Sabrina: I started making up stories at twelve, and I remember telling myself that one day I’d write them down and sell them. Every one of them was a romance - I had a cowboy romance, a medieval romance, and a rock star romance. I’ve read romance since early childhood, believe it or not. I did write short stories in college (and a very bad children’s novel), but made only half-hearted attempts to get them published (a couple appeared in the college literary magazine). I wrote my first romance novel after grad school. At the time I was working as an English professor. I sat down to develop a publishable academic work based on my dissertation and found it so boring that I started writing a romance instead (a category romance, the only one I’ve ever attempted). When I realized that I really wanted to do that instead, I dumped the academic career (too demanding), took a job as a technical writer, and wrote novels at night until I sold my first historical (my second romance).

Bee: I, for one, enjoy book series. Did you start out intending to write books that were linked together or did it just happen?

Sabrina: Yes, I really did start out that way. I’ve always loved series novels myself - I love getting to return to a familiar world and see how beloved characters are doing. My two favorite series of all time are Johanna Lindsey’s Malory Series and Mary Jo Putney’s Fallen Angel Series.

Bee: Tell us about your new book, NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL. It feels like the start of another series. If it is, what can your readers expect?

Sabrina: Yes, it’s definitely a series. It’s about a respectable establishment called Mrs. Harris's School for Young Ladies run by a widow, Mrs. Charlotte Harris. Since it caters only to the wealthy, society dubs it the School for Heiresses (which is also the title of the series).

Ever since Charlotte’s exciting elopement to a scoundrel deprived her of everything but her genteel upbringing, she has been determined to keep other heiresses from making the same mistake, so she teaches such things as how to recognize a fortune-hunter, how to balance one’s family's needs with one's own, how to resist seduction by a bounder, and how not to let love blind one to a man's disadvantages. She even holds monthly teas for graduates to continue her "Lessons for Heiresses."

She has help from an unexpected source - her "cousin Michael," whom she has never met and who is vague on his familial connection to her. But his help isn't vague at all - he initially funded the school in the early days when she lacked money and he now helps by sending her and her graduates valuable information about the suitors who pursue them.

The stories will be set in and around London (with some jaunts to Scotland) during a period from about 1818 to 1824 or so. The first of the books, NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL, is a March release and ONLY A DUKE WILL DO is next, coming out in September. ONLY A DUKE WILL DO is also linked to the Royal Brotherhood Series, since it’s Simon and Louisa’s story. My readers clamored for it so much that I was determined to work it into the new series. An anthology called THE SCHOOL FOR HEIRESSES: LESSONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS comes out in December and will include stories from me, Julia London, Liz Carlyle, and debut author Renee Bernard.

The way I’ve got it planned now, the book after that will be about “the Scottish Scourge” and Venetia from NEVER SEDUCE, and after that it’s anybody’s guess. Eventually, Charlotte and Cousin Michael will get a story.

NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL, oddly enough, has an American Marine major for a hero. When heiress Amelia Plume discovers that Major Lucas Winter believes her beloved stepmother might be involved with an embezzler, she’s determined to prove him wrong. But her attempts to dissuade the mysterious American from his purpose soon land them both in trouble and right into a marriage of convenience that is decidedly inconvenient for both of them. They have to work through his difficult past and her stepmother’s secrets before they can find love and happiness together.

Bee: You released three books in the Royal Brotherhood Series. What made you decide to go in a different direction with this new book?

Sabrina: My publisher. *g* Seriously, though, I had intended to do two more follow-up books - Simon’s book and the story of the "real" son of George IV - but they liked how neatly the series was tied up in the last book (so did I). Also, I really couldn’t go on indefinitely creating royal bastards. Granted, George was a busy boy in the boudoir, but I thought more than three was a bit excessive. And as it worked out, I was able to fit Simon’s story into the new series.

Bee: Is it easier to attract a publisher with a series rather than a single book?

Sabrina: For an unpublished writer, you mean? I’m not sure. I would guess that it is, because it makes the marketing easier. Many readers, including me, enjoy following a world and a group of characters while still having the sense of completion that comes from a self-contained romance. Authors who can do both of those well seem to be very popular.

Bee: From a reader's point of view, series take a little more concentration. It is nice to be able to pick up a book and enjoy it without having all the previous history. How do you blend in the old with the new?

Sabrina: I guess I don’t see series books as requiring more concentration as a reader. I already know the characters, so it makes it easier for me. I feel the same way as a writer. Yes, I do have to give enough info about the important past characters to keep new readers informed, and yes, I do then run the risk of boring the old ones. But I work hard to make my books stand-alone, by keeping only superficial connections between the series books. (I fell down on the job with the Swanlea Spinsters Series, the first three of which really need to be read in order, but that’s only because I fell in love with the villain of the second book and changed the course of my series). It’s fine for a new reader to recognize that some of the secondary characters may have a history, but they shouldn’t need to know it in order to follow the current book.

Bee: Your website bio mentions your parents were missionaries in Thailand. Have you blended those experiences into your books? I don't remember reading anything about chicken heads or baby elephants.

Sabrina: I haven’t used those experiences too much, I’m afraid. My first Deborah Martin book was set in Thailand, and that’s where it all went, so I guess I got it out of my system. But Simon’s book does have a monkey in it and some mentions of life in India, as does the novella, so I did draw on my knowledge of the East a tiny bit for that.

Bee: Is your family supportive of your writing full time?

Sabrina: Absolutely! My working at home makes it much easier for all of us.

Bee: Do you miss having an "outside" job?

Sabrina: Absolutely not! I love what I do.

Bee: What are you reading now for pleasure and/or entertainment?

Sabrina: I’m between books, actually, but I just finished reading Rexanne Becnel’s upcoming NEXT book (she’s my critique partner). It’ll be out in September, I think, and it’s very funny, not to mention very touching. I don’t think they’ve settled on the title yet.

Meanwhile I’m waiting with bated breath to read the new installment of the Mossy Creek collective novels (A DAY IN MOSSY CREEK). I have a story in it, but that’s not what I care about - I want to find out if police chief Amos Royden and Mayor Ida Hamilton Walker finally get together! Every time a new installment comes out, I read it from cover to cover. I’m also halfway through THE DA VINCI CODE, which I put down and haven’t picked up again yet. I just don’t have much time for pleasure reading these days.

Bee: Do you have any advice for would-be writers?

Sabrina: Your voice is the most important thing you have. Working on refining (or even finding) your voice is the most effective thing you can do to improve your writing. Avoid trying to sound like other writers - instead, tap into those turns of phrase and opinions that are uniquely yours. Only then can you separate yourself from the pack.