Hello everyone!

I am uber enthused to introduce to you today, the New York Times Bestselling Author, and a friend I very much admire, Catherine Bybee!  Her romance novel, Wife by Wednesday, was pretty much an overnight success, but Catherine has worked her duff off for several years.  She has many successful novels, in a variety of genres, and I haven't read a one that won't wow you.

She's also here today to share her newest release, Married by Monday, and tell us how this awesome series came to be.  So with that said, let's take a peek at this gorgeous cover, learn about the book, and I'll turn the blog over to Catherine.

Married by MondayBook Two in the Weekday Bride Series



 



First, thanks for having me on your blog today, Claire.

Claire asked me to talk about how the Weekday Brides came about…so here it goes.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Art imitating life.” When I sat down to write the first book in this series, Wife by Wednesday, I remember thinking about an article I’d seen in a newspaper years ago. Apparently, a prince of some small country was looking for bride. He wanted to get married for a short time, kind of like a joke. He was willing to pay the bride and give her a honeymoon and a huge ring. When I think about it now, I wish I had kept the snippet from the paper…but I didn’t. I always laugh when someone tells me that a plot is far-fetched. I have seen some seriously twisted things in my life and believe that life is much more entertaining than fiction. As I’ve said over and over in interviews, I’m an RN who has spent years working the Emergency Room. So stretch your imagination as far as you possibly can and then double that. You might come close to what I’ve seen. Might!

Hired brides are somewhat prevalent in our country. Often these brides are willing to marry strangers to obtain legal papers to stay in the USA. Then there are people getting married on reality TV. We all know those marriages never last. There’s tons of speculation about Hollywood movie stars getting married to the perfect mate to further their careers.

So when I sat down to write these books I thought about the different things that would force people into matrimony. I also considered a price tag that would tempt anyone. A few book clubs have picked up Wife by Wednesday and many of them have asked me for questions about the book. One of the things I always suggest is if the readers of the book would marry someone for money. Most say yes. Add a handsome, sexy groom to the mix and the answer becomes ‘Hell Yes’!

Married by Monday has a completely different motivator for marriage. Money isn’t key to the plot. But again we see two people getting married for reasons beyond love and happily ever after.

The themes for both of these romance novels aren’t unique, but I think I’ve spun them in a direction my readers aren’t expecting.

I’m a series author. I love to keep writing about characters I’ve introduced in previous books. It helps that my fans ask me when I’m going to write (Insert Name Here) book.

I originally only planned on three books for my Weekday Bride Series. But with my fan mail coming in, my readers have told me they want more. Sure, Neil and Gwen are next in Fiancé by Friday but now I’m plotting Single by Saturday. Because Karen has to have her HEA.

In a nutshell, this is how the individuals books in this series have mapped themselves out inside my brain. I do think I need to mention here that I originally plotted the first book in this series to sell to Harlequin. I did feel that the first book in the series was a perfect Harlequin romance. But alas…it wasn’t picked up. Best Rejection EVER! Self publishing the first title was the best thing I’ve done for my career.

 
You're very welcome, Catherine.  And I have to concur -- that was the best rejection ever!  Thanks so much for sharing the info, it was something I was really curious about.
 
So, readers, let's take a look at Eliza and Carter!
 
 
He folded his arms over his chest. “I suppose you could say I’m following Blake’s lead. Marriage solves a few fundamental problems in my career path.”


She stared at him full on now, not trying to look away. “Your problems. Not mine.”

“Problems you helped play a role in.” He saw the spark in her eye before she managed her first syllable of defense.

She sat the tea down and placed a hand on the counter. “That’s low, Carter.”

“And true or you’d be the first to tell me I’m wrong. If I had a choice, I’d be married by Monday to help dispel all the media crap created by yours and Gwen’s night on the Texas town. I thought I could come to you and obtain a little bit of cooperation.”

“A little bit of cooperation. Marriage is a tad more than a little bit of anything.” Her voice rose and her knuckles started to grip the counter.

“Yet you earn your living arranging marriages or partnerships on trite reasons less important than mine.” How dare she follow a moral high ground. Maybe she’d forgotten how well versed he was on her and Samantha’s business.

“You forget that our clients have to approve of the relationships we arrange. They have to like the person—”

He laughed, interrupting her. “Do you really want to pretend we aren’t friends to prove your point?”

Her cheeks grew rosy which he had to admit was a much better than the pasty color she’d been sporting when he walked into the house. He felt the fire burning inside her as she shot daggers with her eyes.

“You’re my best friend’s husband’s friend. If you’re looking for a wife you might peek into your little black book, or whatever it is you use, and draw another name.”

Carter let his arms drop and took two steps closer. The angrier she became, the more his blood churned. His body responded to her outrage, but not in anger. “I don’t want to draw another name.”

 
Mmmm.... lovin' it!!
 
 
 
If you click the icon you can find her tour dates!
 
 
 
 
 
 
More About Catherine
 
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Catherine Bybee has been addicted to romance since her teens. After spending a decade of her life working as an RN in urban emergency rooms, Catherine is now dedicated to writing happily-ever-afters for the world to love. Catherine is married and raising two sons in Southern California.


She loves hearing from her readers so feel free to visit her at:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter



~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Labels: Catherine Bybee , Contemporary Romance , Indie Authors , Married by Monday , New Release , New Voices , romance novel