Today we're talking with Harris Channing, author of The Body Double and The Groupie in Torrid Teasers Volume 30. She's also written Speed Trap.

Hi, Ms. Channing, welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews. It's a pleasure talking to you today and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for us. I read The Body Double and The Groupie and I have to say, they are great stories.

Please tell us about yourself and how you got started writing.

Let me begin by thanking you for taking the time to visit with me today.

I'm a wife and a stay at home mother of two wonderful children. I'm an avid reader. I love getting lost in a good book! Music is an inspiration and I enjoy all kinds but there is a special place in my heart for country music. I'm crazy about my two mutt dogs, Toby and Gadget and I have a feisty little parakeet named, Mary. I enjoy gardening and huge bowls of chocolate chip mint ice cream.

How I got started writing? When I was in the sixth grade, I had a wonderful teacher who entered a story I wrote in a school competition. I won and got to attend a young writer's conference. I enjoyed writing throughout my school career. When I turned twenty, I picked up an old typewriter and started writing for fun. A few years ago I started writing again in the hopes of sharing my stories with others.

Loving country music, did you ever think about song writing instead of writing stories?

Goodness no! I am amazed by folks that can write music. Country music songwriters have an uncanny ability to squeeze an emotion packed story in very few words! I don't think I could ever edit myself that well.

Could you tell the readers a little about The Body Double and The Groupie?

I'd be happy to. The Body Double—At eighteen Delilah James found her soul mate in Robby Graham. But her ambitions took her from him. Coming home to Tennessee after a five year stint as a body double can really break a girl down. Will she be able to fight back her unfulfilled dreams of stardom in order to reconnect with an incomparable love?

The Groupie-- Mandy Evans wakes up one morning expecting 'just another day'. When she wins tickets to see her idol, country music star Thad Curtis, in concert, will she be able to turn his head? And if she does, then what?

Where did the ideas for The Body Double and The Groupie come from? Were they inspired by someone you know?

That's a great question. The Body Double reflects my own frustration with trying to become an author and having many doors slammed in my face. If you feel Dee's frustration, you feel mine. I used that and a little bit of "what if Marilyn Monroe didn't make it" to move the story onward. The Groupie, that's easy. Don't tell my husband but that's a secret fantasy of mine!

Speed Trap sounded interesting from the blurb I read on your website. How did you go about researching Keith Davidson's character?

The internet was a valuable asset. I also dated a sheriff's deputy many years ago. The only thing that Keith and this old flame have in common however, is how good they both look in their uniforms!

I read where you'd like to write paranormal, which sub-genre would you like to write about and why?

I want to try to find something paranormal that doesn't actually fit into one of the standard subgenres. I'm working right now on a sort of magical romance, but not magical like witches or fairies…my hero Bart Monroe has special powers but not in the usual sense of the word.

Why? Well, I love a story that offers something out of the norm. Something that makes the reader feel like they're going on an exciting journey. If you give your character that added umph he or she can take people to new and exciting places that they never imagined existed.

If you could be one of your characters, Delilah James, Mandy Evans, or Libby Collins, which one would you be and why her?

Definitely Mandy. Who wouldn't want to be swept up in all that excitement! Delilah is really messed up and Libby had a difficult life…yep, definitely Mandy…and I can't discount the Thad factor in that decision either.

How did you and your family celebrate your first book acceptance?

Does take out count?

When you took the break in writing to have your children, how did you quiet the stories in your mind?

Fatigue. I had two kids in quick succession. That makes for a tired woman. But I did dabble with photography and even wrote a kid's alphabet book. To illustrate it I used my family members in costume. Photoshop is amazing! But since the muse has returned from maternity leave, she's been merciless in sending me ideas for romance novels.

What preconceived ideas did you have about being a published author that isn't true?

That once you're published you're satisfied. It's not true. Once you're published, you want to be published again.

I'm sure the readers would love to know what you're working on now, could you tell us?

I'm happy to. I am in the process of editing my erotic romance novel, Yesterday's Indiscretion. Here's my blurb--Thirty-something kindergarten teacher, Lindy Whittaker is running out of time. Her biological clock is ticking and with each turn of the calendar's page she is in danger of losing her beloved family home. When Steven Hamilton hints about marriage, she believes both her prayers have been answered. He's handsome, financially stable and he adores her. But when former boy toy Michael "Mac" MacIntyre comes to town, will memories of their passionate fling ruin all of Lindy’s well-laid plans? Will she find love in stability or in passion? And will the choice she makes lead her into blissful happiness or terrifying danger?

If you could sit down for one hour with one of your favorite authors, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I am a fanatic for Catherine Cookson. She paints pictures clearer with her words than many people do with cameras and actors. I'd ask her where she got her ideas and how she was able to eloquently put her ideas down on paper without losing the essence of her characters. I seldom cry over stories but when I read, "The Gambling Man" I actually sobbed.

How can your readers get more information about your books and yourself besides at your website?

I have a myspace webpage.

Here's a link to my publisher.

And feel free to e-mail me.

I'd like to say thank you again Ms. Channing for taking the time to sit and talk with us. I can't wait to read more of your books.

Thank you, I enjoyed our chat.

Interviewed by: Donna