Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

Wisconsin Women Magazine interviewed me, Ann Voss Peterson, Kathy Steffen, and Meagan Hatfield–all friends–for their February issue. :)

Read the article here.

30 Days of Vampires Schedule

Basic Facts: Gerry Bartlett, author of REAL VAMPIRES DON’T DIET, book 4 in the Glory St. Clair series, Berkley Trade Paperback, January, 2009
Favorite Candy: anything chocolate as long as it doesn’t have peanut butter in it. Not a fan of peanut butter.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Snoopy because he’s a fellow writer.
Super Power Most Covets: I’d like to have the vampire’s ability to never age. Hate the way gravity gets to you. Never gaining weight is cool too.
Favorite Vampire: Charlaine Harris’s Eric—he’s the bad boy we all crave. Don’t know why the good guys never seem to do it for me.

Q.) First can you tell us about your Glory St. Clair series?

G.B.) About my series: Gloriana (Glory) St. Clair was turned vampire on a day when she was bloating. Now she’s been stuck for over four hundred years with an hour glass figure that runs more like ninety minutes, if you know what I mean. She’s in an on again, off again relationship with her maker, a hunky Scot, and runs her own vintage clothing store in Austin, Texas. She’s big on independence and tries to stay safe by blending with humans. She has a dog/shape-shifter named Valdez who is by her side twenty-four/seven, lots of interesting friends and enough enemies to keep her hopping in her four inch stilettos.

Q.) What about your take on vampires, do you stick with tradition or tweak it a bit?

G.B.) My vampires are fairly traditional. They can’t go out in sunlight, sleep the day away, and drink blood to stay alive, though there are synthetics available. They are independent—no fancy hierarchy, government or special species. They live off the grid, blending with humans, and are immortal, so they have to stay moving to keep their cover and live peacefully. Like any group of people, there are good guys and bad guys. The bad ones are pretty evil and like to rip out throats and cause problems for the peace-loving vamps like Glory. They can read minds and control them too. This is handy when they use mortals as their source for nourishment. They wipe the memory and move on, no harm, no foul. Some humans do know about the vamps and are “pets”, but this isn’t a common thing and Glory usually just hangs around with fellow vampires.

Q.) Why vampires? And more specifically why a full-figured vampire? Where did you get that idea?

G.B.) I decided to write about vampires because my critique partner Nina Bangs nagged me into trying it. She’s been very successful with her vamp books and thought I could be too. I decided I had to do it my way and I had read some other vamp books I liked, including Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris and Maggie Shayne. I wanted to make mine funny and my friend and other critique partner Kimberly Raye actually suggested the full-figured aspect. Kim’s a genius, because that was the spark I needed to get excited about the story. I began writing it first person and Glory just seemed to speak to me. Since I’ve had figure issues myself, it was really easy for me to get inside her head.

Q.) What would you do if you met a “real” vampire? Would you be a vamp groupie or would you dash for the nearest stake?

G.B.) If I met a “real” vampire, I’d run. The paranormal actually scares me. Let’s keep it fictional. Please.

Q.) If you were given the option, would you be turned?

G.B.) If I were given the option, I wouldn’t want to be turned vampire. No way. Not unless everyone I know and loved would live forever too. I can’t imagine watching them die while I lived on. There could be nothing worse. And I’m with Glory and the whole liquid diet thing. I love my food too much to give it up. What fun is it to live forever without steak and a baked potato? Not to mention chocolate pie. I have to have crunch in my diet, just like my heroine.

Q.) Matchmaker dilemma, you have a choice of a vampire, a werewolf or a witch/wizard as a date for your sister’s wedding, who do you take?

G.B.) I’d rather date a wizard, I think, than a vamp or a werewolf. Not into the furry thing at all and not interested in being a blood donor, though the dark and dangerous male is a real turn-on in my fantasy life. A wizard could do some cool things, though. Like turn some people who have been not-so-nice into frogs for me.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a pantser? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

G.B.) I’m definitely a pantser. I always have a starting point, a beginning of an idea and the characters I want to write about, but that’s about it. With a series, it’s really fun because I know Glory and her friends so well. The challenge is that I know fans want to see how some of their favorites are doing but the landscape can get pretty cluttered, especially now that I’m on book five. I always try to balance the humor, mystery and the love story, so that’s the juggling act I’m constantly involved in. When I start a book, I do a lot of brainstorming with my critique group and think about how I can use the cast of characters to help Glory with whatever problem is going to crop up. I do a lot of rewriting, but I don’t mind it. I’d much rather edit than face a blank page.

Q.) What is the smartest thing you’ve done so far as advancing either your writing or your writing career? What is something you wish you had done differently?

G.B.) The smartest thing I ever did to advance my writing career was join Romance Writers of America. I attended a local chapter meeting and got up my nerve to go one Sunday when there was an invitation to form a critique group. That group was the beginning for me getting serious about writing. It’s been many, many years and only Nina, Kim and I are left of the original gang, but the three of us, who all started really raw and unpublished, have sold nearly eighty books now. Kim’s sold the most at almost sixty and has hit the USA Today list. Nina’s hit that one and the NYTimes bestseller list. I’m the slowest to get going, but still have made the Barnes and Nobles and Borders bestseller lists. It wasn’t easy, with lots of tough criticism and tears along the way, but we’re living proof that perseverance pays. The only thing I wish I had done differently is not wasted so much time writing something that wasn’t marketable. Nina is very market savvy. It has paid off for her in a big way. That’s not to say that she doesn’t love what she writes, but that she always makes sure there is going to be a place to sell what she produces. I foundered around with a historical for too many years when they were dead in the water. The vampire thing was my reality check. When I finally tried my hand at it, I got my first agent and a quick sale after a long dry spell. Now that historicals are heating up again, I may try a vamp historical.

