ARR has the pleasure of speaking with a new voice in romantic fiction; Catherine Anne Collins.

Hello, Catherine. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hmmm, where to begin. I won't bore you with all the details, just a few. Obviously, I'm a writer. I love the country and hate big cities. I love animals and hate the abuse they suffer. And if I could have a wish, it would be that someone would come up with a way to build subdivisions that meld and harmonize with the countryside rather than leveling beautiful meadows and forests into a flat jungle of concrete. Sorry, I got off topic slightly, but I suppose that's part of who I am. As long as there were a Chapters (Canadian version of Borders) around, I'd be happy living the life of a semi-hermit in the country somewhere.

Congratulations on your Treble Heart Award for Sword Across Time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Did you know while writing SAT that it would be so great?

Thank you so much, I'm thrilled to know that you read and enjoyed Sword Across Time. As for winning an award, I was as surprised as could be when I heard the news, and still have trouble believing that people actually enjoy reading my book.

What made you want to write an Arthurian story? Are there plans for more?

I love the myths and legends of the time of King Arthur. That period holds so many complicated relationships, tales of valor, the search for the Holy Grail, Avalon, knights and heroic rescues, magic and love. Of course I'm thinking of writing more stories of the time. How could I not?

There are several versions of the legend, yet you put a delightfully new spin on the tale. How did you research for Sword Across Time?

I didn't spend a lot of time researching, as I've always loved reading stories about Merlin, Arthur and the Sword Excalibur. I really had no idea before I started writing what was going to happen, I just started writing and let the story take shape on its own.

There are familial ties involved. How did your own family help you in that aspect of the story?

I suppose I could have pulled on my relationship with my own mother to write the relationship between Tamara and her mom. I hadn't really given it any thought until you asked, but I think that most children don't understand their parents until they mature themselves, and I do have a closer relationship with my Mom now than when I was younger.

How long did it take to write Sword Across Time?

Two years to write and one year to edit. I was still in the process of learning how to write a novel and struggled with it longer than I would if I were to write the same story today. Don't get me wrong, I'm still learning how to write and honing my skills, but Sword was quite a learning experience.

What made you decide to go with Epublishing?

They were the first ones to offer me a publishing contract.

Is there any other genre you wish to try?

Sword Across Time covers both the romance and the fantasy genres. Those two seem to be my favorite genres and will probably be where I focus my attention writing. I do tend to lean toward anything to do with myths and legends and can't imagine writing anything without even a small little pixie flying around somewhere.

What is a typical writing day like for you?

There is no typical writing day, so I suppose that's typical in and of itself. I'm fairly flexible in my schedule as we run our own business, a martial arts and wellness centre, so I can decide when I'm going to work and when I'm going to write. Unfortunately, the business pays the bills at this point, so it gets first priority, but I usually spend a couple of hours a day, usually the afternoon, writing,

If we were to look on your desk right now, what would we see?

Oh, no, do I have to answer that one? Okay, okay. I am surrounded by small faeries statues, the most adorable little teddy bear sits on top of my computer monitor, a map of the faerie world I created for Beyond the Faerie Realm is pinned to the wall, a couple of photos of my dog, Shadow, who we had to put down this past summer, a life size statue of Mortimer, my red-tail hawk spirit guide, a large crystal quartz rock, a replica of the Sword Excalibur hangs on the wall beside me, my laptop and loads of business papers and such. Whew, is that enough?

Your active lifestyle seems at odds with the bookworm in you. How do you manage to find the time to write?

I live for the day when writing actually pays some bills and I can justify spending money to have someone else do the accounts and handle some of the other work. Then I can spend more time writing. In the meantime, I just write when I can.

Did your experience with certain weapons and the martial arts contribute to Sword Across Time?

Not especially. Sword Across Time doesn't have a lot of fighting that needed any special knowledge. Funny thing is, I've actually used my martial arts experience to help other people with their stories, but so far I have very little martial arts in any my books.

