Interview with Patti Shenberger

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Patti Shenberger. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Mistletoe Seductions.Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Mistletoe Seductions is the third novella in The Zodiac Club series, published by eXtasy Books. Evie Weston is a store decorator and finds herself having a very happy holiday season with the twin security officers at her new job. While it is a happy ending, it’s one you will not see coming. I love to take my books and turn the ending up on its head.

Mistletoe Seductions is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

I have been using Seductions in all the novellas as the last word and wanted something that sounded festive since it was a December release. Earlier releases were Midnight Seductions, Candid Seductions and now Mistletoe Seductions.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I love writing romance. To me there is nothing more wonderful than the happily ever after. I read it and I write it! My past romance novels include historical time travel, paranormal, contemporary, erotic, and magazine length non fiction. You name it, I’ve probably written it.

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I am a panster, but I do make notes longhand when I am writing if an idea for a later chapter comes to me. For me, plotting is like locking something in, and I want the freedom to be able to swing left if the mood strikes, rather than always having to maintain a straight and narrow course.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

For The Zodiac Club, I needed to research astrological signs. Each heroine’s characteristics are based on her zodiac sign and I wanted her actions and reactions to mirror that. I used Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs for this series. I love to type in whatever topic I am trying to learn more about into Google and see where it leads me. You never know what you might turn up. But that being said, you do have to careful to make sure what you are using is true. Readers will know and they will let you know. (G)

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I wanted to set the book around the holidays, but really didn’t have a game plan in mind. The idea came to me after we returned from vacation. I started thinking about having Evie come back from vacation to a new job. Add in hunky security men in uniforms and voila. The makings of a very good holiday, if I do say so myself.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I think my favorite character was Isabella, my heroine in the first book, Midnight Seductions. She is a late night love doctor dj, and has yet to practice what she preaches. In rides the hot doctor on a Harley and she has her hands full wanting to indulge in her own advice.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

I really don’t do a lot of predevelopment on my characters. The most I put on paper before I start writing is their name, age, hair color, eye color and body description. Since the novella is so much shorter than a full book, I don’t have a lot of room to get into too much description of her, but I do want the reader to get a feel for her.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

There are so many authors that I read, but my favorites (at this moment in time) are anything by Jude Deveraux, Debbie Macomber, Maureen Child, Annie West, Trish Wylie, Susan Mallery, Starr Ambrose, Michelle Celmer. The list goes on and on. I also read a lot of biographies as well as pretty much any topic that catches my eye.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I think having a web page and talking with readers is the best thing you can do. Blogs, interviews, chats all give the reader an insight into you, what you write, and whether it’s something they would like to read. Word of mouth is also a great tool. The more people you tell, the more familiar they are with your work. And here where the chocolate is so yummy, and this chair is fabulous. I love the deep heat massage it has, where ever did you get it??? I'll never tell KW

What do we have to look forward next?

Right now I am plugging forward on a manuscript that Silhouette Desire has and would like to see revisions on. I am also working on another book, a paranormal that I hope to shop around by spring.

Thanks, Patti!

To celebrate her book release, Patti is offering a free book of Mistletoe Seductions to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see who won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Check out author’s website at http://www.pattishenberger.com/

Buy . http://www.extasybooks.net/ebjmsite/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=ebook_flypage&product_id=6920&category_id=31&manufacturer_id=148&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=50