What is one of your favorite things about writing?
The possibilities of where you can take your characters and how you and them change over the course of a novel. Also, writing is flexible. You can write at work, at school, at home, or just about anywhere.
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
Almost always the characters. I think of a character I really like and then make up a story where I can use them.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
I can write them any time, but the more “in the mood”, I am, the steamier the sex scenes tend to be.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Finding time. Especially since I am in my last semester of my graduate degree and I just had my first child.
What do you like about writing series books?
The development. Novels are great, but series are the best for character development. And you get time to think between one book and the next.
What do you feel are some of the pros and cons of electronic publishing (instead of traditional print format)?
There is something magical about touching a print book. The more read a book is, the more like a friend it feels.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Everywhere, but mostly yaoi and traveling.
What usually comes first for you, characters or plot?
Equal. I might think of a character I absolutely love and then the plot is difficult or vice versa.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
Hidden Wings is my first book in my Anima Series. It is based on my research of Irish and French Mythology revolving around Dryma Fairies and Kuro Swans. Most of my books end happily, but this time I wanted to try something a little more vague. Because this is Book 1, a happy ending for Prince Tristan of the fairies and Prince Kanji of the swans may still be on the horizon.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel to Hidden Wings, as well as the sequel to my young adult fantasy novel, Destria Waves.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Long ago, the Kuro Swans had been friends with the Sidhee and had offered their wings in service when the soul stealers needed to come to the human world. I tried to make sense of what Christophe was saying and stuttered a response, “Y-you, I mean, you can’t expect us to steal them a soul.”
Christophe played with the buttons of his immaculately tidy shirt. “No, I do not. I simply expect you to deliver this,” he reached into his pocket and produced a white envelope sprinkled with colorful flowers. “They will be arriving the night before the party on the South side of the forest. You will meet them there and present them with this. Afterwards, you will escort them to the Castle De Mar. The envelope contains instructions so should they have questions, they will know who to consult with.”
I swallowed, my lungs dying from a lack of oxygen. “May I ask why you are not meeting them yourselves?”
Christophe stared at me for so long, I thought he was going to tell me to go to hell and reach for his whip looped through his belt. To my surprise, he said, “Ivan, Seth, why don’t you go downstairs and see if Nicolai needs some help. I’m sure Kanji won’t mind speaking to me…alone.”
Zain tensed beside me, but I gave him a nod. Sensing they didn’t have much of a choice, Joel and Zain followed the two guards from the room, the door swinging shut with a soft click.
The music floated up the stairs and the scent of fried food wafted through the floorboards. I rubbed my sweaty hands on my pants and waited for the assault to begin, just like it always did.
“Did you know the Dryma fairies have a long history of deception and trickery?”
My jaw clenched, “I can imagine so.”
“So naturally, we would decide to host a masked ball to celebrate one of our great Prince’s birth.”
“I suppose it does seem fitting.”
“Your kind are not the only ones adverse to forming an alliance with the Sidhee. Having a masked ball where my kind can congregate without fear is the perfect way to introduce the Prince of the Sidhee into our community without opposition.” Christophe paused to pour himself another drink from the crystal pitcher before taking a step towards me. He took a swig of the drink and then set it down on the table. Circling me, I could smell his cologne mixed with the alcohol on his breath. “Sidhees can be ruthless and tend to regard all life as little more than wrongs of a ladder.”
“So why unite with them?”
Christophe parted my hair with his hand so my neck was exposed, my silky strands falling just above my shoulder. He trailed his hands down my back, resting on my shoulder blades and gently manipulating the muscle so a forced relief washed through me. “Kanji, you should know what it can take to survive.”
I flinched as he snaked one of his hands around my stomach and pushed his cool fingers up underneath my shirt and jacket so he could touch my skin. “So you need the Sidhee now?”
“Everything is changing,” Christophe whispered in my ear. “Your lives are tied to the trees just as surely as ours are. So why not stop pretending? I can feel your power in every breath you take. With every movement you make, you are trying to maintain control.”
“That’s not true.”
“You were born to be a Prince,” he said softly, stroking my abdomen and working his way up to my chest. “You’re father was tricked by the Sidhee and yet you bear the burden for him. You don’t even know what occurred.”
“I don’t need to,” I spat. “The fact they betrayed us is enough.”
Christophe made an indifferent noise before wrapping his other hand around my neck and tangling my hair in his fingers so I was trapped. “What do I have to do to get you to give in? I can provide for you, give you things that would make even Dryma fairies jealous. All you have to do is become mine.”
What three words would the hero of your story use to describe his love interest?
Intelligent, strong prince
What three words would the hero of your story use to describe his love interest?
Quiet, captive, swan
If the main characters in your latest release were invited to a masquerade party, what costumes would they wear?
In Hidden Wings, Kanji actually is invited to a masquerade ball the fairies are hosting. He attends and pretends to be a Sidhee demon in an attempt to free his kind from slavery.
Do you have a favorite character or characters you feel especially close to?
I feel very close to Kanji and Tristan. They’re romance is different from other novels I’ve written in the sense that there is more than just sexual chemistry that holds them together. They want to grow and change together and more than that, there is strong mutual respect.
Would you share one of the sexiest or most romantic lines from one of your books?
“Please let me see your face. I want to imprint your features into my mind.”
If you were a shapeshifter and could become any one item owned by your latest romance hero (or heroine), what would it be?
I would want to become a tree because the souls of the fairies are kept within them.
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
My favorite genres to read are historical romance, mostly M/M and fantasy. I would love to write a historical romance, but haven’t had the chance yet. Most of my novels are romance, although I have written some young adult.
Where can we visit you online?
My romance site: http://anarainebooks.blogspot.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ana-Raine/e/B00J1PEN08
Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/ana-raine
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorAnaRaine
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I like to paint, run, workout, cook gluten-free desserts and read.
To you what makes a great romance hero?
He definitely has to be intelligent and not simply book-smart, but all around knowledgeable about life. The more he knows about himself and those around him, the better a lover he is.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
I like to listen to music in other languages, mostly Japanese and Russian.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
I have already been to Japan but I would love to go back to Kyoto during Golden Week so I can visit the temples and eat fresh mochi.
If you could be any kind of shapeshifter, what kind would you be?
A fox shifter.
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