Q.) Can you describe three things in your writing area that tell us something about you?

G.B.) My writing area is a work in progress. I just put in new flooring and still haven’t rescued all of my “stuff” from the garage. I do have a sign from my late father’s desk that says “A cluttered desk is a sign of genius.” I take that as a challenge. Daddy encouraged me to write and bought me my first computer. I have a picture of the two of us together when I was about a year old next to my desk too. I’m obviously a Daddy’s girl. I also have a poster from “Gone With the Wind.” It was the first romance I ever read and I still think Scarlett and Rhett ended up happy together somehow. Naturally, I’d have written the ending differently. Finally, my husband John passed away last year and I have one of the better pictures of us together next to my computer. We were both fairly skinny and look happy at one of his high school reunions. He was my hero and I learned that love at first sight is real and can last. Have to admit, though, that it’s getting tough to write those hot love scenes lately. So if you have a hunky vamp or wizard who needs a date, hook me up. ;)

Q.) Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next?

G.B.) As for new projects, I hope to keep the Glory St. Clair series going for a while. And I’d like to try my hand at a funny vamp historical series. I’ve always loved the Regency period and am convinced I lived there in a previous life. For now, I’m busy trying to recover from Hurricane Ike. My home and family are fine, but my antique business in Galveston was basically wiped out. So I’ve been busy shopping and cleaning and assessing what needs to be done to get things going again down there before Christmas. If you’re ever in Galveston, come to the Strand at 20th to Somewhere in Time where I have a booth and say hi. I usually keep a few of my own books on the shelf there. One of the worst losses when we got ten feet of water during the hurricane, was that all of my collectible books were ruined. Argh. Including my 1936 copy of “Gone With the Wind.”

You can read Glory’s blog at myspace.com/gerrybartlett or check out gerrybartlett.com for a complete list of the Real Vampires series and an excerpt from REAL VAMPIRES DON’T DIET coming from Berkley Publishing on January 3, 2009.

Order Gerry’s books:
Real Vampires Have Curves
Real Vampires Live Large
Real Vampires Get Lucky
Real Vampires Don’t Diet

30 Days of Vampires Schedule
Author of: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, Midnight Brunch, The Bride of Casa Dracula
Favorite Candy: Idaho Spud, because what is better than a candy that looks like a potato?
Favorite Cartoon Character: Stewie of “Family Guy.”
Super Power Most Covets: Power to fly since traveling on planes is expensive and annoying.
Favorite Vampire: Spike of “Buffy” because he’s snarky and snarling.

Q.) First can you tell us about your Casa Dracula series?

M.A.) My novels follow the adventures of Milagro de Los Santos, a funny, sexy, smart, yet impetuous young woman who gets caught up with a pack of rich, snobby vampires. She prefers to think the best of people (and other creatures) which is why she’s sometimes duped, but she has the courage and cleverness to overcome obstacles. She always manages to find good parties and attractive men while doing so.

Q.) What about your take on vampires, do you stick with tradition or tweak it a bit?

M.A.) I’ve never understood the appeal of ancient corpses, so my vamps are humans who have a genetic anomaly that makes them crave red things (like blood), heal faster, and also makes them sensitive to sunlight. They dislike the superstitions about them (why wouldn’t they be visible in a mirror?), and they’re a secretive bunch so Milagro is never sure if they’re being completely honest.

Q.) If you were given the option, would you be turned?

M.A.) To quote Milagro, ha, ha, and ha.

Q.) What would you do if you met a “real” vampire? Would you be a vamp groupie or would you dash for the nearest stake?

M.A.) What does he look like? If we’re talking Gary Oldman with that crazy-ass wig in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” I’d have to stake him for his high-crimes-against-fashion. If he looks like Gerard Butler with that rock star wig in the deliciously bad “Dracula 2000” I’d offer him a Bloody Mary and we’d discuss the options.

Q.) Who makes the best hero–slayer or vamp? Why?

M.A.) A normal human makes the best hero because vamps and slayers have unfair advantages of strength and fearlessness. I prefer regular Joes (or Josephines) who fight the good fight. I adored Buffy, but I admired Xander.

Q.) Matchmaker dilemma, you have a choice of a vampire, a werewolf or a witch/wizard as a date to your sister’s wedding, who do you pick and why?

M.A.) Vampires are high maintenance. It’s all about them. “The coat check girl lost my cape. The salmon was overcooked. I drained the blood out of the ring bearer.” Witch/wizards are notoriously bad dancers. You know, the kind that wave their arms around and do lame Isadora Duncan moves as they get in touch with their inner wood nymph.
Werewolves are the original party animals. As pack critters, they have mad social skills. They may not be the best dancers, but they get down and get funky with during party perennials like “Y.M.C.A.” and “Full Moon Rising.” They wouldn’t whine about the food, they’d be fun to pet, and think of how great the wedding photos would be!

Q.) Are you a plotter or a panster? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

M.A.) I used to be a pantser. However, my editor objected to the meandering nature of my work. Now I’m a dedicated plotter. I think most writers begin as pantsers, because, well, it’s easier. But it’s like building a bedroom and then trying to construct a house around it. Much better to frame out the house and complete the construction of the individual rooms. You can still change things if you need to.

Q.) What is the smartest thing you’ve done so far as advancing either your writing or your writing career? What is something you wish you had done differently?

