When I was first looking at publishing houses, Kate Hill was one of the authors who drew me to Changeling Press. An incredibly prolific author, she also writes for Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen, and New Concepts Publishing. With more than seventy novels and novellas to her credit, Kate has been nominated for over a dozen awards and won two CAPAs, a Gold Star award from JERR, and an EcataRomance Reviewer’s Choice award for The Chieftain’s Bride. Her books, which range from beautifully crafted historical and paranormal romances to blazingly erotic vampire and shifter stories, routinely pick up recommended reads and five star reviews. Like me, Kate is a New Englander, and I am absolutely delighted to have her joining us as our featured author for December!

Kate Hill: For me it works best to write every day, even if it's just a little. My basic writing routine actually hasn't really changed much at all over the past twenty years.

Sierra: One thing I love about your writing is your ability to take these otherworldly characters and make them compelling and believable. In the Carnal series, you created this fantastic world in which the Vampire Leader traditionally bonds with her Werewolf Guardian, who is selected by combat. Only in Altah’s case, neither Rex nor Kyros were able to defeat each other and so Altah ends up with two Guardians. (YUM!) One of the marvelous things about the whole Carnal series to me was the detail you put into building the world – the military rankings of the wolf packs, for example, and the political maneuverings in all four books. How much of the world-building do you work out beforehand, when starting a new series? Or does it build itself naturally as you’re working through the story?

Kate: It's really a combination of both. I always have a loose outline worked out before I start a story and that includes details about that particular story's universe. As I'm writing, even more details develop, depending on the situations the characters find themselves in.

Sierra: And how about the characters? How do you get inside them and bring them to life in your imagination?

Kate: That's probably the easiest part. The characters seem to pop into my head and nag me until I write their stories.

Sierra: Your historical romances, including The Chieftain’s Bride, The Mad Knight’s Bride, and Rediscovering Thor, have been extremely well-received. What first drew you to historical romance?

Kate: When I first started reading romance novels I read mostly historicals and I still love them. I also love reading about Viking and Roman history.

Sierra: And what, if anything, is different about the way you approach it, and the specific challenges of writing a historical?

Kate: The biggest difference that comes to mind is researching the historicals versus building a whole new world for fantasy or futuristic novels.

Sierra: You have, I think, a dozen continuing series with Ellora’s Cave and Changeling – is there a different sort of enjoyment for you as a writer in going back to a world you’ve already created?

Kate: As both a reader and a writer I prefer series books. I love revisiting characters and seeing the different journeys they take.

Sierra: When you’re beginning a new series, do you necessarily know it’s a new series? Do you have ideas for future books already in mind when you’re writing the first one? Or do you find those stories developing out of what you’ve already written?

Kate: Most of the time I do know when I'm starting a new series. Every now and then a single title develops into a series.

Sierra: What, for you, are the elements of a great story?

Kate: Characters that don't always do what the reader or writer wants them to. If the characters have their own personality and make their own decisions, they might not always be as likeable, but they're more real and easier to identify with. To me it's the characters that are most important.

Sierra: And following from that, what’s one book that stands out in your mind, that you really enjoyed writing? I can’t ask which one’s your favorite because I know that’s an unanswerable question – it’s like trying to choose among your kids! But is there one that still really resonates with you?

Kate: That's really hard to answer because each story has memorable moments. Any book that has scenes with my combination hero/comic relief vampire Vincent Dilorenzo has been a lot of fun to write.

Sierra: And what’s ahead for you in 2008? Any projects you’re especially excited about?

Kate: I have a new series coming up with Changeling Press called Carnal 2. It takes place in the same world as my vampire/werewolf ménage series, Carnal. Also I have the sequel to my m/m shapeshifter novel, Windswept. This book is called Raptvyn's Rogue and it's a m/m/f shapeshifter ménage. I don't have a release date for that one yet, however.

Sierra: Kate, thank you so much for joining me this month! Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Kate: My website is located at http://www.kate-hill.com. I also have a myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/katehillromance and a newsgroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/katehill/.

Books by KATE HILL (click covers for info -- select excerpts below!)

Excerpt: Lust's Shadow by Kate Hill

"If you are to learn from me, you must dedicate yourself completely to our craft. I will accept nothing less than your very essence." Perrin's voice, as rich and deep as a lion's purr, resonated in the unfurnished marble room lit only by a single muted lantern dangling from the tall ceiling. The mere shadow of his face shown beneath the hood of his black cloak.

Though Livia strained to see the detail, his features eluded her.

"And if I promise, all you know - all your secrets - will be mine?"

"My knowledge - a lifetime of study in Lumeris-noire - shall be yours. I warn you - do not come to me unless you fully intend to accept my will in all things."

"But what if - "

"In all things."

Livia watched him carefully. "What reassurance have I that you won't use your will to gain illicit favors? What reassurance do I have that you won't demand I give up my dignity?"

"If you have dignity, girl, no one can take it from you. As for your other worry, fear not. I have no interest in your feminine wiles. My concern is to pass on my knowledge to a worthy apprentice. Whether or not you prove to be up to the standard is yet to be seen. And you'd best keep your thoughts off acts of the flesh, as you'll need all your strength to endure the education I plan to give you."

Though annoyed by the scathing manner in which he'd replied, Livia felt satisfied by Perrin's answer. Besides, what he offered was something she could get from no one else.

"When shall I begin?" she asked.

"Immediately. You will follow me."

"But you must give me a chance to pack my belongings and speak to my family." Though Livia was often immersed in studies, she loved her family and felt close to them.

"You will write your family a letter that I will have delivered. You may ask them to send anything you require - unless you've already changed your mind?"

