Please welcome Karenna Colcroft to the blog, author of Eternal Love.  Thank you for agreeing to answer my nosy questions and share them with everyone visiting today.Thanks for having me!Q: To begin, please share which genre(s) you write in…

A: Under this name, I write primarily contemporary romance, but I’m starting to branch more into paranormal romance. Eternal Love is my first paranormal romance novel. Under a different name, I write young adult urban fantasy.

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?

A: Hmm… I started writing when I was 5 years old, and I got my first contract in 2001… have to do the math… I was 31 then, so I wrote for twenty-six years before I got my first contract. (And that was for a phonics-based reading program.)

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?

A: So far I’d have to say Eternal Love. It contains the first erotic scene I ever wrote, back in 2006, and a man who was then my closest-and completely platonic-friend helped me brainstorm the plot.

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?

A: Nope. I usually write at my computer, and can spew out 1000 words in fifteen minutes when I really get going. But I’ve also written in doctor’s waiting rooms, at my kids’ schools while waiting to pick them up… pretty much anywhere I have to wait for something, I can write. Even in the checkout line at the grocery store.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story?

A: A conversation in the chat room of the dating site through which I met my husband.

Q: If you could offer one tidbit of information for new writers, what would it be?

A: Learn. Don’t stop learning. And don’t expect to ever completely master the craft, because there’s always something new to learn.

Q: Do you have an evil day job or do you write full time?

A: I have a day job, but I can’t call it evil because I work for my father-in-law. He runs a marine assistance company, and I do paperwork and occasional dispatching for him part-time.

Q: Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.

A: I used to weigh 250 pounds, and lost a hundred pounds about five years ago.

Q: What’s your favorite dirty word?

A: The “C” word… not going to spell it out because it offends some people.

Q: Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

A: I have three piercings in each ear. Otherwise, no.

Q: If you could be intimate with three people (not necessarily all at one time *g*) without getting in trouble with your significant other, who would they be?

A: A few male friends of mine. Since they exist in real life, I’d rather not name them. I don’t go for the whole “lusting after celebrities” thing; I’d rather lust after someone probable.

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?

A: A house, with at least two computer rooms.

Q: Which household chore do you abhor and why?

A: Cleaning the bathroom. ‘Nough said.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?

A: Scallion pancakes

Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie?

A: Not really. I like a lot of books, but can’t honestly pick a favorite. And I don’t see many movies.

Q: If you don’t mind sharing, would you tell us about your latest work in progress?

A: I’m working on more than one thing at any given time. Currently, I’m revising my next YA novel, working on a new story about a gay vegan werewolf, and trying to get a couple other projects to wait a few weeks.

Q: In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share a yummy excerpt for those who aren’t yet familiar with your work)

A: Eternal Love is the story of Rhys Trevellian, a 935-year-old immortal man who has been in love since childhood with one woman. Unfortunately, she was/is mortal, and has died and been reincarnated eight times. Each time, Rhys finds her, and each time, she’s murdered by the Purists, a fanatic group of immortals who believe that immortals should stick to their own kind. When Rhys finds Gwen Davies working in a coffee shop near his home, he immediately recognizes her as his love’s newest incarnation. They have to go on the run to escape the Purists, as well as the immortal authorities who are after Rhys for murder and Gwen’s abusive former fiancé.

Excerpt (please note: This is before line edits):

After their meal, while Rhys cleared the trash from the bed, Gwen dabbed at her shirt with a damp washcloth. “I wish I’d brought my suitcase in,” she grumbled. “This thing’s a mess now.”

“You could always just take it off.” Rhys’s suggestion sounded serious but Gwen caught a twinkle in his eye when she glared at him. “Or not,” he said, grinning.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Before she lost her nerve, she pulled off the shirt and tossed it at him. “There you go,” she said, spreading her arms. “Me in all my half-naked glory.”

“Gwen, what are you doing?” he asked slowly.

“What you asked me to do before.” She stepped toward him, hoping she looked as slinky as the women she’d seen in movies, despite feeling more than a little silly in her white bra and jeans. “Not the transmutation part, though.”

“Are you sure about this?” His voice became hoarse. “Because if you have any doubt at all, stop right now.”

“I think you could control yourself if you had to,” she said uncertainly.

He shook his head. “Not a chance. Not with you standing there, absolutely gorgeous. I’ve wanted you since I laid eyes on you, Gwen, and if you’re offering, I won’t turn you down. So be completely certain. Once we start, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.”

“I don’t know if I want you to.” She reached him and pressed her lips against his shoulder, the highest she could reach. “You’ve been good to me, Rhys.”

“That isn’t a reason for this,” he protested. “Gwen, hours ago you didn’t even want my kiss. I didn’t bring you with me so you’d feel obligated to do anything. I brought you to save your life.”

“You brought me because you love me.” She kissed his other shoulder. “I can’t love you yet, Rhys. I need more time to know you. I know I care about you, though, and I know-” Unexpectedly, her voice caught on a sob, and she swallowed hard. “I know I want this,” she whispered. “Do you know how long it’s been since anyone touched me just to make me feel good?”

“I’d say it’s been far longer than it should have been.” He caressed her cheek. “As I said, if you’re offering, and it’s an offer that you’re sure you want to make, I won’t turn you down.” Bending, he kissed away a tear that had escaped from her eye. “Are you okay?”

She smiled up at him. “I’m fine.” Slowly, she ran her hands over his chest. “Perfectly fine.”

He grinned. “Fine, though a bit overdressed, don’t you think?” He took off his pants and shirt, leaving only his briefs. Gwen drank in the sight. His chest had only a small patch of hair. His pectoral and abdominal muscles showed prominently, and below the briefs his legs were equally muscular. Apparently the man worked out.

She giggled, and he raised an eyebrow. “I amuse you?”

“Not at all,” she said quickly. “Just nervous. Sorry.”

“I understand.” He held out his hand to her.  “Join me?”

“I don’t know.” She faked a yawn. “I’m pretty tired after trying so hard to persuade you to do this.”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to help you,” he grumbled with a twinkle in his eye. “Stand up.”

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To learn more about Karenna, please visit www.karennacolcroft.com. Eternal Love is available from Pink Petal Books www.pinkpetalbooks.com.