Ask em in the comments if you’ve got em!

Ellie asks: Have you ever thought about writing in other genres, specifically horror or historical western?

I do have a horror idea I’ve been writing on and off for several years. I would very much like to finish it but it’s just a matter of the free time! As for historical western? Not really, though though there are some historical westerns I do love to read.

Vicki asks: Have you always lived on the West coast and how much does location influence your writing?

I was born in the west (Montana) and raised in California. My husband and I moved to Seattle in 1988 after we got married so yeah, I’ve been in the Western US my whole life and while I travel and love other parts of this country, I really connect with the west coast as my home and I think there’s a distinct set of flavors for each region in this country and yes, being raised here has framed who I am in many ways. I like to set novels in places that are characters. I love Seattle so it’s easy for me to do that. Those little details about a place you love can really bring the setting to life around a story. But there are other places I enjoy and love to write about as well (my parents grew up in small town farm country in Central California, for instance and I’ve got tons of family who live in small towns in the south. I love to write small towns, in part, because I had positive experiences in my life with them.

Stacie asks: You have been in great anthologies with some pretty awesome authors. Do you have a wishlist of authors you would love to work with in a future anthology?

I have been so fortunate in my experience with anthologies. I’ve been able to work with some amazing authors I admire. I’ve worked with my BFF Megan Hart several times. This year I’m working with Maya Banks and that’s been fun (she’s kinda awesome). I was lucky enough to work with Emma Holly last year. I admire her so much. Menage is one of those books that took risks and changed things in erotic romance and romance in general. I have so many dream author/anthologies. One really fabulous thing about this gig is how many talented people are writing books. I look out there and I’ve got to say there are dozens of authors I’d have on my OMG list.

Vic asks: Do you own the audio rights for the federation and brown sibling series? Have you heard anything about any of your other books being released in audio. I would love to have more of your books on my ipod! 🙂

No I don’t. I would really love it if those books went to audio as well. My Carina and Spice books go to audio.

Christine asks: Do you have any new series that you are working on that you can mention?

I’m about to start a brand new series with Heat – The Delicious series will feature the friends of Gillian’s we met in Never Enough. It’s contemporary and set on Bainbridge Island and will start with August’s release of the Cherished Duology. My story is called SWAY and it features Daisy Huerta, an artist and dance teacher and Levi Warner, an attorney, an older, dominant man. Daisy is bold and fiercely talented. Independent and intelligent and Levi can’t get enough. Then in November of this year is the second book, TART which features pastry chef Jules along with best friend Cal and their childhood friend returned, Gideon. Caterer and amazing cook Mary is up in Covet, due out April of next year. She starts a white hot fling with a white hot dirty boy rock star. He’s got to woo her like nobody’s business to convince her he’s for real. The last book will be out in October of 2013 and it’s Raven’s book.

The second Bound By Magick book, CHAOS BURNING will be out in June and features Simon Leviathan and Lark Jaansen and the appearance of a being so powerful it could end everything.

Jessica asks: Do you have a favorite romance theme to read? Something like “beauty and the beast” or “rags to riches.” Is there a theme or type of romance that you absolutely hate?

In historicals I adore uppity, intelligent bluestocking ends up with rake or dark broody bad boy. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas (who, OMG, is so amazingly talented and I love her books with a fiery passion) is a book I’ve re-read many times. I love, love, love friends to lovers stories, bad boy older brother falls for younger sister of best friend/sister’s best friend. These can be across genres, which is why I love it so much. I can see it in a paranormal romance, in a historical or contemporary.

As for not a fan? There are several things I don’t generally get excited by, but some authors do so well with them that I’ll autobuy. I love it when somebody totally blows past all my preconceptions and makes me love a theme I generally avoid. The only thing I avoid at all costs is dodgy consent. I don’t find rape romantic. I don’t like it when I’m not convinced both people want to be there. So I don’t read it.

Jamie asks: What do you like to do when you are not writing the best books ever?

Aw, thank you! I love to spend time with my family. Watch movies, read. I love to travel. It’s like fuel for my creativity. And a few years ago my husband got me this awesome camera because I’d been saying I wanted to learn photography. So I’ve come to really love taking pictures. As an aside that wasn’t the first time I’d said hey it’d be cool to do X and he handed me the ability to try. He’s the one who brought home a laptop so I could write when I was on bedrest. He’s a keeper.

Marc asks: When you are having a crappy day what is the one book or movie that you reach for to make you feel better.

The Matrix, Blade Runner or Alien are movies I seek out when I’m feeling low. I also love Resident Evil and T2 (Judgment Day). They’re all such compelling movies. Some are beautifully written. Some are visually arresting. The backstory of Sarah Connor always sucks me into Judgement Day. She’s such a fierce woman. She’s not wallowing in the way she’s never had a normal life. She’s so badass. I love that. Matrix is not only visually arresting, but the soundtrack, special effects and writing are all really well done as well. Blade Runner is just so perfect. It’s not about special effects at all. Everything about it works together brilliantly. Books? William Gibson’s Neuromancer. Herbert’s Dune. Jenny Crusie’s Welcome To Temptation. Oh, JD Robb’s Naked In Death.

Carrie asks: Okay so I was rereading some of my faves while waiting on new releases…is Simon from ‘Heart of Darkness/Chaos Burning” related to Card in ‘Threat of Darkness’?…they have the same last name and are both Lycian…I was just curious.

Yes! They’re half brothers.

Thanks IP and Pam

All comments to Question Sunday posts will go toward the grand prize drawings!