Of the books you've written so far, which one is your favorite?

I think Beyond the Faerie Realm is my favorite. I'm just finishing final editing on this story and then I'll be looking for an agent.

What do you think readers would be surprised to discover about you?

Yikes, you mean I haven't told you enough personal things about myself. I guess one thing that will surprise people, mainly with the lifestyle I lead, is that I have a steel rod in my back and was told that I should under no circumstances train in any martial art. But that same doctor was the one who told me that I shouldn't be exercising or vacuuming or anything strenuous in case I hurt myself. Another doctor told me I should do whatever I want and if it hurts me, stop doing it. I kind of liked his advice the best, so I started studying martial arts. Now I do whatever I want, horseback riding, various weapons training, karate, tai chi, kayaking, archery. The only thing my husband draws the line at is skydiving. I'm terrified of heights, but there's something about skydiving that makes me want to try it so desperately, but the danger involved outweighs the desire.

How can readers contact you?

Through my website:www.catherineannecollins.com

In closing, will you leave us with an excerpt of your award-winning Sword Across Time?

Here I sit, Merlin the Magician. A disillusioned old man putting his life to page and word. It is imperative I do this because there is much my family who comes after me must know. Stories of love, deception, cruelty, and misplaced beliefs that placed my world and all I fought for into jeopardy. I suppose I shall begin at the beginning and take you from there.

The first time I saw Nimue, I was but a child, wild and untamed in the mysterious country of Avalon. Innocent and careless, I had no idea that the world I lived in was different than any other place. I also had no idea as to the forces that would threaten me and all that I loved.

Being young and bearing few responsibilities, I used to wander the hills pretending to be a stag, stamping and snorting at the delicate does. The countryside surrounding me was beautiful- alive with animal forms, effusions of colorful flowers, and a sun that shone intensely upon the life below.

One fine summer day, I came upon a path I had never seen before. Had I but known the life path it would set me on, I may have turned back and resumed my innocent play. Alas, I did not.

This is how I came upon Nimue.

Setting my feet upon the path and following the twists and curves, I eventually found myself in the middle of a dense forest. Above me, the sun was barely able to break through the branches and leaves, save for a single, lonely ray that illuminated to my eyes an unexpected sight.

Standing in the clearing was a young girl so beautiful that my breath had a difficult time leaving my chest. Ethereal and glowing, it was as if the single ray of sunlight had found its way there to purposely bask in her beauty. A sound reached my ears, the sweet sound of the young girl's voice as she hummed a tune I had never heard. I was drawn to her voice, to her presence-I was not the only one.

Before the vision of beauty, stood a slender fawn and her golden colored mother. Alive with the fluttering of bird's wings, the trees also seemed drawn to the voice that rang in the deepest darkness of the pungent forest.

Sensing my presence, the vision turned to me and spoke. "I have been waiting for you." Enhanced by the sweetness of her voice, the surrounding air shimmered.

I quivered and this emotion crept into my reply. "You must be mistaken, how could you know of me?"

A secret smile lit up a face that already glowed with light and beauty. "Ahh, there are ways for ones such as myself. I have seen you in my mind. You, as well, have ways that you will begin to understand shortly."

Uncertain as to her meaning, I blurted out the only question I cared about at that moment. "How are you named?"

"I am Nimue."

I answered her unspoken question. Although at the time I had no thought as to how I could have sensed her words before she spoke. "I am Emrys, although my mother says that one day I will have a new name."

A far off voice intruded on our world and brought Nimue to attention. "I must go." She spoke. "But we will see each other again one day, when you are a great man and I a High Priestess."

With those words, she danced from the clearing, her movements graceful and flowing. The place was empty without her presence, even the animals left quickly, melting into the safety of the surrounding forest.

I had no idea then, but it would be many years before I ran into Nimue again. I came to realize our destinies were intertwined-they still are.

So ends our talk with Catherine. I have enjoyed this insight into the world of the talented author who brought us Sword Across Time. I can hardly wait for her next book.