Welcome, Ms James, to Love Romances and More. We are excited to have the opportunity to speak with 

you and learn more about your work. 

How long have you been writing?  When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

I began to seriously consider writing in the early 1990’s as a member of the Log Cabin Literary Society while 

working in Idaho.   That would make it about fourteen years now.  I joined RWA and Northern Arizona RWA 

in July of 2001 and from there the idea of being published blossomed.

From your website, www.cierrajamesauthor.com I see you have a large family, seven siblings. Did growing up 

with such a large family influence your writing?  

My family did have some influence on me.  My mother’s strength was particularly significant because she 

kept us all together under the hardest of circumstances.  Also, so many different personalities give one a 

great insight to character development. 

What influenced you to get published?  How long did it take you to get your first book published? 

NARWA was my biggest influence.  From start to finish of my first project I would say a little over two years.

What is the first book you had published? Is it still available for purchase?

My first book was published under the title “Now I Promise” which is now being republished and under 

contract by another publisher.  It will be reissued under the name “Deadly Connection”.

Often a writer’s first book is the toughest to write.  Was this true for you?  If so, what helped you get through 

it?  If it wasn’t the first, which one was the most difficult to write?  

My first book was definitely the hardest to write.  I took many universities classes on writing novels.  I also 

met with a critique partner on a weekly basis.  That experience was invaluable. 

Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write?  Do their lives sometimes take over a part 

of your life?  Can you name an example?

I live with each heroine as I develop my stories.  Jenna, in my first book almost took me over.  Her personality 

reminds me of myself as a younger person.

Who leads the direction of your books, you or your characters? Do you find your characters have minds of 

their own at times?

My hero and heroine definitely lead my stories.  Once the plot is formed they go where they need to go to 

get to the end.

Congratulations on your book LETHAL INTENT now available from The Wild Rose Press 

WWW.THEWILDROSEPRESS.COM How did you come up with the idea for this book? From your time working in 

Health Care Management help you with the pharmaceutical aspects of LETHAL INTENT?

The pharmaceutical aspects of Lethal Intent are minimal.  I wanted my hero to have a different career 

from the normal private investigator in most romantic suspense.  I actually researched the life of a 

biochemist and gave him an unusual event that changed his everyday life.

Can you give us a blurb for LETHAL INTENT to familiarize our readers as to what the story is about?

Lethal Intent is my second book and is based on the oldest Rawlins brother, Carter.  The following the blurb 

from my book.

When assistant to head bio-chemist Carter Rawlins is found slumped over a microscope at Everlast 

Pharmaceuticals, Carter is forced by management to go undercover to flush out the recent theft of a 

proposed high profit drug formula.  A lead sends him to a location in a small town in Colorado. But first 

he must attend his brother’s wedding in northern Arizona.  There he meets vivacious, outspoken redhead, 

Rebecca Jordan, R.N. He knows she is unaware it is her clinic under investigation. 

In your book Now I Promise we met Cole Rawlins. Cole made an appearance in LETHAL INTENT whose 

leading man is Cole’s brother Carter. How did you get the idea for a connection of these two stories?

It was my plan to write three separate stories of the Rawlins brothers, Cole, Carter, and Nicholas.  Cole’s 

story was the first.  He is the middle brother. 

Again, can you give us an idea what NOW I PROMISE is about?

Now I Promise will be reissued under another publisher as Deadly Connection.        

Jenna Masters is celebrating a rare night out with friends.  A chance encounter on the dance floor 
with a ruggedly handsome man begins a reconnection to a past she thought was behind her.  Unaware 

that she is about to be thrown into the center of a major business storm, Jenna finds the stranger 

irresistible with an unforgettable smile.

Do you focus on writing one book at a time, or do you have more than one project going on at a time?

Being a new author I like to focus on one project at a time and give it my utmost attention.  Although I 

do keep a list of other ideas as they surface.

Have you ever suffered from "writer’s block"?  If so, what did you do to get out if it?

I guess I haven’t suffered it yet.  Once my plot is formed I make a simple outline of beginning, middle and 

end and take off.

Have you always written in the romantic suspense genre? What drew you romantic suspense? Is there 

another genre you wish to try your hand at?

Romantic suspense is my only genre at the moment.  I love adding a paranormal twist to it.  Gothic 

romance has always interested me.  One day I may give it a try. 

Are you working on anything right now and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?

My project at the moment is Nicholas Rawlins story.  He’s a loveable ladies man with several degrees.  

This story calls him to Italy where he meets a woman he can’t resist.  A change for him, since he’s a self 

imposed bachelor.  Together they become involved in a hair-raising suspense that changes both of their 

lives.

Can you tell us a little about your career in Health Care Management? Do you still have a career outside 

of writing?

I began my career in health care working in the clinical aspect of a medical office.  After several years of 

patient care I was give the opportunity to follow the management trail which proved to be a happy and 

successful career.  At the present I am devoted to writing full time. 

Congratulations on your memberships with Romance Writers of America, Northern Arizona RWA, 

Gothic RWA, Desert Rose RWA, and EPIC. Can you tell us a little about these organizations and your 

participation?

I joined RWA national in 2001 and then became a member of NARWA where I served as the treasurer for 

four years.  I participate on the loops of Gothic RWA and Epic.  I joined Desert Rose in May of 2007.

Are you an avid reader? If so, what are your favorite genres and authors?

I am an avid reader.  My favorite genre’s are historical romance, gothic romance and of course romantic 

suspense.  I particularly love Mary Balough, Heather Graham/Shannon Drake, and many others.

What is your favorite way of relaxation? How do you spend your “down time”?

I spend my “down time” creating sewing projects especially boutique jackets.

If money time, or anything else were no object, where would you go to write your next book and why?

Italy.  I am doing research for my current project and I am living it virtually for my characters and plot.

Do you have anything to add?

It has been a pleasure to share some of my life aspects with all of you.  I thank you for your interview and 

invitation.  Many blessings to all.

Thank you so much for spending time with us at Love Romances and More. We wish you the greatest 

success in all of your future endeavors.