Debra Mullins!!!

Get Lost in This Story…

Having already been deceived by a heartless fiancé, Genevieve Wallington-Willis knows better than to trust any man—which is why her attraction to John Ready is so very disturbing. Though devilishly handsome, he is far too mysterious—and a humble coachman, no less! But one inadvertent kiss and Genevieve is lost.

John dares not reveal his true identity to anyone or it's the gallows for certain! He must concentrate on clearing his name—and prevent the fiend who sullied it, the notorious Raventhorpe, from working his evil on another innocent victim. But being this close to the clever, courageous, and exquisite Miss Wallington-Willis is driving him to distraction. And surrendering to his desire—not to mention to love—may prove the most dangerous risk of all.

I am thrilled to host fellow historical author, Debra Mullins, on the blog today.

Born in New York City as the oldest of four sisters, Debra Mullins moved to New Jersey with her family when she was 4 years old and lived there most of her life. She wrote her first historical romance during her seventh grade English class. That story went on to become her first published novel, Once a Mistress.

Since the publication of her first novel in 1999, Mullins has written a total of 14 historical romances for Avon Books. She has been nominated for awards in some of the most prestigious writing contests for romance writers, such as the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart® and RITA® awards, and the Virginia Romance Writers' Holt Medallion. In 2003 she won the New Jersey Romance Writers' Golden Leaf Award for Best Historical for her book A Necessary Bride.

Recently she accepted an offer from Tor books to write a contemporary paranormal trilogy, the first of which hits the shelves in August 2012. An avid computer geek, Debra lives in California with her family.

Isn’t that the most fascinating bio? Well, there’s more to come. Let’s get right to The Get Lost Interview…

Heather: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Debra: The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara

Heather: How often to you get lost in a story?

Debra: All the time. Everything is a story, every book, TV show, movie, conversation

Heather: What turns you off like nothing else?

Debra: Entitlement, people who feel they can break the rules that everyone else is expected to follow.

Heather: Where do you read and how often?

Debra: I read everywhere, every chance I get. Lately I have been reading a lot in the car on the way to work, especially since I got my Kindle. I carpool, so I’m not driving! <G>

Heather: What sound or noise do you love?

Debra: Rain on the roof on a day when I don’t have to go out in it. <G>

Heather: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

Debra: Yes, I write while listening to music. This was a habit I developed when my children were little and we had a small apartment with my computer in the living room. I’d write at night when my husband came home, and headphones helped shut out the TV. <G>The type of music varies depending on the book I am writing and the mood I am trying to create on the page.

Heather: What was the first story you remember writing?

Debra: A pirate novel entitled Vagabond Love that I wrote in 7^th grade. That book eventually developed into my first published novel, Once A Mistress, which will soon be re-released as an e-book by Samhain Publishing.

Heather: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

Debra: I actually have a day job in technical support, so I think I would follow that career path.

Heather: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

Debra: Sit in front of the TV. Since I work full time, I spend a lot of evenings writing my books. Being able to watch a marathon of Buffy or Angel or NCIS is my idea of heaven.

Heather: What is your favorite tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on or did pass on to your children?

Debra: Corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day while The Quiet Man is on TV.

Heather: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Debra: Yes, I read reviews, usually around the time the book is due out. While I try not to internalize the negative stuff, seeing the same comment in several reviews might help me learn as a writer.

Heather: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Debra: Never coffee, always tea. Black tea, not herbal, with milk (not cream!) and Splenda.

Heather: Have you ever written a character who wasn’t meant to be a hero/heroine but he/she wouldn’t go away?

Debra: There were two, and they both ended up in the same book: Jedidiah Brown and Susannah Calhoun from The Lawman’s Surrender (which also will be released in e-format from Samhain in the near future). Both of them were supposed to be walk-on characters. Well, they walked on and never walked off!

Heather: What is your favorite cheese?

Debra: Fresh mozzarella

Heather: Dog person or cat person?

Debra: Cat person, though I like dogs, too.

Heather: Which is your favorite language other than your native language?

Debra: I love French. I was a language nerd in high school (I speak four, counting English), and I got to spend a summer as an exchange student in Provence when I was sixteen. French will always hold a special place in my heart.

Heather’s GOTTA ASK – Debra’s GOTTA ANSWER J

Heather: So, I noticed on your website that we have something in common: a secret desire to be a torch singer! So set the scene for us…if voice were no object, where would you sing, what would you wear and most importantly, what song would you choose?

Debra: I love to sing, but hate to stand on a stage in front of people! But in my fantasy I wear a slinky, silky evening dress (and have the body to rock it!), and I’d sing some bluesy number like “Why Don’t You Do Right?” or “Crazy.” Maybe in a dimly lit piano bar or blues club.

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

Debra: What is the one thing you can’t resist in a hero? For me, it’s secret identities J

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?**

Debra: I am giving away a set of the first two books of the Nevarton Chase series, which includes Tempting A Proper Lady and Too Wicked To Love.

Thanks so much for being with us today, Debra! Where can your fans learn more about you on the web?

Website: www.debramullins.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/debramullins

Facebook: www.facebook.com/debramullins

**Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North American addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Join us tomorrow when Cat hosts Susan Sey!