MC: Charlene, you are one busy lady. You have four books out this summer! But before we talk about those, tell us a little about you. Where did you grow up? When did you first discover romance novels? And what made you decide to write one?

CS: I was born in New York, but consider myself a California girl after having moved to southern California when I was seven years old. I’ve been reading romance since my late teens and many years later, after reading hundreds, I realized there was one componet missing in my very happy, active life – writing. I sat down to write, took workshops, joined RWA and three years and several rejected manuscripts later, I was finally rewarded with making my first sale to Kensington.

MC: Now about those books. You’re published by both Harlequin and Silhouette, right? And now you’ve made the jump to ebooks with Cobblestone Press. I’m just going to let you tell us about them all, because I know my visitors would be disappointed if I singled one book out.

CS: Three of the four books out this summer are contemporaries. Heiress Beware is a Desire Continuity, the story is one of a 12 part series with a different author writing one book per month that ties into the Elliott family saga. It’s fun and a challenge working with the other authors to keep the characters and storylines consistent. August I have Bunking Down with the Boss, another Desire, my favorite so far, the story packed with emotion and lots of sexual tension and my sexiest hero to date. That book was chosen for Harlequin’s Ebook format as well. The Way to a Man’s Heart is a reprint of one of my earlier Kensington books, originally published in 1999, and it’s a fan favorite, now available through Cobblestone Press. In September, Abducted at the Altar is a rollicking western starting from page one, as the title implies.

MC: So how did you make the jump to Cobblestone Press? And how are you liking the epublishing side of the industry so far?

CS: I found out about Cobblestone while reading posts from Sable Grey on Cataromance. I checked it out and found the site to be beautiful and organized. I have the rights back on three of my books and thought Cobblestone Press would be the perfect place for those re-issues. I’ve found it to be very professional and I enjoy working with my new editors and friends I’ve made there.

MC: Often we hear writers refer to their voice. This is what they believe sets them apart and makes them special. Is there a central theme in some or all of your books? And what makes them different than say another Desire or Historical that a reader might pick up?

CS: My books all have themes that are worked into the story is subtle ways and the themes are often different, too many to name. What I enjoy doing in my books is to have my characters come full circle by the end of the story. It’s been said that my characters have wit and charm, and my stories are quick reads. I write, how I like to read and that means I kept the pace fast, with lots of action and romance.

MC: You’ve taken the leap into blogging I see. How are you liking that?

CS: I like blogging. Often, it’s hard to find the time, but I try really hard to keep my blog going, whether spending ten minutes or an hour a day writing them. I like to post when I have something relevant to say.

MC: Tell us about Skittles. She sounds like a character. And what an adorable name!

CS: Skittles, the “devil” cat? She’s my mascot. She follows me around the house all day long. Right now, she’s sleeping beside the computer screen. When she was younger (and smaller) she’d jump atop the computer and sleep, while I was writing. She’s my friend, but she’s also very protective and thus the title “devil cat.” She doesn’t allow intruders, whether they be friends or family members, into our house. She’s been known to hiss, growl and strike unprovoked, at our guests. There are about five people I can think of, that she likes. If not, watch out. But to my husband and I , she’s the best pet we’ve ever had. Go figure. Skittles lives with and barely tolerates Snickers, the other cat in our household. Thus, the candy name. They are both “sweet”.

MC: What’s the most interesting question a reader has ever asked you?

CS: Gee, I can’t think of anything really interesting, but the question we all get seems to be, “Where do you get your ideas?” I guess for non-writers, ideas are hard, but when you’re creative, the ideas often time flow so fast you can’t wait to finish one story, so that you can begin the next.

MC: Do you have any favorite romance novels or authors? What makes them special?

CS: I grew up reading LaVyrle Spencer, Sandra Brown and Nora. They inspired me to write and will always be special to me. Now, I have so many friends that write great books, I have to add them to my list. I read Maureen Child, Barbara McCauley, Bronwyn James, Cheryl St. John. I do love the Janet Evanovich series too. I love to “feel” something when I read, and I think both LaVyrle and Sandra Brown were dynamic in that way.

MC: Since you write historicals, I’m sure you’ve thought about this question before. If you could live in any other time period when would it be and why?

CS: While I love my westerns, I know I can’t live without indoor plumbing. So, no. I’m not THAT adventurous. I like the 21st century, honest!

MC: How about a few fun questions? What’s your favorite color?

CS: peach

MC: Five words that describe you.

CS: loyal, dedicated, hard-working, creative and passionate

MC: Paper or plastic?

CS: Paper

MC: If you could be any animal, what kind would you be?

CS: A cat!

MC: Do you have a favorite reading spot? A favorite chair perhaps?

CS: Anywhere where the light is good, outside on my patio, on the beach, in bed, in my office.

MC: Do you have any advice for up and coming writers?

CS: I guess I can only go by my own example and say to them that hard work, persistence and learning the craft is essential. I’m still learning and I don’t think I’ll ever stop. Keep challenging yourself to do better, write more, and most of all, enjoy the process!

MC: What do you think are effective forms of promotion?

CS: I feel having a strong presence on the web is very important. I’ve tried booksignings, advertising etc, but ultimately they are time-consuming and I don’t know that they help all that much. But, getting your name out there on the internet is something that has paid off for me. I send out newsletters to my growing mailing list, have discussions and chats and do online classes. That all seems to help with name recognition. Uttimately, writing the best books you can, might be all that’s needed, as well. Word spreads like wildfire when someone has a great book out.

MC: What’s coming up next for you? Should we mark anything on our calendars?

CS: On August 12th I’ll be moderating a panel on “What’s Hot in the Market,” with some wonderful Rita-winning authors at my Chapter Meeting in Orange County. And in September, I’ve been invited to sit on a discussion panel at the Cerritos Library in their “Skyline” room for Afternoon Tea. Everyone is invited to come on September 17th at 2 PM, and sip some tea with me.

4 Comments

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  By Tempest Knight, August 8, 2006 @ 9:12 pm

  Great interview, Madison! You are really good at this. You could be like the Oprah of romance novels. *wg*
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  By Donna, August 9, 2006 @ 11:48 am

  Hi Charlene and Madison,

  I love reading your books Carlene. They are “quick reads” because you don’t want to put them down! This was a treat to learn more about you. Thanks.

  Tempest is right Madison, you are good at this interview thing! Oh, and I read SLOW BURN, it was sssssssssmokin’!!

  Donna
• 

  By madison, August 9, 2006 @ 11:52 am

  Tempest, I might just quote you on that!
• 

  By madison, August 23, 2006 @ 10:41 am

  LOL Donna! Thanks!

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