Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Minnette Meador. Thanks for being here today Minnette, welcome to FAR!

Thanks, Tammy. It is an honor to be interviewed by Fallen Angels…I love this place!

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

Well, I always tell people I’m somewhere between 30…and dust…probably a little closer to the “dusty” side. I have six kids who are all grown, two genius grandchildren (no, really, I do!), what I call a slightly used husband (he’s a hunk, ladies…and all mine), and a four pound poodle named Pierre who runs the show. I teach remedial reading, writing, and math to 1st thru 5th graders at my local elementary school, which I have been doing for about eight months now. I LOVE it. Before that, I worked for many years in the trade show display and graphics industry as a project manager. I’ve been writing since I could pick up a pencil (well, crayon, actually), but only got really serious about it three years ago, though I’ve been a freelance newspaper writer, playwright, and songwriter since I was very young. A closet poet, too, but don’t tell anyone. ~Shhhh~

Can you tell us a little about your current release, The Centurion & The Queen?

This is a love story between Marius, a disciplined Roman Centurion and Delia, a strong-willed Breton warrior queen set against the backdrop of the Boudicca revolution in 60 AD Roman Britannia. Here’s a quick blurb:

Marius has been stationed on 60 AD Britannia for sixteen years. Once a celebrated hero and a famous Praetorian Guard, he still clings to the old traditions as a fair but tough leader to his men, despite the shame that drove him from Rome. Delia is sister to an uncaring Corieltauvi tribal king. Powerless, she watches as hundreds of Bretons succumb to their suicidal pride and throw themselves against the unstoppable Roman machine. The last thing Delia expects is to find her body craving the touch of her enemy. The sudden intensity of their desire will change the history of a nation. Separated by fate, they are thrown into the clash between 50,000 angry Bretons and a clever Roman general with only 10,000 soldiers. Marius and Delia find themselves on opposing sides, in love, and unable to stop the future. The revolution that sparked their desire...could now destroy them both.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I have always written, but I started doing it seriously in high school and college. I freelanced for a while and wrote my first novel when my oldest was still in diapers. I had to quit to feed several hungry mouths, but went back to it three years ago when my kids forced me to (literally) blow the dust off my novel. I rewrote it from cover to cover and it came out in March of this year (Starsight Vol. 1, epic fantasy, Stonegarden Publishing). I am currently working on my fourth book coming out this year.

If you could leave your readers with one legacy, what would you want it to be?

I would love to write something that would stand the test of time; something that would be treasured, that parents would pass along to their children, and their children’s children. THAT would be the ultimate legacy. Don’t think I’m there yet, but I’ll keep working toward that.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I’ve overcome most challenges and it seems to get easier with each book. I still have to deal with writer’s block, like everyone else, but I’m getting very good at ignoring it. I try to write four to twelve hours per day, depending on whether I’m working or not. Between work and promotion (which every writer has to do) it’s hard to find enough time. I’ve learned to be a marathoner when I have to be…I’ll take a three-day weekend and easily put in 40 hours.

The Breton and The General, the sequel to The Centurion & The Queen will be released from Resplendence Publishing soon. Can you tell us a little about it?

The Breton & The General is about the aftermath of the Boudicca Revolt. Here is a quick blurb:

Queen Boudicca’s revolution is at an end, the tribes of the Iceni and the Trinovantes exterminated by the Roman Governor of Britannia, Suetonius. He has sworn his revenge on the remaining tribes for the Celtic insolence. Marius and Delia are now King and Queen of a broken Breton tribe. Using his twenty-five years as a Roman Centurion, Marius has to use his skill and cunning to help his hunted people as they flee before General Suetonius' sword. Reluctantly donning the mask of the liberatio mysticus, the “phantom” that hides the scattered tribes, the couple recruits Marius' ex-Roman century and what few Breton warriors that remain to face the deadly Roman machine. They struggle to keep their people together and the rest of a nation from fading into history. Marius and Delia are threatened by secret plots, jealousy, and a new enemy that hammers a wedge between them, which even an unborn child may not be able to dislodge when Marius falls under the charms of Delia's sworn enemy. They make sacrifices to save their people, to keep the nation together, to survive the Roman rage. In the end, it may be more than their love or their lives they lose.

Do you prefer to watch a sunrise or sunset?

Sunset…on a beach…with a strong, warm hand in mine ~sigh~

If you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be?

Funny, over-achiever (2 words?), mom, determined, loving.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

It’s been so long, I’d have to think…Hmmmm….I love to play with my granddaughter, I am a very bad graphic designer, but I love doing it. DH and I love movies, especially comedy, action/adventure, sci-fi, and fantasy, so we watch a LOT of movies. When we get together with the kids, that’s about all we talk about ~LOL~ I do a lot of book signings so we use those as excuses to take weekend trips…we love to travel.

What can your fans look forward to in the next twelve months from you?

After I get Breton & General done (hopefully this weekend!), I am finishing edits for Starsight II coming out in November, working on an erotic paranormal comedy, a main stream paranormal, a thriller, possibly a sci-fi (if I can get to it this year), and I have a children’s book coming out next February. I’m hoping I can get those all done by the end of this year. I also have planned two other sequels to the Centurion series (fingers crossed) and a sequel and prequel to Starsight. Oh, and I’m writing a couple more features for the Cup of Comfort series later this year. Did I mention the multiple personalities are pretty much running the place? ~LOL~ Overachievers collapse!!!

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

Just that I love to hear from readers, writers, or anyone else…I’m so lonely in my cave…~LOL~ If you want to chat, ask questions, or just shoot the breeze, drop me a line. I love to hear from other devotees.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us today Minnette!

Absolutely my pleasure! FAR is one of my favorite spots on the internet. I appreciate the support you give writers and the fabulous info you give to us readers, too. It’s been a blast!

Readers can learn more about Minnette and her books on her website at www.minnettemeador.com.

Interviewed by: Tammy