Fallen Angel Reviews is proud to welcome Barbara Karmazin for an interview into the mind of an author with numerous stories to her credit. Barbara, thank you so much for visiting with FAR readers and reviewers this evening!

Thank you, Rachelle. I’m looking forward to this interview. I’ve always enjoyed browsing at Fallen Angel Reviews.

I have to tell you I LOVE LOVE LOVE the covers to your books The Huntress and Out of the Dark. Not sure if you had any creative input but those two covers alone scream automatic buy!

For The Huntress I went out on a limb and commissioned the cover art privately before I obtained a contract for that book. I wanted the perfect cover art and because most of the ebook covers were poser art I didn’t feel that poser art would do justice to my alien hero. Needless to say, because I commissioned it privately, I own the copyright for that cover art and the original framed painting for this cover is hanging on my living room wall.

For Out of the Dark, Liquid Silver Books listened to my input and I worked very closely with the cover artist to set up that image. For example, in order to get the five strand Sidhe braid for Mider’s white hair, we went to a braiding website for a visual example of a nine strand braid for inspiration.

She created Mider separately and then combined the image of Cait with Tiny and Indio so the cover came out with Mider standing in the dark and looking in on them.

You’re marketed as a Science Fiction romance author but the last three books from Loose Id have been in the paranormal/fantasy genres. Is this your way of branching out as an author or a temporary break from the science fiction you’re well known for?

Science Fiction is my first love but I also enjoy Paranormal and Fantasy, which is why I’m writing those genres also. I love experimenting and exploring the possibilities of the different genres.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest novel Night Moves and what type of response you’ve received from fans on this interesting novel full of fantasy and intrigue?

I’ve received many excited emails from fans telling me how much they’ve enjoyed Night Moves along with asking me to write a sequel.

Barbara, if you could select a book from your current published works that screams Barbara Karmazin, which one would you select for a new reader interested in your work?

The Huntress and Night Moves. Why two books? Because they showcase my writing in two different genres, SF and Paranormal Fantasy.

I noticed while visiting your website that you had an extensive career as a social worker and that a passion of yours is Domestic Violence. Have you ever written a book with this social issue in mind or are there any plans to do so in the future?

I wrote a short story entitled Faerywife with domestic abuse as the theme. Faerywife was published 1999 in Hadrosaur Tales, a print SF magazine. This magazine has now changed its name to Tales of the Talisman. http://www.zianet.com/hadrosaur/

The events in Faerywife take place seventy-five years prior to the events in Covenants and tells the story about Lilith’s miscarriage after abuse by her first human lover.

A lot of your stories step over the edge of the norm into a world some of us could never imagine. Where do you find your creative inspiration?

I find story ideas everywhere. Most of them from Popular Science and New Scientist magazines where I learn about new technology and new theories ranging from psychology, technology, computers and space travel.

Now that we have a better feel for your work I would love it if we could discuss the woman behind the words. When you’re not writing what would we find Barbara the woman doing?

When I’m not writing, I’m taking care of my family, my animals and reading.

Do you read for pleasure? If so what was the best book you’ve read in the last twelve months, fiction or non-fiction? I usually read about four to five books a week for pleasure.

I’m a bookaholic. It’s difficult for me to narrow down the ‘best’ to only one book during the last twelve months. Off the top of my head, here’s a short list of books that I’ve read during the last twelve months that I’d recommend to other readers. Swept off her Feet by Camille Anthony, Terrier (Beka Cooper) by Tamora Pierce, Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher, Master of Swords by Angela Knight, Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair, Greywalker by Kat Richardson, Scent of Shadows by Vicki Petterson and Innocent in Death by J. D. Robb.

My apologies for not being able to list only ONE book. LOL.

Right now, I have my eye on the newest Kim Harrison book, For a Few Demons More.

Outside of domestic violence are there any other social issues you find yourself passionate about?

Because I’m a Breast Cancer Survivor, I’m very passionate about making sure everyone gets mammograms and follows through on treatment for this disease.

On the lighter side if were given the option of choosing the perfect meal dishes would we see on the table?

Rice and a selection of interesting vegetables. I’ve been experimenting with different vegetable entrees while trying to adhere to a low cholesterol diet per my physician’s orders.

As we come to the end of this interview I was wondering if you have any upcoming chats or appearances scheduled to promote your new releases? If so, please let our fans know when and where.

I’m in the process of scheduling a chat at Fallen Angel Reviews with a tentative date of either 04/11/07 or 04/14/07.

Barbara, is there anything else you would love to share with our readers today?

I’ll be at the RT Booklovers Convention April 24th through April 29th and I’ll be one of the authors featured at the Intergalactic Bar and Grille Readers event on Wednesday, April 25th between 4 & 5 pm.
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Custom.aspx?cid=20&e=454d09e1-8234-400e-aad2-8e6cf105bac2

Barbara, I want to thank you for taking the time out to really give our readers an up close and personal look at the woman behind some of the most fascinating stories found in the romance genre. In closing, where can readers and fans find additional information about you and your body of work?

Thank you, Rachelle for giving me this wonderful interview.
You can find information about me and book excerpts at my website, more info at my author newsletter group, The Sensuous Alien, The Sensuous Alien
and at Myspace.

Interviewed by: Rachelle