Hello, and welcome back. I hope youīre enjoying this chat with Susan Krinard. On to part two.

Bella: Why paranormal romances? What do you get from them that you donīt from straight romance?

Susan Krinard: I grew up reading Science Fiction and Fantasy, so combining that with romance was natural for me. What I like about SF and paranormal is that it gives me far more latitude to explor the themes and characters that I enjoy. And, above all, I want to "escape" reality. "Regular" romance, particularly contemporary, doesnīt give me that...I live in the real world! I either want to disappear into a previous era, or travel to another world, or get into the mind of someone who isnīt quite human. My imagination is just too wild to be satisfied with less.

B: Who are some of your favorite authors?

SK: My favorite authors are Lois McMaster Bujold, C.J. Cherryh, and Sharon Lee/Steve Miller. They usually include some element of either romance or strong character focus and personal relationships in their stories.

B: Whatīs coming up on your schedule, book-wise, in the next year?

SK: Iīm currently completing another historical fantasy romance, non-werewolf, set in Regency England. Itīs called "The Forest Lord," and it should be out in about a year. it was fun to set a story during the Regency, which is a period that has always fascinated me. In fact, my first romances as a reader were Regencies, beginning with Georgette Heyer. But it has been a real challenge to try to get the details right!

Though itīs not a werewolf romance, it has animals, shapeshifting, and the same "otherworldly" elements of my werewolf stories. My next book after that, which I hope to start soon, will be another in the werewolf series. And Iīm hoping to write a follow-up to my novella "Kinsman" in the anthology "Out of This World."

And so ends our interview. I hope youīve enjoyed it as much as I. But Iīm not done just yet. Iīve also read
Secret of the Wolf (Berkley) and want to share it with you. The release date is set for October 10, 2001, but you can preorder via Amazon or B & N.

Doctor Johanna Schell has moved her "family" all the way to the hills of California, hoping for a sanctuary on the land sheīs inherited. She doesnīt expect to add another misfit to the group of patients she considers her family, especially not one like Quentin Forster, who may be dangerous. Quentin, a flirtatious neīer-do-well on the surface, suffers from blackouts, and when Johanna wants to try to hypnotize him, he reluctantly agrees. Johanna is a very strong woman, particularly given the time period. Then again, women in the late 1800s had to be strong, and Johanna moreso that others--not only does she have other patients to care for, but she must also care for her ailing father. It would be safer for everyone if Quentin didnīt stay, but when danger attacks their home, he does what he must, even though it may mean the end of his life. I really enjoyed this story, cheered for Quentin and Johanna and wanted to get the bad guy myself. This one earns four of Cupidīs five arrows. I hope you all enjoy it, too.

Until next week, happy reading!

Susan Krinard: The Interview, Part One