A VISIT WITH SUSAN MACATEE

Welcome my friend, author Susan Macatee. Several years ago, Susan and I met as members of a private loop of American Victorian authors and have been friends ever since.

Author, Susan Macatee

Prize: Susan is giving away a PDF copy of THOROUGHLY MODERN AMANDA and a $10.00 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press to a randomly drawn commenter. Be sure to leave your email with your comment! Now, Susan has a nice interview for us:


Caroline: Where did you grow up? Siblings? Locale?

Susan: Always lived in the city of Philadelphia. I had one brother and two sisters. All younger. In fact, my sisters were so much younger than my brother and I, I had to babysit for them when my mom went back to work full-time. I was thirteen at the time.

Caroline: Ah, I was ten years older than my brother and babysat him when my mom went to work when I was twelve. Were you considered a “bookworm” or a jock?

Susan: I was definitely a bookworm. In fact, as a child, my mother bought me a book about a collie that I read over and over again. I always got books for Christmas and birthday presents and, as a teen, the library and bookstore were my favorite places to visit.

Caroline: Married, single? Children?

Susan: I’ve been married for 31 years to my soulmate. My best friend and his best friend got us together on a blind date. We raised three sons, now all adults in their twenties.

Caroline: Isn’t finding your soul mate a gift? Hero is my soul mate. I know what you write, Susan, but when reading who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Susan: I’ve read so many authors, I can’t possibly name them all, but a few of my favorites are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, Phyllis A. Whitney, Dawn Thompson and Linnea Sinclair. My favorite genres are time travel and historical romance, science fiction, romantic suspense, horror and mysteries.

Caroline: In our business, we know a lot of great authors, don’t we? What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?

Susan: Love old movies, used to be a Civil War civilian reenactor, but have gotten away from that. Very time consuming, as well as expensive.  I spend most of my free time working out and walking and playing with my dog, Chase, a boxer mix. And my favorite activity is reading. Just wish I had more time to indulge in it.

Caroline: Isn’t that the truth? I could spend all my time reading. Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

Susan: Can’t think of any. Not really a quote person, I guess.

Caroline: How long have you been writing?

Susan: I’ve been writing toward publication about 23 years, but even as a child, I’d write picture books and even scripts for my friends to act out.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Susan: I write in a corner of my dining room right by the window looking over the back yard. I generally don’t require any certain atmosphere, so long as no family member interrupts my train of thought. I do stop to feed and let the dog out, though. I don’t have a laptop, so work on my PC.

Caroline: Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Susan: I started out as a panzer, but after my first time travel romance came out such a mess and required a lot of revision so it would make sense, I learned the art of plotting. I now plot out every story in a scene-by-scene outline. Makes the first draft go that much smoother and need to do little revision, if any, afterward.

Caroline: I learned the same way and now plot. Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Susan: I use facts I learn in my historical research and characteristics of real-life historical characters. The more I learn about people who lived in the past, the more ideas for stories pop into my head.

Caroline. Getting sidetracked in research is easy. Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?

Susan: I do set daily writing goals, but often life seems to get in the way. But when that happens, I go with the flow, and when I can settle back into my routine, I read what I already wrote and get myself back into the story. I generally write on weekdays, leaving the weekends free for family time and relaxation. When I’m writing at a steady pace, I set daily word count goals for my first drafts. 1000 words a day comes easily, if I try to push it further, I tend to get stuck. But I do tend to jump from project to project.

Caroline: What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Susan: I hope they’ll find my characters and stories exciting to read and love the characters as much as I do. I also hope my stories give them a needed break from any troubles they might be going through.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Susan: Although I love historicals, I’m thinking about branching out into a different romance genre, like romantic suspense, or even science fiction romance.

Caroline: Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Susan: I’m currently working on another historical based on a minor character in my 2009 Civil War romance, Confederate Rose. The story is set just after the war and the hero, who was a Union surgeon in CR, is a small town physician in my new story. He’s riding the train home from a medical conference in Philadelphia when a young Irish woman keels over at his feet. As a physician, he of course, helps her and, when he suspects she has no where else to go, he takes her to his home. She’s an immigrant on the run from an Irishman she met in New York City, who tried to sell her to a brothel. My working title is, ‘The Physician’s Irish Lady’.

