Today I’d like to welcome author Judith Rochelle to Fallen Angel Reviews. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for us today Judith!

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

Besides my terrific kids? I think when I finally sat down and wrote a book from beginning to end. I had notebooks full of first chapters and had never gotten any further.

To you, what makes a great romance hero and heroine?

A great hero is one who is strong, very comfortable in his own skin, has power but doesn’t abuse it, and doesn’t feel diminished by making his lover feel good or by opening himself to love. Often I like a hero, like Reno Sullivan in The Hired Wife, who has darkness in his soul but can be redeemed. A great heroine is sassy, smart, sometimes trapped by life but always with a will to succeed. She is willing to love, but if you hurt her, beware!

The Hired Wife is coming out later this year, can you tell us about it?

This is a story of two people who have dark, tragic secrets. Reno Sullivan never discusses the disaster that was his marriage or the death of his wife that left him with an infant child. Whatever he’s hiding is the reason he’s turned away from his own child but is determined to provide a stable home life for her. Sarah Madison, Reno’s executive assistant, has buried her guilt in the death of her husband and the loss of the child she was carrying. And the painful knowledge she may never conceive again. When Reno says he wants to “hire” her to be his wife and mother his child, Sarah only accepts because she sees it as her last chance for motherhood. The novel is the story of their journey from darkness to light, of an unexpected sexual awakening, and a child who reaches into their tortured souls. I cried every time I read the manuscript – and I knew what was happening!

Everyone has a different perspective on "getting away from it all" and a good book often helps to satisfy an escapist urge. As a reader or an author, what are the essential elements for you in good escapist reading?

A plot that grabs me, a hero I’d love to take home with me, a heroine I admire, but most of all – a happy ending. I read a lot of different genres, but if a book is well plotted and the characters well defined, I’m hooked and will buy everything that author writes.

In your opinion, what are the three most essential ingredients of an excellent romance novel?

A strong hero, a strong heroine, and a love story that I wish was mine.

Trust No One won first place for Romantic Suspense in the River City Romance Writers “Duel on the Delta” contest. Can you tell us about this story and how you felt winning this contest?

Believe it or not, the idea for the story came to me in the shower – a place I often do my best thinking, and started with a single sentence. I built the plot from there. I had fun putting some interesting twists in it and I fell in love with McCall, my hero. He had shut away all emotion because of something in his past, and fought the feelings that Savannah, my heroine, stirred in him. He wanted to be able to just have great sex with her and walk away when it was over, but she was determined to help him banish the past. When I got the email that I’d won the contest, I opened a bottle of wine and told my wonderful husband, “Time to get drunk.” After so many near misses, it was wonderful to come in first.

You were the first woman to own a rock n roll agency in Detroit. Can you tell us a few of the bands you managed?

Most of them were local bands, but one of them, a group called Lightnin’ comprised of former members of a Warner Brothers band called Savage Grace. We were negotiating a record contract with them when Fate stepped in and put things on hold for a while. Darn Fate, anyway! We did, however, do a number of dates with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. Most of my bands played what we called concert clubs. This was in the era of Black Sabbath, Eddie Money and bands like that so it was a really interesting experience. I also managed a lot of what we called lounge bands, who did the Holiday Inn circuit. I think one of the most challenging things I did was an all-day outdoor rock concert with local bands. My kids keep asking me why I don’t use this background in one of my books, and one of these days I just might.

What can your fans look forward to in the next twelve months from you?

Well after The Hired Wife, in 2007 I have two prequels to that book coming out – Echoes of the Past and Run For Your Life. The characters are interwoven but the books can also be read as standalones. Echoes of the Past will be out in May 2007. In February 2007 the first truly erotic book I wrote, Playing With Fire will be released. I wanted to write something where I could dig out my deepest fantasies and let them play out. I had such fun doing it I have two more in the plotting stage. I’m also at work on two sequels to Love With the Proper Rancher. Cutter’s Way is nearing completion and One Hot Texas Night has a good start. And of course, Trust No One will be out sometime in 2007. After that, I have more than a dozen novels plotted, so I guess I’ll be busy for a while! I’ve also signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for my inspirational novel, Coming Home, which they will use to launc! h their White Rose Division. The book is the first in a series, and will be out this fall.

Can you tell us something about you that makes you unique?

Oh, my. Well, let’s see. I’ve held a lot of jobs and positions that previously were male dominated. I was the first female on the sports staff of the newspaper at The University of Michigan. I was the first woman to chair an economic development council in the Tampa Bay (FL) area. I like a challenge, and my family and friends have learned never to say, “I don’t think you can do that.” I also multi-task. One of my sons-in-law says I’m the only person he knows who can watch two football games at the same time, answer questions about them, and still do the New York Times crossword puzzle. I guess that’s unique, right?

What is the best advice that anyone ever gave you?

“Don’t let the world get you down, kiddo. Life is what you make of it.”

Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers today?

Yes. I love my readers. The emails I’ve gotten from people who have read my book are a great blessing for me. Believe it or not, I printed out every one and am putting them in a scrapbook. I’m open to any comments, good or bad, and really want to know what my readers would like to hear about from me. I’m an avid reader myself, with a personal library approaching 2000 books, so I know that readers are the lifeblood of authors. I want to take good care of mine.

Thank you so much, Judith, for spending time with us today! Readers, be sure to visit Judith’s website.

Interviewed by: Tammy