Today I am speaking with Romantic Suspense Author, Dawn Brown. Hello Dawn, and welcome to Fallen Angels Review. Get comfy in our cozy chair and let's begin our interview.

Dawn, I know you are excited about your latest, Blood and Bone. I love the cover, and you have a synopsis that definitely pulled this reader in. Why not tell the readers about this intriguing story?

Blood and Bone is the story of a crime writer, Shayne Reynolds, who discovers the case she's researching-about a man who murdered his wife and stepson-for her latest book is not as open and shut as she'd first assumed.

When Des Anderson was two, his father confessed to murdering his mother and stepbrother. Only he and his older sister survived. He doesn't want Shayne writing a book that could hurt what little family he has left. But Des soon finds himself as drawn to the search for answers as he is to Shayne.

Unfortunately, their search for the truth puts them in the path of a killer.

Where did you get the idea to pen this story?

Initially, I had an idea of woman investigating a story and a man who was caught between protecting her and stopping her. Around the same time, I read an article about fathers who murder their families and I knew I had the perfect premise for Des and Shayne.

Does it take you long to finish a book once you get started?

Some books take longer than others. My second book, The Curse of Culcraig, practically wrote itself. Where as my current WIP has been a real struggle for me. I wasn't happy with the ending so I went back rewrote the last half of the book. On average, a book will take me three to six months from first draft to ready to send out.

How many books do you see yourself composing in the near future?

I'm hoping for three this year. But I don't want to jinx myself.

What is it about writing that really makes you want to grab the readers into one of your stories?

Really, I just want to create characters that readers find interesting and can engage with, and spooky stories that will draw a reader in. Nothing pleases me more than when I hear from a reader that they were creeped out by something I'd written.

Do you command your characters or do they take charge of you?

The stories that write the easiest and usually turn out the best are the ones where the characters take over. The ones where it's like I'm watching a movie in my head and trying to get down as much detail as I can.

Are you an organized person?

Sometimes. I do best when I'm organized, but it can be tricky to stay that way. There's many times where life throws you curve ball and all the planning kind of goes out the window.

If you could say anything to any aspiring writer, what advice would you give?

To stick with it. To keep writing and learning.

You have been granted three wishes, what would you wish for?

World peace, a healthy happy family, and to be able to maintain an ideal weight while eating whatever I want.

If you had a choice to travel to Japan, Australia, Hong Kong or Alaska for a week, where would you go?

I'd be torn between Alaska and Australia. I think both have a gorgeous landscape that would be incredible to see firsthand.

Do you have a website or myspace, Facebook, you can share with us?

I sure do. My website and my blog. I'm also on Twitter and Facebook.

What is your favorite dish that you enjoy making and would you like to share the recipe with us?

Funny thing. I'm a lousy cook. I just don't have the patience. So when I do cook, it's all about getting it over with as quickly as possible. This is why I love my slow cooker. Fifteen minutes of prep in the morning and dinner is done. One of my favorite recipes is for beef stew from the Kraft website. Great for cold snowy days.

Mix 1 cup of beef broth, ¼ cup of Zesty Italian dressing, ¼ cup of barbecue sauce and 1tsp of dried oregano in the slow cooker. Then add 1lb of stewing beef (cut in 1-1/4" cubes), 1lb of red potatoes quartered, 4 large carrots cut into 1" thick slices. 1 large onion cut into chunks and 2 slices of bacon. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.

Once cooked, transfer meat and vegetables to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Cover with foil and set aside.

Mix 3tbsp of flour and 3 tbsp of water until blended. Stir into the juices in the slow cooker and cover. Cook on high for fifteen minutes or until sauce thickens. Spoon over meat and vegetables.

That's it. It's really good and so easy to make.

If you were to wake one morning and learn you are a farmer and need to plant a huge crop, what would be your choice crop to plant?

Sunflowers.

Dawn, thank you for sharing time with us today. I wish you the best in your writing endeavors and huge sales. Keep those ideas coming.

Interviewed by: Linda L.