M.A.) Contributing columns and articles to newspapers helped me learn to meet deadlines and work with editors. It also gave me professional writing cred when I pitched myself to agents. I wish I had done it years before.

Q.) Can you describe three things in your writing area that tell us something about you?

M.A.) My writing area is a disaster, because I hate filing. I have a bulletin board with lots of photos of my son and family, a pencil holder made from a pretty tin that belonged to my grandmother, and a Slinky that I constantly fidget with.

Q.) Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next?

M.A.) I just handed in the first draft of my next novel, a romantic comedy tentatively titled Nancy’s Theory of Style, which will be published by Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books in 2009. After that I’m writing another Casa Dracula novel. My agent is sending out a young adult gothic that I’ve written and I hope that will be snatched up by a publisher soon.

Thanks, Lori, for having me here! I’m always happy to hear from readers and they can visit my website. Fans of vamp and paranormal entertainment can keep up with all the latest news at my Vampire Wire blog.

Order Marta’s books:
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula
Midnight Brunch
The Bride of Casa Dracula

30 Days of Vampires Schedule

Today we have paranormal romance author Kerrelyn Sparks joining us. Kerrelyn has a new holiday vampire tale out right now.

Basic Facts:
Author of: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, Vamps and the City, Be Still My Vampire Heart, The Undead Next Door, and All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire
Favorite Candy: Hershey Chocolate with Almonds
Favorite Cartoon Character: Bullwinkle Moose
Super Power Most Covets: Teleportation
Favorite Vampire: The one I’m currently writing about.

Q.) First can you tell us about All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire?

K.S.) The vampire hero is Ian MacPhie, who was trapped for 500 years with a 15-year-old body and face. In the previous book in the series, The Undead Next Door, Ian found a way to age. Now he looks like a full grown man, so he’s ready for love—and looking in all the wrong places.

Q.) How about your other vampire books, are they connected?

K.S.) Yes, they’re all part of the Love at Stake series, which started with How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. Each book features a different hero and heroine, so the reader can enjoy a new love story. Also, each book is designed to stand alone, so a reader can jump into the series at any point without getting confused. But all the books take place in the same Vampire World with the same cast of characters. The reader gets to see what’s going on with the previous heroes and heroines. For instance, you’ll see Roman and Shanna from the first book have their baby in the third book.

Q.) What about your take on vampires, do you stick with tradition or tweak it a bit?

K.S.) My vampires are traditional in the sense that they are dead during the day, and they would die painfully if exposed to sunlight. It really adds to the suspense when they have some vulnerabilities. At the same time, they have some great powers—super speed and strength, super senses, mind control, and the ability to teleport. They still need blood to survive, but I’ve tweaked that since I felt a truly heroic vamp would not want to bite people. So the good Vamps drink synthetic blood, while the bad ones still feed and kill humans.

I also have fun with the Vamps, giving them stuff like Vampire Fusion Cuisine and the Digital Vampire Network. With Vampire Fusion Cuisine, the Vamps enjoy drinks like Blissky (synthetic blood mixed with whiskey), Bleer (blood and beer), Bubbly Blood (blood and champagne for those special vampire occasions), Chocolood, (blood and chocolate) and Blood Lite (for those who drink too much Chocolood). On the Digital Vampire Network, they watch celebrity talk shows like Live with the Undead and vampire soap operas like When the Vampire Turns and General Morgue.
Since the hero from the first book, Roman Draganesti, is a scientific genius, he invented synthetic blood, Vampire Fusion Cuisine, and the drug that enabled Ian to age. He also came up with a way for the Vamp men and their mortal wives to have children.

Q.) In the past you wrote historical romance, now you write contemporary
paranormal romance. What if anything do you think the books have in common?

K.S.) They all have Scotsmen! Apparently, I am unable to write a romance without a Scotsman in a kilt. And everything I write gets afflicted with the same crazy sense of humor.

Q.) Why vampires?

K.S.) They’re sexy and fun! Vampires get to do all the things our moms told us never to do—They sleep all day; they party all night; and they get to play with their food!

Q.) What would you do if you met a “real” vampire? Would you be a vamp
groupie or would you dash for the nearest stake?

K.S.) I would do the Interview with a Vampire thing. I’d ask a bunch of questions for research. And I’d whip out a mirror to see if they really don’t reflect. And I might offer them a slice of garlic bread just to see how they react.

Q.) Matchmaker dilemma, you have a choice of a vampire, a werewolf or a witch/wizard as a date for your sister’s wedding. Who do you choose?

K.S.) A vampire cause he’d be a great dancer, and he’d look great in a tux. If I didn’t like the guy my sister was marrying, I would bring a wizard so he could turn the groom into a frog.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a pantser? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever
try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

K.S.) I’m a pantser. I have a rough idea how the book will start and end, but I usually have no idea how to get from the start to the end. My books are definitely character-driven, so I just let the characters make all the decisions on how to get to the end.

Q.) What is the smartest thing you’ve done so far as advancing either your
writing or your writing career? What is something you wish you had done differently?

K.S.) I think the smartest thing was getting published with Avon. (I had offers from several publishers, so I had the luxury of choosing). Avon has given me the best covers and marketing that a writer could hope for. And my editor is super!

Q.) Can you describe three things in your writing area that tell us something about you?

K.S.) Right now, I have a vase of beautiful flowers that my editor sent me (did I say she was super!?) I have a wooden stake that one of my critique partners made for me out of the handle of a toilet plunger. And I have a big, green, comfy chair that I like to sit in when I write. (I write a scene in longhand first, then type it up).

Q.) Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next? And
where can readers find you on the web?

