Get ready to learn more about the book Maid For You in this discussion with sapphic author Mariah R. Embry.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Mariah R. Embry about Maid For You, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Addiction category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Maid For You?
I wrote Maid For You in a month due to complete boredom as I tried desperately to escape our horrid reality of COVID-19 back in 2020. At the time, I was going through many changes especially in my first marriage. I was separating with my ex, so I needed something to bring me hope of a love that was pure and built on trust and reliability. I wanted there to be something good that came out of such a time of desperation. I felt that it was time to tell Jay and Octavia’s story since their love was only able to transpire due to something as life-changing as COVID-19. These two show how love can come from two totally different walks of life and still blossom into something beautiful and all inspiring.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favorite character in the book is by far Octavia. I love Octavia because she does not hide her displeasure. She sets expectations in her relationship, but at the same time, she knows that life is real and no one is perfect. Octavia has a soft spot for Jay due to their similarities with substance abuse. What I love about their dynamics, however, is that Octavia does not allow Jay to take advantage of her empathy and in return we see this troubled person come to life under so much love and light.
What inspired the idea for Maid For You?
I saw that hotels were laying off many employees including housekeepers during COVID-19. When I was watching the news, I thought up Octavia’s character and knew I wanted to tell a story about a housekeeper who had to find a new way of life due to COVID. I then thought of what if she was locked down with someone and needed to continue working in turn for housing and a job.
What was the biggest challenge writing this book?
I wrote Maid for You from March 2020 to April 2020 (the beginning of Lockdown). The biggest challenge for writing this novel was to keep up with the accuracies of the timeline. I had no idea what the future held for the world at this time, so I chose to stick what was current.
What part of Maid For You was the most fun to write?
The part that was most fun to write has to be the kissing scene in Chapter 15. I was listening to “Love is Thicker Than Water” by Andy Gibbs and saw the pair kissing. I was actually taking a break from writing during this time. It’s safe to say that the break did not last.
