Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome back the amazing and infamous Michelle M. Pillow. Michelle, you've been here a few times, let's see what new things we can pry from you, shall we?

Infamous? Yep, it's me and El Guapo. You know In Famous, more than famous. Now all I need is a hundred thousand pesos to go to Santo Poco... Hey, why are you groaning? LOL, now I'm going to be singing the Three Amigos theme song all day.

First of all, Zhang Dynasty, where did this come from? It is steeped in Eastern rituals and traditions. Do you find yourself researching a lot?

Basically, I write where I feel like researching. I always research. It's one of the reasons I love writing, because it gives me an excuse to learn about new and different things. Asian culture and history are fascinating to me because it is very different from my own and I wanted to incorporate that into my futuristic series by creating the Zhang Dynasty installment.

I have been lucky enough to have read a number of your books and am intrigued by the story lines that seem consistent to your writing. Mainly, the struggle between duty and the desires of the heart. What makes you choose to write about this?

I love historically set books and they were the first I read and wrote. Many of my works contain historical influences and ideals, honor and duty being prized qualities, selflessness over selfishness, ect. I think the struggle between doing what is expected and what you morally believe you should do for the sake of others, a selfless purpose if you will, versus doing what you want for yourself is an intriguing inner war. The characters who struggle for this balance I believe are truly worth falling in love with. No one wants to be with the selfish prick that only thinks of himself and gives no thought as to his actions nor do they want the guy who'll risk nothing for the sake of love. So it becomes a matter of balance.

Recently wandering through cyber space I visited your website and was blown away by the new style and set up. Rumors abound that you did it yourself, can you walk us through the inspirations for the site?

Yes, I did recently revamp the website. The old had become too jumbled and as I published more books, I found I needed a better organizational set-up. It was a little bit of a challenge trying to come up with the best way to present the information. I thought about it for a long time, kind of like I do with a lot of my projects, working it out in my head as to how I wanted it to be set up. I organized it by genre for easy navigation, as well as all the books in one spot for those who read more than one genre. I also organized by series. Then, it was a matter of playing with the design to find something that fit the multiple genres that I write in, but could be modified slightly from genre page to genre page.

Can you tell us what we can expect from your talented fingers this year?

I'm very excited about my current project, Space Lords, continuing the saga of the futuristic series--Dragon Lords, Lords of the Var and Zhang Dynasty. It follows the space pirating crew of Prince Jarek of the Var (which includes Samantha the heroine from The Bound Prince's crewmen as well). I hope to continue the Zhang Dynasty part of the installment as well. I'm also toying with other installment ideas for the futuristic world.

I'm working on a new series for Virgin Books, Matthews Sisters--following five hip and trendy sisters with a meddling tea leaf reading mother. They're lighter contemporaries and fun to write.

I also really want to get back into straight historicals. I have several already written that I hope to polish and get submitted--I just haven't decided where the best home for them will be yet.

I've noticed that you've had a few books rereleased through Cheek, a Virgin imprint. Can you tell us how this came about and what books were chosen?

The books being re-released are book originally released by Cheek. They're just going into their second printing as a mass market. The first, Fierce Competition (US June-July 2007) was my first book for Cheek. It follows socialite wannabe Jane whose social rival, Vanessa, discovers her secret and tries to ruin her life. The second Opposites Attract (US August 2007) is kind of a 'Simple Life' meets 'Road Trip'. Heiress Alexis loses everything and is forced to go cross country with a couple friends and an easygoing tattoo artist who is everything she never knew she could want. Only problem, is can she keep him?

Also from Virgin this year are the new releases Bit by the Bug (Feb 2007) and Along for the Ride (Fall 2007) the first two installments in the Matthews Sisters series.

I am embarrassed to say that I have not been able to read your Realm Immortal series from Samhain Publishing, have the books, but life keeps interferring. Can you give us a rundown of both the premise behind the series as well as quick looks at the books that are currently out?

This is a historically set fantasy series, about 50/50 fantasy/romance. In the Immortal Realm there are three High Kings--Merrick of the Unblessed rules Necessary Evil, Merrick's brother Ean of the Blessed rules all that is good and Lucien of the Damned rules pure evil. Ean, sits on the throne that should have been Merrick's. But fate had other plans and he ended up stuck between blessed and damned.

In book one, King of the Unblessed, Merrick becomes obsessed with Lady Juliana from the Mortal Realm. Because she is human and her family is blessed by King Ean, it's an act of war to take her for his own. Though, being unblessed, Merrick knows that war and peace are just two sides of a coin and each will have its turn. Because he was born into light, he constantly struggles with his reign, as his power comes from darkness. I love the character of Merrick. He's bad, but he does try.

In book two, Faery Queen, the lesser queen Tania of the faeries kidnaps Juliana's brother, the Earl of Bellemare. She had fallen in love with him and expected him to come back to the Immortal Realm to be with her after seeing to his sister. When he didn't come back, she was thrown into despair. Her magic darkens as her heart breaks. The earl, however, wants nothing to do with her. He blames Tania for sending Juliana to Merrick's castle and into the unblessed king's control.

In book three, Stone Queen, we again see Juliana and Merrick. This book comes out in ebook March 2007 with the print version about six months after.

You write for a number of publishers, do you find it hard to decide where to send a work-in-progress? Do you have a certain tone that you like to keep at certain publishers?

After working with a publisher, I get a feel for what they want and what sells better where--which makes my decision as to where books go. I like all my publishers for different reasons and they all have something to offer me as a writer.

With tidings of RT in the air, can you tell us if you will be participating in the gala this year?

Yes, I will be at RT for the entire week and signing on Sat. I'm actually up for a Reviewer's Choice award for the straight historical novel, Maiden and the Monster, now at Ellora's Cave. I'm very excited about the nomination and to see everyone again. Last year was my first year and I was so nervous because it was my first public outing as an author. Hopefully this year I can relax.

Has the blog flatlined? I read on your site that it was endangered, what's it's prognosis and the cause of it's ailment?

LOL, the blog will always be in danger. I'm horribly neglectful of it. Though, I did recently revamp it as well, giving it a new, shiny look. I have been trying to post on it more, and always announce the new releases as they come out. Though, if readers email me topics they want me to blog on, I'll normally do it. :)

Currently, I have the Raven Vampire Nightclub blog with Mandy Roth. We have guest bloggers every Monday and talk about all sorts of paranormal things. It's kept a lot more active than my personal one.

Is there anything you'd like to add?

I've actually been working on making book videos. I've got a bunch of new ones up and would love everyone to come over and take a look: http://www.michellepillow.com/videos.htm

Also, Mandy Roth and I have a joint contest going called Express Yourself. Readers have seemed to really been getting into it, making book videos for us as contest entrees. http://www.mandyroth.com/express_yourself_contest_page.htm

Links to find me:
RAVEN Free Ongoing, Online Paranormal Story http://www.ravenhappyhour.com/raven.htm
Raven Reader Yahoo Group (chatting) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Raven_Vampire_Nightclub/join
Blog - http://michellespillowtalk.blogspot.com/
Website- www.michellepillow.com
Newsletter - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michellempillow/join
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/michellepillow

Thank you so much for joining us Michelle, if you'd like to see more about this fabulous writer, take a look at her website.

Thank you for having me. :) It's been fun!

Interviewed by: Serena