Get ready to learn more about the book Paying Her Price in this discussion with sapphic author Maggie Brown.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Maggie Brown about Paying Her Price, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the One Night Forever category in the 2025 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Paying Her Price?
Writing about two sexually charged women on different sides throwing verbal grenades at each other while falling in love sounded fun. Now felt like the right time for the book because the world needs more women solving conspiracies. Also needs more ice queens.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Evelyn Voss. She’s emotionally unavailable, drinks espresso instead of water, and weaponizes eye contact. We don’t have much in common because she rich and controls with a look and a twitch of her eye brow. I wish
What part of Paying Her Price was the most fun to write?
All the scenes where Harper and Evelyn are trying to ruin each other’s lives while secretly wanting to rip each other’s clothes off. Nothing says fun like emotional whiplash paired with federal corruption. It’s great foreplay.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
This one was easy for a change. I also find finding a suitable title really difficult; most authors do. There is a play on words in this one: Harper Price is an MC.
What is your favorite line from your book?
“Just because I want you doesn’t mean I trust you.”
Romance with a warning label.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Jane Austen. I’d like to watch her react to Paying Her Price with the face of a scandalized vicar’s wife. Then we’d drink tea and gossip about Mr. Darcy. I think she’d secretly love Evelyn.
Do you have any odd writing quirks?
I think up plots while lying in bed when I wake up in the morning. Also, I can’t name characters unless I’ve scrolled through baby name websites
What animal or object best represents you as an author or your writing style?
A magpie. I collect shiny dialogue scraps, emotionally loaded glances, and people’s quirks. I’m easily distracted by sexual tension. Like a bird, I wing the plot.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
I become them. I spend too much time visualizing what they’d say, wear, and what kind of perfume a CEO with secrets might wear. Totally normal things.
Do you feel bad putting your characters through the wringer?
Absolutely not. Evelyn and Harper won’t get an easy life when I’m writing the book. I live for angst. And everyone knows that in a book the MCs have to jump through a lot of hurdles before they get together.
What books did you grow up reading?
I read everything. Everyone that writes has to be a reader first. I grew up with Anne of Green Gables, then graduated Georgette Heyer and Agatha Christie. Then moved on to fiery romances.
Describe your favorite reading spot.
Curled up on the couch with a blanket, a hot drink, and the vague guilt that I should be writing instead. Bonus points if it’s raining, thundering, or if there’s some kind of romantic betrayal on the page.
Have you ever thought you’d hate a book, but ended up loving it?
Absolutely. I’ve ignored many books because they haven’t many ratings, only to find there’re great. (the opposite applies sometimes too) There are many little gems out there waiting to be found.
