With the coming of spring, we’re talking to today’s hottest authors. We’re lucky to have Kelly Maher take time out of her busy schedule to speak with us.

Kelly, why don’t you start by telling us something about yourself.

Thanks for having me!!

Your book, The Man from H.A.T.H.O.R., is your newest release. Where did you get the idea for this book, and is it going to stand on its own or be part of a series?

When I was in college, I majored in Anthropology and I took a class in Egyptology. Since grad school (in a different subject), I’ve been wanting to do a historical story set in Egypt. This was a happy compromise with my bent towards paranormal 🙂

I love the Mummy movies too, so I can understand you drooling over Brendan Fraser. Is Akhet-en based on this character and, if so, do you often base your main character(s) on someone you’ve ‘seen’?

Actually, no, he isn’t. Though, I’d totally do Brendan in Mummy mode any day of the week. I try not to base my characters on specific people, but some traits may work their way in.

How did you go from being a naive fourteen year old innocent, to writing erotic fiction? What is it you love about this genre that keeps you motivated?

LOL, funny you should ask. My dorm floor’s resident adviser my junior year of college found out that myself and another girl on the floor had never seen a porno flick. Taking us to the adult video store and then watching it turned into a floor program. That was around the same time that another friend turned me on to erotica anthologies. It’s been downhill ever since.

Describe the perfect romantic date. I mean setting, music, everything.

You know, I ended up leaving this question for last because it gave me such a fit! I think the perfect romantic date is really going to depend on who your partner is. To me, the ultimate romantic date would be one where I just totally connect with the guy I’m with. With some guys, it may be a quiet dinner at home followed by some hot sex. For some other guys, it may be going out and having a good time, once again followed by some hot sex. So, hot sex factors into the equation no matter what 😉

On your website you introduce us to the “original” Kelly. Tell us about your “baby” and what she meant to you.

Man, you’ve got me tearing up. My family got Kelly when I was in high school and she was like my mom’s youngest kid. She was one of the friendliest dogs and so affectionate. It was really tough when we had to put her to sleep a year ago. It was the right thing to do because she was very sick, but it was exactly one week after my grandmother had died. I still miss her, but honestly I’m still finding her hair on some of my clothes.

Who are some of your favorite authors? Have they influenced you in any way, or do you draw your strength from other sources?

Some of my favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Lynn Kurland, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, Jenny Crusie, Delilah Devlin, Portia da Costa, Kay Hooper, Jayne Ann Krentz, Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Hoyt, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, basically a ton all across the romance spectrum. I’ve been lucky enough to talk with most of them in person or online
and their influence has been more of an encouragement to keep writing in the face of rejection and to find my voice and be true to it.

Tell me about your work space. Are you organized and thorough, or are you surrounded by a mess of papers?

*Snort* Despite my day profession, I’m a librarian, I’m one of the most disorganized souls on the planet. The more organized things are, the less I know where things are.

Are you a plotter, or someone who just sits and writes?

I tend to be a pantser. It’s easier when I have at least a vague idea of where I’m trying to steer the story, though.

Do your characters do your bidding, or are you bound to do theirs?

Most of the time, they tend to do what I want, but every once in a while, they pull a fast one on me. I’ve got one character I’m working with who whipped out a knife and stabbed someone in her first scene. Yeah, that story’s still getting the kinks worked out as she’s the heroine.

What is your favorite power food? Do you have to work in complete silence, or do you have something going on around you that you’re tuning out?

When in season, I like a mix of cut strawberries, pineapple and bananas. I hate bananas in juice, but in fruit salad, they’re great. I’m one of those who needs ambient music. It’s been like that since I was a little kid trying to go to sleep at night.

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you have many ideas for future stories? Tell us about some of them.

I’ve got a few ideas I’m playing with, but I’ve found that when I share them too soon, I tend to lose interest in the story and don’t finish. Which is not good for me. Once I finish a writing commitment for the day profession, I’ve got one story I need to get back to
revising and two I need to finish. Readers can always check my blog for news on my upcoming stories.

How important are reviews to you? Do you bite your fingernails waiting to see what they say, or do you prefer to close your eyes and ears and just write? Feel free to share some reviews here – for any of your books.

I do pay attention to reviews, to a point. I’m not interested in going back and revising any of the stories I’ve already published, but when a reviewer has a well put bit of constructive criticism in the review, I try to keep it in at least the back of my mind when writing the next story.

Please share your website and blog with us. Also, is there a place readers can sign up to a newsletter and/or contact you by email?

Website: http://www.kellymaher.com
Blog: http://kellywrites.blogspot.com
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kellymahernews
E-mail: kellymaher@gmail.com
Author Group: Deliciously Naughty Writers – http://www.dnwriters.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dn_writers

Thank you, Kelly, for taking time to chat with us. I wish you all the best in the future and in any (or all) writing endeavors.

Thanks again Lori and CTR for having me!

Kelly