Bernadette Marie may be a romantic at heart but if things get dicey I want this soon to be black belt on my side…

What is your most current work out?

My most current books are the first two books in the Matchmaker Trilogy, Matchmakers and Encore Performance. They are available through Snowy Creek Romance ™ imprint of Loucks-Christenson Publishing

Tell us a little about the Matchmakers series?

Matchmakers was a story that came to me when I thought “what if the heroine is physically scared” and the story went from there.  Many of us have scars and we hide them and let that fear guide us through our lives and relationships. Encore Performance was inspired by my reader panel who read the first book.  They fell in love with the teenage character and wouldn’t rest until she had her own story.  If she had her own story, then the final Kendal woman needed one too…now it’s a trilogy.  

When you start writing, do you already have the story plotted out or do you let the characters dictate what will happen?

I have a main idea when I start, but I don’t plot out.  I fly by the seat of my pants and many times the characters take over and when I’m done writing I’m amazed at what they’ve done for themselves.

What inspired you to write in your genre?  Is this the genre you started writing in or have you morphed to this one?

I began writing romance at 13, yes 13.  Though I knew nothing about romance so my stories were sweet.  But I’m such a “hopeful” romantic and I believe in happy endings, so it was always the genre for me.

Do you have a favorite character you have written?

My favorite character will be introduced in Again in 2011 as part of the Porter Family Series.  Madeline is the mother of three who finds out she has cancer.  It’s a moving story and she’s just an amazing woman with an amazing family.

Do you have a character that you look back on now and don’t like?

No, I don’t think the story would ever be finished if I didn’t like them.

Do you draw inspiration for your characters from real life? Any fun stories you could share?

I think all of my characters have some characteristics of people I know.  My next release Guardian Angel, the main character Christopher was inspired by a dear late friend.  He came to me in a dream and he was just who I was looking for.  He came in hockey gear (which was my mind working.  My oldest boys are avid hockey stars.)  The personalities and habits of others sneak in often.  For example in Hope’s Discovery, book three in the Matchmaker Trilogy, the hero throws his empty water bottles in the back of his car.  That’s a loving trait of my husband.

Name one thing that your readers would be surprised to know about you.

I will receive my Black Belt in Tang Soo Do/Tae Kwan Do in October.  I’m an avid martial artist.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Reading in the bathroom!!!  (Where else can a mother of five escape?!)

What do you need before you start writing?

Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?  My creative juices just flow!  I don’t have to have quiet, or space, or music.  I can write and work anywhere and anytime.  (Lucky me)

Does music influence your writing?  If so, do any of your stories have a theme song?

Music plays a big part in my life and in my books.  I have a broad music knowledge and it fit into my Matchmaker trilogy as the characters are musicians.  Lyrics spark my creative juices too.  My book The Forgotten was formed in my head from a line in a song about seeing the tail lights of a car driving away.  And that built an entire story in my head.

If your story was optioned for a movie, who would play your characters?

The entire reason I got into writing when I was thirteen was because I wanted to be a movie star.  So I began writing movies so that I could star in them.  So of course should Lifetime Movie Network contact me and want to make a movie I’d want to play the part.  I do think I’d be closest to Sophia, from Matchmakers.  As for other parts, I can’t think of anyone who fits the bill.

Where were you when you got your first contract?  Who did you tell first?

I was home when I received the contract. My husband is always first to know of big events!!!  So when I got the call he found out first.  Then I made sure to tell my 5 boys, mother, and sister before posting to the world on Facebook.

How old were you when you read your first romance book?

I’m sure my first romances came in Junior High.  They were young adult and I still remember a few of the story lines even if I can’t remember the titles.

What are you currently working on, and what else is in the wings?

Right now we are in the finishing stages of editing for Guardian Angel, the first book in the yearly Christmas Valley Series.  I am also finishing the final chapter of Hope’s Discovery, book three in the Matchmakers Trilogy.  I have been contracted for The Porter Family series which at this point is four books.  The first two are written, so I’ll be finishing that series too.  Lots of writing going on!

Where can readers find you ?

They can email me at info@bernadettemarie.com

My website is www.bernadettemarie.com

You can find me at www.snowycreekromance.com, www.amazon.com, www.authorsden.com, and on Facebook where I have a fan page and a group under Bernadette Marie.

And for the silly side – What is your favorite type of chocolate?

I love, love, love Milk Chocolate!!!!!  I’m convinced it is a major food group!!!