Maggie Blackbird

Today, I have fellow eXtasy Books author Denise N. Wheatley in the interview chair.  We discuss her latest release, Wards of the Women, and also dig into her personal side.

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1. Hi, Denise. First off, readers have an idea about the writer you, but what about the everyday you? Can you share about your personal life?

Hello Maggie! Thank you for having me. When I’m not writing, I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. We live in Chicago, so there’s plenty to see and do. My boyfriend and I love to travel, so whenever we can we’re on the road, usually heading to a warmer climate! I’m big on social media, so much of my day is spent interacting on various platforms. I’m also an avid blogger and keep my site updated with a variety of writing-related posts. A few more things I enjoy are true crime television, romantic comedies, reading romance novels and playing tennis.

2. You tend to write across the board, from contemporary romance and women’s fiction to the paranormal. Why so many genres? And out of them, which is your favourite genre to write?

I’m obsessed with all things romance, so while the subgenres of my novels vary, love is always at the core. I really enjoy incorporating my other interests, such as true crime and comedy, into my work in order to keep things fresh and exciting. But no matter the category, my books are built on love and relationships. As for my favourite genre, contemporary romance is the one I enjoy writing most.

3. Your latest novel is Wards of the Women that released on September 6, 2019. Can you tell me what inspired you to write this book?

My mother actually came up with the idea for this book. I’d just finished writing my novel The Road to Bliss, which is a sweet contemporary romance, and was ready to take on a bold, intriguing project. When my mom suggested I write a book about women buying men from a prison, I thought she was crazy lol! But then I allowed the idea to permeate, started brainstorming, and the storyline just came together.

4. When first developing Wards of the Women, did the plot come first or the characters?

The plot definitely came first. Then once I knew the premise, I created three protagonists around it whose lives would be complicated, desperate, and outrageous enough to think that purchasing prisoners was actually a good idea.

5. What kind of research did Wards of the Women involve?

For this book I had to study up on several topics, including politics, psychology, the prison system, community service organizations and parenthood. One of the reasons I enjoyed writing it so much is because of all the intricate things I wanted to incorporate but didn’t have a full scope of knowledge on. So the extensive research I did in order for the novel to read authentically was a great learning process for me.

6. Let’s talk about the main character Violet Christianson. What do you love most about her and what makes you want to shake her?

I love Violet’s strength, intelligence and wit. There’s no situation she can’t figure her way out of. The thing that makes me want to shake her is her obsessive level of superficiality. Violet equates looking good and being wealthy with garnering respect. And since she wants nothing more than to be revered and envied, Violet takes that notion to the extreme.

7. The same for Shayne Wentworth. What do you love most about her and what makes you want to shake her?

Shayne has such a good heart. She’s a wonderful mother and just wants to be loved. But her sweet nature tends to attract bullies, and she can be a pushover. I’d love to shake Shayne of her insecurities and inject some of Violet’s strength into her.

8. And we can’t forget Fifi Gentry. What do you love most about her and what makes you want to shake her?

I love Fifi’s intensity and desire to root for the underdog. She’s all about great causes, equality and fairness. But she settles when it comes to her personal life. Fifi is a gem but doesn’t value her own worth. That’s the main reason I’d want to shake her.

9. Without giving away any spoilers, what was your favourite scene to write for Wards of the Women, and why?

I love the scene where Violet meets with the prison warden and bribes him into selling her the inmates. It’s just so wicked, and we really see Violet’s sinister side come out. But don’t feel sorry for the warden! He isn’t nearly as innocent as he seems, and Violet ends up revealing all his dirty little secrets…

10. If a reader asked you why they should read Wards of the Women, what would you tell them?

I’d tell readers that this book is worth a read because it’s so unique. The plot is unlike anything you’ve ever read, and the twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end. In the midst of all the drama and chaos, however, there’s plenty of love, romance, family bonds and friendship, which many of us romance readers so enjoy.

11. Out of all the books you’ve written so far, which one would you recommend to a new reader?

I’d recommend The Road to Bliss, because it offers up a little bit of everything. There’s drama, bits of humor, second chance romance, friendship and career struggles, and I think it’s a good representation of my collection of novels.

12. Which book was your personal favourite to write, and why?

I Wish I Never Met You, which is a book about dating disasters, was my personal favourite to write. The novel is such a wild ride, and I just let it all hang out when I penned it lol! Working on that one was extremely liberating in that I was able to vent a lot of the relationship and life woes that many women experience. I Wish I Never Met You also garnered the strongest, most positive reactions and reviews from both readers and entertainment industry executives.

13. What can we expect from you in the future? Care to share about your current WIP?

I’m actually working on two holiday novellas for eXtasy Books/Devine Destinies. I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a contemporary romance that will be released in December of this year, and Valentine’s Slay is a sci-fi romance that’ll hit e-shelves in February 2020. I also just completed a contemporary romance novel titled She Gets What She Wants about a jilted midwestern woman who believes she can conquer Hollywood, so she does. That will be released in spring 2020.