Caroline: Oh, I’ll look forward to reading it. What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Susan: Learn all you can about the craft and write. After that, submit and don’t give up until you find the editor or publisher who’ll love your work.

Caroline: What’s a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you?

Susan: I’m a big Star Trek geek and used to write for a Star Trek fanzine.

Caroline: That is both a fun fact and something I didn’t know about you. What’s something about you that would surprise or shock readers?

Susan: I’ve written stories for True Romance, True Story and True Confessions magazines.

Caroline: I knew that and admire you for it. Is your book a series? If so, how long? Family saga, other?

Susan: THOROUGHLY MODERN AMANDA is a sequel to my time travel romance novel, ERIN’S REBEL, but this new book is novella-length. Don’t know yet if any more books will come from this story, but I love time travel, so definitely plan to revisit the genre again in the future.

Caroline: I loved ERIN'S REBEL. Can you give readers a blurb about your book?

Susan: Amanda Montgomery longs to be a modern woman, living the life her step-mother has always told her is possible. But 19th century society expects well-off young ladies to focus on finding a suitable husband and start a family. Amanda works as a reporter for a local magazine and dreams of going to the big city to work at a newspaper before settling down.

Jack Lawton wants to save an old house that's set to be demolished, but when he sneaks inside to take a final look, he's hit on the head with a beam and wakes up in the arms of a beautiful woman.  The only problem is, he's not in the 21st century anymore, but has somehow stepped into another time. Can he find his way back? Does he want to?

Caroline: Mmm, sounds interesting, and the cover is gorgeous. How about an excerpt?

Susan: Here you go:

“Mother, before I leave for work, I’d like to have a word with you in the parlor.”

Erin quirked a brow, but nodded. With the cook occupied at the sink, she gathered her skirts and followed Amanda from the room.

At the parlor door, Erin frowned. “Is there a problem, Amanda?”

She nodded and opened the door to the empty room. She had to find out the truth about Jack and was sure Erin knew more than she admitted.

Motioning her step-mother to take a seat on the settee, Amanda waited, tapping her foot.

Erin sighed, eyeing her. “So, tell me what’s wrong.”

“Where did Jack come from, Mother?” Amanda propped both hands on her hips.

Erin spread her hands. “How would I know? From his clothing and the place you found him, he must be a workman. But I don’t understand why no one else was in the house at the time. He surely wouldn’t have been working alone.” She shook her head. “And he doesn’t seem to remember anything except his name.”

Amanda bit her lip. “I don’t believe you, Mother. I heard you and Jack talking upstairs.”

Erin’s eyes widened, but she said nothing.

“He was saying something about the future. And he also uses those phrases peculiar only to you.”

“Amanda, I told you those were only stories I made up to entertain you when you were a child.”

“So I believed. But no longer. You have a connection with Jack.”

“I never met the man before. I swear.” Erin raised her hand.

The door creaked open, startling Amanda. Her father stood in the foyer.

“Something wrong, Will?” Erin asked.

Her father stepped into the room. “I was just upstairs with Jack. He needs attending to.”

“I’ll go.” Erin stood. “There are breakfast leavings in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”

He nodded. “I’ll get a quick bite, then I have to get to the bank.” He stepped forward and kissed Erin on the lips.

Her step-mother’s face flushed. “See you tonight.”

Her father pecked Amanda’s cheek, then stepped out, leaving the door ajar.

Amanda grasped Erin’s arm. “I’ll see to Jack, Mother.”

Erin’s brows rose. “Nonsense. You get yourself ready for work, I’ll take care of Jack.”

Amanda scowled. “But they can do without me for a half hour. You can get started on your new book.”

Erin opened her mouth, but hesitated. “I’ll have plenty of time to work after I take care of him.”

Amanda huffed and left the room. She’d catch her father before he left for the bank, but intended to see Jack and question him further.

Caroline: Intriguing excerpt. Where can readers find your books?

Susan: THOROUGHLY MODERN AMANDA is available at The Wild Rose Press  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5074

Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?

Susan: Readers can find me at www.susanmacatee.com
www.susanmacatee.wordpress.com 
and on Twitter @susanmacatee

Caroline: Readers can also find Susan at http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com, where she frequently blogs.

