Romance author A.C. Arthur talks about her newest paranromal release Passion's Prey––"When I sit down to write a story I want to bring in the good and the bad, the most realistic situations sometimes ripped right from the headlines, the issues nobody wants to deal with, the unknown that may be lurking, I just want to push the envelope as far as I can with each book. And then have the hero and heroine fall in love in the midst of it all."

Passion's Prey (Shadow Shifters Series #3)

Praise for Arthur’s Shadow Shifter novels;

“Deliciously edgy, sexy, and certainly not to be missed. A.C. Arthur knows how to deliver the heat.” —Lora Leigh, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“The shifter universe just got sexier with the kick-off to Arthur’s sizzling new series, Shadow Shifters…intriguing.”—RT Book Reviews

“Arthur does a great job of building up the sexual tension…I’ll be looking for the next one in the series.”—Under the Covers

“Romantic…exciting…fast-paced.”—Genre Go Round Reviews

Artist, welcome to my blog.
Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate you taking this time to talk with me.

Tell us about your latest novel, Passion’s Prey.
Passion’s Prey is the third story in the Shadow Shifters series. It’s the story of Xavier Santos Markland, a jaguar shape shifter living in the human world as an FBI agent while working with his tribe leader to keep the secret of the shifters’ existence safe. Caprise Delgado is a shifter with her own dark secrets that keep her from completely embracing her heritage. When X and Caprise are faced with new dangers to their tribe and thrust together by circumstances, the flame that had been slowly burning between them is inevitably ignited.

In your bio you said that your debut novel was inspired by a picture of an Italian Villa.
Now that sounds like an interesting story. Can you tell us about it?
Object of His Desire was a romance about a half African American, half Italian hero and the attorney he falls in love with. The story takes the couple to a village in Italy where dark secrets about the hero’s true heritage are revealed and threaten both their lives.

I’ve always wanted to visit Italy—haven’t made it there yet. I wanted to write a story with international intrigue and unforgettable romance and thought this was the perfect backdrop.

Between your series and your stand alones is there one you have more fun writing over the other?
Not necessarily. It all comes down to my moods. When it’s time to write a shifter book I’m all about everything paranormal, new worlds, different species, etc. I only read books in this genre and watch a lot of sci-fi and supernatural television shows and movies.  I completely shift gears for writing contemporary focusing on romcom movies, contemporary and romantic suspense books. I receive the same amount of joy when I submerse myself into either category.

Do your friends or family wind up between the pages of your novels?
Sometimes. LOL I usually tell them ahead of time so they won’t read between the lines, so to speak.  I’m really inspired by a lot of people and things I see on a daily basis. Working full time in a courthouse affords me an endless supply of character ideas.

It also states that you’re determined to bring a “new edge” to romance.
How?

Romance has always had this “happy ever after”, “perfect world”,  “unrealistic” stigma. When I sit down to write a story I want to bring in the good and the bad, the most realistic situations sometimes ripped right from the headlines, the issues nobody wants to deal with, the unknown that may be lurking, I just want to push the envelope as far as I can with each book. And then have the hero and heroine fall in love in the midst of it all.

You write both contemporary and paranormal romance.
Do you become different women when you write these two different genres?

I certainly do. My family can always tell what type of book I’m writing at the time, based on what I’m watching or reading. Each genre requires a different mindset, a different set of beliefs. I’m amazed sometimes how differently I feel when I’m writing them.

You are the recipient of numerous awards.
Is there one that means more than the others?

No, not really. I’m grateful for all the recognition because when I began writing, it was just to tell a story. I’m always leery of who will like this story and who will hate it. When someone likes it enough to nominate and/or vote for it to win an award, I’m elated.

What’s the strangest/funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at an author event?

Years ago I was asked to read a scene from one of my books. I’m an eternal introvert—although over the years I’ve come a long way in this area—so I did not want to read the scene myself. Another author read the scene for me and I thought, “Great, this is finished.” Afterward, we were signing our books and a man came up to my table. His exact words were, “If I buy one of these books will you act out that scene with me?” I was appalled and more than a little nervous, but I smiled and reminded him that this was just a fictional story. I silently prayed he wouldn’t buy the book and he didn’t get one from me that day. It was creepy to say the least.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

Mint chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate sprinkles and Criminal Minds.

What genre is your favorite to read?

Romantic suspense

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Nora Roberts, Lora Leigh, Maureen Smith and Adrianne Byrd.

What is the most one most important piece of advice you would give to an aspiring novelist?

To be persistent. Nothing in this industry happens overnight so it’s important to keep writing, no matter what.

Will there be anywhere that fans could meet you in person soon?

I will be attending the Romantic Times Booklovers Conference in Kansas City, MO, May 1-5

Artist, thanks for hanging out with us here for awhile, good luck with your newest novel and all the ones still just a spark in your imagination.
Be sure and check out A.C.’s website for all her news

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