What is the one thing that you would want us readers to know about you?

Hmmm, tough question. I want readers to know that I want them to enjoy my stories of course, and let them know that their enjoyment is first and foremost in my mind when I write a story. Of course, I want readers to love my characters as much as I do, but I want readers to know that my writing is for them.

When did you first start writing? What made you want to become a writer?

Late 2004 I sat to pen a story. It'll probably never see the light of day but I had an idea, actually three ideas and wrote scenes, outlines for each of them. The first that I completed, I told in the first person and regret that decision LOL but I started having these ideas just pop into my head, voices talking, it was really odd since I never really had the idea to even write anything. But having those three ideas, I was helpless to ignore them and had to get the voices outta my head. Since then I have many stories written and I just let the characters lead the way.

Has being published changed you at all? If so, how?

Not at all. I'm busier than ever, but hasn't changed me at all (I don't think) LOL I find myself more critical of myself though I do note. I take myself much more seriously – could sound odd, but I'm so hard on myself. My friends and editor are awesome but nothing is ever perfect to me with writing and I'm always making changes. Half way through edits, I'm changing this and that.

Personally, I haven't changed, my beliefs and such, I'm still a shy, hometown, stay-at-home-Mom whose family comes first and is the most important thing in my life.

What would we find on your bookshelf?

My personal bookshelves are overflowing. I'm an avid collector – of paperback and hardcover – titles by Nora Roberts/JD Robb and Sandra Brown. I have duplicates of nearly all their books in both formats and old habits die-hard *grin* I thoroughly enjoy those two authors the most. Plus, Suzanne Brockmann, Janet Evanovich, Lisa Gardner, Maggie Shayne, Susan Squires, Beverly Jenkins, Lucy Monroe, Deborah Lynne, Jaci Burton, Ann Jacobs, Ashleigh Raine, Jane Porter, Sahara Kelly, Rhiannon/Chris Neeley, JJ Massa, Ginna Gray, Leigh Greenwood…the list is endless.

Can you tell us a little about your upcoming book INTO THE NIGHT?

Into the Night starts the "Sexy Confessions to Venus" line from Venus Press. Into the Night is a paranormal story about Lynn whose passions are awaken one lonely night…passions she didn't know she had. ”The Sexy Confessions to Venus” stories are two to five thousand word stories that get straight to the heat, passion and sweep a reader away. Some are actual letters to Venus, some are told to us, that we know Venus can see. *grin*

What satisfies you about your writing?

I love watching my characters grow, learn, believe in the impossible. I love the energy that flows through my characters, and myself, while writing a story. They are real people to me --- some of my characters are actually friends and family --- and I love creating adventures, happily-ever-afters that readers can enjoy. Knowing that I put 100% into a story satisfies me, though I'm doubly satisfied when a reader writes and tells me that he/she "got" the characters and loved the adventure.

What is your most favorite part of being a writer? The least favorite?

My favorite part – the writing. Nothing is as thrilling as sitting and watching scenes unfold right before your eyes, underneath your fingertips. I love my characters and their stories thrill me.

Least favorite --- many probably say editing, but I am not a fan of the promotional aspects of things. I really dislike discussing myself. I'm a very quiet and shy individual (though I can hear my friends tittering over that) but it's true. I want the focus to be on my stories and not on me-the writer. But sometimes in promoting, doing chats, etc, many ask personal questions that I hate to be rude and not answer. I could do without those promo angles, but in a roundabout way, I am still discussing my books/characters, so … it's a job that must be done *grin*

While writing, how does the story develop for you?

A lot of time, I know how I want the story to go. When I wrote Isabella's Illusions, I had everything mapped out, though it did end up evolving into something totally different but I did an outline for all my stories and they have stayed on point since Isabella, and I couldn't write them without outlines. Especially my 'In the Arms of the Law' series. There is a lot of information from each previous book that has to be shown in the next book as they come out, so that readers have a bit of back story for them to also stand on their own, so I have my outlines to refer back to as each one was being written so I didn't overlook any key events, hints at things to come.

Would you like to share any other insight into the creation of your stories?

Isabella's Illusions was originally supposed to be a simple contemporary/light paranormal story. Isabella is a cop, Brady a PI who have been friends for years and became lovers. The paranormal element was in Brady being a seer – seeing events before, after and during them happening. All that mixed in with them coping with each other romantically – both had vowed never to fall in love or marry – and I was sure this would be a simple contemporary happily ever after, after a lot of emotional ups and downs.

As I was writing it however and its end result, we have murder, a kidnapping, a bomb and a lot of adrenaline. It evolved into a romantic suspense/paranormal which seems to be a hit with fans and even angered some --- the demise of Brady upset a few people --- so all in all, I was very surprised at the turn of events in Isabella's Illusions and was very happy with the outcome.

Bit of insight into book two, Alicia's Awakening, it's very emotional and full of a couple twists and surprises as well. I cried a lot during the writing of this book, I hope readers forgive me if they do, too. *grin*

Your book Isabella's Illusions, is Book 1 In the Arms of the Law series. Can you tell us more about how this series came about?

The series itself wasn't a series when I began Isabella's Illusions. It was during the writing of that book that the other characters seemed to jump out at me. By the end of Isabella's Illusions, I was sure book two would be Brady's partner, Dylan's story, but Alicia (Isabella's cousin) was very vocal about having her story told. I did start working on Dylan, as well as Ethan's (Isabella's partner) story, but Alicia threw a fit and demanded to be next. I simply couldn't ignore her any longer and she won the battle, though I did give her a few hard times in her story, but we made amends and the end result was extremely satisfying.

Isabella's Illusions was originally titled "Addicted", the song made famous by Enrique Iglesias. Isabella has a few addictions – her biggest being Brady Jacobs of course – which applied to the title. However, I changed it when another author came out with a book by that title and because that book evolved into a whole series and I wanted each character have a self-titled story.

Can you give us a sneak peak at your upcoming book Alicia's Awakening, which will be released in April 2006 from Venus Press?

Alicia's Awakening is book two of the In the Arms of the Law series. Alicia is Isabella's cousin, who we met in book one. Alicia's story focuses a lot on the aftermath of what happened to her in book one, as well as her relationship with the new Chief of Police, Cole Douglass. Cole and Alicia have a past, albeit a small one, but it's something that both of them feel when they are together. I don't want to spoil anything for the readers, but in Alicia's Awakening something happens that shakes the main characters to the very core and brings them closer together – even with the animosity and anger that brews between them. We get to know a little bit about each of the characters as well, which will set up their books to come.

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

Oh wow…March 1st was the release of "Into the Night". “Alicia’s Awakening" is due out in April 2006. Book three of the 'In the Arms of the Law' series will be Dylan's story – "Dylan's Distraction", tentatively slated for August 2006. I'm hoping for book four: "Ethan's Enemy" to be out by the end of 2006, but that isn't 100%. I also have a Bad Girls Do It Better – Volume 13 called "Dare" – which Into the Night is actually connected to – coming out in December 2006. If book four, "Ethan's Enemy" doesn't release by the end of 2006, then I will by the end of February 2007. I hope to have four releases at least in 2007.

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

I'd like to thank Fallen Angel Reviews for the chance to be interviewed this month. Thanks again to Michelle at FAR for the 5 Angels that she gave Isabella's Illusions!

Also, I'll be in Daytona in May at the Romantic Times Convention. I'll be signing copies of Isabella's Illusions. I'd love readers to stop by and say hi if they have the chance.

Thank you Kacey for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us today!

Readers be sure to check out Kacey’s web site at www.kaceyhammell.com.


Interviewed by: Tammy