Remember to leave your email address with your comment to be eligible for Susan's prize drawing.

Thanks for stopping by!

IRRESISTABLE SWEET BLOG

My hope is that you believe my blog, "A Writer's Life," is irresistably sweet and that you read it regularly. Linda Banche on her blog “Linda Banche and her World of Historical Hilarity” (her books are great fun!) nominated me for this award. Linda is the author of AN INHERITANCE FOR THE BIRDS, part of the Love Letters series from The Wild Rose Press, and releases Feb. 1, 2012. Linda has a lovely blog, too. I’m sure she’d love if you visited her and discovered her witty Regency historicals http://lindabanche.blogspot.com. To accept the award, I have to name seven things about me that you may not know and then nominate ten blogs.


Here are seven things about me:

1. I once received a bomb threat intended to intimidate me. Because the phone threat was so unexpected, I laughed and the caller hung up.




antique cup and saucer

 2. My youngest daughter and I once had antique booths in three antique malls. If we had time--and money--we’d keep dealing in antiques even though the market is depressed. Love those estate sales and auctions!


3. Before I learned to say, “no, thank you,” I was a Girl Scout and Brownie leader, PTA President, room mother, Sunday School teacher, on and on ad nauseum.



4. Several yeara ago, I drove a rental car on the German autobahn. No, I didn’t put pedal to the metal, but I did go 85 mph.

5. I used to love to play friendly bridge several times a week, but am not certain I even remember how to bid.



6. I first met my husband Hero when I was 12 and he was 15. We didn’t date until I was a senior in high school.



7. Even though I’m Texan, both sides of my family were Oklahoma pioneers who settled in Harmon County (formerly a part of Old Greer County).



Now that you’ve learned more about me, let me share something about my friends' blogs. I have many favorite blogs, many of which are group blogs such as Sweethearts of the West. Here are ten individual authors whose active blogs I love to visit (and that Linda hasn't already named):



1. Anna Kathryn Lanier “Chatting With Anna Kathryn” at http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com


2. Cathie Dunn “Cathie Dunn Writes” at http://cathiedunn.blogspot.com


3. Celia Yeary “Romance and a Little Bit o’ Texas” at http://celiayeary.blogspot.com


4. Elaine Stock “Everyone’s Story” at http://elainestock.blogspot.com


5. Ginger Simpson “Cowboy Kisses” at http://cowboykisses.blogspot.com


6. Jacquie Rogers “Romancing the West” at http://romancingthewest.blogspot.com


7. Lyn Horner “Texas Druids” at http://texasdruids.blogspot.com


8. Maggie Toussaint “Mudpies and Magnolias” http://mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com


9. Mona Risk at http://monarisk.blogspot.com


10. Susan Macatee at http://susanmacatee.wordpress.com


Hope you’ll check out these blogs - but please still come back to visit mine!


Thanks for stopping by!

SUSAN MACATEE FIGHTS AND WRITES THE CIVIL WAR

Thanks, Caroline, for hosting me on your blog today.


I thought I’d talk about what led up to the creation of my new post Civil War romance release, CASSIDY’S WAR.

Susan and her husband as Civil War reenactors

Before I began writing toward publication—I’d dabbled for years, but only had a few pieces published in school papers or amateur fanzines—my husband became enthralled by the Ken Burns documentary about the American Civil War.


Susan and husband outside
an antebellum home


This led to family trips to Gettysburg, followed by his finding a local Civil War reenacting group in Philadelphia. Once he joined, he decided the whole family had to get involved. So, in order not to spend most of my weekends from spring through fall home alone, I became a civilian reenactor.




Civil War reenactor musicians

 I had to do research and learn how to dress, what to eat and what appropriate activities the wife of a soldier would be involved in while in camp. It was a lot of fun and I learned many things that ultimately ended up in my stories set during the War.




Civil War ball gown

 While all this was going on, I was working on children’s books. My first book was a ghost story set in the 19th century, but was never published. I did write a short young adult story set during the Civil War that ended up in one of those little magazines that only paid in copies.




