Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews, talented author of erotic romance, Nicole North.

Nicole writes exciting and electric stories. She has won many awards, teaches online workshops and writing romance is her first love. Not only has she garnered many fabulous reviews; but her work is absolutely excellent. She longs to live in the Scottish Highlands at least half the year, when she and her husband are not at their cozy home.

Now that we are seated, Nicole, the readers would love to hear about your latest story. Would you discuss it with us, please?

Absolutely! Thanks for having me here today and for that wonderful intro! My latest release is Beast in a Kilt in the Red Sage anthology Secrets Volume 29 Indulge Your Fantasies. Beast in a Kilt is second in the series.(Devil in a Kilt in Secrets Vol. 27 was the first) but you don't have to read them in order. They stand alone.

Beast in a Kilt: Scottish lady Catriona MacCain has loved Torr Blackburn, a fierce Highland warrior, since she was a young lass, but Torr only sees Catriona as his best friend's little sister. When Catriona's family promises her in marriage to a detestable chieftain, she desperately needs Torr to save her from a fate worse than death. But Torr is under the spell of a witch of the dark arts and is cursed to spend his nights as a kelpie water demon. He doesn't believe himself worthy of the virginal Lady Catriona. However, she is determined to seduce Torr and claim him… body, heart and soul, if only they can banish the curse and defeat the enemies who have vowed to possess and enslave them both.

I love the idea of a virginal but very adventurous woman trying to seduce an experienced man who is determined to not be seduced. It was a lot of fun to push Torr to the limits of his endurance. Although I'm sure he doesn't think so!

Here is a link to learn more about the anthology, read excerpts or buy: http://www.eredsage.com/store/Secrets_Volume_29.html

Would you like to tell us where you get your ideas for your stories? You have sizzling covers too, by the way.

Thanks! I feel very fortunate with the covers I've been given. In my first story, Devil in a Kilt, the hero shape-shifts into a hawk. When I was planning the second story, I wanted to hero, Torr, to shape-shift into something different but interesting. I turned to Scottish folklore. Kelpies are part of an ancient legend and when I read about them I was inspired to make Torr a kelpie. What are kelpies? They are water demons that live in Scottish lochs and they appear to be beautiful white horses (some say black horses, but I went with a white horse for my story.) Legend says they can shape-shift into handsome men and seduce the lasses. They are also said to be charming and lure people onto their backs before the jump into the loch and devour them. Torr doesn't do that, of course, but he is a bit volatile at times. I had to put some of that kelpie danger somewhere. I also get ideas from going to Highland Games, and two of my earlier stories (Devil in a Kilt, and Kilted Lover) were inspired by them.

Nicole, after you get out of bed, how would you describe your typical day?

One of the first things I do is make a fruit and yogurt smoothie in the blender and then drink it as I'm reading and responding to email, checking out blogs, writing blogs, or doing promo. After that I try to get into a story and write for most of the day. It doesn't always work out as planned, of course, because I have to do laundry, dishes and other horrid chores.

From what do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?

Some major things that inspire me are Scotland (the setting), Scottish lore and Scottish history. The Scottish Highlands are amazing and beautiful. They have a magical, mystical feeling to them. It's a perfect setting for paranormals like I write. Sometimes when I'm doing research, I'll read a bit of clan history or a Celtic fairy tale which inspires a story idea. Songs and music also inspire me!

What kind of writing space would your readers see if they came to your house?

One writing space is my cluttered office. I have too many books, both romance books to read and research books. It's time to clear out and donate some. But I prefer to write in either the living room in a comfy recliner, on the treadmill (it has a small desk attached) or outside on the porch in summer. In winter, I like to write in my bedroom near a large window so I can get more sunlight and warmth.

When composing what would you classify as your favorite part of a book to write? The beginning, middle, or end?

I would probably say the end because by then most of the story is formed and I can enjoy the whole story experience more. But it's always difficult to say goodbye to my characters. At the beginning of a story, it's sometimes a struggle to get all my characters and plot into place. The middle is also fun to write, but that's when I have to be sure I have enough happening.

Do you outline your stories or do you just write as you go?

A little of both. What I do is a little planning as I'm beginning a story. I want the characters' goals, motivations, and conflicts to be strong. I love the three act play structure. So I plan for that and a lot of conflict. I brainstorm what could happen. When scenes pop into my head, I write them no matter where they fall within the story and then line them up later. What works best for me is to write the whole rough draft, and then go back and flesh out the story on subsequent drafts.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I've just sold Scoundrel in a Kilt, the third story in this series. The hero and heroine are Brodie and Erin. In Beast in a Kilt, you will meet wicked, dark Brodie as the brother of Catriona. Playing matchmaker, she tries unsuccessfully to find him a woman to fall in love with so his curse will be broken. In Scoundrel in a Kilt, Brodie rescues a stunning blond woman from a rock in the sea. Where does she come from? She isn't a mermaid. She's a modern day high fashion model who has time-traveled. It's a fun story with a lot of contrasts and sexy heat. As for the shape-shifter aspect, Brodie is a selkie. Selkies are another Scottish legend which involves people who turn into seals when they put on sealskins.

Is there something about Nicole that the readers would never guess that would come as a complete shock?

I love to garden and grow flowers and vegetables. Just last night my husband and I ate a huge tomato (our first this year), along with pepper, and cucumbers from our garden.

If you could be invisible for one hour, what would you do and where would you go?

If it includes time-travel, I'd go back in time to the early 1600s Scotland and see what it was really like. It might be scary, I know, but I could learn things I'd never be able to read in a book. I love hands on research.

Nicole, can you share with the readers your website, blogs, myspace, or Facebook?

My website: www.nicolenorth.com
My newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nicolenorthnewsletter/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NicoleNorth
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nicolenorth1
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nicolenorth
Blogs: http://FierceRomance.blogspot.com/ and http://seducedbyhistory.blogspot.com/

You learn from your publisher that you are taking a trip to a deserted tropical island for a week, and can choose three other talented authors to accompany you. Whom do you choose?

My good friend, Terry Spear, who writes wonderful werewolf romances for Sourcebooks. My other good friend, Dana, who always goes on traveling adventures with me. And my other good friend, Vanessa, who is so much like me it's scary. LOL! We'd have a blast!

What would you say is your greatest sweet that you absolutely cannot live without?

Chocolate. I've recently changed my eating habits a great deal and lost 18 lbs. No more junk food. So the chocolate has to be the real thing without the bad stuff in it, and preferably organic with over 75% cocoa. It's very dark and rich with very little sweetener. Mmm. Plus it's full of antioxidants.

Nicole, not sure if you are into cooking or the Food Network, but if you were chosen to be on a show with either Bobby Flay, Rachel Ray or Paula Deen, who would you choose, and what meal would you prepare?

This year I've gotten into watching cooking shows a lot more simply because I needed to learn how to cook. Since I've watched Bobby Flay more, on Iron Chef America and Throwdown with Bobby Flay and Next Food Network Star, and haven't watched the ladies as much, I'll choose him. I'm not sure which meal I'd prepare but it would need to be delicious and healthy. Perhaps something with salad and all the ingredients straight from the garden, wonderful cheese, etc. Some kind of fish would also be a good choice, maybe trout. My favorite food show is Chopped. I love the way the contestants have to be creative on the spot with no time to prepare beforehand. And that's something I enjoy doing when cooking, just create something out of an idea and ingredients I have on hand. Although I don't have to do it in 20 minutes. LOL

I appreciate you taking time for our interview today, Nicole, and I look forward to more of your mind-blowing stories.

Thanks so much, Linda! I've enjoyed it a huge amount!

Interviewed by: Linda L.