K.S.) I’ve been real busy with the next two books in the Love at Stakes series which are coming out back-to-back in April and May 2009. The April book is Secret Life of a Vampire, starring vampire Jack, the illegitimate son of Giacomo Casanova. The May book is Forbidden Nights with a Vampire, starring vampire Vanda and my first werewolf hero, Phil. For more information, please visit my website, www.kerrelynsparks.com. There are excerpts to read, book trailers to watch, and sometimes a contest to enter. In the Vampire World section of the website, there are vampire games to play and a Forum where readers can chat with me and each other.

Order All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 5)

Order The Undead Next Door (Love at Stake, Book 4)

Order Be Still My Vampire Heart (Love at Stake, Book 3)

Order Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Book 2)

Order How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 1)

Today I have a fellow Nocturne author visiting! Vivi Anna writes sexy adventurous tales that everyone needs to check out. Her third Nocturne, third in her Valorian Chronicles series, is available right now through eHarlequin.com.

And it will be in bookstores in just a couple of weeks. Look for it!

Author of: the Valorian Chronicles and Hell Kat
Favorite Candy: gummie bears
Favorite Cartoon Character: Wolverine
Super Power Most Covets: to manipulate people’s minds

Q.) First tell us about your books.

V.A.) My current releases from Silhouette Nocturne are the Valorian Chronicles, which are a series of books revolving around a paranormal CSI team working in a secret city called Necropolis. They are led by a 300 year old vampire named Caine Valorian and solve crimes in their own city and have helped the crime team in San Antonio on a case or two.
The third book, VEILED TRUTH, which is out in October, centers around the witch on the team, Lyra Magice. She thinks she’s figured out the key to all the murders plaguing the two cities. But what she didn’t figure on was sexy Frenchman Theron LeNoir wanting to help her with the case.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a pantser? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

V.A.) I’m a little of both a plotter and a pantser. For the last three books, I’ve used this method—plotting three chapters, then writing them, plotting another three, then writing them…etc.

I don’t do extensive plotting, just a few sentences to state what the scene is about and whose POV its in.

I do a lot of character development though before I start any book. I usually spend about 2-3 weeks on developing my characters, depending on what kind of deadline I am facing.

But the latest book I’m writing, a UF YA, I have been pantsing it. And it’s awesome. I’m never written a book so easily, that has flowed out of me so fast and furious. I love it. And I love this new genre.

Q.) Your current release is Veiled Truth for Nocturne, but you also write erotica. How do the books for Nocturne differ from your other releases?

V.A.) I wouldn’t call my other books erotica per say…but erotic adventures. Hell Kat and Inferno are definitely action packed futuristics first, with hot sex as a bonus.
Probably the big difference between my Nocturne books and my others is the language I use. I confess I curse a lot in my other books and use explicit words in the sex scenes and in the action scenes. Language is a powerful thing.

Q.) Which comes first in your books spice, adventure, romance or something else? In other words if you had to describe your books in just one or two words, what adjective would you use?

V.A.) Action adventure

Q.) What do all your books, no matter the publisher or genre, have in common? How does a reader know it was written by Vivi Anna (besides the name on the cover)?

V.A.) All my books contain powerful characters, and non-stop action. Also the prevalent theme in all my books is redemption. Either main characters, or both, are atoning for something they did in their past.

Q.) What is the smartest thing you’ve done so far as advancing either your writing or your writing career? What is something you wish you had done differently?

V.A.) I had an epiphany about a year back. I realized that I couldn’t control anything in this business except for what I wrote. So, I decided to quick chasing the market and write what I wanted to write. Either it was going to get bought or it wasn’t. But I had to stay true to myself and my voice.

I wish I wouldn’t realized that earlier.

Q.) What do you like best about writing? What do you like least or find the most challenging?

V.A.) I love creating new characters and submersing myself in their world, losing myself really. LOVE IT. I do it all day, every day. I’m a constant daydreamer. Always have been. Oh, also, I can wear my PJs while I write. Very cool.

The most challenging part—the waiting. No matter where you are in your career, you will always have to wait for things…the new contract, edits, cover art, the AAs, the back cover copy, the reviews, the next contract, and around and around we go. It’s never ending.

I hate that part. I’m usually a patient person, but sometimes it gets ridiculous in this industry.
Q.) Where can readers find you on the web? How about in person, any appearances coming up?

V.A.) Readers can find me at www.vivianna.net, and at a blog for a bunch of authors repped by the same wonderful agent Laura Bradford, www.thebradfordbunch.com/

If any readers are in the Alberta Canada area, I’ll be signing my new book VEILED TRUTH at the Signal Hill Chapters in Calgary, on Friday October 17th, at 4-6. There will be some other awesome authors there as well, like Rebecca York, and Kimani author Pamela Yaye, and Superromance author CJ Carmichael. Readers can check it out here www.calgaryrwa.com/workshops.html

Thank you again Lori for hosting me today.

Pam and I both have June releases for Nocturne! This is Pam’s second book for the line. Her first was The Dark Gate, which received all kinds of acclaim. If you’re heading to the stores to get Wild Hunt, you’ll want to pick up Dark Deceiver too.

Author of: The Esri series for Silhouette Nocturne (The Dark Gate, and Dark Deceiver available May 23, right now at eHarlequin)

Favorite Candy: Peppermint Patties

Favorite Cartoon Character: Disney’s Kim Possible. She’s a quick-thinking teenage crime-fighter who always gets her bad guy.

Super Power Most Covets: The ability to fly!

Q.) Dark Deceiver, your June 2008 Nocturne is the second in your Esri series. Can you tell us about the series? How about Dark Deceiver in particular?