When I decided to write a young adult novel, I used that short story as the basis for my novel. UNDER THE GUNS was ultimately published. It was the story of a young woman and her brothers, as well as one of their childhood friends. The young men joined the Union army and the girl, in time, was able to work as a nurse in the Washington hospitals and later as a battlefield nurse. Her brother’s friend, who she’d known since childhood and considered a nuisance and outrageous flirt, wound his way into her heart after being nearly killed at Gettysburg. She nursed him back to health and fell in love only to nearly lose him again when he was captured by Confederates.

Lady's fan

When this book went out of print and I got the rights back, I thought about trying to get it republished, but decided writing a brand new story about these same characters at a later age, would be a lot more fun.

Victorian lady's hat

My new release, CASSIDY’S WAR, is the story of these same characters five years after the first book ended. My first challenge was to tear the couple apart before the new story began.


My idea was to have the hero, George Masters, suffer from a condition we associate with modern soldiers, but it happened to Civil War soldiers as well. Post traumatic stress disorder caused George to leave the heroine, Cassidy Stuart, days before their wedding and shortly after he returned from prison. He left town and wandered the country, at first living in a drunken stupor, then straightening up enough to earn his living as a professional gambler. And to make him more heroic, he’s persuaded by an old army buddy to seek employment at the Pinkerton Agency. When the story begins, he’s returned to town, five years after he left. But he’s now working undercover as a Pinkerton agent.


Although writing a whole new novel was a lot of work, I did enjoy working with ready made characters on this brand new story. And since the characters are directly affected by the Civil War, my knowledge of that tumultuous period helped to make the characters ring true.

Available now!

And now CASSIDY’S WAR is available for the world to see. I have a gorgeous cover and I hope readers will enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.


Blurb: The Civil War is over, but CASSIDY’S WAR is just beginning.


Cassidy Stuart longs to attend medical school. Training beside her physician father and serving as a nurse during the war have only increased her desire to be a doctor with her own practice. When the man who left her at the altar returns, she’s determined not to let him upset the plans she's set for herself.


Until his mission is accomplished, George Masters must hide his identity as a Pinkerton agent as he investigates a physician living in George's former hometown, a short distance from Cassidy's home. When he finds Cassidy hasn’t married, he hopes he can rekindle their love while trying to protect her and the townsfolk from the evil Dr. Madison.


Can their love be renewed despite the villain's desire for revenge against them both?


Excerpt from CASSIDY'S WAR:


He propped her against the wall, removed his hat, and lowered his mouth to hers. Before she could utter a protest, his tongue pressed against her lips, trying to push them apart.
She shoved with all her strength. "Dr. Madison! I must insist you take me home. Now!" She struggled to keep her breath even as she watched his smoldering expression grow cold.

He leaned away from her, pushing his hand through his hair, then settled his bowler back on his head. "You must forgive me, Miss Stuart. I should never have taken such liberties. But your beauty has mesmerized me."


"Please take me home. Now."

Madison tightened his grip on her wrist. Movement outside the alley drew her startled gasp.

George raced to her side and yanked Madison's hand from her arm. "Take your hands off her, you filthy scum!"

Madison's eyes widened. "See here!"

Before he could utter another word, George raised his fist and slammed it into the doctor's face.


"George, don't!" Cassidy cried.

George paid no attention. Madison growled and swung at George. He ducked and the doctor swung again, this time connecting with George's jaw and knocking them both to the ground.

The two wrestled and grunted, rolling around in the dirt.

Cassidy stepped to the edge of the alley, her heart thudding. No pedestrians strolled by. Wringing her hands, she turned back. She had to stop this herself.


"Will you please stop acting like school boys or common ruffians?" She glared at them, hands fisted on her hips.


"I won't let you hurt Cassie, you pompous ass,' George ground out.

"Looks to me like you already have," Madison spat.


George swung and connected with the doctor's nose.


A loud crunch drew a gasp from Cassidy.
George glanced up, his lip curled upward. He rose to his feet, breathing hard.


Dr. Madison lay flat on his back, cradling his bloodied nose in both hands.


"George Masters!" Cassidy glared into his dark eyes. "Just what are you doing?"


"He—I..." George arched a brow. "He had you alone in a dark alley. What am I supposed to think?"


