I would like to welcome newer author Kathy Love to A Romance Review. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy writing schedule to chat with me.

Let's get started! First off could I ask you to tell us a little about yourself?

Hi! Thanks for asking me! Hmm. What should I tell you? I grew up in a small mill town in Maine. I attended the University of Maine in Orono, until I decided I really didn't enjoy college, so I left to go live in Providence, Rhode Island with my dear friend, Julie (who writes for Harlequin/Mills and Boon.) While there, I met my husband, Todd. We moved to Santa Barbara, California for three years while he attended photography school. And now we live in Maryland with our three year old daughter, Emily, and a very squeaky guinea pig named Squiggy-Piggy.

Kathy how did you get started on the road to publication? How long have you been writing and how long did it take you to sell your first book?

I've been writing for fun since junior high (usually with Julie, actually.) I primarily wrote stories for my friends and purely for my own entertainment, although I did always long to get published. Of course, I didn't know how to go about getting published. Then in 2000, after years of not writing, I decided to start again. I joined my local chapter of Romance Writers of America, which was a huge help to me. By 2002, I'd signed my first three book contract with Kensington. I still can't believe it!

You not only sold your first book you sold a trilogy. Your first three books feature the Stepp sisters, who were considered the misfits of Millbrook Maine. The books, Getting What You Want, Wanting What You Get and Wanting Something More were published between May of 2004 and July of 2005. Can you tell our readers the story behind these books? What sparked the idea to write them and how did you manage to sell a trilogy your first time out?

Well, as I said, I grew up in Maine. And while Millbrook doesn't really exist, it is a compilation of several real places. As far as the idea, I liked concept of telling a romance from the ugly stepsisters' point of view. And while these are not "fairy tale" romances, I did want to let the not-so perfect heroines getting their Prince Charming.

For those readers not familiar with your work could you give us a synopsis of the story line for this trilogy?

The idea is that three Stepp sisters, who grew up being teased, one for her intelligence, one for her weight, and one for her height; discover that they are attractive and deserve love. Abby, a biochemist ends up with Chase Jordan, the one-time town bad boy. Ellie, the chubby, shy bookworm ends up with the town golden boy and mayor, Mason Sweet. And Marty, who actually became a model, ends up with the local chief of police, Nate Peck.

I hope these are funny, emotional stories that show the difficulties and the joys of being different and finding your way in life. And of course, ultimately finding true love.

Can you share with us your experience with "the call"? Who is the first person you told you had sold and what if anything did you do to celebrate the event?

The call for me was pretty wild. I actually submitted a full manuscript to Kate Duffy at Kensington, which she actually rejected. But she called me to reject it, and asked if I had anything else. I didn't. So then she asked me to propose something. After about a week or so of thinking, I came up with the Stepp sisters. I wrote her an email with three very brief blurbs for each sister. I truly didn't think she'd want them. She called about a half an hour later and said she wanted all three. I couldn't believe it.

But the story gets even crazier. I actually called my husband to tell him. And he had to tell me he got laid-off from his job. So I went from the highest high to the lowest low that day. But he gets another job not even two weeks later, which he loves. So it all worked out for the best. But it was an unforgettable day for both of us.

We did eventually celebrate when Getting What You Want came out. My in-laws threw a huge party. It was wonderful.

How long was it from the call until you saw your first book on the store shelves? Can you share with us your feelings upon seeing that book in the store?

It took about a year and a half. In part because the books weren't written yet. So it was roughly a year from acceptance of the manuscript to the shelf. And seeing it in the store…wow. It was amazing. That never stops being amazing.

Have you developed a writing schedule when you are working on a book? Can you give us a view of your typical day when you are writing?

I will honestly tell you that my writing schedule doesn't exist. My system is --procrastinate, then cram like crazy. I'm really bad at schedules. I need to get better. But I started writing on deadline when my daughter was three months old, so it's always been about just doing what I can to get it done. My parents and my in-laws have been great helps to me. I couldn't have done it without them.

How involved are you in professional writing groups such as RWA? Do you feel membership in this type of group is beneficial to an author or aspiring author and if so in what ways?

