This week in The Loft: Extasy author Maggie Blackbird!

Joining me today in The Loft is Canadian author Maggie Blackbird! An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie writes erotic romance for my publisher, eXtasy Books. She has a beautiful, peaceful setting in which to create her books: She resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two Alaskan Malamutes. Maggie is most known for her series, The Matawapit Family, but is here today to chat about her latest holiday release. 

The avatar for author Maggie Blackbird

S:  Welcome, Maggie! Thanks so much for joining me today. 

Why did you become a writer?

M:  I never became one or tried to become one. It was simply in me, if that makes sense.  Telling stories is a big part of who I am, whether I’m writing down stories using my desktop/laptop, or goofing off with my friends and coming up with some silly story to share with them. 

S:  (Nods.) I think that's true of many writers. Storytelling is simply in our blood. I know for me, the stories just flow naturally. And they never seem to stop!

What attracts you to the romance genre?

M:  What attracted me was the push and pull between the couples. I was quite young when I read my first romance novel, and it fired my imagination. I wanted to tell romantic stories, too. Ones that had two people at odds with each other, who overcome the barriers to be together. And, most important, when reading romance, I’m guaranteed a HFN (happy for now) or HEA (happily ever after). I don’t want a sad ending or a big breakup.

S:  What is your favorite thing about writing romance?

M:  Creating the conflict between the two main characters and digging deep into their psyches. I love when they have differing beliefs. The struggle to respect one another's beliefs and trying to reconcile their differences without disrespecting the beliefs of the other. It’s fun.

S:  (Smiles.) It's all about people finding love, despite their differences.

Do you write in other genres?

M:  I’m strictly romance. I enjoy reading other genres, but trying to write in them would be a new set of skills in itself, and something that I’m not ready for or desire to do at this point. Let’s take cozy mysteries as an example. I love cozy mysteries. They are one of my faves. But I’d have no idea how to write one. I’d have to learn how. If I did venture outside of romance, it’d be family sagas. I do enjoy them.

S:  I share that sentiment. I am a big fan of wolf-shifter and vampire romances, but I would have no idea how to write one! 

Complete this sentence:  “When one of my books is released, I….”

M:  ...am already knee deep in writing or editing another book.  (Laughs.) Seriously, I don’t get excited when one of my books are released. I do my promo and marketing, a little “whee!” here or a little “woot!” there, but I’m too deep into the next book that I’m working on. I spend a lot of time with each book--a lot of time--so when the book is released, I’m already head over heels in love with another of my creations.

S:  Tell me about your new holiday romance, "Tied Up With A Bow."

M:  Sure. Here's the blurb--

He’s got the perfect Christmas present for the community’s chief—vengeance wrapped in a shiny box with a red bow on top.

Joseph "Slade" Indian isn’t angry. He’s pissed. Pissed that the man who threw over his love for glory and money is back, and now leads their Ojibway community as the new chief. Holding the pain deep in his chest, Slade knows how he’ll celebrate the most miserable day of the year—opening a gift of recompense after being dumped by the one man he dared to love.

Gavin Pemmican is full of regret. He knows he made a big mistake leaving Slade for a materialistic dream of power and prestige. No longer the poor bullied misfit but an educated lawyer, he’s ready to put his skills to the biggest case of his life by brazenly challenging Slade in the kangaroo court of sexual torture he’s daring to stick Gavin in—and win back the only man he’s ever loved.

S:  I love these types of stories. Love lost, love reborn. So satisfying! And I love the cover!

Where can readers purchase your book?

M:  It's available at all major booksellers, including--

eXtasy Books:  https://www.extasybooks.com/maggie-blackbird/978-1-4872-2731-3-tied-up-with-a-bow/

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Tied-Up-Bow-Maggie-Blackbird-ebook/dp/B08287HWDZ/

S:  Maggie, thanks so much for joining me today and Happy Holidays! If you would like to learn more about Maggie, please visit--

Web Site:  https://maggieblackbird.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/maggieblackbirdauthor/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BlackbirdMaggie/

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Blackbird/e/B07KQP1FFG

eXtasy Books Author Page:  https://www.extasybooks.com/maggie-blackbird/

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