I am delighted to be speaking with Canice Brown-Porter today. Thanks for chatting with us today Canice and welcome to FAR!

Thank you and the owners of Fallen Angel Reviews for allowing me the opportunity to be here at FAR.

To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current release The Goblin, The Witch, and the Single Girl?

This is my first paranormal/fantasy romance, and was just so much fun to write. It involves a young woman who, as a child, had an "imaginary friend" that just disappeared one day and never returned. Then, five years after the 9/11 terrorist attack killed her parents, she buys an old Victorian home situated on the shoreline of Lake Champlain in the Village of Rouses Point, New York. Although she'd heard the rumors of the old house being haunted, Caitlin Montgomery learns the rumors aren't rumors at all. Niles, a goblin, is under the curse of the wicked witch, Vinzella, because he spurned her affections. To break the curse, a young woman must fall in love with him and kiss him. Once this occurs, the spell will be broken and he'll once again reclaim his original form...that of the Faeries and the Prince of the Realm of Morfay. For more than a hundred years, he's been rejected by those who dared to purchase and move into the home. But, this time, it could be different. Niles recognizes Caitlin as the mortal best friend of his sister, Faelyn. You can read more on my website at www.canicebrown-porter.com/goblin.html.

When did you start writing? How long did it take you to get published?

I've been writing since I was 14 years old. Up until 1999, I never submitted any of my manuscripts to publishers. Even then, life happened and once again, my books were put on hold. In February of this year, I made a commitment to myself to work on my writing career and have at least one published story. In June, I met that goal through Freya's Bower with a Bites entitled Beyond the Maze. And, I'm proud to say it is now listed as one of their best sellers.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I had never entertained the idea of writing anything but straight historical or contemporary romances. Whether they were romantica or erotica was never an issue. However, my first historical attempt directed me onto the path of historical time travel. Writing The Goblin, The Witch, and the Single Girl brought out the fun side of writing dealing with paranormal and fantasy. I now want to create a shapeshifter just to see where it leads me.

Yesterday's Innocence: The Learning Curve is due to be released this month; could you give us a sneak peek at it?

This is the manuscript that started my writing career. It's a contemporary romance involving a career Navy officer - Mark Brolin - and an aspiring dance instructor - Michelle "Mickie" Steele. Introduced by Mickie's cousin, the two have no interest for serious, permanent relationships. Both are stubborn beyond comprehension. Both are aggressive and goal-oriented. However, the sparks fly and they struggle with unfamiliar emotions. When they finally realize the attraction is too strong between them, they give in and go with it. Until fate steps in. Mark is injured in an accident onboard ship, and he's confined to a wheelchair unless he wants to risk the surgery that could possibly restore the use of his legs. Or, perhaps make him worse than he already is. He breaks off his relationship with Mickie, setting her free. He's unwilling to trap her into the role as his caregiver. The unedited version of Chapter 1 is available on my website at http://www.canicebrown-porter.com/yi.html. I've also created a book trailer for YI:TLC which you can view on the same page.

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

1)Characters that evoke emotions in the reader.
2) Real life challenges of emotional and physical context which the characters have to endure and overcome.
3) Happy endings/resolutions.

Congratulations! You just won a year off from working to travel anywhere in the world and write the story of your dreams. Where do you go, what type of book do you write, and what’s the title?

I'd love to spend that year traveling Europe and the castles. To walk those halls of history, my mind would be weaving stories in each of them. I love castles and Victorian England, so historicals would reign supreme. A title...sheesh...perhaps an anthology of short stories entitled "Inside These Walls" or maybe "If These Walls Could Talk".

Could you tell us what you’re currently working on?

I just started a WIP entitled "Boughs of Holly" under the pen name mickieb{LM}. It's a romantic BDSM erotica. Freya's Bower has already voiced their interest in seeing it, once it's completed.

How did you celebrate selling your first book Beyond the Maze?

By jumping up and down and telling anyone within earshot about it. *laughing* Actually, I started right in on polishing the first book in my Yesterday's Innocence series to submit to Freya's Bower.

What do you do to relax?

I love landscaping, so my yard is beginning to resemble a nursery. I've had strangers stop and tell me how beautiful it looks. I also love to take drives up into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Of course, on Saturday nights, if all is well at home, I go dancing with my sisters and friends.

What is the wackiest job you can think of that you would like to do?

Invent some weird, little mundane something that makes people go "Geez, that's so simple, why didn't someone think of it long before now?" Of course, it would be nice if it revolutionized how we performed some simple task. Much like White Out, Post-It Notes, or Magic Tape. Of course, making major dollars on the concept would be a nice benefit as well.

Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

I take their comments and suggestions seriously. It's a great barometer for what readers want in their stories. So, yes, there are times I do translate those remarks into my writing. Not all the time, or maybe not even in their entirety. Pulling bits and pieces from several and integrating them works well.

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

The talk at Freya's Bower is that Yesterday's Innocence: The Learning Curve may be offered in print (paperback) as well as ebook formats. I'm really excited over this!

Also, by trade, I am a graphic artist/web developer and now design cover art for all of my books - with the exception of Beyond the Maze - as well as other authors. I also develop book trailers. You can view the work I've done by visiting www.novelideasdesign.com.

My friend, Miranda Heart and I, have opened a BDSM Resource and Reviews website called Alternative Writers Association (www.alternativewriters.com). Lots of stuff going on over there! If you have a BDSM book you'd like to have reviewed or need to have a question answered about the lifestyle, this will be the site to point your browser towards. We will be holding scheduled chats with lifestylers who will answer questions for you. Lots of knowledge for the publishing industry to glean. Everyone related to the website is, in some manifestation, intimately familiar with the BDSM lifestyle.

Last but not least, I appreciate everyone's support, and extend my sincere thanks to those who purchase my books. The readers are the people who make writing the adventure that it is. Thank you, Tammy, and everyone at FAR, for extending me the opportunity to be here this month.

Thank you, Canice, for taking time to answer my questions today. Readers, be sure to check out Canice’s website at http://www.canicebrown-porter.com/

Interviewed by: Tammy