Hi Marianne! And welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! It is really wonderful to have you with us today. Why not pull up a seat and tell the readers about Marianne Stephens.

I love your slogan on your website, Romance Stories for your enjoyment. I notice your family and friends support your writing - that is so good, there are some families that are not always great supporters.

Thank You!!

Why not tell the readers what a day is like for Marianne Stephens?

I usually start off by checking e-mail messages under various e-mail addresses. Write a list for the day of what I hope to do, write, edit, set up chats, etc. I'm on the computer most of the day unless family matters come up.

What new release would you like to discuss with us today?

My latest ebook release is "Gone to the Dogs", a funny contemporary romance available at www.cerridwenpress.com.

I wrote this in first person and enjoyed being in my heroine's head! Katie finds herself jilted by her fiancé, downsized at work, and forced to move from New York City to a town in Kansas for a job. She has to help a floundering company market a drink named Whoopsie or it'll go bankrupt. Throw in Mike, a handsome fireman out to win her heart, and romance enters her life. Mishaps begin to happen to her, and they go from minor to life-threatening as it becomes evident there are a few "witches and flying monkeys" in the Land of Oz who want the company to fail.

The first line of the book starts: "Your dog ate your underwear". Just a sample of Katie's encounters!

I believe Internet publishing is really up and coming, what do you think of Internet publishing?

It's the way future generations will read everything...even ebook textbooks will take the place of print versions. People will adjust to using ebook readers and download books they want to read. I've got 14 books on my ebook reader now and plan to download more.

Do you write on a schedule or as inspiration hits?

Kinda both. I do something every day, but need that inspiration to get myself back into the story I'm writing. That's why I'm usually writing more than one book at a time.

Are there any new releases or upcoming events, even works in progress that you would like to tell your readers about today?

Gone to the Dogs, new ebook release, is now available at www.cerridwenpress.com.

I'm a participating author in a "Meet the Authors" Cruise, 11-18 January 2009, traveling to the Mexican Riviera! Should be lots of fun. For more information, see my web site at www.mariannestephens.net.

Second Sight Dating, a funny paranormal romance about a psychic who runs a dating agency, is now available in print at http://www.jasminejade.com. Serena has trouble finding a match for Dan, but maybe it's because he's an undercover detective investigating her agency or because they're attracted to each other. Or, both! It's also available as an ebook at www.cerridwenpress.com.

My time travel romantic suspense, Street of Dreams, has detectives Nick and Eileen going from 2039 to 1965 and arguing over who's in charge of their job. The easy part of their mission? Capture an escaped killer before he can change time. The hard part of their job? Posing as newlyweds and sharing a heart-shaped bed while mutual attraction builds and draws them together. This is an ebook available at www.cerridwenpress.com.

I'll be at the Romantic Times Convention in Pittsburgh, 16-20 April. Doing two book signings.

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

Three to six months, depending on length.

What is your best quality as a writer?

I think dialogue. The very first book I wrote and sent off was, of course, rejected since I had no idea what I was doing. One agent wrote back and suggested I put dialogue in the story as I had very little throughout the book! I've made an effort to work on dialogue, and think that's what helps sell my books.

Is there anyone in the world that you would like to co-author a book with?

Stephen King. We could do a paranormal together. I'd get the romance in it and he could write all the weird stuff to make it scary.

If you could go anywhere in the world for thirty days to work on a new novel, where would you go?

On a cruise ship going anywhere! I've gone on two cruises, will go on another in January (see above!), and have an idea for a paranormal cruise romance story. Need more research (cough, cough), of course!

Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc. that you would like to share with us?

I'm a member of RWA and some of their chapters: Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal, Mid America Romance Authors, Midwest Romance Writers. Also a member of Published Authors Network through RWA. I've been in lots of critique groups over the years, both online and face-to-face. The critique group I'm in right now is taking a break for a month or two.

You have just won a trip for either a ski trip or camping in the mountains, what adventure would you choose?

Tough choice. Hate outdoors, woods stuff. But being in a cabin would be nice...if it had everything like electricity, running water, etc. I don't ski, but staying in a ski lodge would be nice. Hmm. I'll go with the ski trip, sitting around a fireplace, and sipping Irish coffees.

If you were to restock your cabinets with one junk food, what would it be?

Chocolate of all kinds. My name is Marianne and I'm a chocoholic.

You know the saying about the chip; no one can eat just one, what is something that you just cannot eat just one?

Jelly Belly jellybeans.

Can you please share your website with us and any other loops you might belong where readers can click to get to know Marianne Stephens?

www.mariannestephens.net (check out my videos!), Cerridwen chat: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cerridwenchat, and www.theromanceclub.com where I have book blurbs and excerpts, news, contests, covers posted.

Marianne, I appreciate you sharing time with us today. I had fun. Everyone be sure to check out Marianne's website and grab some books and enjoy the journey.

Thanks for the interview, Linda!

Interviewed by: Linda L.