Mary Wehr is joining us today. I love her answers and I identify with many of them - especially her idea of the perfect writing day, may we both have one someday. I really like contemporary and western stories so I'm a true fan on Mary's and I know you are, or will be, too.
Meet...
Mary Wehr
Give us your basic bio, what ever
you’re willing to let us know.
I’m from the coal region of Pennsylvania. I have four
brothers, two older and two younger than me. Yep, I’m the only girl. Got picked
on a lot and still do whenever the family gets together. I started reading
romance stories when I was twelve. It wasn’t until years later that I thought
of writing one of my own.
When did you first realize that you
were interested in the idea of spanking?
The romance novels I used to read as a preteen portrayed
spanking as loving discipline. Since then I always checked to make sure there
was a spanking or threat of one in any book I bought after that. ;)
Are you in a relationship that
includes spanking? How would you describe it?
I love reading stories with spanking in them, but I think as
soon as I’d see my husband coming at me with a belt in his hand, I’d start bawling. I’ll stick to
writing them.
Were you spanked as a child? Whether yes or no, do you think
this affected your
interest?
I was never spanked as a
child. Got a smack in the mouth once for backtalk, but my parents rarely showed
emotions of any kind. Hugs weren’t given out all that often or words of support
or encouragement either. Maybe that’s just the way it was back then. (in the
60’s) The main purpose to have children was for them to help with the work that
needed to be done in and around the house. My brothers and I were always reminded
of that. I don’t know, I guess that was their way of showing love, but as the
only girl I craved more and it wasn’t there and it’s much too late now to go
looking for it so I may as well write it. My dad worked long hours just to keep
us clothed and fed. My mom stayed at home and did what women were expected to
do. That’s as far as parenting from them went. Money was tight with 5 children.
Dad was the only one working at the time. I really believe that’s why I love
romance with spanking as loving discipline and, of course, being held and
comforted afterwards. Spanking brings the characters closer in an emotional and
physical way which is nice.
Did you, do you, or might you use spanking with your own
children?
My daughter got her fanny
smacked once in a while. Just a pat, nothing harder than that, but we made sure
we encouraged her to go for what she wants and believe in herself.
Do you remember the first spanking story or spanking book you
ever read? Tell us about it.
I can’t remember a name,
but I know it was a Harlequin book. I used to get paperbacks in the mail once a
month. 6 or 8 books, I think. A lot of those authors included a hero who
spanked so when I got the chance I hid in my room to read.
When did you first begin writing spanking stories?
My first two books included spanking in them.
I wanted to add more than one or two spanking scenes, but wasn’t sure how
they’d be received by a publisher. You know, if there were too many spanking
scenes and I’d need to cut some out. I loved reading stories from Blushing
Books, Stormy Night and Lady Day, but I was a little nervous about submitting
to them. I wasn’t sure if my work would be accepted. Then, I recently joined a
spanking fiction group last February and decided to sub to Blushing Books and
here I am. YAY!
How comfortable are you with people in your real life knowing
that you write spanking fiction? Does everyone know, a select few, or do you
try to keep it private?
Honestly, my family doesn’t
say much either way. My husband is my main supporter. My neighbors know about
what I write and are thrilled.
Some people don’t like to be labeled in only one area, but do
you feel your writing is in a particular category? Do you write science
fiction, strong BDSM, erotica, age play, vampires or something entirely
different? Where would you put yourself – or maybe all of the above, depending
on your mood?
My stories will always
have stern loveable heroes who believe that no woman is too old to be spanked.
I’m currently working on an Erotica/Western. A sequel to my last western,
Charley’s Pride. This one will be about the secondary characters, Nathan and
Bonnie. It’ll have more sizzle J As for BDSM, I’d also have
to do some research. So I guess I’d be Spanking/Erotica/ Humor I’m comfortable
writing stories with those elements included.
Do you think you might someday like to branch out and write
something totally different (or do you), either within the spanking fiction
world or something else completely?
I love Medieval romance!
There’ll be a lot of research for that genre, but I would love to write one
someday.
How attached do you get to your characters? Do you know what
happens after the book ends?
LOL, yes, they all live
happily ever. I never gave it thought after my stories ended, but since I’m
working on the sequel to Charley’s Pride, I’ve added some scenes with Slade and
Charlotte so I’m carrying their story on a bit further while getting Nathan and
Bonnie together.
Describe your
‘perfect’ writing day.
No writer’s block. My perfect writing day is when my fingers keep going and the ideas flow
without interruption. I think that happened twice so far. LOL
When did you first begin publishing? What caused you to jump
in at that moment in time?
I was interested in
writing my own romance for years. I did start one story shortly after my
daughter was born, but I set it aside. Almost everybody I mentioned it too told
me it’d be next to impossible to get published. It was in 2010 when I said,
‘the hell with what other people think’. I started writing again and my first
book was published in 2012.
What is your best advice on how to promote?
Social Media works, also
joining in blog hops. I also use twitter. It’s tough to get your name out
there. There are so many books. Sometimes I think there’s a bit of luck
involved too, and what publisher you have. BB has a wonderful group of readers.
With so many wonderful writers here I can get confused as to
who writes what. Would you list all the books you’ve published so far. I’m
assuming your books can be purchased through Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but
let us know where else they are available.
My books are available at
Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Allromance, Smashwords, Kobo.
