Today I am speaking with Mary Paine. Hello Mary and welcome! It is a joy to have you with us today. I know you are probably really busy with writing and everything else in your life, so I will get straight to the questions.

Mary, I notice on your website you love books and horses. I use to love going to the library, too, and grabbing any and all books they would allow me to check out. I saw your book video and really enjoyed it. You have garnished some great reviews, too, congrats on those.

A Dangerous Dream sounds quite intriguing, why not give the readers a little insight into this thrilling read about a horse trainer who is also a witch. We would love to hear more.

I'll be happy to. A Dangerous Dream, an equestrian romantic mystery, is set in the world of Grand Prix horse show jumping. One of my trainers rode on the Grand Prix circuit, so I had lots of his stories to draw on, plus I rode in hunters and equitation for years. Add some spice with romance and mystery and you have A Dangerous Dream. Here's a quick peek:

Melissa's dream has come true with a job at an exclusive Connecticut horse farm that trains Grand Prix show jumpers. She is determined to succeed in this world where vast wealth is coupled with intense ambition.

A sizzling attraction springs to life between Melissa and David, a handsome, talented trainer, but her future is threatened when an attempted murder takes place at the farm. She must decide who she can trust and if her long-held dream is worth the risk of her life…

Was it easy for you composing a book like this then any other type genre?

Writing a novel set in the horse world was relatively easy for me because I love it so much it comes through in the pages. The challenge is making sure my characters are vital and exciting and the pacing of the book keeps the readers turning pages.

Are there any other works in progress at the moment you would like to share with us?

My current work in progress, Legacy, is a joy to write. This book's heroine, Gemma, is a horse trainer who also happens to be a witch. I'm having a wonderful time entwining mythology, magic and adventure into the already exciting world of training and showing horses. Gemma becomes involved in a deadly search for a grimoire of extraordinary power and needs to balance her need to protect her family and lover with her commitment to stop a powerful evil wizard.

Do you get along with your editors and other fellow authors?

I've been very fortunate to have met some wonderful, talented people. Recently I began participating in a group blog called Equestrian Ink with Laura Crum, Kit Ehrman, Toni Leland, Michele Scott, and Jami Davenport. Besides being amazing authors, I've made wonderful friendships with them. Come check us out at www.equestrianink.blogspot.com. We have great giveaways planned for April.

What inspires you to write?

A genuine love of books and an unceasing desire to create stories keeps me writing. I remember as a child my mother would take three or four large grocery bags with us to the library for all the books I checked out. Even today, libraries and bookstores are among my favorite places. I'm very lucky to be able to create stories and share them with my readers.

Name three things you look for in the other person.

Hmmm…good question. I would have to say honor, compassion, and the ability to love.

What three words describe you?

Wow, this is a hard one. Loving, hard-working, and I'm pretty well-organized, if that counts as one.

What is your favorite animal?

Horses, horses, horses. I'm hooked for a lifetime.

What is the worse job you have ever had?

I'm a nurse epidemiologist by training, and every job I had until I started writing fiction was in a hospital or other medical setting. I learned from every job I had so it's hard to pick a bad one. There have been one or two consulting jobs I took where the scope of the job changed after I was on-board. That could be frustrating.

What is your favorite restaurant that you can't be without?

I moved to the Midwest from Connecticut 4 years ago, so I have been without my favorite seafood restaurant for awhile now. It was right on the edge of a wharf and we would sit outside at picnic tables watching the boats. It was a fish market and restaurant where the lobsters were caught and steamed same day. They made wonderful fresh steamer clams, too. Absolutely delicious!

What is your favorite fast food place that you absolutely love?

I have three small children, so I don't get to pick. My two year old sees the golden arches and starts calling out "French Fries, Milk Shakes," so the decision is made for me. I do put a cap on the frequency of those excursions, though!

Which time of the day is more productive for you, morning or night?

I'm a morning person. Sometimes I'll wake as early as 5 AM and write for a hour or two before the family wakes up. Those are some of my most relaxing and creative times.

Why not tell the readers your website link as well as any other links you might wish to share with us?

My web site is www.marypaine.com. I run a monthly contest, so please stop by! Visitors can also connect to the Equestrian Ink blog from my site.

If someone were to look in your closet right now, could they tell what your favorite color is by your outfits?

Blue is ever present, but this is my husband's favorite color, so I wear it a lot. I'm also a fan of red, pink, and green, so a visitor to my closet would have some guessing to do.

If you could visit any planet in the galaxy, which one would you choose?

I think Saturn would be fun to visit and look at all the beautiful rings.

If you were to plan a wedding, tell us what it would consist of?

I would plan a small, elegant, candlelit ceremony in a chapel, with strings for music and flowers everywhere. The reception, on the other hand, would be a great party for everyone to enjoy!

Mary, I have enjoyed our time today, and hope you have many more releases. Thanks so much for sharing time with us.

Interviewed by: Linda L.