Going from romance addict to publisher author

Unlike most authors, you won’t find anything in my bio about writing my first book in the 2^nd grade or always knowing I was meant to write. I didn’t even like reading until around 7^th or 8^th grade when I discovered the fantasy genre. But I still couldn’t tell you the names of the books I read, much less the authors. Part of that (maybe most of that, actually) is due to having the worst memory of any 35 year-old in the history of ever. The other part is that I’m fairly certain that although I really enjoyed reading, it wasn’t anything that “shaped” me as a person.

Sometime in high school I discovered romance novels, and that was the end of reading any other genre for me. I could choose one that had action, history, suspense, horror, paranormal, or mystery…but it also had, at its core, a love story. So I no matter which sub-genre I chose, I still got my HEA fix.

In college, my friends and I formed an unofficial group we called the Smut Club. We devoured romances and then traded them with each other like sharing our favorite candies. “Oh my God, you’ve got to try this one. It’s amazing!” I enjoyed years of reading every romance I could get my hands on, until I became a mom and had to give it up for the safety of my baby. When I get into a good book, I lose all track of time and the world around me fades away until all that exists for me is the characters and their story.

I didn’t pick up another book until my kids were in school and I only worked part-time, so I had plenty of time to kill. Opening that first book was like coming home. The happiness I found from immersing myself in a story again after so long was addicting. And so began the second chapter of my reading addiction, of which I’m still in and have no intentions on letting it end. Ever.

One night I was lying in bed after finishing one of Gena Showalter’s books and in complete awe of how affected I was by her characters. I started thinking, “If I were to write a book, what kind of characters would I like to see together?” That’s when the main characters of my first book (releasing Summer 2013), Desires of the Soul, popped into my head and wouldn’t leave until I started writing their story.

At first it was just a hobby; another way of immersing myself in a story. But the more I wrote, the more I wanted others to read my story. At some point I made the decision to try my hand at publication. I figured it was a long shot, but I had nothing to lose by trying. So I spent the next three years learning as much as I could on how to write fiction well, and after fourteen major rewrites and countless smaller revisions, DotS, was good enough to sell.

On March 7, 2012, I signed a contract with Entangled Publishing for my paranormal romance trilogy and a couple weeks after that signed a contract for what would become my Fighting for Love series for the Brazen line.

It’s been a crazy ride, but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I’ve never been happier, and it all started with the love for romance novels.

Seducing Cinderella

by Gina L. Maxwell

Entangled Publishing – July 2012

He’ll teach her the art of seduction…for a price.

Mixed martial arts fighter Reid Andrews’s chance to reclaim his title as light heavyweight champ is shattered when he’s injured only months before the rematch. To make sure he’s healed in time, his trainer sends him to recuperate under a professional’s care—Reid’s best friend’s little sister, all grown up.

Disorganized and bookish Lucie Miller needs some professional help of her own. She’d do anything to catch the eye of a doctor she’s crushed on for years, so when Reid offers seduction lessons in exchange for 24/7 conditioning for the biggest fight of his career, Lucie jumps at the chance.

Soon Reid finds himself in the fight of his life…winning Lucie’s heart before she gives it to someone else.

Title: Seducing Cinderella

Author: Gina L. Maxwell

Genre: Category – Contemporary

Length: 277 pages

ISBN: 978-1-62266-949-3

Release Date: July 2012

Imprint: Brazen

Purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seducing-Cinderella-ebook/dp/B008NGFLPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343865466&sr=8-1&keywords=seducing+cinderella

Purchase from Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seducing-cinderella-gina-l-maxwell/1112180837?ean=2940014977678

Author Information

Growing up in small town Fort Atkinson, WI, Gina L. Maxwell, formerly Bisbee, could often be found onstage in the latest theatrical production, performing with her high school show choir, or holding office in her local FFA chapter. She dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps in the entertainment business, of enabling her audience to forget about life for a few hours as they enjoyed the stories she told through her love of singing, dancing, and acting. It wasn’t until her sophomore year in college when she realized she had no acting talent to speak of and her dream needed some adjusting. Another ten years would pass before she discovered a different means to accomplishing the same dream.

Within those ten years Gina married her high school sweetheart, had two beautiful children, and moved more times than she cared to count. In 2009 she started writing as a hobby while her kids were in school, and it quickly became an obsession she couldn’t stop, and then a dream to publish stories of love and passion for romance addicts just like her.

Three years later, her dream came true when she signed with Entangled Publishing for a total of seven books in two of their imprints.

Her Fighting for Love series with MMA heroes debuted July 20^th, 2012 for the digital Brazen imprint with the first book, Seducing Cinderella,and reached #9 on Barnes & Noble’s best seller list in just seven days.

The first book in her paranormal romance trilogy, Desires of the Soul, is set to release both digitally and in mass trade paperback in Summer 2013 for the Entangled Select imprint.

When she’s not writing or wrangling plot bunnies, Gina keeps busy with her wonderful family and their ever-growing extra-curricular schedules. Thanks to their immense patience and support, she’s able to do The Thing She Was Meant To Do and live her dream of bringing a little romantic fantasy to the world, even if only in the pages of a good book.

Author Website: http://ginalmaxwell.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gina_L_Maxwell

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6446604.Gina_L_Maxwell