‘A Heart’s Endeavor’/ Contemporary romance
‘Her Heart’s Desire’/ Menage, M/F/M, Domestic
Discipline, Contemporary
‘Just Right for Me’ /Domestic Disciple,
Contemporary
‘To Have and To Scold’/ Historical, Spanking
Western
‘Charley’s Pride’/ Historical, Spanking Western
‘A Christmas Starr for Carolyn’/ Contemporary
Romance
Also 2 box sets/ The Sons of Johnny Hastings and
12 Naughty Nights, A Holiday Collection
Charley’s Pride
Blurb:
Separated from
her father for ten years, Charlotte was determined to leave Boston and travel
to
Kansas with or without her mother's permission.
Propriety be damned! If it wasn't proper for a
young girl to travel alone, she would disguise herself as a boy.
A man was
considered lucky if he had a steady job,
a roof over his head and an obedient wife. Ranch foreman Slade Hazard
already had two out of the three.
A couple of docile ladies lived in Swiftwater,
Kansas, and would fit his needs nicely. He might not be in love, but he'd be a
faithful husband, a good provider and hopefully, in due time, a father. Yep, he
knew exactly what he wanted, that is, until he met Charlotte
"Charley" Henry.
The train ride to Cheyenne had gone off
without a hitch, just as Charlotte thought it would. The jaunt on the stage
taking her to Swiftwater, Kansas, should be a cinch. Even better, the tall, broad shouldered man
sharing the stagecoach was a dream come true. A pity she couldn't reveal her
true gender to the handsome Slade Hazard, and try a bit of flirting. Then the
stagecoach is held up by a trio of bandits. Slade is determined to keep the
passengers safe, even if he has to threaten the unruly 'boy' with a good
strapping.
Charley's sassy mouth lands her into trouble
and when the truth of her gender is in danger, she has no choice. She must
reveal herself to Slade.
Charlotte had never been spanked in her entire
life, but Slade soon remedies the matter more than once. Her dream man wouldn't
dare take her across his knee, but would she be content with a man she could
run roughshod over?
Slade thought he knew what he had wanted in a
wife, but he actually enjoys sparring with the fiery redhead. Is it possible to
fall in love at first sight? When Charlotte disappears just as the prisoner is
released, more than one man fears for her safety. But who will find her first?
EXCERPT
Charlotte ‘Charley’, and Slade meet
for the first time. He’s not aware Charley is a girl, but Charlotte is
certainly aware Slade is a man and a handsome one at that. EnjoyJ
Charlotte cast
one last glance at the huge platform behind her. The journey by train had gone
off without a hitch. No one seemed to notice the young boy seated by
himself. Clutching her bag to her chest, she weaved her way through the crowd,
anxiously searching for the stage depot. When she found it, she hurried forward
and paid her passage to Kansas. A man who introduced himself as Smitty took her
bag and threw it on top of the stagecoach. He merely pointed to the small
rickety ladder provided and she slowly climbed aboard. Once she was seated,
another passenger had arrived. He was almost inside when the ladder swayed.
Alarmed, he lunged and landed at Charlotte's feet. She immediately reached out,
but he waved her hand away and climbed onto the seat by himself. Another five
minutes had passed and when no one else showed up to board, Smitty shut the
door. They were on their way to Kansas. Charlotte made herself more comfortable
and closed her eyes.
"Whoa,
Smitty, hold up a minute."
Charlotte's
eyes shot wide open and she immediately straightened in her seat, anxious to see
to whom that deep, booming voice outside the coach belonged. Her heart thumped
wildly. The door swung open and she almost burst into a fit of nervous giggles.
Staring was
downright rude, but she couldn't keep herself from ogling the handsome man.
This was the
closest she had ever gotten to a real cowboy since she had been a little girl
and she was going to enjoy every minute of it as a woman. Besides, he probably
wouldn't give a hoot if she crossed her eyes and poked out her tongue.
His barely
there nod set her tummy to flutter. He was so tall he had to hunch down or his
head would have surely bumped the top of the coach. She only had a second to
note how his broad shoulders tapered to a lean waist before he sat down. Denim
pants wrapped snugly around muscled thighs and long legs. Her gaze settled upon
his large hands and a tingle started at her toes, traveled up her legs, shot
straight up to her hairline and settled between her legs. Charlotte clenched
her pelvic muscles and it felt as if she had wet herself. She licked her lips
and continued her perusal. There was a hint of a mustache on his upper lip and
his chin sported dark stubble. Tiny lines at the corner of his eyes gave him a
mature appearance and added to his appeal. She closed her eyes and sighed. She
had to admit, he was much better looking than her dream man. Too bad she had to
pretend to be a boy. She would have liked to practice a little flirting.
* * * * *
Slade grew
more annoyed with each passing minute. Surely, the young brat seated across
from him had been schooled in proper behavior. Staring was rude. Where were the
kid's parents?
He was way to
young to be traveling by himself. Maybe he was an orphan. A scrawny orphan at
that. A strong wind could easily blow him over and those effeminate features
had to be a curse. Slade had no doubt the poor kid had been a brunt of many
jokes regarding his gender. Slade despised bullying of any kind. The very idea
of the young boy possibly being subjected to abuse sickened him. Even though
the boy irritated him, he'd make sure he came to no harm on the trip to
Swiftwater. After that, the boy was on his own.