Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I’m a lawyer by trade, and for years I earned my living writing dry legal briefs and thinking that I really should try to write fiction. I’ve always been a reader, and I think most readers (after you’ve read your ten-thousandth romance) think they could probably write a decent story. One day I went to my local RWA chapter meeting and I’ve loved every minute since—I strongly urge those of you who are in the same boat to find a group and just get started; it’s so much fun!
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Not really—although I’ve always invented stories to amuse myself. I think it’s probably easier if you consider writing as a hobby, and so if you happen to sell your story, that’s great. But if I never sold, I’d still be writing these stories because I enjoy them so much.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
I love romance, I love mystery and I love adventure stories, and I try to combine all three in each story. For romance, my favorite is Georgette Heyer; for mystery, Agatha Christie; and for adventure, Edgar Rice Burroughs. Their stories always have great characters and interesting, fast-moving plots, and that’s what I try to imitate.
How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
I’ve read a million Regencies, and so that’s an era that I enjoy. I also write a contemporary mystery series that has a strong romance plotline. I would love to write fantasy and science fiction, too.
What are some of your writing rituals?
Mainly I write whenever and wherever I get a chance—even in the middle seat of an airplane. I do like to have some diet Dr. Pepper handy, though.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Daughter of the God-King is mostly set in Egypt. The daughter of famous Egyptologists must travel to the Valley of the Kings to find out what happened to her parents, who are missing. They were last seen working at their latest dig—the tomb of an unknown pharaoh’s daughter. Suddenly, various factions from Napoleon’s last war are pursuing the heroine, thinking she knows where her parents hid an unknown treasure. The hero is her parents’ mysterious agent, who is definitely not what he seems—but is he friend or foe? In the end, the secrets contained in the tomb of the god-king’s daughter will change her life forever, and threaten to set the world ablaze in another war.
How did you come up with the idea for this story?
I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer, which means I have no idea. I start writing and the story just seems to develop as I go along. I always like to have big twists in my story, and this one has a doozy.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’ve already written several more Regency adventure stories similar to this one—the stories are independent, but have cross-over references. I also am writing a contemporary mystery series; Murder in Thrall came out in July and Murder in Retribution will come out next July.
Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.
On the streets of Paris, the heroine is approached by a strange gentleman who will not identify himself but who nervously urges her to return to England, and to avoid Egypt at all costs.
What would you be if you were not an author?
A detective. As long as nothing too scary happens.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’ll be with everyone else, lining up to see the next installment of The Hunger Games.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It’s a great time to be a reader, so I’d urge everyone to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities on-line, such as Goodreads or great blogs such as this one. And don’t forget your local bookstore—they need your support, too. And if you have the itch to write a book, just start typing; every journey starts with a single step.
Learn more about Anne here: GoodReads
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Hattie Blackhouse is the only child of famous Egyptologists, and when they go missing, she travels to their latest excavation in ancient Thebes only to discover that she is attracting interest from the French, the British, and the Egyptians, who believe her the reincarnation of a long-dead princess.
In the second book in the Regency series, the heroine finds herself in the crosshairs of factions who are vying to support or thwart Napoleon’s latest attempt at world domination—and she unknowingly holds the key.
Did I miss your favorite?
