Interview with Mary Abshire

Mary Abshire is the author of Claiming the Evil Dead from Noble Romance. She's also a Pro member of RWA and the Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal Chapter. Friend her on Facebook!

If you were a book, what would your tagline be?

She's a hot-blood half-demon. He's a cold-blooded vampire. Sending evil souls to Hell has never been more dangerous, or steamy.

That sounds very appealing! What inspired Claiming the Evil Dead?

I love struggles with good vs. evil. I also love vampire books but I didn't want to write solely about vampires. I wanted something different. I wanted a character who struggles with…her inner demon, kind of like we all do at times. Add a vampire and a demon, and my imagination went wild.

What started you writing romance?

Reading romance books.

So many writers start the same way. How did you develop your craft?

Reading and writing every day. I went to the RWA conference. I've taken a few classes on line from authors. Getting critiques helps.

It sure does. What makes a great heroine?

Solid morals, creativity, emotion, not being afraid to take the leap, looking out for others. A bad ass with a heart and sense of humor!

What's sexy?

The guy on my cover. (Thanks, Fiona).

Fiona rocks! I love her covers for me, too. What makes you laugh?

Oh, where do I begin… when I make silly mistakes, falling, bumping into things, silly stuff people do…

Do you ever incorporate real people or events into your stories?

Not events or people, but I do use real places. Sometimes I change the details a bit.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

Sometimes, it is difficult, but I've made writing a priority in my life. For me, it's all about prioritizing things. I'll admit, sometimes I put off vacuuming and other chores if I'm engrossed in writing. Better done late than never.

Hee — my thought is better never. But I'm a slob. What's the most common mistake people make about you?

People think I'm shy. (Sh!)

What ambitions do you have ahead of you?

Well, I'd like to build a strong reader base. I'd like to keep the soul catcher series going and get my Urban Fantasy romance series out. I'd like to explore other fantasy romance series or stand alone books as well. I have plenty of ideas, just not enough time (sigh).

What's the best advice you ever received?

Don't let rejections get to me. And they don't!!

Very wise. If money were no object, what would be your ideal vacation?

Traveling the world.

I'm with you. What's next for you?

I'm finishing the third Soul Catcher novel. I'll start the forth next. Then I'd like to start the sequel to my UF novel.

Here's a sexy excerpt:

Knowing I would have to leave soon, I headed to the bar for one last drink.

Weaving my way through the clusters of people standing around and talking, I reached the end of the bar. I sat on a round stool and waited for one of the bartenders to look my way. One more drink, and then I'd leave.

"Well–well–well. If it isn't the devil in disguise," a masculine voice said from my

right.

I swiveled on my stool. "Excuse me?" I politely asked.

A smile inched across my face while I gaped at the tall man with caramel colored

eyes and short, light-brown hair standing close to me. Though he had a somewhat big nose that—if I guessed—had probably been broken one too many times, he held a strong and commanding look.

"Can I offer you a drink?" he asked as he removed money from his pocket. A hint

of dynamism laced his deep voice.

My gaze lingered on his large chest and bulging muscles, clearly displayed

beneath his tight, black T-shirt. The man was huge. Heat from the core of my belly flamed with the intensity of a grease fire. My temperature kicked up several degrees, and my body felt an electrical charge. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face if I'd tried.

"Sure. I'll take a drink, if you're offering," I replied, heart thudding against my

chest. How could I refuse such an alluring man, er, offer?

He wedged his large body between the neighboring stool and me. Arm extended

over the counter with a bill tucked between his fingers, he called out, "Bartender."

"Yes?" the young bartender asked.

"Two shots, your strongest." My hot friend ordered.

My eyes enlarged, seeing a tattoo on his arm. A gray and black snake coiled

around his muscle and extended along the inside of his arm. Past his mid forearm, the mouth of the snake stretched open and sharp, white fangs dripped from the upper gum. A thin, red tongue stretched out of the mouth to the center of his wrist.

"My name is Jeremy," he said, scooting one of the shot glasses my way.

"I'm Jessie," I replied, accepting the drink. Keeping my eyes on him, I gulped the

shot and lowered the glass, wincing. Jeremy did the same minus the wince.

"Jessie . . . you smell . . . ." He paused, inhaling. "Delightful." He looked

bewildered, but with a pleasant grin.

I smell delightful? Well, at least it was better than saying I had BO. For a second, I

wondered what his definition of delightful was. Then my thoughts floated out to sea from the liquor and I no longer cared how delightful I smelled.

"I haven't seen you here before."

My lips pulled into a new playful smile. "I'm visiting with a friend."

"Where's your friend?"

"Waiting for me outside," I said, gazing into his radiant eyes.

"Then you don't mind if I keep you company." He flirted.

"I'd prefer it." I flirted too.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, fantasy romance, Noble Romance, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, Romance suspense, RWA, urban fantasy, vampire books, vampires, Writer's Life