Lena Marie, welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews. We would like to thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions about your debut novel and writing in general. First off let me say congratulations on your first release, A Love Not Lost published by eXtasy Books.

For those who have not read A Love Not Lost, can you give them a brief description?

The story is about a woman, Chelsea, who is fed up with following rules and orders from her parents. Her father, King of Witches has made a bargain with her to have three years of freedom. After it’s up, she must marry the man she’s been betrothed since she was conceived. Not to take this in stride she jumps at the chance to live her remaining years of freedom to the fullest, including falling in love with a complete stranger. Mark Benavides a man who has secrets of his own that will surprise even Chelsea. As a business entrepreneur he also must marry but to the King’s little princess. Never having met the princess, he is not overjoyed of his upcoming marriage especially when he just met Chelsea. As they try to deny their attraction and the sexual chemistry between it becomes harder for Chelsea to follow her father’s last order to marry a man she does not know. As life sometimes goes, parents always know what’s right for us even if it’s an order or a rule for the last time.

What was your inspiration for your book? Did you have any specific inspiration for your main characters, Chelsea and Mark?

I wouldn’t call it an inspiration but a dream. I remember going to sleep and all of a sudden, I start dreaming this scene in my head. Most of my stories come from my dreams so expect more to come. As for the characters, Chelsea has always been a name I would have loved for a child, what a better way to introduce her to readers as a main character in my first book ever. As for Mark well there was a man in my life who met me in the same way at a bookstore. Unfortunately, it didn’t go to far but it would have been somewhat like Marks courtship to Chelsea.

Why have you chosen to write paranormal romance?

My first paranormal romance was by Sherrilyn Kenyon’s, Fantasy Lover, ever since then I’ve been hooked to stories of ghosts, futuristic, witches and most of all of shape shifting. It introduced me to a world that was beyond contemporary and series romances. One that got me excited to read about humans changing forms, ghosts falling in love and the possibilities of love blooming no matter the race or forms they were.

What was it like to see your book actually published?

Excited and overjoyed that it’s actually available for anyone to read. Actually cried once I was done with it and published for the first time.

How has your life changed since being published?

Not yet still working and taking care of my little muse (nephew) while writing another story. I think if it did change, I would probably go crazy more comfortable in the way I am.

Most authors are avid readers, are you? If so, who are some of your favorite authors?

LOL. You hit the jackpot with this author. I’ve been a voracious reader for a long time. I’m always reading from a book or on the computer mainly all kinds of genres. Favorite authors of mine are Nora Roberts, Carly Phillips, Janelle Denison, Danielle Steel, Fern Michaels, Sherrilyn Kenyon just to name a few. In the e-book world my favorites are Cheyenne McCray, Marianne LaCroix, Louisa Trent, Gwynn Morgan also to name a few. So many authors and not enough money to buy books half the time.

How have they influenced your writing?

They each have their own personalities into the stories, which is great you can tell a little from them. All of them have influenced me from the different genres they write but also the way they keep a good story going without ever getting bored. Mostly what I strive to do when I create a story to never get it to the boring zone.

Do you tend to read the same genre as you write?

I do there’s nothing that stops me from reading the same genre I get to write. Even though I’m writing the same I like to read about other authors books from that same category and see what the difference is also gain a new favorite author at the same time.

When writing, do you tend to stick to an outline or just go with the flow?

Mostly go with the flow never been one to follow things through even if its for a story. My mother is always telling me that I always do the opposite. Following an outline just seems to mundane to me, I like to create the excitement right then and there not plan for it to happen.

Do you have any upcoming projects? Can you give our readers a sneak peak as to what is up and coming from Lena Marie?

I am being featured at The Romance Studio in December at TRS Blue that will show a little more about me. As for a sneak peek, I will give you a little hint of my next story. It’s called Reluctant Beauty and it is about Robbie O’Grady with a lot on his plate who is about to find out that not all women fall to his feet especially when it comes to Ms. Aurora Rose. She is about to teach the boss that women can also run a company successful while also fighting to save his life. Can two people so opposite and fighting at each other work together to find out who wants the boss dead? Will it be too late for the beauty to find out that the man she has been searching for in her life is right in front of her? Can they make it before the killer strikes again and hurts the man she could come to love someday?

Have you set any goals for your writing career?

One major goal that pertains to my writing career would be to someday see one of my books published in book format. E-books are great but my mother would love to see it published like that which I’m trying to accomplish as I go each day.

Any advice for aspiring authors out there?

Never give up and always listen to your family or friends. If you ever feel like giving up remember that it’s better to know rejection then to never have been rejected unless you give it a chance and go for it.

Do you have anything you would like to add?

Always read books even different genres. Try different things occasionally you’ll be surprised what is out there in the book world. Also to keep up with news of my books visit Lena's World for upcoming releases, excerpts, and contests.

Once again Congratulations on A Love Not Lost being published by eXtasy! Thank you for interviewing with us.

Interviewed by: JoAnn