Today I am speaking with Ann Jacobs. Hello Ann, grab a chair and let the readers learn a bit more about Ann.

I must tell you that Mr. Blue is a lovely cat. Does he spend much time with you when you are composing?

Blue generally spends the early afternoon in my office, either sunning himself on the carpet or nudging me to play with him. Occasionally he pops up on my lap and tries to climb up onto the desk, but for the most part he seems satisfied to be close but not obtrusive. In the mornings when I do most of my writing, Mr. Blue usually can be found sleeping in my bed, sometimes completely under the covers.

Ann when did you decide to write erotic romance?

I don’t know if I could pinpoint when I decided specifically to write erotic romance—the five books I wrote for Berkley and Kensington pushed the envelope for sexual content. I wrote one story for Secrets in 1997, and it definitely was erotic… Basically, it wasn’t a decision, it was an evolution from writing super-hot for the NY publishers to doing books that are frankly erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave and Changeling.

Is this the one genre you love to write the most?

Yes. I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and I’ve always been convinced sex is an integral part of romance—and that a lot of the hero and heroine’s emotional growth can be shown best by opening the bedroom door wide and showing readers all that’s going on between them.

Why not introduce us to your latest release?

Actually, I have two: Rx for a Dom, the fourth book in the Members Only series for Changeling, where a young submissive falls in love with a hunky hero determined to treat her with kid gloves until he realizes it will take more than vanilla loving to satisfy her. This one released last month.

Then there’s Heart of the West: Roped, the first in a sizzling series about three siblings and how they ultimately find their ideal mates. Roped is Jared’s story—a tale of an injured Marine and the nurse who helps him heal—emotionally as well as physically.

Oh, I mustn’t forget to mention the print collection that includes all the rest of the d’Argent Honor series books into one book.(Eternally His, the longest of the books in my urban fantasy/vampire series, has been in print now for more than a year.) D’Argent Honor: Full Circle came out today. Check it out at Ellora’s Cave’s new print bookstore.

Do you ever find yourself getting lost in your characters?

All the time. I even find myself dreaming about them as I sleep!

Are there any future releases you would like to discuss?

Of course. :-) I’m working now on the other two stories in the Heart of the West series. Hitched and Lassoed will hopefully be finished and released early in 2008.

After that, I have several other projects in mind, including a rewrite of one of my Kensington releases, a prequel to Gates of Hell, and several contemporary and contemporary BDSM books that characters keep whispering to me that I need to tell their stories!

Which book would you consider your very best piece of work?

A Mutual Favor… or Bittersweet Homecoming…or maybe Roped. Probably. To be honest, I doubt I’m the best judge of which is the best book I ever wrote. I love all the characters and hate to try to single out just one story. These come to mind as ones I’ve found impossible to get out of my mind. I think it’s because of the emotional growth shown in the story by both heroes and heroines.

What is your average time to finish a book?

This time last year I’d have said two-three months. Since then I’ve gotten banged up in two separate accidents, both of which have made it difficult to think, much less to get those thoughts onto the computer. I’m hoping the ankle and knee finally start to heal, and that I’ll be able to finish at least five books in 2008.

Do you ever get writers block and just have to walk away?

All the time. I find myself staring at the screen, wondering what my character would do or say, or react to another character’s actions. For me, the best thing to do at times like that is to get up, do something else for an hour or two. Chances are, when I sit back down at the computer, I’ll have solved my problem and be firmly back in my characters’ minds.

Was there anyone who motivated you to follow your dream of writing?

Not really.

Ann is there any special ritual you do to relax?

I spend time with my husband and/or kids. Or I go shopping.

Is there a particular children’s book that you thought to yourself, ‘wow, I wish I had written that’?

That’s easy: the Harry Potter series. If I’d written them first, I’d be the millionaire.

Is characterization important in a story?

It is in my stories. It’s impossible to create a new plot, only variations on existing ones. Characterization is what makes each book unique.

The readers would love to have your website, myspace or any loops that you would like to share.

annjacobs.net (has links to subscribe to newsletter group and very quiet chat group)
myspace.com/authorannjacobs
myspace.com/dargentvampires
myspace.com/hotw

Let’s have a little fun, shall we: Fill in the blanks concerning some of your favorites –

Dessert you must have – banana split (no more than once a year!)
City that you love to visit – Old Town Alexandria
Season that really lifts your spirits - winter
Type of hero that really grabs - wounded Alphas
Type of heroine that really captivates - nurturers

You learn that most of your relatives are coming to your house for the holiday. They wish you to decorate the tree and house like no other, as well as cook the whole meal. Do you panic or take everything in strive, and if we were to drop by, what might we have to eat that day?

I’d take the decorating in stride. My relatives know, if they want to eat at my house, they’ll bring food--or they’ll be dining from the deli. If you drop in, you’d likely find leftovers from the donations…and a big tray of cold meats and cheese aside a stack of bakery rolls and pots of mayo and mustard.

Ann, I have enjoyed this visit and look forward to reading your books and looking forward to the upcoming projects. As always, I wish you the best.

Interviewed by: Linda L.