Today I would like to welcome Carrie Lofty to Fallen Angel Reviews. Hello Carrie! It is really great to have you with us today. Thank you for taking time to answer some questions for us.

Carrie, I love your slogan "Writing Romance with a Passion for History." I also like the way your website is easy to navigate. I noticed that at The Wild Rose Press, "Sundial," winner of the Through the Garden Gate contest in the Vintage category, has been a number one bestseller. Congrats. And regarding your upcoming Zebra Debut release, What A Scoundrel Wants, I watched the book video and enjoyed it. It lures the reader in to the excitement ahead.

Why not tell us about your latest release?

I'm in between releases at the moment, which is fun because I can talk about both! My time travel short "Sundial," set in 1958 Italy, was released in December by The Wild Rose Press. It's received some lovely reviews, and I'm proud of its quiet success--my first taste of being published. WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS is my upcoming print release from Kensington's Zebra Debut imprint. In it, Robin Hood's estranged nephew, Will Scarlet, rescues the alchemist who can clear him of murder, but she's blind, obsessed with fire, and sister to the woman he helped kidnap. The book is hot and swashbuckling! Look for it in stores this December.

How many hours a day do you spend writing?

I write to a word count, generally 2-3K six days a week when I'm working on a project. So if that takes me three hours (a good day) or 12 (oh dear), that's what I try to do. I tend to work in 30-minute bursts--timed with a kitchen timer, which keeps me honest and focused--with tiny web breaks in between. I'm a stay-at-home-mom so I have flexibility in my schedule, but the most difficult part is making it a priority when family, sleep, "American Idol" and "Doctor Who" compete for my attention.

Do you get a toasty feeling all over when you get a contract for your books?

There's nothing better than getting a new contract! I sold WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS (along with its sequel, SCOUNDREL'S KISS) and "Sundial" within five weeks of one another. I can't wait to do it again...

What was your biggest joy after the release of your first book?

With "Sundial," it was the excitement of having other people read it--folks who aren't my friends and family! Very new! What I'm looking forward to with SCOUNDREL is simply seeing it on the shelves, holding it in my hand. It'll be the reward for a lot of hard work.

Do you find promotion hard work?

Not really, but I think the strangest thing is getting used to the idea that people want to know more about me, where I get my ideas, my process--not just reading my stories. I still secretly wonder, "How interesting could I possibly be?" So once I get past that strangeness, I just talk about myself...and that's not so hard at all.

What avenues do you use in your promoting?

It's been low-key for "Sundial," making the rounds of review sites, promoting it on the multi-author blog I founded, Unusual Historicals, and generally blabbing about myself at my own blog. I'm presently working with my agent, Caren Johnson, to develop a publicity plan for SCOUNDREL. I'll also be at Chicago North's Spring Fling conference in April and RWA Nationals in July.

If a person were to look inside your work station, what would they see?

I have a combo calendar/cork board/dry erase board on my wall, which covers all the essential task-managing issues. My desk is lovely and new, with my year-old laptop front at center. To the left is a pile of TBR books, a framed pastel drawing I did in 2005, lotion and a candle I always forget to light. To the right is my desk lamp, alarm clock, local newspapers and publicity opportunities, and a stack of various notebooks: for works in progress, for promotions, for Unusual Historicals. I also have thank-you cards from my critique partners, notes of encouragement, and various quotes taped all around. I'm really quite organized because, some days, it's a good alternative actual work. And I'm one of those weird folks who actually gets charged up by to-do lists. It's compulsive and useful.

How long does it take you to finish a book from start to submission?

I started research for SCOUNDREL on November 1, 2006 and began writing on December 1. I finished the first draft on June 4, pitched it at Nationals, and revised it before submitting it on September 10. My editor phoned me (The Call!) two days later. I didn't know the post office could move that fast! The sequel, SCOUNDREL'S KISS, was a bit quicker--less than six months start to finish, including all new research on its setting in medieval Spain--and "Sundial" was a four-week quickie that came to me almost fully formed. I write horrible, long, ponderous first drafts and then spend a month on cutting it down, making it stronger, revising. Not the most efficient process, but it works for me.

What is your absolute best genre to write? To Read?

I've always loved history, so that's where my heart is. My writing style tends to be rather lyric and big, which is well-suited to historical settings. I gravitate toward historical romances for my reading too, but that can lead to a bit of tunnel-vision. When I need a change of pace and scenery, I wander over to check out light sci-fi and literary works.

For a person who doesn't share in reading, I believe they are missing a great deal. What would you say to them?

I feel I'm missing out when I'm not reading. Disconnected! After a long day with my own thoughts and stubborn, stubborn characters, I need to be in someone else's world for a little while. Then I feel compelled to tell others about the wonderful places I've been. Being part of the online romance community is so much fun because readers are smart and eager--they want to share their opinions and glory in the good stuff they've discovered. I love that give and take!

Would you like to share your website, myspace or any other group with us at this time?

Website: www.carrielofty.com
Blog: lovelysalome.blogspot.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/carrielofty
Unusual Historicals: unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com
I also post on occasion at my agent's blog: http://cjla.squarespace.com/

Finish the sentence: Life is short, so--?

Do what you want to do NOW.

If you are not allergic to nuts, what is your favorite nut?

Cashews.

What is your favorite pizza?

Pepperoni and mushroom. Maybe sometimes I'm bold and add a few olives.

You wake one morning to find that you and your spouse have changed identities for a whole week. What fun things would you do that week?

Sorry. My husband and I are sitting on the couch laughing about this one. I think it's better left unsaid :)

Carrie, thank you so much for chatting with us today. It has indeed been a pleasure. I wish you the absolute best in your writing.

Thank you so much for the opportunity!

Interviewed by: Linda L.