With us today is Anita Verkerk, Award Winning Romance Author of such works as the 2003 Haunted Hearts Contest Winner, The Enchanted Castle.


Thank you, Mrs. Verkerk, for being here today.

Hi Mary, it's my pleasure to be with you!

Could you tell us what prompted you into writing...

It all began fifteen years ago when I found myself sitting at home with two little children, filling my days changing diapers and washing dishes. It was so different from my life as a history teacher, the walls of my house haunted me, and I was becoming completely nuts.

Then, I came upon an advertisement in the TV guide. It said: 'Always wanted to be an author? Try our no-risk writing course.'

I subscribed to the course and was hooked from the very beginning. It was like coming home after years of searching. This was what I really wanted in life.

Your newest release, The Enchanted Castle sounds intriguing. Can you tell us more about it?

'The Enchanted Castle' is a paranormal love story with many Gothic elements. The Enchanted Castle is not meant for the faint of heart. It's very, very hot. :-)

The novella features heroine Samantha. She is a strong, independent (business) woman, owner of a blooming travel Agency in New York.

She's married to gorgeous Michael, and they have the greatest sex life ever. When Michael finds a new job as an art merchandiser, he turns into a workaholic, and the sizzling nights of passion are over. Samantha has her fit of competing against oil paintings by Van Gogh and with the help of her fairy godmother she decides to fight for her happiness.

Will a torrid night in The Enchanted Castle save her marriage?

The Enchanted Castle can be downloaded for $2.99 only at
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/anitaverkerk.htm

What promoted the story idea?

Ideas for stories always spontaneously bubble up inside my head, and they are mostly the result of a blend of things.

As for The Enchanted Castle: I met an unhappy couple. The man worked day and night, and the woman obviously suffered from the lack of attention. And when she said, "I wish someone could help me get my husband back", the idea of a fairy godmother bubbled up in my head.

The hidden fairy tale message in The Enchanted Castle is: stop whining about your unhappy marriage, try to do something about it.

How did it feel to win the 2003 Haunted Heart Contest?

It felt great! And I've celebrated my success with lots of Champagne and chocolate! :-)

Were you surprised?

Of course, it was a happy surprise! Every author hopes to win a contest, and when it really happens you jump around doing the happy dance. :-)

You've gotten some pretty critical acclaim for this work. Is it any different from what you normally write?

Yes, it differs from what I write for the Dutch market. My Dutch publishers don't want 'hot' fairy tales. But I really love hot fairy tales! That's why I started writing them for my American fans.

Do you still love writing about Medieval times?

Oh yes, I do. I love the Middle Ages!

I'm working on a Mediaeval Time Travel romance at the moment. However, it's meant for the Dutch market.

You say you sent your first short story off to prove your writing teacher wrong. How did it feel when it sold and you proved him right?

I was so surprised, and extremely happy at the same time! I felt so proud, when I went to the post office to cash the check. So much money for only a few lines! I think I told everyone who wanted to hear it what had happened to me. :-)

What's your favorite fairy tale?

I think "Cinderella" is one of my favorites. The poor girl, bullied by an evil stepmother and her lazy stepsisters, marries the Prince in the end, they live happily ever after, and the "Good" has won again.

Do you believe fairy tales are somehow based in reality, as some theorize, or do you think they really are just make believe for children?

Fairy tales are based in the human subconscious. Most fairy tales are about injustice and evil, and poor souls suffering from them, but there's always a happy ending for the innocent, and evil is being punished.

So, the hidden message in most fairy tales is: there is justice in the world, and "Good" will always win from "Bad".

Your site says you've published over 300 short stories for various Dutch Magazines. Which one is your favorite so far?

I think I ! like my hot story "... with whipped cream" most. It's about a woman who has this boyfriend who thinks she's too fat. She believes him, but she craves sweets and she's very unhappy with her diet, and her life for that matter.

One day, she decides to choose for herself and her own happiness, and she finds a man who thinks she's great the way she is.

Do you have a favorite work of everything you've written?

My favorite book is always my work in progress. :-)

How about a favorite Hero or Heroine?

I don't think I have a favorite; I love all my heroes and heroines. Otherwise, it would be impossible to spend so much time with them. :-)

In general, I like a heroine who knows what she wants, and who is prepared to fight for her happiness. Someone like Samantha in The Enchanted Castle.

For a hero I like gallant, romantic men who are gorgeous in bed. Someone like the mysterious! knight in my novella A Mysterious Knight.

A Mysterious Knight is pubbed by New Concepts Publishing. More info at
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/anitaverkerk.htm

And finally, tell us what to expect next from the fantastical world of Anita Verkerk?

I'm working on another spicy fairy tale in English, but it may take me some time to finish it, because I'm on a deadline for my mediaeval TT in Dutch. :-)

I invite readers to visit my website to discover what's boiling in my little writer's kitchen.

On my site you can find (hot) excerpts from my work, peek into my Diary, or enter my contest.

Thank you very much Mrs. Verkerk for your time today.

It was my pleasure, thank you for your wonderful questions.

And I'd like to thank all my readers for their wonderful support and their sweet praises for my work.

Warm hugs for all of you from the Netherlands!

If you'd like to visit Anita's site, you may do so here, http://www.anitaverkerk.com


Interviewed by: Mary