Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Heidi Betts. Thanks for being here today Heidi, welcome to FAR!

I'm delighted to be here, thank you for having me!

To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current release, Seven-Year Seduction?

Seven-Year Seduction came out in February, and is one of my personal favorites so far. For years, Beth Curtis struggled to seduce her childhood crush, Connor Riordan...until one night, she finally succeeded. The consequences of that single, passionate event ended their friendship and broke Beth's heart. Now, seven years later, the tables are turned and it's Connor who wants to seduce Beth.

If you could be invisible for one hour, what would you do and where would you go?

Oooh. I don't know. Maybe slip into my editor's office during a meeting to see what's going on behind the scenes. Or... Nope, it's gotta be sneaking into George Clooney's room just before he's getting dressed for the day...or maybe as he's getting ready for bed. :-D

What is your favorite part of a book to write?

That's a hard question because I really enjoy every step of a new story. I love starting a new book, figuring out some interesting opening and getting to know the characters; I like the middle, where the meat of the story tends to take place and things can sometimes get complicated; and I love the end, where everything comes together and I get to write that happily -ever-after for the hero and heroine. But probably, to be completely honest, my favorite part of a book is the very end, when I'm tying up all the loose threads, adding finishing touches, and putting that puppy in the mail to my editor. That's when I breathe a huge sigh of relief and start to get excited about the next book I'll work on. :-)

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

When I'm not writing, I'm usually reading--romance, of course! I just love to read and never seem to have enough time to get through all the wonderful books on my TBR pile. So every chance I get, you can catch me sneaking in a chapter or two.

You have a new book coming out in May called Mr. and Mistress. Could you tell us a little more about Cullen and Misty?

I'd be happy to! Mr. and Mistress is my first continuity book for Silhouette Desire. It's Book #5 of "The Elliotts" series, which started in January. Cullen Elliott is the Director of Sales for one of his family's magazines, Snap, and a bit of a playboy. Misty Vale is a former Las Vegas showgirl and has been Cullen's secret mistress for the past four years. Both are just fine with that arrangement...until an unexpected pregnancy changes everything.

I had such fun working on this story, am thrilled with the cover, and am hoping readers fall in love with Cullen and Misty as much as I did.

To you, what makes a great romance hero?

Personally, I think the possibly old-fashioned (or maybe I should say tried-but-true) traits of chivalry and nobility are good ones. The idea that a man can be flawed, have his own set of problems, but still be a good guy and hero material because he does the right thing--even when the deck is stacked against him. I also like a hero who's romantic. He doesn't have to bring the heroine flowers and candy, but the gentle touches, the sly glances...calling just to hear her voice or bringing the car around so she doesn't have to walk in the rain. Little things like that can often speak louder than the big gestures.

If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?

Oh, my gosh, I have no idea. I should probably name one of my sexy heroes, like Cullen Elliott, who's rich and handsome and a great guy to boot. But I really think it would probably be one of the heroines--Beth Curtis of Seven-Year Seduction, maybe, or Misty Vale in Mr. and Mistress...because of how strong and independent they are, while still being soft and sensitive at the same time. I know they're only characters, but I really admired both of them while working on their stories.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I always tell people who are interested in writing to join local writing groups, if they can find them. And to read, read, read in the genre they want to write. I think you can learn a lot by doing both. If you want to write romance, then I also recommend joining Romance Writers of America. But even if you're interested in something else, there are "of America" organizations for just about everything...Western Writers of America, Horror Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, etc. Do an online search and I think you'll be surprised by what pops up.

You find yourself stranded on a desert island, what things could you not survive without?

Well, I think the most important things would be those little personal hygiene items like soap, toothpaste, toilet paper. But if we pretend all of that will magically appear, and move to the list of creature comforts... Boy, I'd really miss television, but I think what I'd most want to have around was romance novels. A whole stack, if I could, but if I was only allowed one, then I'd want one that I'd already read and knew I could read over and over and over again without getting tired of it. Or one by a favorite author that I hadn't read yet, but knew for absolute certainty I'd enjoy...and not mind reading over and over and over again. :-)

How did you celebrate selling your first book?

I have to hang my head in shame here, and say that I don't really remember. I remember how excited I was, and just about every word of both the offer and every conversation I had with people for the next week or two...but I can't remember exactly how I celebrated. I think it was sort of an ongoing thing; my family took me out to dinner and I called everyone I knew to tell them the good news.

In your opinion, what are the three most essential ingredients of an excellent romance novel?

Sexual tension, for one. I just love the sizzle of attraction between a hero and heroine, and don't know that any romance novel can really reach its full potential without it. I also like a dose of reality. Not necessary the monotony of everyday life, but a storyline that's plausible and that you really believe could happen. And last but not least, I think every romance novel needs a healthy dose of romance...as I mentioned above, it doesn't have to be the big, obvious gestures like flowers and candy, but the small things that make you sigh and believe that love can conquer all.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers today?

Only that you're all invited to visit my website, where I try to keep news about current and upcoming releases fresh. I also blog every day, and would love to have readers pop in to read the posts or leave comments of their own. And I hold monthly contests that you're all welcome to check out and enter.

Thank you all for your lovely notes about my books, and for your ongoing support! Happy reading!

Thank you so much, Heidi, for spending time with us today! Readers, be sure to visit Heidi’s website www.heidibetts.com.

Interviewed by: Tammy