Interview with Ann Christine

Hi! Thanks so much for coming today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My bio is a tad boring, conservative and probably too serious. Hobbies are so abundant, I don't have time for them all, including knitting, needle point, walking, jazzercise, reading, and… I know I'll think of some more. Swimming has been a part of my life since, well, forever. I think for that reason most of my books have a deliciously sinful water scene. June 2011 I retired from my career as a high school math teacher. Now my days are spent, mostly at my computer, writing and editing. Most days I take time off to exercise and spend some time with one of my hobbies.I have two granddaughters who are absolutely delightful, full of spunk and many surprises. The oldest is two and of course her favorite word is "No." or "No way." Funny, sometimes even when she wants something she says, no.
Tell us a bit about your book.
The setting of Safari Moon is the Alaskan wilderness although the story begins in Bend, Oregon. Our hero, Solo (Steven Oliver Lawrence O'Neil) is a wealthy adventurist. He lives on the edge and loves taking risks. Until he is blindsided by his grandfather's conniving manipulation to set him on course to the altar, he is carefree and worry free. He loves willing, eager and able women but confronted with a bevy of women who fit that description, he runs. But it seems even the Alaskan wilderness isn't far enough away.
Is this part of a series?
Safari Moon was originally meant to be the first book in a three books series. Don't know if I will finish the last two. These books are a bit down on my to do list.
What did you find the hardest part of writing it to be?
The heroine, Nyssa, is engaged at the beginning of the book. The most difficult part was justifying her role in Solo's deception. I don't really want to say more… 
What was your favorite part?
I love the wolves and the photography. I've always wanted to shoot wildlife and have always been a bit jealous of those who could fly off at a moment's notice to parts unknown. Solo has the ability to pick and choose his photo assignments and seems to always choose exotic local.
Rate your story in terms of steaminess
Safari Moon should definitely use animals for its rating system.Dragon: Hottest, roaring, fire breathing hot. Over the top, a 5 eroticaLion: Darn hot, absolutely steamy love scenes. Of course a 4 ratingWolf: Is it a wolf in sheep's clothing? Absolutely, leaves the reader breathless and panting. Could be a 3 rating or maybe even 3.5 rating. Cat: Pretty tame. Many of the scenes are behind closed doors. For someone who loves a sweet romance and the power of suggestion.Chameleon: Okay, might have a love scene, but probably not. Reader knows there is romance. Love scenes left entirely to the imagination.So what is Safari Moon? I'd like to use the wolf because that was the animal Solo was shooting pictures of but it is really pretty steamy. Lion rating.
Who is your favorite romance author?
I have a list of favorites, can never nail it down to one. I love Stella Cameron's romances, Heather Graham, Johanna Lindsey and I do like Jo Goodman.
What is your favorite romance book or series?
Again a very hard one. All of the ladies above have romance series. I've read most of them more than 5 times. And if I had the time I'd start one right now. Sigh…unfortunately my to do list is way too long.
Who is your favorite romance character? If you could go on a date with that person, what would you do? Details please! *wink*
I have to say Hawke from Highland Honor. He has a gorgeous ship named the Aphrodite. I would go on board with him and after setting sail to a warm port in the Caribbean we would have a very romantic dinner and a night fillied with passionate love making. Once in the warm waters, say somewhere near Santorini we would go for a swim in the moonlight and let the warm water wash over our naked bodies. There is absolutely nothing steamier than making love in the water.
Boxers or Briefs?
Well, I would have to say briefs in the form of a speedo. Have you ever really looked at the Olympic swimmers in there wonderful speedos? Of course Solo has an athletic body and what does he wear? Hmm… I would have to say speedo-like briefs.
What is next for you?
I belong to a writing group called Rogues Angels. We are embarking on a May Day Anthology to be published in 2013 on May Day. It will be lots of fun to be able to incorporate pagan rituals with the fae folk.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Solo—Drop dead gorgeous and intelligent too. He was never quite sure how to wrap his head around both characteristics.Nyssa—I could spend a What are your favorite parts about each other?
Solo—Her faithfulness. He knows he can always count on Nyssa to help him out of tight situations.Nyssa—How carefree Solo is. She would love to be able to put her responsibilities to the back of her mind and enjoy an adventure without feeling guilty.
What's next for you?
Besides the anthology mentioned above I will be publishing Rebel Heart which will be my first erotica.  It is set in the future and I had a lot of fun creating this world. It will be published June of this year.
Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children.  Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.
Website:  http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/Rogues Angels blog:    http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Young/350132315013316Twitter   http://twitter.com/#!/achristayPublis...  http://shop.roguephoenixpress.ieasysi...
Solo St. John, a wildlife photographer, is preparing for a trip to Alaska.  Suddenly, Solo finds women of all sorts invading his privacy, his home and his office, all cooing nonsense words and blatantly throwing themselves at him.  Solo doesn't know why, and he has no idea how to rid himself of the persistent women.  He finally decides to beg a favor of his best buddy Nyssa Harrington.  Safari Moon Excerpt 1
Wanted: A professional wildlife photographer to take pictures in the Alaskan wilderness. Experience first hand a real safari moon. Call(555)381-1252 or send resumes to 2286 Main, Suite 2D Bend, Oregon.
Solo St. John was in the middle of an erotic dream about his buddy, Nyssa Harrington, when the click of his front door shutting brought him to instant alert mode. 
Solo looked up, caught a flashing glimpse of a good deal of naked flesh; long legs, perfectly rounded derriere, and a waist he could span with his hands. The intruder's long blond hair curled around her shoulders an inch above the ties of her bikini top.
Then he saw the skunk. He blinked twice.
This woman and the skunk were not the subject of his brief and very strange dream, a fantasy that made his mind speed along at sixty in a residential zone. This was someone he had never seen before and he resented the intrusion.
"Hello," she cooed seductively from his living room. "Will you come out and play?"
The skunk stuck a black and white head around the open door to his bedroom. A second later the animal turned and lifted his tail before disappearing into the living room.
Solo was out of bed and pulling on his jeans before the count of five. Yet in that short time, the lady in question, along with the skunk that was now exploring his fireplace hearth, had taken over his living room.
The lithe, supple blond sported an expensive camera, and all the while the lady in question babbled nonsense words.
"I'm willing, able, and eager." She posed for him, a pose meant to entice.



Ann is giving away 
* A Safari Moon bookmark to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop. * ebook copy of The Gift (part of A Valentine Anthology) and Star Crossed (part of St. Patricks Day anthology) to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
* One commenter during the tour will win the right to have a character named for them in her next release--either Ghost Dance (a western historical romance) or Rebel Heart (science-fiction romance)
* Two randomly drawn commenters during the tour will each win a $25.00 GC to Starbucks

Be sure to follow the tour here.