Hello Allison. We are so glad to have you with us for an interview today at Fallen Angel Reviews. The readers are eager to learn about Allison Knight.

Allison, why don’t we begin by discussing your latest release, A Treasure for Sara, from Champagne Books. This tale you set in the Yukon. Already I can picture a lovely background, and intrigue, surrounding the characters. Please tell us about Sara and her Treasure, and if the characters immediately pull you into the story when you are writing, where it is hard to let go?

Oh, yes, they pulled me into the story as soon as I considered Bear as the hero. Here was a guy who felt he had to give up everything for something he felt he'd done. Of course, he isn't guilty, but he thinks he is. I hated to write The End for this one and I can only hope that when the reader finishes the book, he/she sighed and says, "Isn't there more?"

What do you look for in a good book?

Three things are important to me as a reader, and yes I do read - all the time. I have to like the hero and heroine, they have to have some kind of immediate conflict, like Sara and Bear, and the writing must seem to fit the characters of the story. Bear is a mountain man. No way can he speak in complete and grammatically correct sentences. Doesn't fit his character.

Do you recall the very first story you ever wrote, whether published or not?

I was extremely lucky. My first romantic fiction was accepted and published some 20 years ago. I received a dozen rejections before it was finally purchased but, oh yes, I recall that first story very vividly. I often think about the characters in it, and how much I learned as I wrote. For one thing, I discovered that sometimes characters just do their own thing. One of the secondary characters just died on me. I didn't even realized she was that ill, but she had a heart attack very shortly have the story began.

When you find time to relax, how do you unwind?

I usually work until 5 o'clock. Then I read, or on rare occasions I'll watch TV. About once a month, my second son, the only kid living close to us, takes me to Biloxi to play penny slots at one of the local casinos. He buys lunch; we spend a few dollars and then come home. It's a complete break and gives me a chance to take a breath so I can start again, refreshed.

If you could go anywhere, be anyone, do anything for 24 hours, what would it be?

You know, I really like where I am and what I'm doing. I like to be me and I can't think of anyone I'd change places with for even a day. I live a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico and not only is the food fabulous, we have great shopping, good entertainment and every year, we have Mardi Gras, which is really a month of parties. Nope, I like it here, being me.

Do you have any indulgent behaviors one might find surprising?

I love chocolate. If it's made with chocolate then it will end up in my mouth in short order. Chocolate chip cookies and chocolate ice cream are my passion. Besides, my husband of course.

When is your best time to compose and how many hours would you say you spend writing?

I work about eight hours a day. Morning is probably my best time, although I've been known to leave my bed and hit the computer at midnight, if a story character won't let go, or if I'm having a problem with a particular tale. (My husband has gotten used to my bouncing out of bed and apologizing for waking him, but he knows when inspiration hits, I have to write. Of course, I have the most wonderful husband who puts up with what some might call nonsense!) I will also get up and go to the computer early in the morning, if something important occurs. I think about my stories and my characters a lot. They run around in my head and for some reason often demand that I solve whatever problem they are having. So my best time for creating may be in the middle of the night, but I usually write during the day.

I would love hear about any works in progress. Would you like to share those with us?

At the moment, I have four stories on going. Yep, friends do think I'm nuts. I have a sequel to "Heartsong" in process. This is the story of the youngest brother in my medieval tale which was released last year.

I also am finishing a novel which takes place in England during the reign of Charles the second, which involves the plague and the London fire.

I have another story set in Virginia with a heroine whose hero/husband threw her out. (That one's a real trip! - It started in England, moved to New York but neither of these places seemed to fit. Finally the perfect setting and time period hit me like a ton of bricks. Virginia after the War Between the States was perfect)

And I have a gothic in process. I do love to write first person gothic’s. I get to be the heroine while I'm writing the book and that's a lot of fun. As you can see I love what I do.

I have found that some authors listen to music while they write. Do you listen to music or is it something that is distracting to you?

No music. I find it distracting. I have enough trouble with my cats. The baby wants attention and frequently will crawl on my lap for a love, while our older fellow enjoys sitting on my computer desk and covering up all my notes, especially when I try to describe something for which I have copious notes. I love 'em but they can be a nuisance.

Allison, would you share your website or myspace or blog with your readers?

They can find out all about my books on www.AllisonKnight.com. I haven't gotten into myspace much, but I do have two blogs, one where I and many other authors interview book characters, "It's My Turn To Talk" @ www.mycharacters.blogspot.com and my personal blog, Allison's Musings @ www.AllisonKnight.blogspot.com

If you had the opportunity to be a guest on any talk show, which one would you choose and why?

I like Fox News and would like to be on their morning show, even if it can't be classified as a talk show. The two gentlemen, Steve and Brian both seem like a lot of fun and I'd love to hear what kind of questions they'd come up with for me.

I read you were a softie for animals and that you have adopted a lost kitten. The pictures are very lovely, too. Does the new addition get along with the other cat in the family?

At first I was really afraid it wasn't going to work, but our old guy (he's now nine) has finally accepted the youngster. They play together, eat together, sleep close to each other, so my fears were unfounded. Wally, the baby, is a ball of energy and the old fellow really needs the exercise he gets playing with the young one. What I was afraid was going to be a mistake has turned into a real pleasure for everyone. I'll be posting new pictures of the two on the web site soon.

You are getting ready for a gathering at the library, as they promote your latest book. At the last minute your editor phones, and says an important speaker will be attending your book promotion. Who do you wish the important speaker to be and why?

Oh boy! I can think of a couple of dozen people I'd love to have attending a book promotion. There are several Hollywood producers whose work I admire; I'd love to see one of them there, and at least a dozen authors. Can you imagine what having Jane Ann Krentz, or Jude Deveraux or Nora Roberts at your gathering? I'd want a Hollywood producer there because he might be interested in turning one of my books into a movie, and I'd get the biggest thrill introducing a famous author and watching all my romance readers’ friends stare - and they would.

Allison, I do not live far from the state of Alabama, and I, too, got some of that snow, like your son did that day. I just wanted to say when you craft the story involving a lovely white wonderland; I know it will be one where the reader is pulled into the center of it all as you bring it to life.

Thank you for taking time to answer some questions for us. I wish you the best in your writing and look forward to your books.

My thanks to Fallen Angel Reviews for asking about my writing. Writing acceptable stories is almost as satisfying as raising four children, and at times just as frustrating.

Interviewed by: Linda L.