P.P.) In the Esri series, I pose the question, “What if an ancient, forgotten evil found its way back into our world?” The key is, this is our world. In The Dark Gate, book 1, the hero and heroine don’t believe in the existence of other-worldly creatures any more than most people we know. At least, not until they’re faced with irrefutable evidence to the contrary.

In book 2, Dark Deceiver, an Esri, Kaderil the Dark, is sent to infiltrate and destroy the small band of humans immune to Esri enchantment. Kaderil has human blood and looks human which has always made him something of an outcast in his own world. He’s determined to prove his worth to his king by succeeding in this mission…until he falls in love with the human, Autumn McGinn.

Q.) Where did you get the idea for the Esri?

P.P.) I was researching Scottish fairy lore for a different project and discovered the Scots didn’t think of fairies and elves as our modern culture portrays them (as tiny winged creatures). They believed them to be human-like, man-sized, and malicious. They were terrified of them and blamed them for all kinds of misfortune. If a child got sick, they believed the fairies had exchanged it for one of their own (a changeling). Knowing how stories take on a life of their own, I began to wonder what if there really were fairies at one time, big malicious ones like the Scots believed in. Creatures that were locked out of our world for centuries. And what if they found their way back?

Q.) What in your own background do you think drew you to writing dark paranormal romance?

P.P.) I’ve always been drawn to sci-fi/fantasy television and movies (Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Buffy), but I read romance and, oddly, tend to dream action/adventures when I sleep at night. Dark paranormal romance is a wonderful blend of the three. Tense, romantic, exciting, and otherworldly.

Q.) You also have some single title books under contract. Can you tell us a bit about them? When will we see them?

P.P.) Thank you for asking about them, Lori! Yes, I recently sold a contemporary dark paranormal series to Avon Books and a time travel series to Berkley. I’ll be writing the Avon books as Pamela Palmer and the Berkley books as Pamela Montgomerie. With so many books coming out around the same time from three publishers, my various editors requested I take a second name. So I did.

The series for Avon is the Feral Warriors, a band of nine shape-shifters, each of whom is the last of his ancient line to retain the power of his animal. Each shifts into a different animal and goes by the name of his beast. The first book is Lion’s. In it, the Ferals have lost the one woman, the radiant, through whom they access their power. The old radiant has died and the new one, who should have come forward as soon as she was marked, hasn’t. Lion, the finder, finally locates the woman and discovers she’s half way across the country. He goes to get her to bring her back only to discover she not only doesn’t know she’s been marked as the radiant, she thinks she’s human. Lion’s book is tentatively scheduled for a summer 2009 release, with Tiger and Panther’s books coming later.

The first book in my time travel series for Berkley is SAPPHIRE DREAM, slated for an August 2009 release. A modern woman wakes up aboard a seventeenth century pirate ship only to realize the Scots captain knows exactly who she is.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a pantser? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

P.P.) I used to think I was a total plotter, but I’ve found I’m something of a hybrid. I start out with a loose plot (what the book’s about, the major turning points, and the character arcs), then I start writing. No matter how much plotting I do up front, I learn most of the story by writing, so I’ve stopped wasting so much time on the front end with plots that don’t end up being right. My first drafts tend to be exploratory drafts. I often say (and it’s usually true) that my first draft always winds up being the story I DON’T want to tell. I tend to throw out most of it and start over once I’ve figured out the story I DO want.

As for character vs. plot driven, I’m probably a hybrid here, too. I brainstorm plots and characters simultaneously when I’m coming up with a new story. Sometimes I’ll have an idea for one before the other, but I very much work them through together because plot and character are so intimately woven in the story.

Q.) What is the smartest thing you’ve done so far as advancing either your writing or your writing career? What is something you wish you had done differently?

P.P.) The smartest thing I’ve done is learn everything I can about the craft of writing. I’m still learning and probably always will be, but the more I learn, the better able I am to tell the stories I want to tell, the way I want to tell them. That seems obvious, but when I first started writing, I didn’t have a clue about story structure. All I could do was wing it, and not very successfully. I’ve taken dozens of on-line classes through the various RWA chapters, read dozens of how-to books on writing, script writing, characterization, etc. And I’ve attended numerous conferences over the years, filled with workshops. Each time I learn something new, I consider it another tool for my toolbox. If I’m having trouble figuring out a manuscript (or revising one), I pull out my toolbox and tinker until I figure out what the problem is and come up with a way to fix it.

Q.) What can readers expect to find in all your books no matter the series?

P.P.) High stakes, high action, lots of romance and, I hope, a sense of truth. By that last I mean that no matter how incredible the situation I throw my characters into, they act believably. They react the way you or I would were we to find ourselves in the midst of nine gorgeous shape-shifters and an evil witch, or suddenly facing a shipload of lecherous pirates. Or, at least, the way we’d hope we would.

Q.) Who do you enjoy reading? If someone were to compare your books to anyone else’s what author would you most like to be compared to? Why?

P.P.) In addition to the Nocturne authors, my current favorite dark paranormal romance writers are J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, and Kresley Cole. My favorite time travel author is the incomparable Diana Gabaldon. As for comparisons, I would love my work to be favorably compared to any of these writers’, because they’re all wonderful and incredibly talented.

Q.) Where can readers find you on the web?

P.P.) I can be found at www.pamelapalmer.net.

