I am delighted to be speaking with author T.C. LoTempio today. Thanks for chatting with us today and welcome to FAR!

To start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am single, live in New Jersey, and have been writing since I was ten, but only seriously since 1998. In 1995 I joined the staff of a magazine for collectors of antique children’s literature, SUSABELLA PASSENGERS AND FRIENDS. In 1998 I won their Margaret Sutton Award for Distinguised Writing. I’ve done over 250 reviews and articles for them. In 2004, Publish America published A Spy in the Hand. Followed by Murder is Relative in 2006. 2007 saw two other novels debut from Whiskey Creek Press: Bound by Blood and Ebony.

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

I like to read, Stephen King, Rita Mae Brown, J. D. Robb. I like to play with my two remaining cats (my calico, Misty, passed away on October 2) and I like to travel – when I have the time and the money.

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?

A sense of purpose. I’d like to leave my mark, be remembered for something good.

Has being published changed you at all? If so, how?

My friends will tell you I’m the same crazy person now that I’ve always been. : )

Can you tell us a little about your current release Ebony?

Ebony debuted on June 1 to really good reviews. In July, it hit number 2 on the fictionwise horror list and hasn’t been out of the top 100 since. I’m really proud of it—I think it’s my best work to date. Basically, it’s the story of Jess McCall, a reporter who wants to mend fences with her younger sister—but sis has disappeared. So she returns to her hometown of Ebony, becomes involved with fellow reporter Frankie Marshall, and together they confront the undead horror that threatens to consume the town.

Where did the premise for Ebony derive from?

The movie “The Skeleton Key” inspired me. When I got home, I googled several sites on voodoo and zombies. Ebony was born from that.

What is the best advice that anyone ever gave you?

Don’t be afraid of rejection – especially if you want to be a writer. Just keep chugging away.

The Mr. and Mrs. Spy Series sounds very exciting. Can you tell us more about it?

Right now, it’s on the back burner. I have a few other projects in the fire at present. Not to say Gary and Clarissa couldn’t be resurrected someday.

If you were a dessert, which one would best describe you?

Some sort of a layer cake—one you have to dig deep to get to the heart of. I’m also fond of ice cream – any flavor!

What can your fans look forward to in the next twelve months from you?

In 2009, Witch’s Pawn will be released from Echelon Press. I’m also working on a paranormal romantic suspense I hope to interest an agent in, as well as a novel about a soap diva.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I hope to have really good news soon; in the meantime, I’m grateful to everyone who’s taken the time to check out one of my books. Writers would be nowhere without eager readers!

Thanks again for taking time to speak with me today! Readers be sure to check out Toni’s website at http://www.freewebs.com/toni1953/index.htm

Interviewed by: Tammy