Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Marie-Nicole Ryan to the blog for her first visit.

Marie-Nicole, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m an old broad, and many times I’ve wished I’d started writing in my twenties instead of my *clears throat* forties. Okay, so I didn’t start until I was in my fifties.

I live alone except for my precious Sheltie, Cassie. I sold my house in Nashville in October of 2010 and moved back to western Kentucky to help out my mom who can no longer see well enough to drive. I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with my old friends from high school and nursing school.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes. Actually, I started my first book back in the late Seventies, but that was still in the days of typewriters. My hat’s off to all those who persevered and wrote on typewriter.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

I love Annie Solomon’s romantic suspense novels. Janet Evanovich I read for the pure entertainment. I love the Late Robert B. Parker’s Spenser and Jesse Stone novels. As for influence, I think every author I’ve ever read has influenced me in some small way.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

Currently I’m writing in two genres: spicy romantic suspense and erotic historical western romance. I love putting suspense and romance elements together, and that’s what I read more of. My foray into historical western romance was influenced by HBO’s Deadwood. I loved that series and was really PO’d when it was cancelled with so much more story to tell.

What are some of your writing rituals?

For serious writing, it’s a candle and classical music in the background, and of course, my butt in the chair.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

That would be Taming Talia (released on 8/14/12). It’s an erotic historical western set in 1889 New Mexico Territory during the blizzard of 1889. It’s the second book in my Loving the Lawman series. Seducing the Sheriff was the first.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Jared Fields, the Pinkerton agent, was a secondary character from the first book in the Loving the Lawman series. He was such a compelling character that he demanded his own story and heroine, of course.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Currently, I’m supposed to be working on the third in the series, Mastering the Marshal.

What would you be if you were not an author?

Retired!

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I have literally dozens of books to read on my Kindle Fire. So many books, so little time. I’m waiting, because I have no choice, for B.J. Daniels’s Justice at Cardwell Ranch, her October release and follow up to Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch, which is the first book of hers I read.

Learn more about Marie here:

Web site: http://marienicoleryan.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marienicoleryan.author

Twitter: @marienicoleryan

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1166849.Marie_Nicole_Ryan

Giveaway:

Two winners: two sets of romance trading cards for Seducing the Sheriff and Taming Talia.

Just comment with email address to win

*giveaway ends August 27th*