She lifted her fisted hands to rest on her hips. "So you punched him?"


"Well...he hit me, too." He rubbed his jaw.



CASSIDY’S WAR available from The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_135&products_id=4729

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Cassidys-War-ebook/dp/B006VX48FS/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1326644295&sr=1-1

and Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cassidys-war-susan-macatee/1108210226?ean=2940013754980&itm=1&usri=susn+macatee
Find out more about me, read the opening chapters of my new release and learn about my other books at my website: http://susanmacatee.com


My thanks to Susan for sharing her writing and reenacting experiences with us. Remember that the Amazing Author Event continues:

Jan. 18. SG Rogers - http://childofyden.wordpress.com

Jan. 19. Linda LaRogue - http://lindalarogueauthor.blogspot.com

Jan. 20 Jacquie Rogers - http://romancingthewest.blogspot.com/2012/01/jacquies-amazing-authors-event.html

 Thanks for stopping by!

SUSAN MACATEE DECLARES WAR! OH, IT WAS 150 YEARS AGO

Abraham Lincoln
November 1863

This is the official 150th anniversary of the launch of the Civil War, so I stuck Abraham Lincoln's photo here. When my younger brother Don was a boy, he loved anything about Abraham Lincoln--probably still does. Don used to call "Onward Christian Soldiers" the "Abraham Lincoln song" because it seemed always to accompany documentaries about Lincoln. That has nothing to do with today's guest, but I think it's cute. Humor me, please. This is my baby brother we're talking about.

Today's guest is Susan Macatee, a friend who has long been interested in writing, but didn't make it official until her youngest started kindergarten. Since then, Susan has been successful as a novelist. She also writes for the confession magazines, known among writers as "the Trues." You didn't think those were actually true, did you? If you did, I'm so sorry to burst your bubble.

Don't miss the part about prizes at the end.

Here's Susan's post:

           WAR IS DECLARED!

Beauregard

2011 is the 150 year anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. It all began at Fort Sumter, in Charleston, South Carolina harbor on April 11, 1861. A surrender of the fort was requested by Confederate Brigadier General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, but Federal commander, Major Robert Anderson, refused. The first shot of the American Civil War was fired from a Confederate artillery battery at 4:30 a.m. April 12, 1861. After artillery exchanges that continued through April 13th, the fort was evacuated on April 14th.   Following this, Lincoln issued a proclamation that called for 75,000 militia for ninety days’ service, to put down “combinations too powerful to be suppressed”. The American Civil War had officially begun!

Susan and her husband at a Civil
War reenactment in Nishaminy
State Park, Pennsylvania.
Don't they make a handsome couple?

This is an important anniversary that should spark a lot of interest in the war between the States. Events are planned all over the country, including battle reenactments, seminars, symposiums and lectures. New movies set during and after the war are being developed as well. Books and other Civil War paraphernalia should be in demand, also.

I currently have five books, four in print and e-book, one only available as an e-book, all available from The Wild Rose Press. The buy link for my books at The Wild Rose Press is: http://tinyurl.com/3egf4ex

My award winning novel, CONFEDERATE ROSE, is the story of an Irish immigrant heroine, who disguises herself as a man and fights in the Confederate army. She meets a charming Southerner, she later learns in a Federal spy.


ERIN'S REBEL is a time travel romance. The heroine travels from present day to land in Confederate army camp. She meets a Rebel officer who steals her heart away.

My other three Civil War romances are novellas. Two are included in anthologies: one in the 2011 EPIC finalist, NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES, the other in the historical Christmas anthology, AN AMERICAN ROSE CHRISTMAS.

The third is a stand alone novella, available as an e-book, my Civil War vampire story, SWEET REDEMPTION. To learn more about me and all of my books, visit my website, www.susanmacatee.com

I hope this will be an exciting year for everything Civil War, as well as the next four years that will follow the war years from 1861 to 1865.

For more on the start of the American Civil War, visit this site. www.civilwarhome.com/ovbegin.htm



2011 EPIC Finalist


Thanks to Susan for sharing with us. By the way, her books have won multiple awards and received rave reviews.