Basic Facts: Born in November of 1967 in Sacramento, California; grew up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and is currently drifting back westward as she lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Is mother (ima) of Mason, a four-and-a-half year old charmer who knows the difference between ptyerglotis and megarachne (and the periods in which they lived!), five cats, and eight fish.
Author of: Tall, Dark & Dead, Dead Sexy, and Romancing the Dead. (Also: Archangel Protocol, Fallen Host, Messiah Node and Apocalypse Array.)
Favorite Candy: Dove Promises. Chocolate = yummy, and I’m amused by the silly little inspirational messages, ala “Send a Love Letter Today!”
Favorite Cartoon Character: Hobbes (although sometimes Susie Derkins) of Calvin & Hobbes.
Super Power Most Covets: 12 inch adamantine claws – they’d make good letter openers and all around defense, especially with all the cats in the house.

Q.) Your new release, Romancing the Dead, is part of a series. Can you tell us about this book and some background on the series? (Are the books light, dark, spicy, not so spicy, all the dirt…)

T.H.) Garnet, the heroine of the books, is a Witch living in Madison, Wisconsin. The books are light and humorous, but there’s some undertones of dark – as Garnet harbors the goddess Lilith who has a bit of a murderous streak, and when the books begin Garnet is on the run from modern-day Inquisition witch hunters.

Q.) In addition to writing paranormal romances as Tate Hallaway, you also write science fiction as Lyda Morehouse. Why the two names? Why science fiction? Why romance? And why not scifi romance?

T.H.) The two names have a couple reasons – the first of which is the idea of “branding.” Branding is a business buzzword that’s been kicking around advertising for some time and which now many authors (and their publishers) are adopting. The idea is that a company sells the consumer the entire brand (rather than each individual product) and instills a sense of brand loyalty. You love Green Giant’s big belly laugh and sexy green physique so much, you’re compelled not only buy his carrots, but also the green beans, the peas, etc.

Thus, the name Lyda Morehouse is supposed to invoke a certain kind of book: edgy, cyberpunk, religious science fiction. Tate Hallaway equals kicky, fun, chick-litty paranormal romance.

Never the twain shall meet.

As for why I write the genres I do, well, I love a good romance. If you picked up my earlier scifi books you’d notice that as well, as there’s a strong romantic element in all the books (plus the main character of Archangel Protocol is a closet romance reader, which I was at the time. I’m happy to say I’m out of the closet now.)

Science fiction was my first love. I fell for it after seeing Star Wars, I suspect. After that I was all about being a space pirate. And I have the outline for a science fiction romance, but I haven’t found the time to write it.

Q.) How long have you been writing? Which came first (in the published world) Tate or Lyda?

T.H.) Lyda came first. She died (book speaking, anway), and then Tate rose from her ashes. Which leads into the second reason that I have two names: my first set of books didn’t sell as well as the publisher hoped they would. The AngeLINK series, as they’re called, got a lot of critical acclaim, which is to say they’ve won several awards (most notably the Shamus and the Philip K. Dick Special Citation for Excellence), but they just didn’t become break-out bestsellers we all hoped for.

Q.) Actually some might call your paranormal romances, urban fantasy. Which do you think of the series as? What do you think the difference between the two is?

T.H.) I noticed that ROMANCING THE DEAD was labeled an urban fantasy by Bookclub/Romantic Times. I think that’s the sexier label, the one that’s getting all the good buzz, but I envisioned the Garnet series as paranormal romance. The difference, for me, at least, is that in my books the relationship is the center of the story. That makes it a romance.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a panster? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

T.H.) These days I sell my books on proposal, so I’ve written down the plot bones in a synopsis. But once I actually start writing the book I tend to let the characters lead the way, so much so sometimes I’ve gotten lost and have had to go back and do a boatload of revision.

Q.) What can readers expect to find in all your books no matter the name on the cover?

T.H.) Humor. Irreverence.

Q.) Who are your favorite authors and/or books?

T.H.) Rachel Caine, who writes the Weather Warden series, and Kristine Katheryn Rusch who writes the Disappeared series, a kind of futuristic police procedural on the Mars.

Q.) What is the best thing about being a published author? What is the worst?

T.H.) I’ll admit it. I LOVE seeing my name in print. And, seeing myself on the shelf next to favorite authors? There’s nothing more awesome in the whole world. The worst part is working to deadline, and having to be creative on a schedule. You know, some days I’d rather play video games than write… or write something else.

Q.) Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next?

T.H.) Some day I’d like to write that futuristic romance. I’m also hoping to go back to the world of Lyda Morehouse’s AngeLINK books some day.

Q.) Finally, where can readers find you on the web? How about your books-where can they buy them?

T.H.) You can buy Tate’s novels anywhere fine books are sold. Amazon has them, of course, as well. Lyda’s books are somewhat more difficult to track down. Amazon has a few used, but you can still buy them from Uncle Hugo’s or email: UncleHugo@aol.com. You can also order on-line from Dreamhaven Books.

I’m all over the web otherwise. Tate blogs alone and as part of her writers’ group’s blog, she’s also a member of Fangs, Fur & Fey a LiveJournal community for readers and writers of urban fantasy/paranormal romance. You can also friend her on MySpace and FaceBook. Of course, there’s also http://www.tatehallaway.com.

Lyda blogs separately on LiveJournal , and on Wyrdsmiths, and also has separate MySpace and Facebook pages. Lyda also contributes to SF Novelist’s blog. I also have a website at: http://www.lydamorehouse.com.

Author of: GHOST MOON, the latest in the Berkley Sensation Moon series
Favorite Candy: Red Hots (little cinnamon hearts)
Favorite Cartoon Character: Rick Redfern in Doonesbury
Super Power Most Covets: Ability to step outside of time

Q.) Your new release, Ghost Moon, (May 2008) is part of your “Moon” series with Berkley Sensation. How many books are in the series so far? Can you tell us a bit about the series and the newest addition to it?

