Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome the talented author, Mary Winter. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

When I'm not writing, I like to play D&D, spend time with my horse, and of course, read a good book.

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

It really hasn't changed my life. I see it more as an affirmation of my dreams and my goals. Being published has enabled me to push myself creatively and has given my voice an audience, which I am so thankful for every day.

What is a typical day like for you?

I usually wake about 8 or 9 and work on writing a project and taking care of email and other duties. I try to visit my horse, and then I leave for work about 11. I work until 9 at night, though I usually find time to write at my day job, and then I come home, cook dinner, and spend more time writing on various other projects. I also find time to call grandma every day and spend time with the kitties and the parrots.

When did you decide to take "pen in hand" and write with the intent to publish?

I was in junior high/high school. I discovered romance novels and finally decided what I wanted to be when I "grew up." I started writing, even skipping gym class, so I could work on my projects or just read.

What would we find on your bookshelf? What makes a book a great book to you?

Our bookshelves are quite varied, especially depending on whether it's my bookshelf or my partner's. My bookshelf contains all sorts of Buffy the Vampire Slayer books from media tie-ins to academic discussions, writing books, lots and lots of horse books and metaphysical books including tarot and Wicca. My keeper shelf contains most of Mercedes Lackey's works, all of Anne Bishop's books, several books by my fellow Ellora's Cave authors (especially anything by Denise Agnew), and Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series.

What makes a good book? It has to draw me in immediately. I have to be captivated by the action or the character. And then, give me a heroine with whom I can identify and real deep characterization. If I like the characters (for example Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books) I'll finish a story I might not care for, or that might lose me in places, but if I don't like the characters, then I don't feel I have enough "invested" in the story to finish.

I've been seeing a number of discussions on the Yahoo groups about Happily-Ever-After. Do you feel that HEA is necessary to a romance novel?

I think it has to have a positive ending. While I'm a romantic at heart, I don't think it's all about getting a marriage proposal. A happy for now, especially if it means I get to read more books about wonderful characters, is perfectly fine.

What are some of your hobbies besides writing?

I love to garden and spend time outdoors. Of course, this includes spending time with my horse. I play D&D, finding that playing in someone else's world helps me free up my own creativity. Along those same lines, I try to be active in Queen's Own, a Mercedes Lackey fan community. Our local science fiction club is a great group of people, and although I work too late to attend meetings, I try to keep in touch with them as well. I'm also an avid reader.

Was there any one person or event in your life that finally inspired you to sit down and write your first book?

There really wasn't anyone who inspired me, but I grew up in a family of readers who also happen to be very supportive of my dreams. My mom and grandma especially encouraged me to keep writing and go after my goals.

Could you describe for us your idea of the perfect man?

Oh, I could have fun with this one. Let's see, he'd have to look like Aragorn, have the humor of John Crichton, be as smart as Dr. Daniel Jackson, be as romantic and sexy as any alpha out there.

If you had a chance to either go to the past or the future, which would you choose? Any particular year?

I think I'd go to the past. I'd love to sit down and talk with Boudicea or Shakespeare. There are so many fascinating historical figures, I don't think I could narrow it down to just one year, or even one era.

Do you have a favorite movie that you could watch over and over again?

I have a few. The Cutting Edge is one, as is Spaceballs.

Of all the individuals you have created, do you have a particular favorite? What appeals to you the most about this character?

I don't really have a favorite character. I love them all for different reasons. Teri and Sage are close to my heart because their story was the first one I had published.

What was the first story you ever wrote?

I wrote a category length story (can't even remember the title now) dealing with a show jumper and a dressage rider who needed to regain his confidence. It was based on my own fall from horseback and my own lack of riding ability, and it garnered a personal rejection letter from Silhouette way back when. They liked the story, but felt that stories with English riding didn't sell.

How many hours a day do you spend writing?

Not enough. I probably spend two to four hours a day writing.

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

I have to write from start to finish. I'm very linear. I get an idea, which I flesh out, and I work on the characters, and then I outline, and then I sit down to write.

You have three books coming soon at Venus Press; Galaxy Rogues 4: Hot Wire, Mystical Signs Series: Studious Desires, and Sons of Zeus: Sexual Healing. Can you tell us about them?

Hot Wire is set in the same universe as my other Galaxy Rogues books. In it, a man caught between being a full cyborg and a human, falls in love for the woman who is mining his claims on a remote asteroid. Sexual Healing tells the tale of a Greek god of healing, and how he helped a woman scarred by a horrible car accident, and Studious Desires is my hunky Virgo story. A straight-laced, detail-oriented college professor gets knocked for a loop by one of his students.

Do you have anything else in the works?

I'm working on several ideas, and I always have things going. I hate to say more though, because I never know in which direction things are going to go, or where they will end up.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

That's all. Thanks so much for this opportunity.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. If you'd like to learn more about Ms. Winter, take a look at her website, http://www.marywinter.com/.

Interviewed by: Serena