On Wednesday and on Friday, I'll relate  stories about a few of my ancestors who fought in the Civil War. Yep, we were on the wrong side, but you might be interested to learn why. Sure you will.

PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES!


Since all week we'll be talking about the Civil War, someone who leaves a comment on this blog during this week will win a download of NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES (or one of my other Caroline Clemmons books if the winner is not a Civil War fan) to celebrate the anniversary of the Civil War. Although, I have no idea why anyone would call it "civil war." Yes, yes, I understand the definition, but it still seems an oxymoron.

Susan Macatee, Author Interview

From The Wild Rose Press
2011 EPIC Finalist

Continuing with authors whose work appeared in the award-winning anthology NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES, today my guest is Susan Macatee. Although she's been writing as long as she can remember, she started writing for publication after her youngest started kindergarten. After success with short stories, she decided to try a novel. She considers that novel, LAURA, her practice novel. Success came with the publication of her second novel, a YA titled UNDER THE GUNS, but it is now out of print. Once she decided she wanted to write romantic fiction, she joined Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter. Susan is also a member of Scandalous Victorians, a small writing group that specializes in Victorian set romance in both America and England. They also have a group blog, http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com/.

Caroline: Susan, your novella’s hero is a Civil War re-enactor. How did you come up with that idea?

Susan and her husband with
the 28th Pennsylvania Regiment

Susan: The idea came directly from my own experiences as a Civil War reenactor. I chose civilian, but my husband and sons did the military side and I also witnessed many staged battles, so could accurately describe the sights, sounds, smells and action involved in a reenactment. Reenacting is sort of playacting the past, so I thought it would be fun to have a reenactor hero experience a past life, where he actually was the Civil War soldier that he portrayed.

As a reenactor, myself, I had to learn how to dress, what to eat and how to behave as a Victorian lady. My husband learned not only how to drill and how soldiers fought, but he also had to learn how a Victorian man acted in camp and toward women. Our youngest son was 10 at the time we started reenacting and we also had to learn how to appropriately dress him and what types of games and toys he would have played with. It was a fun learning experience.

Caroline: It’s sounds like a nice family hobby for those who love history as you and I do. What attracts you to time travel?


Susan: That goes way back to when I was a kid. I loved TV shows like "The Twilight Zone," "The Outer Limits," "Star Trek," "The Time Tunnel," and the daytime soap, "Dark Shadows." All these shows featured episodes where people traveled back in time and I loved the interaction of people from different eras. It was fun and a subject I longed to write about.

Caroline: I agree that it’s fun to write a time travel. Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you have another job or write full time?

Susan: I don’t have an outside job, so writing is my first priority, but I do type manuscripts for other writers. I started that business when my youngest son started school as a way to earn a little cash while learning the ropes of writing stories of my own. I still type for others, but only keep a few clients, so I’ll have enough time for my own writing.


I generally use my mornings to take care of household things, like feeding and dog and taking him to the park, starting the laundry, running errands, housecleaning. I also try to get in at least an email check in the morning, plus I take an hour for my workout.

Afternoons are reserved for writing and typing projects. When a typing project is in, I usually give that top priority, unless I have something under contract. Otherwise, I make sure I get in at least an hour a day for writing. But I also have to make time for blogging, updating my website and book promo.


Sometimes it can be a real balancing act.


Caroline: Isn’t that the truth? Writers are like those old performers with twirling plates in the air. I must compliment you for making time to comment on the blogs of friends. You have other books out. What are they and are they also time travels?

From The Wild Rose Press

Susan: I have one other time travel, ERIN'S REBEL. This is the story of a modern day reporter who crashes her car and wakes up in a Confederate Army camp. And that’s where she finds the man of her dreams. My other stories are all straight historicals, with the exception of two vampire stories both set during the Civil War.


ERIN'S REBELwas a finalist in the 2010 Ancient City Romance Authors Heart of Excellence Reader’s Choice in the paranormal category.

Available from The Wild Rose Press

CONFEDERATE ROSE is the story of an Irish immigrant who disguises herself as a male to join the Confederate army. She meets a Southerner, who she later learns is a Yankee spy, but not until after they fall in love.

CONFEDERATE ROSE took first place in the 2010 Beacon Contest Published Division and second place in the 2010 New England Reader’s Choice Bean Pot Award in the historical category.

