Cathy Marie Hake is a Christian author from Southern California. She is known for her romantic fiction and her portrayal of couples battling adversity with the strength of their love. Her work is typically positive and uplifting, with the intention of illustrating how faith can guide and solidify relationships. Hake has published over 40 books.
The author has claimed that she hears a number of different voices when writing her novels and that she has experienced imaginary companions since early childhood. She uses these voices in her writing process and suggests that she often writes down what they are saying. Cathy Marie Hake is known for her off beat sense of humor and appreciation of life's absurdities. She believes that God himself has a good sense of humor and that laughter is the key to positive relationships.
Although Hake often deals with the serious issues of marital problems and the importance of faith, she does not take herself too seriously. She has admitted that her first love was Bullwinkle Moose, and that she was very disappointed when she realized such a relationship could never exist. This, she jokes, is the source of one of the very prevalent themes in her novels; unrequited love.
Hake works with three publishing houses: Barbour Books, Heartsong Presents, and Bethany House. As of 2010, her latest novel, Serendipity, was published by Bethany House. The book explores the complex relationships of a Texan man and a conservative woman who marry hastily after a passionate romance. As the initial passion fades and life's struggles creep in, the couple must decide whether their marriage is worth fighting for.
The 2010 release of Serendipity was delayed multiple times due to Hake being injured in a number of falls. She suffered broken bones and a concussion that interfered with her writing and book release. Upon release, the novel received praise for its humor and accurate portrayal of Southern characters.
Many of Cathy Marie Hake's novels feature characters or themes that appear in multiple publications. Some are presented in series, often connected by location. The Kentucky Chances series, for example, includes the novels Last Chance, Chance of a Lifetime and Chance Adventure. Her work is also featured in numerous collections of romantic and Christian fiction.
A successful author in her genre, Cathy Marie Hake is also a licensed nurse who has worked in oncology and perinatal care. She also teaches Lamaze classes to expectant parents. Hake is married and has two children. Her interests include reading, antiques, cooking, and praying.
