Today I have the pleasure of speaking with author Sasha White. Thanks for being here today Sasha and welcome to FAR!

Thanks, Tammy! And trust me, the pleasure is all mine. I love FAR, I feel so at home here. *adjusts Halo*

Could you tell us a little about your book Gypsy Heart?

Gypsy Heart is and always will be a special story for me. I put a lot of myself in the heroine, and Gage is my own personal fantasy. As a bartender who's traveled around a lot, I've never really found a reason to settle down. Much like Sable in GH. Finding a man like Gage, a reformed Bad Boy who is ready to build a home and start a family...that would be a very good reason.

Gypsy Heart was also a lot of firsts for me. It was my first attempt at romance, my first attempt at a novel, and my first electronic published book. I'm blessed that all of those firsts were rewarded. It's been very well received. In April, it will be re-released by Samhain publishing, and I'm thinking about doing a sequel for it.

Your book Transplant is the sequel to Abduction. How did it feel to write your first sequel?

I was excited to continue the story! Max and Tyla are a great pair, and full of life and adventure. If Transplant continues to do well, there will be a third installment too. Although, I do think the third will be the last. Maybe.

The Petshani, my March release with Amber Quill Press, has the same feel to it for me. It's paranormal, not sci-fi, but as I was writing it, I was getting ideas for a sequel already. So if readers respond well to the first story, there's more for it too.

I can see myself doing sequels and series stuff with my short stories and even novellas, However, I'm not sure about novels. (Other than GH, cuz it's special) I guess it all depends on reader response. If they want more of a certain character, I can usually find the time to write more of them, as they never die in my heart.

What would we find on your bookshelf?

My bookshelf was just re-done by the wonderful Frauke at CrocoDesigns. I have such an eclectic backlist of short stories, novellas, novels, ebooks, print books...it can get confusing. Then there's the upcoming print stories in erotica and erotic romance. It needed serious re-organization. *cringe*

Now, not only will you find covers for current and back releases that click through to excerpts and reviews, you'll find an awesome sidebar that lists all of my Coming Soon, my Works In Progress, and my Backlist . . . and everything is categorized and easy to find. (all with links)

What makes a great book to you?

Anything that catches my interest, and keeps me turning the pages. A great book is one that when you reach the end of the chapter, and you know you should go cook dinner, or turn out the light and go to sleep, but you choose to read more instead, because you just have to know what's going to happen next. A great book is one when you sigh at the end, and you wish it wasn't the end.

What do you do to relax?

Cooking helps relax me, with the stereo on and only my cat keeping me company. I dance and sing and cook. LOL I'm sure I look like an idiot to anyone peeping in my windows...but it's very relaxing.

Plus, I'm a movie buff. I love all kinds of movies. I read, I work out, I go wonder around bookstores. Occasionally I go shoot pool and play air hockey, but that's more of a party/relax with friends thing that what I do on my own.

Your book Meandros won the Amber Quill Press’ Heat Wave contest in 2005. Can you tell us a little about the book and award?

Meandros is a short story that was originally intended to be a light-hearted holiday romp. But Tammy, the character took over at the end of the first scene, and the whole story changed. I had to follow her lead. It was the first story I wrote where the character took over and went in a completely different direction than I intended. However, it paid off. That story is probably the most emotional one I've written to date. Not only did it get me into AQP, it also placed in the Top Ten Preditors and Editors Readers choice this year in the "all others" short story category.

Winning in the Heat Wave contest allows you the chance to join Amber Quill Press as one of their authors. It's a wonderful thing because AQP is not open to submissions at any other time.

How many hours a day do you spend writing?

Sometimes none, sometimes 18.

Seriously, I wish I could say I write 7-10 pages a day or however many, but I am not built that way. I try to write 3-5 pages a day but I struggle. My attention span isn't good. And no matter how much I plan, I always seem to end up pulling several all nighters to meet a deadline. The strange thing is...I sort of like the all nighters. The rush of just pounding it out. I tend to not think as much during that time, and the story really comes alive.

I see from your website that you have done lots of traveling. Where’s the most interesting place you have been?

They've all been interesting... in different ways. Nepal will always hold a special place in my heart, as will South Africa. In Nepal, I learned a lot about true spirituality vs religion. ( I volunteered and taught at a rural school for several months). In South Africa, I learned a lot about myself, and what makes my soul happy. (And I ran a bar at a backpackers retreat on the beach for several months, as well as worked with local schools)

I think because of so many years in the service industry as a bartender/waitress/manager I sometimes feel the need to just get away from our society. I have to re-connect with what's really important to me and what makes my soul warm. I do this when I travel, so every place I go is special and interesting, because I want it to be, and I find what's important there.

Is there any place you would like to visit that you haven’t been to?

Lots of places actually. Peru, Jamaica, Italy, Germany, Newfoundland, Egypt, Texas. I could go on and on... I do admit a lot of these places are closer to home than Nepal or South Africa though. LOL

However, with writing becoming more and more of my daily life, and bartending becoming part time, the urge to get away doesn't take over me as much anymore. I think it's because I can 'get away' in my stories.

Could you tell us your biggest pet peeves?

People who say they're going to do something then don't do it. My WORD crashing when I'm trying to get my eZine or a ms together. Parents who have no control over their kids. (That comes from working in restaurants)

You have the story The Crib (which I can’t wait to read!) in the Pure Sex anthology due out in July of 2006 for Kensington's erotica line. Can you tell us more about this upcoming story and this line of erotica?

With two books being released every month, Aphrodisia is Kensington's new Erotic Romance Line; it's full of stories form talented writers in every sub-genre. Contemporary, paranormal, historical and futuristic.

The Crib is Lexy's story, or what seems to be the start of it. With Lexya being a private detective that goes back to her home town to find a drug dealer and killer because someone she's close to is the police's main suspect, it's a bit more mainstream than romance in tone. Lexy is strong and kick ass, and very protective of her loved ones. I admit when I wrote it I didn't have more stories with her in mind, but she makes a cameo in my second Aphrodisia novella that will be part of

The Cop anthology in October/06, and I'm thinking she needs another story of her own. I like her. She's a helluva good character.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Hmm ok. The urge for Shameless self promotion has me wanting to mention that not only will my Kensington stories be hitting the bookstores later this year, but my very first single title, Bound, will be released by Berkley Heat in November.

Also, I'm always available on my blog to interact with visitors.

And, Thank you much so Tammy, and FAR for taking an interest in me and my stories.

Thanks for taking the time to answer some of my questions today Sasha! Readers you can visit Sasha’s website where you can sign up for her eZine, visit her blog, and read excerpts from her fantastic books.

OH and the eZine has its own website now too! *grin*

Interviewed by: Tammy