I'm the vice president of the Maryland Romance Writers, and I know I wouldn't have gotten published without their help. I honestly didn't know anything about how to get a manuscript to an editor until I started attending their meetings. I really believe all writers should join a writing group. It is such a great place to learn the industry and to build a wonderful network of friends. I also couldn't have gotten published without my critique group. They really helped me learn the craft of writing.

Who reads your work first? Do you use a critique group or partner? Do you have friends or family read the first draft?

I have such a great critique group, self-dubbed the Tarts. They are five very talented, very supportive women. When we started the group none of us were published. Now four members are. I also rely a lot my friend, Julie. It's so important to have a group or a friend who will give you honest feedback.

Speaking of friends and family how do they feel about your writing career?

My friends and family have been so supportive. They are my biggest fans.

I can find out very little about your September release, Fangs For The Memories. I know it will be a Brava release, which leads me to believe that it will be a bit sexier than your trilogy, and based on the title it sounds like vampires might be involved somehow. What can you tell us about this new book and where did you get the idea for it?

Fangs for the Memories is the first in a trilogy (I like to write in threes, I guess.) They revolve around three vampire brothers. Rhys is the first brother. He gets "amnesia" and forgets he's a vampire. He thinks he's a Regency viscount, although he is living in modern day New York City. He's very confused. And his heroine, Jane, is a mortician's daughter. Talk about a match made in heaven. Or somewhere anyway.

They are Brava, so they are definitely sexier. However I do think they have the same humor and emotional quality that my straight contemporaries have. This was actually the first book I wrote--the one Kate rejected. We returned to it and reworked the idea, and now it's about to hit the shelves this month.

I'm just finishing up the 2nd vampire book about Christian, who ends up in a trailer park in West Virginia working at a karaoke bar. That one will be out in February 2006.

Is writing for a living what you expected it would be or is there anything that surprised you about the reality of the job? What is your favorite thing about your new career and your least favorite thing?

Writing for a living is wonderful. It can be stressful, but I can't imagine doing anything else now. It's my dream come true.

I have two favorite things about my career. I love creating interesting characters, and I love hearing that readers identify with these characters. That is so thrilling. As far as my least favorite thing--hmmm… I don't really have anything. I guess I don't like worrying about how well the book is selling. But I'm actually amazingly good at not thinking about it. That's probably not good, though either.

As a writer what do you feel is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

Wow, that's a hard question. I like to think that my greatest strength is my characters. I'm a very character-driven writer. My weakness would be description. I usually have to back in revisions and add descriptions. Mainly of places.

Do you have any advice to share with all those aspiring writers out there?

Write! You have to get those stories down. And then submit! It's scary, but do it.

What is the best way for your readers to get in touch with you?

Through my website at www.readkathylove.com. My email address is up there. And so is my mailing list form. Join! I will be doing lots of cool contests soon.

Can you share with us any projects you are working on now? What can we expect from you in the next year or so?

As I said, I'm finishing up my 2nd vampire book. Then I go the third, which will be out in December 2006. After that, I return to Millbrook, Maine for three more books. The first of which will be Prescott and Summer-Ann's books. For those of you have read the Stepp sisters, you will understand what an interesting couple they should make. :)

What is your favorite memory from the last sixteen months since you became a published writer?

The first time I received an email from a reader telling me she loved my book. But to be honest, the whole thing has been so amazing. I have so many favorite moments.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I hang out with my daughter. I love to read. I love to just visit with my friends, which usually leads to writing talk. And my guilty pleasure is reality tv. I'm hooked.

What are the titles and authors of the last three great books you read?

Unveiled by Kristina Cook. A wonderful historical. I loved it!
Love Is All Around by Lori Devoti. A very funny and fun contemporary. I loved the characters.
And I just reread Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas. One of my all-time favorite books.

Kathy thanks for making the time to do this interview. I loved the Stepp trilogy and am really looking forward to sinking my teeth into your new release, Fangs For The Memories.

Thank you! It was wonderful to talk with you! :)