Interview of Author Dawn Chartier

Today it's my honor to interview new author Dawn Chartier, an author who's joined Romance Books R Us Yahoo Group.

Latest Book: "Not An Angel", The Wild Rose Press.


 Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/not-an-angel-p-4016.html?zenid=9d65096afe1946a15edaaf4797966b3a



Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGGHDXkSMZY

BIO:
Dawn Chartier was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of four children. She considers herself a Cajun-Coon-Ass, but has the accent of a New Yorker, or so she’s been told. The “unknown” and the “power of love” fascinate her. She grew up in her parent’s bookstore, but at the time she didn’t like to read. (Really!) It took a divorce (and a book-a-holic sister) for her to find the passion for reading, and a hurricane named Katrina to uncover her desire to write. After writing four manuscripts, Not An Angel, her paranormal romance found a home with The Wild Rose Press (www.thewildrosepress.com), and will be released in 2010. Currently, she is writing a romantic suspense series set in her home town of New Orleans. Dawn works part-time in the construction industry, and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She is one of the Co-Program directors for SOLA-RWA. With her husband, two daughters and two Golden Retrievers, she currently resides on the west bank side of the Mississippi river. Unfortunately, Dawn can’t cook to save her life. For more information you can visit her website at:  http://www.dawnchartier.com

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: When I received word that they wanted my book I wondered if they had the right person. I had to read the offer several times to make sure. Once the doubt was over, I shared the exciting news with my family.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write?
A: I think plotting is the easiest. Ideas come to me, but fleshing everything out in between is truly the hardest part. I have to make sure I have enough descriptions for the reader to see what I’m seeing, and to make the reader connect with the characters. Sure, the story is easy, but making characters come to life is not. You have to dig really deep to get to know them, and that takes a lot of time and energy. And now that I finished a few books, I find revisions are getting a “little” easier, but I guess that comes with practice. Just like any job, the more you do it, the easier it is and hopefully the better it is too. I hope I answered the question. (grin)

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you?
A: (see answer above) And another hard part of the book is writing “The End.” I’m always worried that I didn’t tie-up everything. And knowing I’ve come to the end of the story, and then I have to put it out there after it’s done is a little scary too.

Q: Do all your heroes and all heroines look the same in your mind as you “head write”?
A: Not at all. My characters all look and act different. Trace in Not An Angel, I found a picture of him on www.istockphoto.com. I kept his picture on my credenza the entire time I wrote. Then I submitted his picture as an “example” of my character to the book cover artist, and she actually bought the picture from the company. I was so thrilled, because he is such a hottie. I love my book cover. I got really lucky. The heroine I’m working with now, I’m using actress, Julianne Moore. I printed a few pictures of Julianne. In one photo she’s dressed up, and in the other she’s in jeans. In my novel, she’s a sexy red-head contractor, and Julianne fits the character in my mind. She feisty, yet lovable.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: I have several favorite romance books, but I’ll have to go with "A Knight in Shining Armor" by Jude Deveraux. I don’t normally read a book more than once, but I have read this one several times. Something about the heroine, and the heartache she suffers. It grabs you and keeps you pulling for her, hoping she gets the hero at the end.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: Ha. At least you didn’t say with a “mysterious” man. (grin) Of course I would say the handsome man is my husband, and we would certainly find plenty of things to do. (No details) But then the computer would call my name over and over, and beg me to go write for at least four hours. Then days later I might send an email for someone to come rescue us. Maybe. Oh!! One thing this island must have is plenty of chocolate. Can’t live without it.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
Website: http://www.dawnchartier.com
Publisher: http://www.thewildrosepress.com
Blog: http://www.dawntheauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dawn.chartier
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dawnchartier

BLURB:
Kira McCoy wants to die. Losing her husband and daughter tragically left her without hope. Now her disturbed brother-in-law will stop at nothing to have her for himself. All she wants is to find peace, but instead finds herself on top of a bridge ready to end her suffering.

Protector of the Poryria, Trace Stuart is called to defend his race or embrace death. Defending humans is not part of the plan, but he cannot stop himself from saving Kira.

Realizing that he shares a special bond with Kira, Trace defies his Queen and rushes into the heart of darkness in order to rescue the woman he loves. Will Kira be able to reach past her own pain to pull them both into the light?

EXCERPT:

As he measured her, his gaze warmed the consuming chill that had invaded her body. She glanced down, holding the material out. Nothing she could ever afford. Standing next to him in his stunning black suit, gave her more confidence than if she wore plain clothing.

“I wouldn’t have picked it out for myself, but you have good taste.”

“I know.” Trace’s gaze traveled down her torso, to her exposed toes and slowly up to her face. “And you take my breath away.” He kissed the inside of her wrist.

Heat shot up her inner arm overpowering any nervousness she may have felt earlier.
She leaned into him and whispered, “You breathe?”

Trace half smiled. “Sometimes.”

She blinked. “Oh.” That meant sometimes he didn’t breathe either.

Trace stiffened, then glanced toward the entrance flanked with four massive columns. It took a moment before she heard footsteps in the foyer. Five men entered the parlor. All dressed similar to Trace, except their cold penetrating eyes made her worry. Scared was more like it. One man strode toward her, eyes narrowed, mouth pulled down in a frown. She swallowed, then took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. They will not get to me. I will be strong.

“He won’t hurt you. Will you, Dev?” Trace stepped forward and crossed his arms.

Dev smirked and stared through his long dark lashes. “Depends.”

An eerie rumble vibrated the room. Kira advanced toward Trace. The sound of a wild cat drifted in the air. She tilted her head, glanced at Trace and realized the noise came from him.

“Boys. Boys. Boys. Dev won’t touch her, but I might.” A slender brunette appeared out of thin air and stood directly in front of the other men. Oh hell.

Dawn, anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you Marianne/April for this fun interview. My first book was released on May 12, 2010 with The Wild Rose Press, and I hope the readers enjoy "Not An Angel" as much as I enjoyed writing it. Readers can email me and tell me what they think. My email address and updates are on my website. Thanks for reading my interview.