Today I'd like to welcome Maria Zannini to Fallen Angel Reviews. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for us today Maria.

Thanks, Tammy.

To start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am domestically challenged, but so far my cooking hasn't killed anyone and I can still find my car keys every morning. I do love to garden and can what we grow, so maybe there's hope for me.

I've been married to the same guy for more than thirty years, and he is the love of my life. Our kids have always been four-legged and furry. Believe me, we did the world a service by not conceiving.

My career has always been in the arts. I've been a graphic artist and animal portraitist for nearly my entire adult life and fell into writing accidentally when I wrote a letter to the editor of a country living magazine. He was so fascinated by a story I shared, he called me personally and asked me to write an article about our homesteading experience.

There was an article here, a newsletter there, but the bug didn't bite until I wrote my first short story. It placed in the finals my first time out to bat. I had found a new calling and I haven't looked back since.

Your book Touch of Fire is now available from Samhain. Can you tell us a little about it?

TOUCH OF FIRE is a fantasy romance set 1200 years in the future. Earth is a lot different from what you know today. Technology has been abandoned in lieu of Elemental magic, magic that is wielded by a very select group of mages. When a dangerous alchemist book surfaces, it threatens to reintroduce technology and shift the balance of power.

Leda is a young fire mage who has been ordered to find the book. The trail leads her to Greyhawke Tams, an ex-soldier turned scavenger, who'd rather rot in jail than help an Elemental witch. He doesn't get a choice. Leda finagles a bargain with the local magistrate and makes Grey her indentured servant.

Despite their ingrained prejudices, they discover they're more alike than different. They're also in grave danger. A power-mad despot will stop at nothing to find the book--and Leda. Grey has been marked for death, but Leda has a worst fate in store. The warlord wants her alive. She has a secondary gift even more precious than her ability to wield fire. She can read auras, and if she's found, the warlord will make her his broodmare for life.

There's adventure, love and heroic sacrifice. Even a 1200 year old Mickey Mouse makes an appearance. It's worth reading just to see how the little mouse fits in.

What were your feelings when Touch of Fire was accepted?

LOL! It took me half a day before I opened the email. I was certain it would be a polite rejection. When I finally did open it, I had to read it twice.

What touched me about the editor's letter is that she told me what she loved about the novel. She adored the characters and was particularly pleased that they didn't fall into standard relationship tropes. The reason it meant so much to me is that she championed the novel right from the start and I could tell by the way she described what the novel meant to her that she really understood the meaning behind it. She got it, and there is nothing more gratifying to an author than finding a reader who's been touched by your words.

It was a very special moment, not because she offered a contract, but because she took the time to explain to me why she chose it.

Has a review or profile ever changed your perspective on your work?

This is a tough question because reviews can touch on so many aspects of a story. And so much depends on the reviewers' background and experience.

I think the short answer is no. You can drive yourself crazy trying to second guess yourself. But an excellent reviewer can be a microcosm of the global perspective so I do read reviews with an open mind.

Is there a message in Touch of Fire that you want readers to grasp?

The fundamental message is that love is the strongest magic of all, and that sometimes we don’t know what we have until it's taken away.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

I'm like a little kid in awe of every myth and mystery. My deepest wish is to convey that sense of wonder into my stories. I want people to think about the cool world building and the unique characters long after they've read the story. I want my stories to be memorable. That to me is the mark of a successful author.

What would you consider your favorite invention of all time?

Oh, wow! Let me think. There are so many to choose from. Thumb drives, the internet, cell phones… All good things. But I think my favorite invention of all time has to be the ink pen. I am constantly jotting down notes or doodling. Sadly, it's also driven me to a life of crime. I am a shameless pen thief. I can't help myself. We could be talking and I will innocently ask to borrow your pen. Before you know it, I'm walking off with it. You should see my collection!

I'm currently on a 12-step program to try to curb my criminal behavior.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five books would you want to have with you and why?

What a great question! But I might disappoint you with the answer.

If I could only take five books, four of them would be filled with blank pages so I could write my journal notes. The fifth one would be a book that listed every medicinal--and poisonous plant on that island. I've had food poisoning. Don't want to go through that again!

Hey, wait a minute. You aren't going to leave me on that island all alone, are you? I mean, maybe it doesn't have to be completely deserted. Better yet, maybe it could be an island of gorgeous men. It would be rough, but I'd be willing to do it as a social experiment. Just for you, Tammy. I know how much this means to you.

What things do you find yourself doing that you said you'd "never" do?

You have no idea how often "never" comes back to blow raspberries at me.

Years ago, my husband and I watched rock climbers scale a sheer rock face in Wyoming. We laughed at them! It seemed like a perfectly ridiculous and dangerous thing to do. You guessed it. We tried it and loved it.

I also never thought I'd take up writing as a career choice, yet here I am. And surprise, surprise. I never thought I'd write romance. I didn't think I had a romantic bone in my body. Ha! Little did I know I'm a big softy at heart and I actually have a knack for writing love scenes that sizzle.

So what have I learned? Never say never.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

I wish someone had told me to start a blog and website earlier. I had no idea that it would take so long to build an internet presence. Heck, I didn't even realize how integral it was to author branding.

Blogs and websites are things everyone can do now while they're waiting for the Call. Not only does it build your web presence, but it hones your blog voice and keeps you in touch with the writing and reading community.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I hope everyone will pop over and read the excerpt for Touch Of Fire. samhainpublishing.com/romance/touch-of-fire. If you like futuristic fantasy, you'll love this world. Promise!


If you're a writer, visit me on my blog, mariazannini.blogspot.com. I post regularly on markets, tips and publishing news. Don't be shy. I want to hear from you.

Thank you for taking time to speak with me today Maria.

Thanks, for having me over, Tammy! This was fun.

Readers be sure to check out Maria's website at mariazannini.com

Interviewed by: Tammy