STEAMPUNK ROMANCE--A CHAT WITH MARY WINE

Please welcome historical romance author, Mary Wine, to Over Coffee. Mary has written and published over twenty books. Her latest is a historical steampunk romance. I love the cover.

I recently had a chance to chat with Mary about writing and her latest book. Mary, welcome back to Over Coffee and with what looks like a fun book!

Hello Everyone!

It’s great to be here to celebrate the release of A Lady Can Never be too Curious. I really enjoyed writing this one. At least when I wasn’t tearing my hair out! LOL.

• Mary, what drew you to write a historical romance with a focus on steam punk elements of the era? Was it the gadgets? People's attitudes toward science and discovery?

It was the challenge. I'm the first to admit that my imagination runs hog wild. When I first noticed the idea of Steam Punk, it was a match made in heaven. I can merge my two favorite things...writing romance and making historical costumes. Just as there is paranormal romance, sot too can there be romance Steam Punk. I love writing historical and Steam Punk offered me the opportunity to world build inside a historical setting. It took all my knowledge of combining research with utilizing my imagination to incorporate elements from outside the pages of history. Some of our greatest movies were hybrids that shocked and confused before they delighted.

• It doesn't matter how many books you have published, you're still going to face difficulties. What’s the hardest thing you've had to face as a writer?

I think the answer to that is twofold. The first thing you must do as an author is deal with your own demons. Weather they take the form of lazy, unfocused writing habits…really, I just need to start a load of laundry before I sit back down and finish that chapter or maybe you’re stuck in an endless ‘rewriting’ cycle. I do understand the need to polish and refine work. But there is also a point where you just need to send it off to another set of eyes. Sometimes, that’s much harder than you’d think. It’s hard to understand that if you want to be a writer, you need to produce a product. You have to find the time to put it all down, polish it and then, make yourself send it off.   

•  Who was the most supportive of your writing career?

This is an easy one for me. I've  been very blessed to have a wonderful husband who has supported me through thick and thin. Ten years ago I decided to write a book. That’s right, I was going to write my own romance novel. It wasn't the first time such a thought had rolled through my mind. When I was in my early teens, I often entertained my younger brother with stories. This time though, I was going write a book and I did. Boy was that a learning experience. But I absolutely loved it. Honestly, I was hooked. Oh…I had a great deal to learn but I did in fact sell that book, it became ‘Dream Shadow’. Through it all, my husband always supported me and I count that blessing every day.

• What do you still struggle with as an author?

I believe the answers to this question are the same no matter what it is you are doing. My grandmother used to say….if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing right. This is so true with writing. I hope I never get to a point where I don’t feel like I have things to learn about the craft. Story telling is one of the oldest art forms in the history of man. Perfecting my delivery of this art form is something I plan to polish with every book I write. It’s still easy to become distracted. But there is nothing like holding one of my titles and that makes it worth the investment.

I hope you’ll agree. My newest title is a Steam Punk but it’s also a wonderful historical romance.

Mary, I'm looking forward to reading this one. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me a bit!

BUY: AMAZON, B&N, BAM

A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious (Steam Guardians #1)

Steamy sexual tension and secret societies fuse together in Mary Wine's first Steampunk romance.

Janette Aston is fascinated by all things scientific, and couldn’t care less that her thirst for knowledge is regarded as unladylike by Victorian society. Enthralled by the Illuminists, a group of individuals committed to scientific discovery, she sneaks into their headquarters and is caught by Darius Lawley, an Illuminist Guardian. The attraction between the two is instant and magnetic. 

When the Illuminists realize Janette is a rare Pure Spirit who can harness the power of crystals, she’s targeted by a rival society, the Helikeians. It’s up to Darius to protect her for the sake of science and love. Excerpt

Mary Wine has written over twenty novels that take her readers from the pages of history to the far reaches of space. Recent winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance, her book LET ME LOVE YOU.

When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them!  An avid history-buff and historical costumer, she and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives with her husband and two sons in Yorba Linda, California. 

You can find Mary: Facebook,  Goodreads, Twitter, Website


The cool expresso picture was sent to me by a friend who buys the neatest gadgets!