Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews Vonna! I am looking forward to learning more about you and your fantastic stories.

Can you tell us a little about your Ellora’s Cave Anthology Down and Dirty?

Dangerous Ride came about as a result of my love for 90 pounds of Doberman named Rio (also the dog's name in the book) A friend raised and trained Rio to be a search and rescue dog, and he's done some amazing things. He's also a big couch potato and official greeter, a true sweetheart. I have always lived in and around the mountains and whenever possible, that's where I place my stories, thus the location for Dangerous Ride. Finally, there's nothing more fun that bringing characters who are both loners together and force them into a situation where they have to rely on each other for survival.

Of all things you have accomplished, is there one accomplishment you are most proud of?

Of course I'm extremely proud of my two sons and getting them to adulthood was certainly the longest-running task I ever went through. Not sure it’s complete although I'm now a grandmother. Being a grandmother is, bar none, the world's greatest kick!

>From what do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?

To be practical, inspiration comes from the bills that keep finding me. I'm a career writer and approach it as a job, abet the only job I've ever wanted. I'm inspired by the wilderness, music, morning walks, an odd piece of conversation, something that hits me in a movie, a book, in short anything that feeds my soul and causes me to think about the human condition.

How has being published changed your life, if at all?

I've been writing so long that it is my life, but most definitely my life has been structured by being self-employed and not having to trek off to an office, thank goodness! I live inside my head which sometimes drives my husband nuts. I love the people I've 'met' via this career.

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?

Probably that we're rich. I wish. Nah, not really. I have just about everything I want except comfortable shoes. I don't think non writers understand that this is hard work and that we must balance the creative sides of our brains with business reality. Also, unfortunately, we aren't always writing from personal experience--hardly ever in fact.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I've always been a reader and have long nurtured a vivid imagination and lack of interest in the real world. My first book (unpublished) explored my love of the wilderness but I didn't know about that necessary little thing called conflict so my characters were beyond boring.

Can you tell us a little more about your first Changeling Press book Fire Eyes?

Fire Eyes came about when I was looking through a book on ancient superstitions and spotted a picture of a fierce and very angry dog. The fable accompanying that frightful looking creature practically wrote the story for me. I loved creating a primitive and fictional world and a gentle, innocent young witch willing to sacrifice her life to save her people. Of course she lives to fall in love with the outcast who runs with the wild dogs.

What is your favorite type of genre to write?

Whatever I'm writing at the moment. I do love adventure and suspense particularly if I can throw in some paranormal.

What makes a great book to you?

Memorable characters and smooth writing that allows me to forget that I'm a writer. I think many writers will agree with me that we notice the bones beneath the prose and if the bones are broken, it destroys the mood.

I read in your Changeling press bio that you joined a group of foreign mercenaries at the age of 15 and were also a gold miner. Could you tell us a little more about these previous experiences?

Hopefully readers realize I was taking a bit of literary license. In other words, I was lying through my teeth. I was raised in gold country and have done some mining but my life has been pretty ordinary--except in my imagination.

What is a typical day like for you?

Get up. Feed Dog. Drink coffee and read paper. Go for a walk. Fix breakfast for my husband and myself. Go up to my office and write until my fingers fall off. Eat some more. Write some more. Eat again. Occasionally watch the grandkids and go to town when someone holds a gun to my head.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I've written for a number of traditional publishers, most of them in New York and am excited about the whole epublishing adventure. I love being in on the ground floor so-to-speak and being part of the growth process. Also, starting in the spring, I will have four stories (all erotica of course) coming out with Kensington. However, I have no intention of quitting with 'my' e-publishers.

I want to thank you for taking time to chat with us today. If you are interested in learning more about Vonna Harper’s books, you can visit her website at http://www.vonnaharper.com/.

Interviewed by: Tammy