Multi-award-winning author Catherine Castle loves writing, reading, traveling, singing, theatre, and quilting. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. You can find her books The Nun and the Narc, A Groom for Mama, Bidding on the Bouquet  and Trying Out for Love boxed set on Amazon.

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Character name and role:

Hi. I’m Marietta Wilson, the heroine of Catherine Castle’s novella Bidding on the Bouquet, but I’m not all that heroic.

How would you describe yourself?

I’m hardworking and smart. I won a full scholarship to a prestigious private college on Long Island, and I’ve been on the dean’s list every semester—in graduate school, too. I’m also determined. Using my scholarship, any other legal methods I can, and with the help of the Lord (not necessarily in that order), I’m going to make certain I don’t fall into the traps that my family did—poverty, addiction, and crime.

What is your deepest, most closely held secret?

My past. Only a few people know how bad my life was as a child. I don’t talk about it much, because I don’t want others to look down on me and pity me. I want them to see me for who I am now and what I’ve achieved on my own. I am willing, however, to talk about my past if I feel it can help someone else out of their own bad situation. But only then.

What is your worst childhood memory?

The homeless shelter.  But it’s also one of my best memories, because that’s where I first learned about Jesus. Tinsy, she’s the lady I work with at the soup kitchen, says Jesus is why I have such a heart for others who are down and out. That and the fact that I can relate to them.  She’s one of the few who knows that piece of my past. Me, I think I spend so much time there because I’m making up for all the bad things my family has done. Heaven knows they aren’t going to make any amends any time soon. It’s also easier to hide among the people there. They don’t pry and ask where you’re from or who you know, like the rich students at the college. The people at the soup kitchen are just glad to see you. They don’t care about your social pedigree.

How do you feel about marriage?

I think marriage can be a wonderful thing, if two people love each other. My parents’ marriage wasn’t that great. My siblings and I suffered because of it. Even though I’m going to bid on a bridesmaid spot at Chrissy Vandermere’s wedding and do my best to catch the bridal bouquet, I’m not competing because I want to be the next woman to get married. Marriage is not in my future. If I had a man that loved me enough to want to marry me, I’d have to tell him about my past, and that would frighten him away. I mean, who would want to be part of my mixed up, dysfunctional family? I know I don’t. I’m only planning to bid on the bouquet and catch it because of the solid gold rose in the center of the flowers. I have plans for that gold.

Here’s more about Bidding on the Bouquet

The chance to catch a bridal bouquet containing a solid gold rose makes underprivileged, down-on-her-luck grad student Marietta Wilson pawn everything she owns to come up with a bid to win a bridesmaid spot in the most prestigious wedding of the season.

When he discovers his sister is auctioning off bridesmaid spots in her wedding party, wealthy, elitist Chip Vandermere is appalled. Not only is it in poor taste, but no self-respecting lady would stoop so low as to bid. Convinced Marietta is a gold digger, Chip sets out to thwart her plans.

A social climber and a social misfit. Can a bridal bouquet unite them?

Bidding on the Bouquet at Amazon

Thanks for joining us, Catherine.

Happy reading,