Kate: I grew up in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. I could see the ocean from my window. It's still the most beautiful spot on earth. Unfortunately, there wasn't a whole lot for a kid to do there when I was growing up, so I spent a lot of time entertaining myself, which led to a lot of reading, and then writing.

I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. In fact, after stealing my sister's Woodiwiss books, I tried writing my own historical romances. I was 11! LOL! Try explaing *those* love scenes! I had no idea what I was talking about. I just copied what Woodiwiss's characters were doing.

My family's always been supportive, though not in an outspoken way. I think they had more faith in me than I did, because no one seemed all that surprised when I sold ELUSIVE PASSION to Avon. I was the only one in shock! My family's my best advertising. I swear my husband has promoted my book to everyone he meets! And two of my sisters have been harassing their local book store manager to make sure she gets in enough copies! LOL!

When I'm not writing, I think about writing. *G* It's true. I work part time in a local clothing store just to get out of the house a couple of days a week. But I'm happiest when I'm writing.

Donna: Have you always wanted to be an author? And why romance?

Kate: Since I was 8, I've known I wanted to write. I've tried my hand at different genres, and I have a couple of non-romance ideas in my head, but I love writing romance because there's always a happy ending. The reader is always left with a smile, and I like knowing I might be responsible for that smile.

Donna: How long did it take to write your book?

Kate: It took me about 8 months to write ELUSIVE PASSION. I was in university at the time. I had returned to school to save my brain from turning to mush and really gave my writing a serious attempt. These days I can write a book a bit faster, but only when I don't have something else butting in on my time.

Donna: How did you go about selling your book? How long did it take?

Kate: After I finished EP, I sent out four query letters. I still haven't heard back from one! LOL! I heard from Avon a few weeks after I mailed them, asking to see the complete book. From there it took four or five months to get 'the call.'

Donna: Describe for us everything about the moment you found out that your book had been accepted.

Kate: I don't remember! LOL! I remember just being overwhelmed. Numb. And then laughing with tears in my eyes. I was useless for the next two days after that - I was too far up in the clouds!

Donna: Did you have to do many revisions?

Kate: Not a lot. A few plot points, but I was really fortunate.

Donna: How do your family and friends feel about your writing?

Kate: My family is great. Most of my friends are fantastic. I did have one get a little weird on me, but for the most part everyone is excited - more excited than I am sometimes!

Donna: Where do you get ideas for your stories? Do you ever use personal experiences?

Kate: My ideas come from all over the place. Sometimes from movies, songs. I've never used a personal experience though ... well, except the love scenes! LOL!

Donna: What type of research did you do for your books?

Kate: I try to do a lot of research. I have shelves and shelves of books on the Regency period. I'm constantly reading them, trying to keep my mind on the period. But ultimately, the most important thing to me are my characters, so now I try to spend the most time on them.

Donna: Do you work from an outline? Do your characters ever try to take over and rewrite their scenes?

Kate: I do a loose outline because I like to know what direction I'm heading in. Sometimes my characters take over and change the direction on me, but they don't normally steer me the wrong way. *G*

Donna: Have you ever found your characters in situations that are hard to write them out of?

Kate: Nope! *G* I can usually tell if something is working or not, and I just get rid of it.

Donna: Do you ever find yourself with a case of "writer's block" while in the middle of a story? If so, what helps you get beyond this problem?

Kate: Touch wood. I've never had writer's block.

Donna: What is the hardest part of writing a story?

Kate: For me it's making sure I make the conflict between the hero and heroine fairly obvious. I have a tendency not to think it through as far as I should, so I need to pay careful attention to it.

Donna: What is the funniest thing that has happened related to your writing?

Kate: Two of my sisters have been spreading rumors that they taught me how to write my love scenes! And in a congratulations read aloud at our wedding shower, a friend announced that if the old adage 'write what you know' is true, then Steve was one lucky guy! This happened in front of about 30-40 older women who had known me since I was a kid. I must have turned six shades of red!

Donna: Is that difficult to write the sex scenes for your books? Is it made any easier knowing that the majority of romance readers are female?

Kate: At first it was difficult, but now I love it. It's so wonderful to get how the hero and heroine are feeling - especially since they're not willing to admit to such deeper emotions. Usually my characters are quite frantic for each other. LOL! I'm not sure why! No, to be honest, I don't give a lot of thought to readers when I'm writing them. I think becoming comfortable with writing love scenes had to come from myself. I'll tell you what isn't easy, though -- knowing that my father just might read one!! LOL! The thought makes me cringe.

Donna: What kind of books do you read for pleasure? Who are some of your favorite authors?

Kate: Oh, I read romance, of course, and some horror and sci-fi. Mostly romance. I'm a sucker for those happy endings. Favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Mary Jo Putney, Neil Gaiman (I was so addicted to his Sandman comics!), Jane Austen, and Laurell K. Hamilton. How's that for a mix? *G*

Donna: The cover for your book is wonderful. And it even looks like the characters! How worried about the cover were you?

Kate: Very. I think everyone worries about covers, particularly their first. I kept thinking, "As long as they get the hair color right, it'll be fine." Then I saw it and I almost burst into tears! The painting is gorgeous, and they really do look like they did in my head! I was so pleased, I called the artist to tell her so. And I bought the painting. It's even more beautiful up close.

Donna: Do you know who the male cover model is?