14. What do you enjoy most about writing?

I love allowing my imagination to just run free, and building stories that will take readers away from their everyday lives and hopefully give them a pleasurable dose of escapism.

15. What do you enjoy least about writing?

The editing process! Once that first draft is written, I feel as though I’m on top of the world. Then I go back in and realize that the real work has just begun. The editing process can be very daunting, and I’m a perfectionist, so I tend to be super meticulous when reviewing my work.

16. I enjoy doing random questions, so humour me:

• What’s your favourite movie?
  I have so many, but the oldie but goodie All About Eve starring Bette Davis is definitely a fave.
• What book is currently in your e-reader?
  I recently purchased my good friend Rebecca Henry’s sci-fi romance novel Hybrid, which I have yet to finish because I’ve been too busy writing!
• Who’s your favourite musical group?
  Boyz II Men is one of my all-time faves.
  What song puts a smile on your face?
• There’s a gospel singer named Lexi who remade Tevin Campbell’s inspirational song Tomorrow (A Better You, A Better Me) that I just love. It’s such a feel-good tune that always puts a smile on my face.

17. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’d just like to thank you for once again hosting me, and send a HUGE thank you to all of my supporters who read and enjoy my work. I hope everyone enjoys Wards of the Women as much as I loved writing it!

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Title:  Wards of the Women
Author:  Denise N. Wheatley
Pages:  206
Word Count:  47,882
Publication Date:  September 6, 2019
Published By:  eXtasy Books
Heat Level:  3
Genre(s):  Chick Lit, Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Women’s Fiction

They bought men from a prison to fulfill their every need. What could possibly go wrong with such a simple little purchase?

Blurb:  Wards of the Women introduces three desperate girlfriends who, on the surface, appear to have it all, but underneath are in the midst of various crises. Mysterious deaths, extortion, straying husbands and illegitimate children have suddenly overtaken the lives of Violet Christianson, Shayne Wentworth, and Fifi Gentry. Eventually, when Violet becomes fed up with all of their circumstances, she does what any sensible woman would do—blackmails the state prison warden into letting each of them buy an inmate from the jail for their own personal fulfillment. But never in their wildest dreams did they imagine all the chaos that would ensue from a simple little purchase.

Reviews:

“WARDS OF THE WOMEN uniquely explores the lives and misfortunes of three strong, distinctly-written female characters. The book is bold, the tone is inimitable, and the various twists and turns that occur throughout will be sure to captivate readers and keep them on the edge of their seats. The concept is compelling, outrageous and unusual, and just when you think that the characters have gone too far, they somehow manage to make a way out of no way and come out on top.”

“I love this story! It’s funny, sad and had me wondering what could go wrong next.”

“Loved this book! It was truly original and I could not put it down. Enjoyable and easy read.”

Purchase at:  eXtasy Books | Amazon

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Chapter One

Violet Christianson was a woman who knew what her name meant to most. Perfection. Everyone either wanted her, wanted to be her, or simply wanted her to go away.

Violet considered herself to be the most beautiful woman on her block, and never missed an opportunity to ponder her stunning image. At five-eight, she kept her lean, size two figure draped in outrageously expensive designer clothing at all times. Her dazzling, widespread hazel eyes were framed with long, lush lashes. Her retroussé nose had finally been perfected after several invasive surgeries. Her soft, plump lips accentuated high cheekbones when they puckered. Her raven hair swung so low that she could practically sit on it.

Violet’s husband, Elliot, was rich. The richest man on the block, to be exact. Elliot worked as a real estate developer and closed more big-money deals than a little bit. As a result, he allowed her to spend his money on whatever she wanted, and whenever she wanted. As he should have, considering how unsightly he was. Elliot’s pockmarked skin, hair plugs, bifocaled eyes, rat-like teeth, pot belly, and squat body were enough to send most into hysterics the moment they laid eyes on him. But Elliot was wise enough to hide his ghastly appearance behind his vast fortune. So by the time people noticed his looks, they’d already been so blinded by his Benjamins that his ugliness became a blur. Which is exactly how he said he wanted it.

Violet’s house was big. The biggest house on her suburban block, to be exact. It boasted a huge great room, six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, an Olympic-size pool, and even a room designated just for gift wrapping. The house had been designed by Jacques Lolique, interior decorator to the stars, which meant that her contemporary décor was nothing short of flawless—as was the house’s appearance, which was constantly being serviced by a small army of workers.

To top it all off, Violet was smart. Smart enough to have earned a doctorate in psychiatry. But rather than open a high-end practice and service the rich and famous, she’d gone with her heart and decided to work with inmates at the local state prison.

Violet Christianson. Beautiful, lucky, and charitable. All the reasons why most people either wanted her, wanted to be her, or simply wanted her to go away.