R.Y.) There are six previous books and two novellas. I had no idea I was writing a series when I started. But after Berkley bought that first book, they asked for more. I’m often asked, “Why is the hero in the second book in your werewolf series not a werewolf?” I still didn’t “get it” that the hero of the book had to be a werewolf. I fell in love with Jack Thornton, the police detective in KILLING MOON, and wanted to write his story. So my first werewolf, Ross Marshall, became a strong secondary character in that book. I love writing about a family of werewolves because I can bring back characters from previous books and use them in key roles in new stories.

Since I hadn’t planned a series, I realized after a few books that I would need to introduce new elements to keep the books fresh. So I created an alternate universe that’s very different from ours. Characters cross over between the two universes. In that other timeline, lots of people have psychic powers. Some of them are werewolves who are not part of the Marshall family. In fact, there are also female werewolves in that universe.

Q.) You obviously love werewolves. How are your weres different from others? What traditional werewolf lore do you keep in your books?

R.Y.) Actually, I haven’t read many werewolf books because I don’t want to be influenced by other authors. When I was fifteen, I read DARKER THAN YOU THINK, by Jack Williamson. It was a werewolf story so vivid that he made me want to BE a werewolf. Later, I read THE WOLF’S HOUR, by Robert McCammon. Those two books stuck with me, and finally I wanted to write my own werewolf story. But back then, paranormal was not “in” in the publishing world, so I kept thinking, “who would buy a werewolf book from ME?” I knew that if I wanted to sell the book, I’d have to write the whole manuscript on speculation. I resisted for a long time, but finally I went ahead and did that. And I was lucky that Berkley bought it just before the big paranormal wave began to surge.

I think I don’t use a lot of the old werewolf conventions, although I’m not sure because I didn’t deliberately investigate them before I started writing. I picked what I wanted to use–and it’s basically the idea of a man who can change to wolf form. There’s nothing special about the full moon. You don’t get to be a werewolf by being bitten by one. Instead, it’s a genetic trait. And, of course, my werewolves are the good guys in my books.

Q.) On your web site you say romantic thrillers are your passion. Can you define the term for us? Do you consider all your books to be romantic thrillers?

R.Y.) I’ve debated with my writer friends what “thriller” means. I think it’s the new, sexy word for “suspense.” It’s a fast-paced story where the hero (and or heroine) is in danger, being hunted by sinister forces out to destroy him/her. The emphasis is on the danger and the action, not the mystery, although there should also be a mystery element to the story. And, of course, in my books, the romance is as strong as the suspense. I love weaving the suspense and the romance together in a book so that the story depends on both of them to work.

Q.) Not all of your books have paranormal elements. Do you find it hard switching between a paranormal book and one without those elements?

R.Y.) No. I realized early in my career that I was much better at writing romantic suspense than at writing straight romance because I love plotting as much as I love developing relationships. The paranormal just works in naturally with a lot of my suspense stories, because I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy when I was a kid.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a pantser? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

R.Y.) I am a plotter. The plots in my stories are complicated, so I need to know where they are going and how they will work out. If I get my choice, I like to write as much of the plot as I can think of, then stop and write two or three chapters so I get to know my characters. Then I go back and fill in some of the plot holes. I have always wondered about the distinction between character-driven and plot-driven. I think those two key elements must work together. The most important thing about any scene is how the characters react. You can have a man dangling off the side of a cliff, and it will be exciting. But if the heroine’s heart is in her throat as she tries to rescue him, the scene will be a lot stronger.

Q.) What can readers expect to find in all your books no matter the subgenre?

R.Y.) A heart-tugging romance woven into a story of suspense and danger.

Q.) Who and what do you read for fun? How about movies? Any favorite werewolf movies? How about any that “gnawed” at you?

R.Y.) I haven’t really seen any werewolf movies! I did like the TV series, WOLF LAKE, and I was sorry that it went off the air so quickly. I don’t have a lot of time to read, so I listen to books. Mostly in the car or when I exercise. I’m listening to two books now, HIGH NOON, by Nora Roberts, and PLUM ISLAND, by Nelson DeMille. I listen to a lot of thrillers. And I look for ones with a romance. But I’m constrained by what the publishers put on tape. My husband and I often listen to Nora Roberts, Harlan Coben, Clive Cussler, Dick Francis, Carl Hiaasen, Terry Pratchett, Tess Gerritsen. If there were more paranormal books on tape, I’d listen to them.

Q.)Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next?

R.Y.) I’m always working on a new book. Right now I’m finishing ETERNAL MOON. The heroine is the reincarnation of a goddess, and the werewolf hero is the reincarnation of her lover. They have been torn apart over and over down through the years by evil forces. But this time, hopefully, Jacob Marshall is strong enough to help Renata Cordona break the cycle. Readers meet Jacob in GHOST MOON. As I was writing that book, he threatened to take it over, so I knew I had to do his story. He’s got an interesting talent. He’s a “dog whisperer.” He’s able to communicate with animals–and this talent is very important in ETERNAL MOON.

Q.) Finally, where can readers find you on the web?

R.Y.) I’m at www.rebeccayork.com I hope readers will come and visit. In my picture gallery (under new pictures), I’ve got some great wolf photos from Bays Mountain Park, in Kingsport, Tennessee. Most of them were taken by Karen Travis. You can also sign up for my newsletter. Newsletter subscribers are also eligible to enter the contests that I run. On my home page, you can see my book trailer for GHOST MOON. And I have a page with video interviews and previous book trailers.

