We have cornered new author Karin Harlow just before her 1st novel debuts:

My Paranormal Romance, “Enemy Lover”, published by Pocket Star, debuts this month (May 2010) on the 25th!

Tell us a little about “Enemy Lover” and what inspired you to write “Enemy Lover”?

It’s Jax Cassidy’s first mission for L.O.S.T Last Option Special Team.—one that will give the former cop who went rogue a chance to prove herself. Her assignment: gain the trust of assassin Marcus Cross . . . eliminate him . . . then take down Marcus’s mentor, Joseph Lazarus, a man with a bold eye on the White House. But the woman who’s known by her team for being a femme fatale succumbs to passion, only to discover Cross’s deadly secret. He’s a vampire, and Joseph Lazarus is his creator.Left for dead by his platoon in the violent hills of Afghanistan, special ops sniper Marcus Cross was given a second chance at life. His newly heightened skills make him the perfect killing machine, and as Lazarus’s right hand man, he’s quickly rising to the top of his dark empire, purging enemies with speed and precision. Only when dangerous beauty Jax Cassidy is sent to bring him in does he begin to question Lazarus’s motives and his own actions. But when Jax’s life is threatened by the one thing that can destroy them both, Marcus must make a bitter choice—her death or his.

I was totally enamored with the thought of writing a dark sexy vampire suspense. So, when I pitched my L.O.S.T. series as the Dirty Dozen meets Mission Impossible, I added, with a paranormal twist, for good measure. I had no idea it would turn into to such a multi-faceted series. I love writing the paranormal aspect as much as the mortal bad cops gone completely rogue aspect. And the romance goes without saying. I love the romance!

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

I have my protagonist and villain completely vetted. I need to know who they are, what they want, and how far they willing to go to get before I can type one word. After that, I’m a panster all the way!

What inspired you to write in your genre?

As a kid I was a complete Dark Shadows addict as well as Dracula junkie. I always wanted my very own sexy vamp, so I wrote one: Marcus Cross. Tall dark and impossibly hawt!

Do you have a favorite character you have written?

I love my heroine in “Enemy Lover”, Jax Cassidy. She is seriously damaged but despite it all has the biggest set of balls I’ve ever seen on a man or woman. She inspires me to be brave! It took a very special, very strong, very intuitive man to meet her half way. Marcus Cross does it in such a noble heart-wrenching way, I still cry when I think of what he is willing to sacrifice for her.

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

Oh, no! I love all of my characters, even the nastiest of nasties. Without them I wouldn’t have such great stories!

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

Yes! I wrote a blog on the character of my characters and how I draw from real life people. I love observing people. My heroes are tough alpha types. So is my husband, who also happen to be a retired cop. I write what I know.

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

I’m an etiquette fanatic.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Yes. Housewives of the OC and TMZ! OMG, I can’t believe I actually admitted that!

What do you need before you start writing?

A lap top and a cup of coffee.

Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?

Oh, yes, how could I forget, my iPod, cranked up, not on the base but with earphones. That way I tune out the world and get into my zone and write.

Does music influence your writing?

Yep.

If so, do any of your stories have a theme song?

No theme song specifically, but in general, all of my books have angsty rock and roll ballads that have given them page after page of inspiration!

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

Hmm, as Jax Cassidy? Kate Beckinsale as she looked in the Underworld movies. As Marcus Cross? Andy Whitfield who plays Spartacus in Spartacus Blood and Sand. Only taller and with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. Oh, yeah, and fangs.

Where were you when you got your first contract?

I was in bed recovery from surgery.

Who did you tell first?

The hubster of course!

What are you currently working on?

LOST SOULS (working title) book two in the L.O.S.T. series.

Where can readers find you?

All over the place! www.karinharlow.com
www.facebook.com/karinharlow
www.twitter.com/karinharlow
and even on My Space! I love to hear from readers. Feel free to shoot me an email at KarinHarlow@aol.com. I promise to respond!

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

Dark and creamy.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with me today, Tanya!

My pleasure Karen. I love learning a little more about our favorite authors.