Joining me today in The Loft is fellow eXtasy author Maggie Blackbird! An
Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her
husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s
not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge
lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course,
fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house.
The avatar for author Maggie Blackbird
S: Welcome, Maggie! I am so happy you could join me today!
Tell me, why did you become a writer?
M: I became a writer because I have to write. It’s that simple. (Laughs.) I write whether I publish or not. So I thought, “If I’m doing all of this writing, why not see if I can make a career out of it.” I have the wonderful eXtasy Books author V.J. Allison to thank for introducing me to eXtasy Books.
S: (Nods.) V.J. is a wonderful friend to have in the book world. She is very supportive of other authors.
What attracts you to the romance genre?
M: I love the build-up and tension of two characters meeting, overcoming the internal or external problems they face that’s keeping them apart, and watching them overcome the hurdles, all in the name of love. There is nothing more romantic than that.
S: (Smiles.) My grandma always told me that true love doesn't just happen, you have to work for it. I enjoy that tension in love stories as well. The willingness to struggle and overcome differences.
Do you write in other genres?
M: Just romance. I’ve read romance since I was about 12 or 13 years old, so it’s a genre I’m very familiar with, writing or reading. If I was to delve into other genres, I’d have a lot to learn first before attempting a book.
S: Well, they do tell you to write what you know, which is why I write about lawyers in love.
Tell me, what’s your definition of romance?
M: I went over to Webster's Dictionary to see how romance is defined as a noun, and there are five answers, with number one having two categories and three sub-categories. So I guess even the world has a hard time defining romance. (Laughs.) I see romance as respect. Two people respecting one another as individuals: Physically, emotionally, mentally, intellectually, and spiritually. To me, that’s about as romantic as you can get.
S: You've just described the components of intimacy, the bond that couples need for love to thrive.
What is your favorite thing about writing romance?
M: Two people with conflicting needs who overcome all the obstacles I place in front of them as a mean ol’ writer, so they can have their Happily Ever After. I love reading it and writing it.
S: (Chuckles.) It is nice to have that kind of control, isn't it? Though sometimes, I think my characters take over and tell the story the way they want it told. They seem to feed me the words that flow from my fingers.
Tell me about the Matawapit Family Series, which is being published by eXtasy Books.
M: Sure. Here's the series description--
In the wilds of Northwestern Ontario, the adult children of a domineering Ojibway church deacon find their faiths crumbling and their beliefs faltering when a vengeful former lover, an ex-fiancé out on parole, and a seductive family enemy challenge Emery, Bridget, and Jude in a duel of love, loyalty, and values that threatens to destroy their perfect Catholic lives and family.
S: Tell me about "Redeemed," the first book in the series.
M: "Redeemed" is Book One in the series and can be read as a standalone. It's a story about a single woman who battles to keep her foster child from his newly-paroled father, a dangerous man she used to love. Here's the blurb--
Bridget Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon, and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.
Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly-paroled. Through counseling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle he’d previously corked. He can’t escape the damage he caused so many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit of forgiveness and a second chance. There’s nothing he isn’t willing to do to win back his son–and Bridget.
When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care, Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this time.
S: That's sounds like a pretty intense love story!
Where can readers buy your book?
M: It's available from all major booksellers, including--
Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/redeemed-maggie-blackbird/1131420357?ean=2940156449866
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/936605
S: You also have a book coming out this fall, "Sanctified." Can you share something about that?
M: "Sanctified" is also part of the Matawapit Family Series. Here's the blurb--
In the midst of a battle for leadership at their Ojibway community, two enemies of opposing families fall in love...
After suffering a humiliating divorce, infuriated Catholic, Jude Matawapit, bolts to his family's Ojibway community to begin a new job--but finds himself thrown into a battle for chief as his brother-in-law's campaign manager. The radical Kabatay clan, with their extreme ideas about traditional Ojibway life, will stop at nothing to claim the leadership position, and rid the reserve of Western culture and its religion once and for all, which not only threatens the non-traditional people of the community, but Jude's chance at a brand-new life he's creating for his children.
Recovering addict, Raven Kabatay, will do anything to win the respect and trust of her older siblings and mother after falling deep into drug addition that brought shame and anger to her family. Not only does she have the opportunity to redeem herself by becoming her brother's campaign manager for chief, if he wins, she'll have the reserve's backing to purchase the goldmine diner where she works--finally making something of herself. But falling in love with the family's sworn enemy--the deacon's eldest son, Jude--will not only betray the Kabatay clan but everything Raven believes in and has worked so hard for.
S: Wow. That sounds like another intense tale!
Maggie, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Maggie and her books, please visit--
M: "Sanctified" is also part of the Matawapit Family Series. Here's the blurb--
In the midst of a battle for leadership at their Ojibway community, two enemies of opposing families fall in love...
After suffering a humiliating divorce, infuriated Catholic, Jude Matawapit, bolts to his family's Ojibway community to begin a new job--but finds himself thrown into a battle for chief as his brother-in-law's campaign manager. The radical Kabatay clan, with their extreme ideas about traditional Ojibway life, will stop at nothing to claim the leadership position, and rid the reserve of Western culture and its religion once and for all, which not only threatens the non-traditional people of the community, but Jude's chance at a brand-new life he's creating for his children.
Recovering addict, Raven Kabatay, will do anything to win the respect and trust of her older siblings and mother after falling deep into drug addition that brought shame and anger to her family. Not only does she have the opportunity to redeem herself by becoming her brother's campaign manager for chief, if he wins, she'll have the reserve's backing to purchase the goldmine diner where she works--finally making something of herself. But falling in love with the family's sworn enemy--the deacon's eldest son, Jude--will not only betray the Kabatay clan but everything Raven believes in and has worked so hard for.
S: Wow. That sounds like another intense tale!
Maggie, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Maggie and her books, please visit--
Website: https://maggieblackbird.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggieblackbirdauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackbirdMaggie/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18176196.Maggie_Blackbird
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Blackbird/e/B07KQP1FFG
Next week in The Loft: Author Holly Bargo!
