Welcome Karyna DaRosa to Coffee Time Romance. Thank you, Karyna, for taking time to speak with us. Why don’t you start by telling us about yourself.

I was born bookaholic, reading every genre and every time period from a very early age. I’m also a history buff, so historical romances were always at the top of my list. I got hooked on historical westerns after reading Johanna Lindsey’s Brave the Wild Wind in grammar school (I know, not necessarily appropriate reading material at that age). After that, I was on the hunt for more westerns and read just about every author in the genre at the time (Lindsey, Linda Howard, Bertice Small, Victoria Bylin, Rosanne Bittner, and countless others). As the years passed, it became more difficult to find new historical westerns, so I figured it was time to start writing my own. Dry Moon, my debut novel was released this April by The Wild Rose Press and Tempted Fate was just released this month. These are just the beginning of a long line of WIP I’m working on.

How did you get started in your writing career and what made you decide to become a romance writer?

Well, like I mentioned before, I was really into historical westerns as a kid. But as the years passed, it became more difficult to find new ones, so I figured it was time to start writing my own. Dry Moon, my debut novel was released this April by The Wild Rose Press and Tempted Fate was released in May. These are just the beginning of a long line of WIP I’m working on.

Who was the hardest character to write about and why?

I haven’t yet experienced a difficult character to write. All my characters pop into my head and then take a life of their own as I tell their story. I must say that I do love writing villains. They are just sooo much fun and you can do all the mean nasty things you’ve always wanted to do through them. It’s very cathartic. Lolol

You have a new paper book out Dry Moon can you tell us about this outstanding book?

Dry Moon is a historical western romance. It’s about a strong, independent woman who runs an irrigation company. She works hard, dresses like a man, and does a man’s job on a daily basis. She owns the water rights to all of the neighboring ranches, and faced with an unrelenting drought, is forced to ration the water. This of course, brings her more than her fair share of trouble from the other ranchers. She can take care of herself and truly believes a woman doesn’t need a man to complete her until the day a sexy, and very dangerous drifter comes to her ranch and turns her world upside down…lol. Dry Moon is filled with adventure, intrigue, and of course, oodles of hot, steamy passion.

What would you say is the greatest elements in writing your type of books?

Well, it’s the wild west, so the lawless, the untamed setting is always a draw. Also the adventurous spirit of the characters that defined the era, their stalwart determination, and sense of pride. All these elements that define the “west” also define the colorful characters of that time.

Do you have any special music or snacks you eat while writing?

Nope. I must have complete and utter silence when I write. I’m so wrapped up in the characters and what’s happening to them, that I even forget to eat!! I literally have to “drag” myself to reality, quite begrudgingly, believe me. J

Karyna what was your favorite class in High School?

That one’s way too easy: my English Honors classes. All we did was read and write. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.

What is your favorite movie that you could watch over and over?

Last of the Mohicans. Isn’t that like the best historical romance ever?

Which actor would you pick to play your hero in Dry Moon?

That’s a tough question since my characters just appear to me. They aren’t influenced by any celebrity. But if I had to choose someone to play Cole, it would have to be a young Clint Eastwood. He was the quintessential “drifter,” the stranger with no home and that restless spirit which characterizes Cole.

Karyna where can readers find your books, and how can they contact you?

They can contact me via my web site: www.karyna-online.com
My books can be found at their local bookstores or online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Are you working on a new book right now?

Yes, I’m working on (2) actually. LOL.. I’m working on a couple projects at the moment. The first story is an historical Erotica that takes place in 1868 Cuba on a sugar plantation. The second is another historical western with a serial killer twist. Both are so much fun and I’m having a blast.

Can you tell us about your new book Tempted Fate?

Tempted Fate is the third book in the Legacy of the Celtic Brooch series. The authors of this series were handpicked by the editors at The Wild Rose Press and asked to write a tale using an heirloom Celtic brooch as the one constant in each story. Beginning in March, 2007 and ending in early 2008, the stories follow this brooch on its mystical journey from medieval Scotland to modern times. Every author was asked to put her own spin on the brooch’s appearance. Tempted Fate takes place in the Old West. In my story, the brooch is a precious heirloom for an orphan, Emma Sarris. When her brother gambles and loses her brooch in a poker game to a mysterious, handsome stranger, she’ll do anything to get it back. The story is about love, and forgiveness, and finding who we really are, and what really matters in our lives.

Karyna DaRosa, I cannot thank you enough for this interview. I had fun today and enjoyed our chat. I cannot wait for your next book!