Halcyon Rising – Dec 2011 release.

Tell us a little about Halcyon Rising, what inspired you to write Halcyon Rising?

I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Atlantis. So many ancient civilizations have myths about it, so I started wondering what could have happened to them. That led to wondering what would have happened if a medieval knight met up with an Atlantean woman, and Halcyon Rising was born. Sebastian has spent time on Crusade and has tried to bury his painful past in an obsessive pursuit of knowledge. When his brother captures Rhoswen, Sebastian is tasked with learning all her secrets, but the answers she holds may destroy him.

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

I am definitely a pantser. I usually start out with the characters, who they are and what their backstory is, a basic idea of what I want to happen, but my stories seem to write themselves, I just hang on for the ride.

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

I have wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl, but it wasn’t until I was 17 and read a historical romance by Brenda Joyce that I fell in love with the genre and knew that’s what I wanted to do.

Do you have a favorite character you have written?

I always fall in love with my heroes, and so far my favorite is Ethan from The Black Orchid.

Who was the toughest character for you to “get right” that you have written so far?

Michael from The American Heiress. He was not as tortured as the rest of my heroes and for some reason that proved harder for me to write.

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

I suppose that there are elements of real life and people I really know in my stories, but I never intentionally try to base a character on a real person.

What do you find the hardest part of writing?

The first draft. I love the editing process, love taking what I’ve written and molding it into something lovely, but actually bleeding it all out to begin with can sometimes be tough.

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

I spent ten years as a police dispatcher, working with sexy cops and firemen. LOL I like to think that’s why I write really believable heroes.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I have a lot of them. LOL I love long hot baths and chocolate, Scentsy© candles and sappy movies.

What do you need before you start writing? Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?

Recently, I’ve started a workout program, and I find that it is has really helped to get the juices flowing. I walk or run three miles and then take a long hot shower before I even start trying to write, so by the time I sit down in my chair I am invigorated and ready to rock and roll. Plus, as I’m working out, I focus on what I need to get done that day, so by the time I start I’ve usually worked out a solution to whatever snarl I’ve managed to write myself in to. I also have a great playlist and make sure there’s a fresh Scentsy© wax melting in the warmer by my desk.

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

I need music to write, but I’ve never actually made a soundtrack for any particular story. Currently, I am in love with the Adele channel on Pandora.

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

For Halcyon Rising, I would love to see Reese Witherspoon and Matt Bomer. Reese is spunky and smart, and Matt is just so…hot.

Where were you when you got your first contract?

It was September of 2006 and I was at home. I screamed and cried and jumped around like a lunatic. Who did you tell first? My husband.

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

17

What author causes you to “go fan girl”/ squeal over/anticipate upcoming books?

I am insanely crazy over J.R. Ward, Elizabeth Hoyt and Joanna Bourne. Whenever any of them have a new release I make a countdown and buy it the second it’s available.

If you still have one of those pesky non writing jobs what is it?

Happy to say that I quit my day job in May of 2011 and now focus all my time and energy on writing.

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

I am currently working on Victorian trilogy about three brothers. I’m calling it my Victorian Batman series. LOL I am trying to incorporate some steam punk elements, gadgets and such, with a Robin Hood/Sherlock Holmes theme. I’m terrible about explaining the concept, but it’s coming along great and I’m really excited about it. Hope to have the first one done in the next month or so.

If you could co-write with another author who would it be?

Laura Kinsale. She is my hero.

How do you pick your characters names?

They usually just come to me, though sometimes I change them midstream.

Do you prefer the love at first sight approach or a steady growth throughout?

I detest romances where the characters fall in lust at first sight, bicker and fight for 200 pages and then ride off into the sunset madly in love. LOL My characters always really LIKE each other. I try to really find a way for them to bond on a level other than the physical. Just when they are really starting to fall for each other, I work in some sort of well motivated betrayal or an inescapable conflict, and then they must work to overcome it, the way real couples do. The themes of forgiveness and compromise are big in my books.

What is your reaction to people who say one of the following…”Oh you write romance, I thought you were a real writer”, “Romance isn’t a real writing career” or the ever popular “Oh, one of those books”.

I HATE that more than anything. Lately, I’ve just started looking that person in the eyes and saying, “I can’t believe you’d say something so insulting about something I’m so passionate about. Have you ever READ one?” That usually shuts them up. LOL

Where can readers find you?

Website
Facebook
Amazon Author Page

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

Definitely dark chocolate. But I never met a piece of chocolate I didn’t like.