Welcome to the Interviews page, to read interviews I have had recently go to the bottom of the page and click on the link. I will be interviewing an author or editor every month, so look out for announcements of who will be featured here. This month I interviewed talented author Emma Ray Garrett.

Kyla: Welcome, Emma Ray. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed by me. =) Would you like to tell us what you are working on just now?

Emma Ray: Thanks for having me, Kyla! Sure, I'd love to tell you what I'm working on now. Heaven and Hell 4. I just finished the third one, and PHEW what a whirlwind that was, LOLOL! The fourth book in the Heaven and Hell series takes place fully in the world of the Protectorate, so it gives readers a real in depth look at the training facility that Heaven and Hell have created. It also has one of my favorite creatures in all of fiction as a main character, so it's been tons of fun to write!

Kyla: Tell us what drew you to write erotic romance. Did you expect your career to take off in the way it has?

Emma Ray: Honestly, I've been reading since I was about three. By the time I was twelve, I was raiding my Gma's (grandmother's) collection of bodice rippers, *WEG*. Once I got through my teens, though, I wanted more than the purple prose that most romances offered. Then I stumbled onto a Thea Devine book. I loved it! It was everything I wanted, and more! From there, I found Robin Schone, Shannon McKenna, and the wonderful Angela Knight. Angela Knight was the real eye opener for me; she packaged everything I love best in fiction (weres, vamps, sci-fi, erotica) into one book. That was all it took, LOLOL, I haven't gone back to general romantic fiction since.

No, I didn't expect my career to take off like it has, not even in the slightest, ROFL! I wasn't really sure any publisher would want to take a chance on an erotic romance, with heavy BDSM elements, in which the main characters were a notable Archangel of Christian mythology and the daughter of Satan. Moreover, I was afraid some of the themes in A Christmas Journey would put some readers off. I didn't shy away from some really bad things happening to the heroine in that story, nor did I shy away from including babies in the story. I am so proud of all of my work, and I think A Christmas Journey more so than the Heaven and Hell series. Mostly because I have gotten so much overwhelming support and gratitude from fans who were really moved by the book and absolutely loved the characters. It does something to an author, when you realize that what you've written can have a deep impact on a reader, that you have managed to write something they found themselves so enthralled by that they, as a reader, are moved emotionally by the story you are telling. There isn't anything like it, LOL.

Kyla: You have written in different sub-genres. What is your favourite to write in and why? Who are your favourite characters?

Emma Ray: Wow, that's a tough one. I have to say I love writing in any sub-genre where I can make up the rules, as I like, LOLOL! By that, I mean I adore the Sidhe. There is so much history there, human history, which I find fascinating. However, writing in my angels and demons world has allowed me to create some twists and turns on old legends, letting me incorporate vampires, magi, and weres into a world that at first seems to be just angels and demons.

My favorite characters? LOLOL, Kyla, that's a mean question! Okay, if I'm being honest, then I have to say the Archangel Michael and his mate, the vampire Gemma Joyce, are my favorite creations. Gemma is a lot like me, and Michael is patient, strong, and calm. He is the perfect foil to Gemma's head strong, high-strung, angry personality. Well that, and he is an absolute hunk, if I do say so myself, and an awesome Alpha in the sack, ROFL!

Kyla: Would you like to try something different with your writing? If you would, what would that be?

Emma Ray: If you mean would I like to try writing some deep, likely esoteric, contemplation on life or the like, then no. I love writing what I write, but what I love more is that when readers pick up a book of mine, they know they will be swept away into my world. Their own trials and tribulations can fade away for a time. Don't mistake me, there isn't anything wrong with writing works with strong sub-text and metaphorical meaning. I have the utmost respect for authors who do that with their gift. And like I said above, knowing you have an impact on your fans is the ultimate satisfaction for a writer, in my opinion. However, for me, I like fiction and I plan to stick with it, LOLOL. I love it, and if you toss in some hot sex and great action, well even better, LOL!

If you mean try something new in the realm of erotic fiction, then my answer is a resounding yes! Depending on how it plays out, one way or the other, I plan to start a series of preternatural law enforcement personnel. Some of the characters are like black ops soldiers and agents; some of the characters are police officers and detectives. Nevertheless, the one thing they all have in common is that they aren't human.

Kyla: Tell us who your favourite authors are, do you have any recommendations about books we just have to read?

Emma Ray: LOLOL, my favorite authors, huh? It's a really long list! At the top of it, right now, is Michael Gruber. He wrote Tropic of Night and Valley of Bones both of which I highly recommend. They aren't erotic fiction, but don't let that dissuade you from reading him. Now, my favorite as far as erotic fiction goes, well, Angela Knight is at the top of the list. She's an auto buy for me, no matter the format her work comes in. Robin Schone and Thea Devine as well. I absolutely adore your Catari Heat series, and Marteeka Karland is fantastic for a good laugh. Dakota Cassidy, Silvia Violet, Lexxie Couper, Jet Mykles (man I LOVE her Dark Elves series from Loose Id!!!) Barbara Karmazin (fantastic sci-fi erotica) and Morgan Hawke. See, I have barely touched the surface and the list is already out of control, ROFL!

If you haven't read Lexxie's newest book, The Boundaries: Assassin you are really missing out!! I totally want Jai'Enna's power! Silvia's new one, Shifters Station 1: Pilot's Bargain is also fantastic! I want that table, ROFL!

Kyla: Please tell us where we can purchase your fabulous books and where we can find out all about your latest news.

Emma Ray: You can purchase my books either directly from Changeling Press, or I have links to the books on my website on the My Books page.

You can find out my latest news, read my blog, and all that other fun stuff at my website: http://www.freewebs.com/emma_ray_garrett.

Or at my yahoo loop http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/emmaraygarrett. I also really enjoy reader mail, so fans can feel free to write me at emmaraygarrett@yahoo.com.

Thank you to Emma Ray for her interview answers. Look out for an interview with author Alexis Fleming in April.

Watch this space for further announcements of who will be interviewed next.

Kyla