Chapter Two

Shayne Wentworth loved how the mere mention of her name brought smiles to most faces. She knew she may not have been the most beautiful woman on the block, but she certainly was the sweetest.

Shayne was an ex-pageant queen. Ex, simply because she now had five beautiful children and a wonderful husband to look after. If it weren’t for them, she could certainly still be competing. Because, after all, when she looked at herself, her bright-green eyes still danced. She made sure her straight white teeth still gleamed. And her creamy, clear skin still glowed. As for her shoulder-length platinum blonde locks, all she’d have to do was pull them out of the bun that she usually wore and shake it out a bit. As for her figure, all it would take was a crunch or two to get back in fighting shape. And as for the rest? Nothing a tube of lip gloss and a dazzling evening gown couldn’t fix. So, all things considered, she was still a contender.

Shayne’s husband may not have been the richest man on the block, but he certainly was the most powerful. Russell worked as a criminal defense attorney and had a reputation for being ruthless and cutthroat. At home, however, he was a different man. Russell was a gentle pussycat who worshipped his wife and doted on his children. He allowed Shayne to stay at home while he worked to provide for the family. Which was good for her, considering she knew nothing beyond the world of pageantry.

Shayne may not have had the biggest house on the block, but the one she did have was bursting with energy. Her sixteen-year-old son, Matthew, was following in his father’s star-studded footsteps by playing football at Russell’s high school alma mater. Her fourteen-year-old daughter, Sloane, was a straight-A student who’d managed to skip two grades and was taking accelerated courses in high school. Her twelve-year-old son, Ryan, already knew he wanted to be an attorney, so he spent every possible moment with his dad at the law firm. Eleven-year-old Cadence was carrying her mother’s torch by competing in statewide beauty pageants and winning numerous trophies and prizes. And Basil, Shayne’s ten-year-old son, was simply brilliant. His wit, intellect, and cunning sense of humor amazed all who knew him.

Shayne Wentworth. Nurturing, fortunate, and fulfilled. She may not have had the best on the block, but at least she had her family.

Chapter Three

Fifi Gentry knew that the mere mention of her name meant only one thing to most. Business. And while she may not have been the sweetest woman on the block, she certainly was the feistiest.

Fifi was a go-getter. A five-foot dynamo. A twenty-eight-year-old spitfire who was too busy fighting for the rights of others to worry about trivial things. Like looks, for instance. Fifi would much rather spend her time amending proposals than getting a makeover. She did, however, put forth an effort to appear presentable, considering she wanted to be taken seriously.

Fifi never missed her monthly hair appointments to have her sleek brown bob, which complemented her almond-shaped eyes, dyed and trimmed. She cleansed her flawless olive skin with plain water and smoothed Vaseline over it every night, which was her secret to keeping it radiant. She followed a strict macrobiotic diet and practiced Ashtanga yoga to help keep her enviable size zero in shape. And she did take the time to lengthen her lashes with mascara, brighten her cheeks with blush, and accentuate her lips with gloss every day.

Fifi may have been the only woman on the block without a husband, but her boyfriend certainly was the most influential man in the state. Senator Edward Hynes was Fifi’s current beau, and the buzz amongst politicians was that he’d be the one to beat during the next presidential election. And even though Fifi and Edward didn’t share many of the same political views, she couldn’t have been prouder of him.

Fifi’s house may not have been bursting with energy, but at least it was all hers. She still lived in the home she’d grown up in, which her parents had been kind enough to give to her. She hadn’t changed much by way of décor because she loved having the feel of her parents and memories of her childhood surrounding her. And the house would be perfect for raising a family in, which she was definitely looking forward to doing one day.

Fifi may not have the goods to compete in beauty pageants, but her advocacy work more than made up for that. Fifi worked as a lobbyist assistant, fighting to have bills passed that would enforce tougher child protection laws. She was currently lobbying to have convicted child molesters serve harsh, mandatory jail sentences, then once they were released, have electronic tracking devices implanted inside their bodies so their whereabouts could be traced at all times. More importantly, she was working to have a bill passed that would force child molesters to undergo physical castration.

Fifi Gentry. Purposeful, altruistic, and unrelenting. She may not have had the most on the block, but at least she had a mission.

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Denise N. Wheatley is a lover of romance, happy endings and the art of storytelling. She’s best known for her chick lit novel I WISH I NEVER MET YOU, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2004. She has since traditionally published several novels and novellas, including contemporary, suspense and paranormal romance. She strives to creative characters who are strong, colorful and relatable, and tell entertaining stories that embody matters of the heart.

Denise received a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the city where she was born and raised. She’s written screenplays and ghostwritten for some of your faves, and when she’s not sitting behind a computer, you can find her in a movie theater, on a tennis court, watching true crime television or chatting on social media.

Find Denise:  Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | BookBub | Goodreads