Maggie Adams is an Amazon Best Selling romance author. Her first book in the
Tempered Steel Series,
Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Amazon’s Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, humor, in November 2014. Since then, she has consistently made the Amazon bestseller 5-star list with her
Tempered Steel Series. Her series has launched the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, into International recognition with sales in Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the UK. She is the recipient of the Dayreader Reviews Best of 2015 for Leather and Lace, the Reader Favorite Award for Something’s Gotta Give in 2016, the Indie Romance Convention Romantic Comedy Award 2017 for Forged in Fire and the 2017 New Apple Awards nomination –
Suspense for Cold as Ice.
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About the Book
“Lady, if I were you, I’d get the hell away from here ‘cause when I make it up this hill, I’m gonna be looking for you.”
Lucky Coalson’s luck has run out. His ex-wife turned out to be a con artist; his business is in a shambles, and he’s been tossed into a muddy river by a smart assed feminist with a chip on her shoulder. Things couldn’t get much worse…or so he thought.
When Lucky’s accused of murdering his ex-wife, the Coalson family enlists the help of a private investigator to gather the clues necessary to prove his innocence. Little did they know that Renee Morgan is the same woman that sent Lucky scrambling up a sodden river bank at the height of a storm.
The two square off immediately, but Renee’s admiration of the Coalson family, despite her dislike of Lucky, is the deciding factor in her acceptance of the job. And although Lucky bristles every time she speaks, he grudgingly respects her intelligence and savvy skills as a private investigator.
As the hunt for the killer escalates, the two find they are not the only ones looking for the mysterious assassin. And the other people are more than willing to take out anyone that gets in their way, including those that Lucky and Renee hold dear to their hearts.
In a moment of passion that rocks them to the core, they realize their love may be forged in fire, but both have been badly burned by past lovers, and too stubborn to admit the truth. Can they find a way around their fears, or will Lucky’s ex-wife continue to plague him from the grave?
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Keep reading for an interview with the author:
What genres do you write?
I have written just about everything from sweet romance to horror, but I love to write contemporary romance with an edge. By that, I mean twists of comedy, suspense, erotica, paranormal, or issues of relevance in today's society. Most of my work is a combination of many of the above, but I guess romantic comedy is my favorite to write because it flows easily for me. I'm a walking, talking "I Love Lucy" sitcom according to my husband!
Is there a genre that you've been wanting to experiment with?
I'm starting a paranormal spinoff series to my popular
Tempered Steel Series which is also set in Grafton, Illinois. The Plains Indians were prevalent in the area, and many legends have evolved surrounding the animals and spirits in near the Mississippi River. My Legends series will delve into that.
What is the quirkiest thing you've ever done while writing?
I make my family play out the scenes in the living room so I can figure out the dynamics of the what ifs. My daughter has been "shot", son has been "stabbed", and my husband has careened around both of them as a gun-toting assassin on a motorcycle. They are so supportive, they take it all in stride.
What authors have most influenced you?
Oh, so many! I first fell in love with historical romance thanks to Kathleen Woodiwiss and her "Flame and the Flower" is still one of my favorites; my friend introduced me to Amanda Quick's work and the fact that she can write a story from a historical setting, then continue the thread into contemporary and futuristic, is amazing! My favorite authors now are Lexi Blake and Shayla Black, both fabulous writers and very nice women.
What are your goals as an author?
I would like to make a consistent living as an author. I think I can get there. I'm not really into titles as such, so the whole NY Times Best-Seller isn't really a goal, but if folks know who I am because a friend or colleague recommended my book...well that is worth so much more to me! That's where I'd like to be in five years.
What is the best compliment you've ever received as an author?
A young woman wrote to me that my series helped her during her chemotherapy treatments. Whenever she felt she couldn't keep her optimism up, or the pain was intense, she would reread on of my books, whichever she felt was appropriate to the situation she was feeling. I was so amazed and humbled by that. As an author, you hope to bring in your readers, but that letter took me to a whole other level of pride and compassion for those that love my books.
I was so touched, I sent her the entire series in paperback.
Have you ever had a particularly harsh critique?
Yes. I had a woman trash
Whistlin' Dixie for it's "sugary sweet homespun silliness". She also made critical comments about me as an author and the "rather unintelligent people that read this sort of stuff." I was incensed on behalf of my fans. It's one thing not to like the book - okay, I can handle that; I can even handle a personal attack, but my fans? NO WAY!!! So I politely wrote to the blog where the review was printed, and asked that they remove the part about my fans. They were apologetic and removed the entire post. I was satisfied with that.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, and you could only have five books with you, what would they be?
- The Bible - every time I read it, I get something new
- The works by Alexander Dumas - his adventures are legendary and include all the points I love to read.
- The Joy of Cooking - because I need to know how to cook fish.
- The Boy Scouts Handbook - because I have no idea how to survive anywhere!
- Whistlin' Dixie - because it all started here and I can continue it in my head!
What book or series do you enjoy reading over and over again?
The Masters of Menage by Lexi Blake and Shayla Black
How many books do you have on your "to read" list?
I have too many!!! That's the thing about being an author. You have to write, so no time to read! I need to read The last four new books by Lexi Blake in her Masters and Mercenaries series; Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz' stuff for the last three years; and so many indie authors I can't even begin!
Do you prefer ebooks, print or both?
I love print, especially hardback. The feel of it in your hands, the smell of the pages, I know I'm weird! But, my love of books started early, so I just can't help it!
What made you decide to self-publish?
lol 177 rejections from traditional publishers! They were kind but most said they didn't know where to put me as my books aren't just romance - they have more.
Do you write about real life experiences, or does everything come from your imagination?
Actually, my
Tempered Steel Series is based on the flood of Grafton, Il, in 1993. My relatives lived there and we had just moved from there. It was devastating, and the clean up was tough, but the folks there were determined to rebuild the village and make it bigger and better than ever. And they did. I had to write about it, and, of course, give it a romantic twist because I'm a hopeless romantic!
Do you ever base your characters on people you know?
The Tempered Steel Series is based on my husband and his brothers! I took one good trait and one not-so-good trait from each of them and put it into the characters of the brothers in the series. To this day, they argue over which character they are!
What are you working on now?
I'm writing a humorous fiction novel for women based on a 40 something divorcee', who has spent her life in that "mom/wife" bubble and has no idea how to go about finding work, romance, and friends in this new tech society. It's called, "Minx", and should be out late 2018.
What inspired your current work?
A conversation of "what-ifs" with my husband. After being married for over 30 years, it's inconceivable to not have my partner. We got into this conversation because we were talking about retirement and my imagination took over.
Do you have anything specific you'd like to say to your readers?
Thank for from the bottom of my heart. When I feel doubtful of my work, you are there to cheer me on; when I need help getting the word out, I know I can count on your support; when I release each new book, you are there to share in my happiness. I couldn't do this without you. You made Me believe!