Kate: Would you believe me if I told you it was DeSalvo? Honest. The artist changed his features so it would look more like Miles and less like John DeSalvo playing Miles. I love it.

Donna: Miles is such a strong and sensual hero. Is he based on anyone real?

Kate: Nope! To me, Miles is just a man. A good man. I do sometimes start out by basing physical characteristics of my characters on other people, but I can't remember who I used for Miles. By the time the book starts to 'work' for me, the characters no longer look like the people I based them on. The coloring's the same, but the faces are totally different. It's wonderful having these people you've created pictured so perfectly in your head.

Donna: Miles is the hero we fall in love with, but at the same time want to see him brought to his knees by the heroine. Do you ever write scenes with the idea in mind to sort of "punish" a character for their "bad" behavior?

Kate: No, not normally. Although I try to keep in mind that for every action there must be a reaction. My characters often make mistakes, but rarely do they do anything intentionally to hurt the other, so there's never been any need to 'punish' one of them. However, you're giving me ideas! *G*

Donna: It is interesting to watch Varya's story unfold throughout the book. She is such a complex character; strong and determined while at the same time lost and wounded. Is there some of yourself in Varya's character?

Kate: LOL! I wish! I suppose there's a little bit of me in every character I create. With Varya, I'd have to say her loyalty to her friends and loved ones. I'd do anything for the people I care about. And I love the fact that she will do whatever she must to survive. I think that's something my heroines have in common. Actually, now that I think about it, Miles is more like me than Varya is! *G*

Donna: Your book is full of secondary characters that are absolutely wonderful. You made them come alive for us, even the deceased Bella! Will you write a sequel to this book?

Kate: I'd really like to write about Blythe. I'm not sure if that will ever happen, but I think she'd be a great character. Whether or not she'll end up with the charming Lord Carnover, I haven't quite decided. *G*

Donna: I love the way you turned the tables on everyone and the fickleness of the ton. Will you continue to write your characters into the Regency period?

Kate: Thank you! Yes, right now I have no plans to venture outside of the Regency. Someday I'd love to try the Victorian period, and maybe some different locations than England. I'd love to write a little bit about Canada but I'm not sure how that would go over with readers.

Donna: There are scenes that touch every emotion. When you are writing, do you set out to make a scene funny or sad or exciting, or does this just happen?

Kate: I have an idea of what kind of scene I want to write, but after that I just leave it up to the characters. Once I climb inside their heads, I have a pretty good idea of how they're going to react to things - and how much of it they're prepared to let out. If I'm successful, I can feel what they're feeling and it's much easier to write that way!

Donna: What kind of books do you hope to write in the future?

Kate: Oh my! Well, I have all kinds of different ideas of what I'd like to do. Scandalous women, self-made men, dangerous lords, strong-minded widows ... *G* I really want to start getting into character driven stories. That's not to say I won't write any more books with intrigue in them, but my next few books are going to center around the relationships. I think it will be a good exercise for me, just to slow down and enjoy watching the characters unfold. But then I have plans for a story that will set my hero and heroine in a bit of muddle again. Let's hope my editor goes for it! *G*

Donna: What is next? Can you give us a hint?

Kate: Well, I'm in an anthology from St. Martins this Christmas called NAUGHTY OR NICE. My story is about a widow who is an English spy who shares a few hours of passion with an English lord on board a ship. They meet again 8 months later. Neither one has forgotten the other, but there are obstacles to their Happily Ever After.

My next full length historical is out next February, and it's titled A SEDUCTIVE OFFER. It's about a hero who tries to atone for his past by marrying the heroine who is trying to save her mother from an abusive marriage.

Donna: Will you ever write other types of romance?

Kate: At the moment, I have no plans to move out of the historical genre. However, I do have a Young Adult historical romance coming out next May from Harper/Avon. I had such a blast writing it that I'd love to continue on in the YA genre.

Donna: How does the internet affect you as an author?

Kate: It's so much easier to *meet* readers. For a new author like me, it's been the best promotional tool ever because it's helped me build a base. It's also been extremely helpful with research. I don't know what I'd do without it!

Donna: What are some of your favorite web sites and discussion boards?

Kate: I have quite a few I lurk at, but my regular haunts are The Romance Journal, where I have my web page, RBL (of course!), Romance and Friends, and of course, The Avon Ladies bbs.

Donna: Do you remember how you found or came to be at RBL?

Kate: I remember Danelle Harmon, another Avon author, told me about it before I got published. I lurked for abit and then got up the courage to introduce myself. Everyone made me feel so welcome! Even though I don't spend as much time on line as I used to, I still feel like I can pop by RBL anytime, regardless of how long it's been, and I'll still be welcomed in. It's great.

Donna: Do you have any advice for other aspiring authors here at RBL?

Kate: Write, write, write! *G* And learn as much about the craft as you can. Find what works for you as an author, and get youself a couple of really good 'how to' books. Even now, I find some interesting new tricks that other authors use that just make things so much easier!

Donna: Do you have anything you would like to say or questions you would like ask the readers here at RBL?

Kate: I would just like to thank everyone at RBL for their support and encouragement. Iappreciate it so very much.

Donna: Thank you so much for sharing your success with all of us at RBL. We sort of feel as though we made the ride with you!

Kate: You have! Thanks for coming along with me - it would have been much scarier alone!