Back to Lori: Great interview, Rebecca! Thanks for answering all my questions. Ghost Moon will be available May 6th, but readers can hop over to Amazon and pre-order a copy now. :)

Laura Drewry is one of my bestest buds. We met when we both sold to Zebra, since then we have struck up a true friendship the kind that gets you through sick kids, deadlines, and life in general. I am thrilled that her new book is out and I hope you will all check it out!
Basic Facts: Laura Drewry
Author of: Historical Western Romances
Favorite Candy: Licorice Allsorts and Bridge Mixture
Favorite Cartoon Character: Snoopy (is there anything more enjoyable than his letters to his editor? I don’t think so!)
Super Power Most Covets: Speed. Think of how much I could get done if I could move like SuperMan!

Q.) First tell us about your new release, The Devil’s Daughter.

LD.) The devil’s daughter, Lucy Firr, strikes a deal with dear ol’ dad whereby she’ll steal the soul of a newborn and the baby’s uncle, rancher Jed Caine, in return for her freedom, but it’s Jed who ends up stealing Lucy’s heart instead. Theirs is an unusual relationship from start to finish, made more difficult by the facts Jed’s brother is missing, his pregnant sister-in-law is teetering on the edge of madness, and he has a new ranch to run. Lucy’s promises to help are nothing more than lies, but by the time Jed realizes that, it’s too late.

Lucy learns the hard way that she must work for what she wants, and to make that more difficult for her, she soon learns that what she wants has changed. And it’s not a small change, either. What she wants now will either cost her a mortal life without Jed, or an eternity shoveling brimstone, and she must decide which form of hell is the most bearable.

Q.) Your earlier books were also set in the Old West. What’s the appeal of the era for you?

LD.) There is absolutely nothing appealing about the dirty smelly way most people lived back then. LOL But they had a way about them, rules if you will, that made it okay for the men to be hard-headed and stubborn, and for the women to be strong, yet feminine. Each era in history has different qualities that make it fascinating in its own way, but to me, the Old West is the one that average people can relate to. It’s the pioneers of the Old West who helped build North America into what it is today. It’s a time of hard working people who overcame all types of adversity to carve a life for themselves and their families out of the most unforgiving land and wilderness. Loneliness, heartache, poverty. . .it hit every one of them. But they persevered. What’s not to love about that? J

Q.) What can readers expect to find in all your books, besides the Old West setting?

LD.) Characters who are anything but perfect. They’re not super-models, they’re not rocket scientists and they’re not without faults and flaws. And for some reason, at least one of the characters will have a bit of a smart-ass streak. I don’t know where that comes from (ahem), but there you have it.

Q.) What is the smartest thing you’ve done so far as advancing either your writing or your writing career? What is something you wish you had done differently?

LD.) Tough question! There are many things I think are smart at the time, but ten minutes later, I’ll start to second-guess the same idea. One smart thing I’m certain about is the people I’ve surrounded myself with over the last few years. This is a tough business, and it’s very easy to give yourself an “out” when things start to take a dive, but the people I’ve met and become close to won’t give me that chance. They’ll let me whine for a while, but they’ll also give me a kick in the butt if that’s what I need.

If I could go back and do anything differently. . . .hmm. . . .I wish I’d taken a public speaking class at some point! LOL I’ve never been one who like to talk about myself – or anything else – to a group of people I don’t know well. I think that’s something that would have been good to know before I started promotion.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a panster? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?

LD.) It’s one of my life goals to learn how to plot. I beg my brain to work things out before hand, to figure out who is who and why the heck they’re doing the things they’re doing, but it has never worked out that way for me. Each book has started out a little bit different. Sometimes I have the main characters’ names, sometimes I have the first scene. Sometimes I have one or both main characters’ goals and motivation, sometimes not. With The Devil’s Daughter, the only thing I had to start with was the title.

Once I have a starting point, I scribble, type, edit, rewrite, scribble, type, edit, and rewrite until things start to make sense. I do a huge amount of rewriting before I finish the first draft because I know, without fail, I’ll come across all sorts of tidbits that need to be sorted out earlier in the book, so back I go, add it in, sort out, and then go back to where I was before I got derailed.

Now do you see why I wish I could plot ahead of time? Surely to God it’s an easier – and less time consuming – way to write! LOL And I’m absolutely certain my editor and agent would prefer it.

Q.) There’s another Devil book in the works, right? Can you tell us about it?

LD.) Dancing with the Devil, the sequel to The Devil’s Daughter, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2008. It’s Deacon’s story (Lucy’s brother) and while I’d love to give you a few insider details about it, I simply can’t, and if you’ll refer back to the last question, you’ll understand why. LOL It’s still very much in the scribble, type, edit, rewrite, scribble, type, edit, rewrite phase. So anything I tell you now could, and will quite possibly, be edited out and completely rewritten by the time the book hits the shelves.

Q.) If someone were to compare your writing to another author’s (besides mine, of course ;-)) whose would you most want to be compared to (most flattered by the comparison)? Why?

LD.) To be honest, I don’t like to compare one author to another. However, if someone were to say I wrote scenes with the same emotional depth as other historical western authors like Jodi Thomas or Linda Lael Miller, I’d certainly enjoy that moment for a while! LOL

Q.) Where can readers go to find out more about you and your books? Where can they buy your books?

LD.) They can always find everything about my book from my website – www.lauradrewry.com and the books will be available at all book stores, including those online, and the Dorchester Publishing website.

That’s right check it out. I was interviewed by an vampire band–how many can claim that?