's all about favorite things, so what are your favorite things/the things you can't live without?
CM: My hubby’s been my biggest supporter, and I definitely couldn’t do without him. My grandboys have brought new energy into my world (a little too literally sometimes!). I love to play around with photography, and the world would be a dismal place without music.
Sierra O’Brien and Carter Grove have a lot of history—and regrets between them. Their high school romance didn’t survive after he went away to college. Despite tremendous business success, Carter never found another woman like Sierra and has two failed marriages to prove it. Sierra’s luck wasn’t much better, but after being widowed, she heads back to Bliss to plan her future. The last thing either expected was to run into each other or to reconnect to the magic that once drew them together.
Can Sierra and Carter make it work this time or are they doomed to repeat the past and let the same mistakes drive them apart? In Bliss, the inexplicable is an everyday occurrence, and anything is possible—especially during a blue moon.
EXCERPT:
Ensconced in soft down, Sierra floated down from her dreams, the one place she always found safety. Her body acknowledged the bed, the sunshine stinging her eyes drawing her back toward reality. Reluctantly, she pried open one then blinked both open. After a moment of confusion, she knew where she was: home. In Bliss.
Dreams of Carter had helped make the night blissful, too. While she rose and puttered around, making the bed, a vivid image of him stayed in her mind. How the heck had a decade improved his looks? Carter 2.0. Oh yeah, he’d love that, with all his cutting-edge technological developments, he’d become one of Steve Jobs’ main competitors. Unlike Jobs, Carter’s sharp, professional appearance lent an unapproachable air, the expensive suit he’d worn the day before cut so well to his figure it looked tailor-made. It probably was. The soft fabric had surprised her. So had the taut muscles beneath the suit. Carter kept himself in shape. He had everything in life he could possibly need. A pang of regret sliced through her.
Or did he? She headed to the bathroom and twisted the faucet knob. Steam began to fill the small bathroom as she stepped inside the shower. It hadn’t escaped her notice when Forbes listed him in its Top 40 Under 40. She’d been happy for his success, but something about those media photos grabbed her attention, and she lingered over them. His smile appeared too rehearsed, empty of happiness. Sometimes pictures showed a woman clinging to him, her embrace cloying and possessive rather than loving.
Toweling off, she tried to remember his current wife’s name. It escaped her; he’d married at least twice. A bitter chuckle escaped and she wiped the mirror free of steam a little harder than necessary. And you thought you were the love of his life. Obviously, he didn’t have one—he had many.
She frowned at her hazy reflection. After reading another article she’d run across online in some pretentious magazine like Architectural Digest, she’d questioned whether she ever really knew the man. His wife—Barbara, maybe?—had had their initials monogrammed on everything throughout their McMansion. A beautiful place, but cold. Overbearing. Nothing like the boy she’d once loved.
You’re not exactly the same girl either. Gaunt face, pale skin, and dark circles beneath her eyes. Not for long. Carter had made his mark on the world and she intended to do the same. Much smaller than his, of course, but she didn’t need to conquer the universe. A state or two might be nice, though.
“Oh, Carter.” He’d left his mark on her, too. Ten years melted away when she’d seen him the day before, the two minutes leaving a vivid impression. Throughout the night, in the haze of sleep, memories of the two years they’d shared filled her with sublime happiness. How bright the future had appeared then.
She straightened. It will be. A little late, but starting over would give her the opportunity to make it better this time.
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Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat ChairmanMaiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.......
WEBSITE: http://catemasters.
EMAIL: cate.masters@gmail.com
TWITTER: @CateMasters
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Thanks very much for featuring Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for being here! I LOVE the sound of your new release as its storyline is a favorite of mine!
DeleteThe Scarf Princess
So great to hear, thank you :)
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