This month we have the opportunity to speak with author Kate Pearce.  Welcome to Love Romances and More.  Please make yourself comfortable and tell us a bit about yourself. 

Thank you for inviting me. Ooh you have tea! 

When did you decide that you wanted to be an author? 

I think I always told stories. I always preferred my imaginary world to the real one and got into a lot of trouble at school for day dreaming. 

How did you go about making this goal a reality? 

In 2000 I had one of those brushes with my own mortality that makes you think. I made a list of all the things I would regret not having done and one of them was writing a full length novel. I loved history (I have an M.A. in history) so I decided to start there. 

What is the most useful piece of advice for an aspiring author? 

Try and find a little time every day to write so that you get into the habit of doing it and keep reading! 

What was your first published book and can you tell us about the call from the publisher accepting your work? 

My first published book was for Ellora’s Cave in Nov 05. It was a Regency-set erotic romance called Eden’s Pleasure. I got an email on a rainy Sunday afternoon, four months after submitting the full ms.  I’m thinking, editors don’t work on Sunday do they? 

You write under the sub genres of historical, futuristic, and contemporary erotic romance.  Which do you find easiest to write and why? 

I love my erotic historicals, I think I must have lived in that time period. I’ve always had a huge crush on Mr. Darcy from P&P, particularly the Colin Firth version. The contemporaries are easier, although I have to work hard not to let my Britishism’s creep in there! Futuristics are fun because anything goes! 

Are there other genres or sub genres that you would like to try your hand at? 

Well I’d love to write a big fat historical but I don’t have much time at the moment! 

Congratulations on your new release this month, WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE with Virgin Cheek.  Many of us are fond of cowboy heroes.  What would you say is their appeal? 

I’m originally from the UK and I spent a lot of my childhood watching American cowboys. I think that spoiled me for life. One of the first things I did after moving here was learn to ride Western style and meet a few real cowboys. Personally I think I like cowboys because they tend to be men of few words who are great with their hands. Watching a man work with a horse is just magical… 

Having had the privilege of reading your book, I must say that the romance was charming in its own right.  You also have a variety of sex scenes for Grayson and Lauren to explore.  How difficult is it for you to write such scenes? 

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I never have any problem writing the sex scenes. They reflect the characters desires and if you know your characters then it’s not difficult to imagine them being intimate with each other. 

Do you tend to plot your books or do you allow the characters to take you where they will? 

I don’t really plot. I’m a complete pantster. I love being surprised by my characters. I love watching them develop and discover things about themselves as we go along. 

Did your cowboy and his lady love surprise you during the course of the writing? 

Yes, Grayson my cowboy surprised me because he was willing to put up with a lot of irritating behavior from Lauren, the heroine. But I realized that he was at peace with himself and able to see quite clearly what he wanted and how he might get it. 

What are you currently working on and can you share anything regarding it at this time?  Are there more cowboys in your future? 

I just delivered the first of two erotic Regency romances to Kensington Aphrodisia. I believe it’s going to be called Simply Sexual. I have no idea when it will come out, probably next year. I’m very excited to be writing for Kensington. I also have another cowboy book coming out at the end of the year from Virgin Cheek called Roping the Wind which features Grayson’s half-brother Jay. 

What would we find on your keeper shelf?   

Georgette Heyer, Linda Howard, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Christine Feehan, Diana Gabaldon, J. R. Ward, Suzanne Brockmann, Catherine Asaro, Ian McEwan. 

Are there any authors or books that have influenced your writing? 

Linda Howard was a big influence on me, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Lowell-and all the writers above.  

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Spare time? I don’t have much! I have 3 teenage sons and a 5 year old daughter who take up a considerable amount of my time. I love to go horseback riding or take my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Hunter out for a walk. 

Please describe a normal day in your life. 

Get up, get the three boys off to school, (Not an easy task), wake husband (he works from home as well) and daughter up and take her to preschool if its one of her days. Check emails, websites and blogs. Pick up daughter and have lunch with her. Put her up for a ‘nap’. Get writing. Pick up boys, help with homework, take dog for a walk, cook dinner, collapse into chair with a glass of wine, check email one last time and fall into bed! 

What has been your greatest accomplishment in life so far? 

Not sure if this is my accomplishment but I’d like to hope I’ve had a small part in it. I’d have to say that seeing my son with cerebral palsy succeed far beyond every medical expectation, to walk independently, be in high school with his peers and to be such an inspiration-as well as driving me nuts like any teenager. 

Is there any further information that you would like readers to have?  Final thoughts, motto, favorite recipe? 

I’d love to mention my website at http://www.katepearce.com.

Please come and visit me! 

I also blog at Lustbites.com and The Spiced Tea Party. We have a lot of fun there! 

Thanks for popping in, we so enjoyed having you with us. 

Thank you for having me, it’s been a pleasure.