I have four other stories. The novella, THE CHRISTMAS BALL, is part of the anthology, AN AMERICAN ROSE  CHRISTMAS; my two vampire stories, SWEET REDEMPTION, and ETERNITY WAITS, are available as stand-alone e-books and my short story, "A Kiss Under the Mistletoe," is available for FREE! A link to the download is on my website.

Caroline: You’re a very productive lady! Is there a reason you’re drawn to the Civil War era?

Susan: I love the clothing, the intrigue and excitement of setting stories during wartime. Something about the Victorian era also captures my imagination. And the fact that I spent a lot of weekends living in that time period, also makes it easier to write about the things that add realism to any story.


Caroline: Your stories pull readers into the world you’ve created. What do you have in the works for us:

Susan: I’m currently revising a post Civil War novel that I’ve titled CASSIDY'S WAR. The story’s based on characters from an out of print novel I had published about nine years ago.


Here’s the blurb: The Civil War is over, but CASSIDY'S WAR is just beginning.


Cassidy Stuart longs to attend medical school. Her training under her physician father and her time serving as a nurse during the war, have only increased her desire to be a real physician with a practice of her own. When the man who’d left her at the altar five years before, returns, she’s determined not to let him upset the plans she’s set for herself.

Unknown to his former fiancée and her family, George Masters is now a Pinkerton agent sent to investigate a physician now living in George’s former hometown. When he finds Cassidy hasn’t married, he hopes he can have another chance with her, but can’t reveal his real reason for returning, at least not until his mission is accomplished.

Can love be rekindled with a doctor bent on revenge against them both?


Caroline: CASSIDY'S WAR sounds as irresistible as your other novels. Anything else?


Susan: I’m also working on a time travel novella set after the war. This one’s based on my time travel novel, ERIN'S REBEL. I’m haven’t settled on a title yet and it’s still in first draft stage.


Caroline: Back to the anthology—would you give us a blurb from ANGEL OF MY DREAMS?

Susan: When Civil War reenactor, Kyle Dalton, keeps seeing a beautiful woman on the battlefield tending to soldiers, he thinks she’s another reenactor. But when she disappears into thin air, he starts to believe he’s seen a ghost. Did he have a past life with this woman?

Caroline: I remember that from your story. Poor Kyle. How about an excerpt:

Susan: Of course.

“Corporal, what are you...?”

He took her mouth, silencing her question. Her lips held tightly firm for a moment, then yielded to him. His tongue slid inside to taste her thoroughly. Sweet, soft and amazing. When he released her, he read the unleashed passion in her half-closed eyes.

She blushed a deep red, glancing around the tent. “Corporal ...Kyle...you mustn’t take such liberties. What will the others think?”


He looked around and shrugged. “No one’s paying us any attention.”

She lifted the pan. “I have to go.”


Before he could stop her, she hurried past him moving to the front of the tent.

“Josie.”

Something blared beside his cot. He turned his head and woke in his own bed to the blast of rock music from his alarm clock.

He shut it off and sat up. What a vivid dream! The ones he’d had before had been fragmented and fuzzy. He’d barely remembered them afterward. But that kiss. He touched his lips, swearing he could still feel her softness, smell her lavender scent.


He had truly lost it.


Caroline: The confusion for our characters is part of the fun of a time travel, isn’t it? Susan, do you have anything else you’d care to share? Any links?


Susan: My website, www.susanmacatee.com, contains info on all my stories, reviews and other news. I also post regularly on the blog, http://www.slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com/ about subjects related to the Civil War. And I post about my writing projects at my blog http://www.susanmacatee.blogspot.com/


The buy link for NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES, which includes Susan’s novella ANGEL OF MY DREAMS is:


http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=162b14522c4e59f049d6bf658f403c27&keyword=Northern+Roses+and+Southern+Be&x=28&y=5 The anthology set around the Civil War is available in both print and e-book format and is also available on Amazon for Kindle, B&N for Nook, etc.


Susan, thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I look forward to reading your future novels. I know they’ll be as wonderful as those I’ve already read.


Readers, please return on the 30th for an interview with Isabel Roman.