Hi Annette! Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us.

In your story Dangerous Love, your heroine creates stories of her own. Did you find it difficult or easy to write about someone writing stories?

Good question. I actually enjoyed writing about a writer. When the heroine in my story had mishaps in her life, so did the characters in her books. It sort of gave a little twist to the book.

In Lost in Paradise, you offer the opportunity to start again for a woman with amnesia. Did you find that writing about a heroine without a past allow you more opportunity to have her character grow in many different directions?

Yes it was the idea I had starting out. Suffering with amnesia, she had lost everything in her life. Not knowing if she left a man behind that she loved, she couldn’t offer her heart to the very handsome man that had rescued her. With his kindness and support, she built a new friendship with him, both wanting to risk their hearts to each other, but both feeling the need to wait until her past was settled. Building her character had so many possibilities. I’m hoping that Cecile “Angel” Davenport would be a character my readers would fall in love with.

It appears that in each of your stories, the two main characters are from very different walks of life, places, and/or circumstances. I imagine this offers readers a wonderful backdrop for a romance to evolve. What do you feel this brings to your book?

In most of my books I try to write the hero and heroine with different backgrounds. I’m hoping it adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to the book.

Per your website, I see that you have a fifth book coming out in October titled Wrong Number. Can you give up a little hint about this next story?

Wrong Number was just released October the first with All Romance Books. The story revolves around Ally Benton and Craig Winters, two best friends, who reunited because Ally kept dialing the same wrong number over and over again. They rekindled their friendship which blossomed into a sweet love when feelings came to the surface. When ex-boyfriend Dave Taylor came back into the picture, Ally’s life gets turned upside down. Alcohol brought out the dangerous side of him. After being kidnapped everyone’s lives were changed forever. Would Ally and Craig find happily ever after? I think I’ll leave the ending a secret. Lol.

Where do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?

I’ve always been fascinated with the written word. I loved to write for as long as I can remember. I love making up stories in my head, creating characters, giving them a life of their own, some of which hopefully my readers will fall in love with. My family is also my inspiration. Without them, I would not have had the courage to do what I had always dreamed of doing.

Do you have any special rituals to help you get in the mood to write?

Anything can put me in the mood to write. My ideas come from anywhere. On a Sunday morning I could be lying in bed when a new twist comes to me. I love to write when it’s quiet, although soft music playing in the background helps when I’m stuck on a scene.

What does your working space look like?

I have my computer desk set up in what used to be my dining room. I can close my doors and keep everyone out, but a little distraction when you are writing is good sometimes. My desk is cluttered with notes which I will probably never use since I write directly on the computer. It just looks like a writer’s space. My 5 books I have written are sitting on the shelf in front of me. Seeing your work is print is awesome. It gives me the incentive to write more.

How many hours a day do you spend writing?

I love to write early in the morning when everything is nice and quiet. I usually try to get in two hours before I start on my housework. Later in the day if I am lucky I’ll get to add another two or three pages and then just before bed I like to add a few finishing touches to what I have written through the day. I try to write at least three hours almost every day, although once in awhile I get to sneak in an eight hour day.

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

Being published gave me a sense of accomplishment. I’ve always wanted to write. I have been writing seriously for the last five years, but just this year I decided it was time to send my work out to the world. All Romance Books, along with their wonderful editors have helped me so much along the way. My very first contract, wow. It was such an overwhelming feeling just knowing my work was good enough. I have a new sense of pride in myself which makes me want to work longer and harder, trying to improve my writing.

Most people only dream of becoming a successful writer. Now that you have accomplished that is there anything else you dream of doing?

I must say, I’m pretty content with my life the way it is now. Being surrounded by family is the most important thing in life to me. I’ll keep writing until I run out of ideas, which I hope doesn’t happen soon. I love what I do. If I want to get lost for the day, I’ll add a new adventure for one of my characters. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be.

We all have one, so tell us yours. What is your favorite comfort food?

I guess everyone’s favorite comfort food is chocolate. Mine too. No nuts though, just all chocolate. Lol.

How do you like to spend your free time when you are not writing?

I love photography. I have always had a fascination with taking pictures. One of my favorite things about writing is traveling around taking photos for the covers of my books. I send 3 or 4 different photos that I would like to see on the cover, and with the help of my editor we decide together. I love walking along one of our many beaches, walking the dog, visiting with family, or just going for a nice long Sunday drive. Living in Nova Scotia there is so much beauty around us, I never leave home without my camera.

Tell your fans something about you they would never guess.

I am a very down to earth woman. I enjoy the simple things in life. I truly believe home is where the heart is, and being a romantic at heart, I always try to write stories that I hope touch the heart’s of my readers just as they have touched mine. Each one of my books is special to me because I live my character’s lives while I am writing the books.

What would we find on your bookshelf?

I love romance novels. My bookshelves are filled with many of my favorite authors. I usually read contemporary romance. When I start reading a book I can’t seem to stop until I reach the happily ever after. The last two books I read were Bittersweet Reunion and The Eyes Of The Heart by Charlene Leonard. When I spend time reading someone else’s writing I bond with their characters. It is what I want more than anything. I want to have the ability for my readers to fall in love with people I made up.

Where do you derive the names for your characters and titles for your books?

I like using names that sound real to me and hopefully to my readers. I take a pen and paper and put down a lot of first and last names until one just stands out to me. My titles are actually the first thing I write when I start a new book. My whole story will then revolve around the few words in the title. After I finished a book sometimes I think about changing my titles in the end, but I never could.

Do you have a character that is especially close to your heart?

That’s a good question, but a tough one. I think I would have to say Recardo Tremonte from Lost In Paradise. I absolutely fell in love with his character. He is tall dark and extremely handsome, but there is so much more to him. Inside he has a heart of gold.

What appeals to you the most about this character?

He is just Recardo, charming, witty, handsome, sexy and a man after every girl’s heart. He was from another part of the world which added a bit of mystery to his character. I may have to go back to visit him for another book.

Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?

I just recently sent in a new manuscript to All Romance Books titled All For The Love Of Jody. I am waiting to hear back. It was a fun one to write. Jody was a wonderful character to develop. He had a great sense of humor. Between the two covers of this book I hope to make the readers laugh and cry.

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

I’m just an average kind of person. I cherish my friends and family. I am very sentimental. I am driven by emotion which is why I think I enjoy making up stories. If something touches my heart I’m hoping it will touch my reader’s heart. I want to thank all the readers out there that keep reading our work.

Thank you so much Jessica for the interview. The questions were great. They were fun to answer.

Thank you so much for stopping by Annette. We appreciate you taking some time to visit with us today and look for forward to speaking to you again in the future. For anyone looking for a touching romance with a touch of suspense stop by the Annette’s website, http://annettenewell.tripod.com/, to see what you are missing.

Interviewed by: Jessica