Interview: Karenna Colcraft

I'm pleased to welcome Karenna Colcroft to Nights of Passion. Her latest publication is You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This from Pink Petal books. Catch up with Karenna on her website and be sure to follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

What inspired You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This?

The Toby Keith song of the same name was the first inspiration. There's a line in the song about "lost on the dance floor, spinning around," and that made me think of dance instructors, for some reason. My husband used to be a West Coast Swing dance instructor, and a competitive dancer, so that cemented the story idea in my head. The hero, Stefan, is based on hubby.

How wonderful! Handy to have inspiration so close to hand. What started you writing romance?

It was a challenge from a friend of mine almost five years ago. He was helping me deal with some stuff, and as part of that he challenged me to write something showing "sex in a positive light." I wrote an erotic romance scene, was surprised at how well I did with it, and I was hooked. (That scene ended up being part of my paranormal romance novel Eternal Love, which is available from Pink Petal Books.)

How did you develop your craft?

I've been writing stories since I was five years old, so it's been a combination of practice, joining writers' groups and taking tips from more experienced authors, and paying attention to my editors' notes.

What's sexy?

Intelligence and a sense of humor. Caring about your partner.

What makes you laugh?

My husband. He has a very quirky sense of humor, and he's told me that he loves to hear me laugh, so he's constantly doing or saying something weird or funny to get me laughing.

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

Frequently. As I mentioned, Stefan in You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This is based on my husband, as is Micah, the hero in my next Pink Petal release Their Home Port, and Corin, one of the two heroes in myupcoming Passion In Print release Shiny Objects. Several of my heroines are based on me, at least in part, and I occasionally have characters who are based on friends of mine.

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

I'm supposed to have a life outside writing? Seriously, I try to stick to a schedule as far as when I'm working vs. when I'm spending time with my family. On school days, I stay away from the computer while my kids are getting ready for school and I spend an hour or so with them after they get home. During the weekends that they're home, I make plans with each of them for a one-on-one mom-daughter event. Every night, I try to be off the computer by 6 p.m. I do have a day job, but it's part-time, very flexible, and I can often get some writing work done while I'm there.

What's the most common mistake people make about you?

I'm very shy and pretty awkward socially, so a lot of people think I'm stand-offish. Really it's just that I'm not quite sure what to say to people.

What ambitions do you have ahead of you?

Keep writing, keep being published. Hopefully find an agent for a couple of projects that don't quite fit into the romance genre.

What's the best advice you ever received?

A quote from a friend of mine when I was dealing with health issues: "I learned at a young age not to worry about things beyond my control, and you are allowing yourself to wallow in it. You are a very intelligent woman. Act like it. The 'victim' does not become you."

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

I'd love to spend a week or two in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

My favourite part of the world for sure. What's next for you?

My next release from Ellora's Cave, a Quickie titled Hear Me, See Me, comes out February 24. My next Pink Petal release, a full-length novel called Their Home Port, comes out March 3. I have contracts (but no release dates yet) for three other projects: The Eye Is the Mirror of the Soul is a fantasy novella for Pink Petal Books's "Spellbound Treasure" line. Shiny Objects is an MFM novel from Passion In Print Press. Salad on the Side is a M/M shifter romance from MLR Press.

Excerpt:

Outside the studio, Erin took a few deep breaths. If going home had been an

option, she would have. Her lie about the headache had begun to turn to truth,

and no one would mind if she didn't stay for the entire two-hour dance. She didn't

want to leave, though. She wanted to dance. Dancing had always helped clear

her mind.

For the next two hours, she stayed on her feet, moving through the basic

West Coast steps with some of the students from that night's class, and through

more elaborate steps with some of the regulars. The music captured her mind as

it always did, and she nearly forgot how upset she'd been.

She expected Stefan to ask her to dance. He didn't. Each time she spotted

him, he was either dancing with someone else or standing near the stereo talking

to some of the regulars. Of course, he would dance with her if she asked, she

knew that. Nearly every class night, she asked him to dance, and he never

turned her down.

Tonight, she didn't want to be the one doing the asking.

Shortly before the end of the night, he finally worked his way over to

her. "Thought you planned to dance with me," he said.

"I've been waiting." She grinned. "What did you think, I'd throw myself at your

feet and beg? You want to dance, ask me right, buster."

He laughed and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

"Certainly."

She let him lead her onto the floor. When the next song began, so did their

movements, as if the music controlled their bodies. Dancing with Stefan here was

even better than in class. In this setting, they had no limitations on the steps they

could do. He led her through advanced steps and variations, and she didn't miss

a beat.

Some of the students nearby stopped to watch. Erin barely noticed. She kept

her eyes only on Stefan, holding his gaze with her own. A small smile touched

his lips, and something kindled in his eyes. Something she hadn't seen there

before.

He spun her into his arms. Instead of releasing her, he kissed her.

Startled, she looked up at him. Before she managed to speak, he returned

to the dance, spinning her back to arms' length and then leading her through

another sequence of basic steps before spinning himself under her arm. He was

tall enough that he needed to duck, which brought laughter from those watching.

The song ended, and he walked her back to the side of the floor. "Thank

you."

"You're welcome." She narrowed her eyes. "What did you do?"

"Um, it's called West Coast Swing. You know, the dance we teach here?"

She shook her head. "You know what I mean. You shouldn't kiss me like

that. Everyone saw."

"And that's a problem?" He lowered his voice. "I shouldn't kiss you, huh?"

"Not unless you mean it." Her heart fluttered. Surely he hadn't meant

anything.

"Who says I don't?" He grinned. "See you on Tuesday, Erin."

Without waiting for her response, he walked out the door.

Filed under: Author Interviews, C. Margery Kempe, Characters, contemporary romance, erotic romance, Interview, Kit Marlowe, romance, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics