Please help me welcome today’s guest, my friend and fellow author, Maxine Douglas…
Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?
I am originally from Wisconsin, born and bred, but my late-husband and I moved to Oklahoma after I retired from my day job after nearly 30 years. I share my home with my shelter cat, turned cover model. Simon. Maybe I should saw Simon’s shares HIS home with me. I have one son, two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren.
Is there anything you’d like to tell us about how this book came to be?
Deceitful Promises went through a few changes. I went from a story with two mail-order brides and two grooms, to its current version. I just couldn’t wrap my head fully around the original theme, and after brainstorming with a few friends settled on the current storyline. Plus I LOVE The Gilded Age on HBO, and it’s an era that I’d like to write more of.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read Deceitful Promises?
To never give up on love and finding your soulmate. In this story, it’s reconnecting with your soulmate. Sometimes fiction imitates life.
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
Actually, three of the main characters in Deceitful Promises were all inspired by actors in The Gilded Age: Louisa Jacobson as Clara Wakefield, Kelley Curran as Lydia Blackwell, and Harry Richardson as Larry Sanford. And last but not least, Anderson Reimer as Kit Dawson.
Would you rather have a bad review or no review?
I’d rather have a bad review simply because I know the book was read, or at least I hope it was. As a rule, I believe reading a book is subjective to the reader. Not every reader gets the same experience in their journey.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?
Tough question! I would want plenty of paper and pencils, as well as the good book.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Yes! I am currently writing a small-town cozy mystery that is due to be released in April 2026. In Art of Deception The Art of Deception every masterpiece tells a story—this one whispers murder. I will also be working on my second Friday the 13th story title Lighthouse Cove set to be released on November 13, 2026.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
When I first started writing way back when, I wrote what I knew and the people knew. Now I’d like to think that as much as my characters and their situations are fictional, they do carry a bit of me in them somewhere.
What do your friends and family think of your writing?
My family is very supportive, even if they haven’t read any of my books. My brothers and my son said they don’t want to know what goes on in my creative brain. LOL Several friends continuously buy and read my books, which warms my heart in the best way possible.
Your favorite…
Movie I have so many it’s hard to choose just one, but I do enjoy the Hallmark movies from time-to-time.
Music Country or classic rock from the 1960s-1990s
Place you’ve visited My late-husband and I travelled the US a lot from coast to coast.
TV show from childhood Walt Disney’s Zorro was my first Bonafide hero!
TV show from adulthood The Gilded Age, Outlander, Bridgerton, to name a few.
Sports team Why the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers Football
Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? LOL All three!
This Christmas, in the heart of the frontier, promises can deceive—but love never lies.
When Kit Dawson asked for an early Christmas gift to find his way in the newly developed Unassigned Lands, he didn’t anticipate that Lydia Blackwell, a bride hand-picked by his father, would arrive expecting to immediately become his wife. Nor that a woman from his past, lady detective Clara Wakefield, on the trail of a suspected fraudster, would also land on his doorstep.
Secrets, misunderstandings, and unforeseen circumstances test and challenge them all to face their deepest desires and find the true meaning of love.
Did Santa know Kit’s dreams would clash with harsh realities, love, secrets, and unforeseen alliances?
Excerpt:
Late Fall, 1889
Wildwood, Unassigned Lands
Kit brushed off Larry’s warning once again. He knew time was of the essence to do the one thing he was far from ready to do. Find a wife and get married before his father tried to force him to come home and marry some socially acceptable woman he’d chosen for him.
“I suppose I’ve got to find someone suitable to marry,” Kit answered, looking at the landscape painting he’d been working on. Painting had been his passion in college. Here in an untouched world in comparison to New York City, it had grown, giving him peace.
“You know your father will choose for you since you’ve held up your end of the financial bargain.” Larry shook his head. “And just so you know, you’ve only got ninety days.”
“Not really enough time to fall in love with the lucky lady,” Kit muttered under his breath, adding a stroke of light blue to the canvas. Unless he finds the only one who had his heart, he’ll have to settle for companionship with someone else. “Falling in love doesn’t happen every day, my friend.”
Dawson Residence
East 61st Street
New York City
Madame Harper walked with natural grace over to the settee, sitting on the very edge of the cushion. She’d been a woman well brought up to advance in society, and she had done just that for the most part.
“I heard from your son just this morning. I received a telegram instructing me to send my selection per his instructions,” Madame Harper said, smoothing a wrinkle from her skirt. “I have Miss Blackwell, per your directive, with me. I trust it is time to send her to your son.”
“Is she agreeable to the arrangement then?” Oscar asked, hovering over one of the wingback chairs before sitting down.
“She is, understandably, hesitant and suspicious, but eager,” Madama Harper replied. “However, given her somewhat sketchy background I am convinced that she comprehends the benefit that awaits her by accepting the arrangement. Unless, of course, you find her unsuitable given her reputation.”
“I would like to talk with her alone, if you don’t mind,” Oscar said, getting up and ringing for Lewis. “I must make sure there isn’t any chance of this plan going astray.”
“Of course, I’ve done all that you’ve asked; the rest is up to you now, Mr. Dawson,” Madame Harper said, as the butler opened the door.
Madame Harper relinquished her seat, pausing only a moment before following Lewis out the door. “This is your chance, Lydia,” she suggested, turning and nodding to Oscar.
It was all Oscar needed. He’d get this little bird to bend to his will before Mrs. King arrived with the coffee.
“Miss Blackwell, please have a seat,” Oscar offered, motioning to the settee Madame Harper had just vacated.
“Mr. Dawson, I understand you have a proposition for me?” Lydia asked, the lavender silk rustling as she crossed the floor. “I’d rather get down to business, as I understand time is of the essence.”
Buy links:
Amazon KU US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPGL6NCT
Amazon KU UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FPGL6NCT
Print: https://books2read.com/u/baQRp8
Goodreads: Deceitful Promises by Maxine Douglas | Goodreads
BookBub: Deceitful Promises by Maxine Douglas – BookBub
About the Author:
Award-winning author, Maxine Douglas writes in many genres and found a love for western historical romance. A Wisconsin native, Maxine resides in Oklahoma. While Maxine may miss her family and friends in the north, she loves the mild winters Oklahoma has to offer.
Having found love in 2001 and then losing the love of her life in 2018 to cancer, Maxine hasn’t given up on believing in true love. She hopes that she expresses that feeling with every story she brings to life through her writing.
Maxine is a current member of the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. and its affiliations Central Region Oklahoma Writers and Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild. She is also a member of the Romance Writers of American, The Friends of the Chickasha Public Library, and serves as a Board Member on the Chickasha Area Arts Council.
Author Alicia Dean 