"No," she whispered. For the first time since meeting Perrin she nearly panicked. Oh, he'd frightened her from the first with his black cloak, hidden face, and power that seemed to spring from his every pore, but until this moment there had been a chance to escape him. Now, if she followed him deeper into those obsidian tunnels just beyond the open door at the back of the chamber, she would be completely at his mercy - but his knowledge and skill would also be hers for the taking.

"Decide quickly. There are others waiting to accept the challenge if you dare not."

"Yes," she said, her voice sounding like a rasp compared to his magnificent tones. "I accept."

"Before you speak in haste-" He lifted his slender hands and pulled the hood away from his head.

Livia drew a sharp breath, hoping she didn't appear as stunned as she felt. Framed by long, unkempt sable hair, Perrin's smooth-shaven, hawkish face with its chiseled lips and sharp cheekbones bore the marks of evil. Gleaming black scales covered his forehead and nose to the tip. His wide-set eyes glowed with a pale unnatural green. Only practitioners who had engaged in an illegal ritual in which they gained phenomenal power from masters of Lumeris-noire, called Fiendgens, were marked in such a way.

"I had no idea-"

"Few people do. As you can imagine, the Overlord doesn't advertise that his strongest defense against evil is associated with evil itself."

"Do you expect your apprentice to make the sacrifice you did to attain such power?"

"I wish for no one ever again to make the sacrifice I did," he snapped. "That is why I am here with the Overlord. That is why I have helped him hunt down the masters who taught me, and that is why I have decided to pass on my experiences to an apprentice. In the event of my death, I want my knowledge given to a worthy successor, one who will denounce the sort of evil that gave me this face. I feel that person is you, Livia, if you have the stomach to learn from one who has consorted with devils."

Livia knew she should turn and leave, forget she ever saw him, but something in his eyes captured and bound her to him. Though his revelation terrified her, it also made her more curious than ever to know this man who had given their Overlord so many years of loyal service and wielded such power.

Like all great domains, theirs, called Guthdry, was protected by an enormous dome empowered by the Overlord's most trusted practitioners of Lumeris-noire. Before Perrin, their dome had nearly collapsed beneath attacks from Jotamiana City, a domain that had taken over many others and sought to rule their world. His power had strengthened the dome so that even their fiercest attempts to breach it proved futile and they moved on to weaker domains. Perrin had nearly died while empowering the dome, but once recovered, he dedicated his life to serving their domain. His presence still kept them safe from Jotamiana City and others like it. The chance to study with him, learn his secrets, and truly help in the defense of her domain was not something Livia could pass by for any reason.

"I have accepted the position and intend to stand by my decision," she stated.

Without another word, he turned, his cloak rippling like midnight waves, and headed for the door.

Her heart pounding, Livia followed.

Just like chasing after death, she thought.

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Excerpt: Winter Stallion by Kate Hill

Phillipa awoke in a warm bed in an unfamiliar, yet cozy room. A fire danced in the hearth, its pleasant, smoky scent wafting on the air. A high-backed chair stood by the fire and across the room was a round wooden breakfast table with two matching chairs. At the foot of the large bed, she noticed the top of a carved oak trunk.

Her first thought was, oddly, of a Horseman whom she'd dreamed about in her unconscious state. Just imagining him made her pulse quicken with the most lustful feeling she'd ever experienced. He'd been gorgeous, this Horseman from her dream. His full-coat and equine- half were pure white and his long human hair pale gold. It blew around his broad shoulders like silk in the wind. Though not incredibly tall, he was above average height for a Horseman.

Both his horse and man halves were so perfectly proportioned that he could only exist in a dream. Even beneath his full-coat, his incredibly handsome features were easily discernable. A large, well-shaped nose characteristic of many Horsemen, a square jaw and enormous blue eyes intense enough to melt a glacier.

Strange that in a dream with such a perfect Horseman, she had still felt cold and sore from the fall she'd taken. Maybe she had been awake after all but was hallucinating. Then the Horseman had taken her in his arms and kissed her. His warm, powerful body had chased away the chill in her bones and she'd wanted nothing more than to stay in his embrace forever.

In a deep, smooth voice, he'd told her his name. Luther.

Phillipa shook her head, then drew a sharp breath as the motion caused discomfort. Now that the dream had faded, reality set in. She touched a hand to the tender spot on the back of her head and grew anxious. She'd been on her way home from delivering the message to Midnight Cove when something had struck her off Black Silk.

Black Silk! Where was her horse? She pushed herself to a sitting position, almost wincing at the soreness in her muscles. It felt as if she'd fallen pretty hard, though she didn't think she'd broken any bones. She had absolutely no memory of arriving at this cottage, nor did she recall changing from her clothes into the linen shirt and trousers that were almost the perfect length for her, yet too big.

Her bare feet touched the scatter rug beside the bed and she sat for a moment, her hands pressing into the mattress. She was about to stand and look for the owner of the cottage when the door opened and in stepped the man from her dream. An inexplicable thrill rushed through her at the sight of him. A combination of desire, fear and something so deep she could scarcely imagine such emotions connected to a man she'd just laid eyes upon.

Their gazes locked and she saw him draw a deep breath, as if this moment was as monumental to him as it was to her. Those large blue eyes with the corners tilted up like an elf's widened a bit and gleamed with the same intensity as in her dream. The tips of his pointed Horseman ears poked through his long, silky hair. She noted two earrings, one gold hoop and one sapphire stud, pierced the very tip of one ear. It was unusual for Horsemen in these parts to have pierced ears.

"By the gods," she murmured. "Luther."

"Phillipa," he said, quickly regaining his composure. He stomped snow from his boots and managed to close the door against the drifts that had fallen in. Then he strode toward her. She noted he was in his Huform, dressed in a long cloak covered in a layer of ice and snow. He also wore a shirt, breeches and boots. Luther placed his hand beneath her chin and tilted her face toward his, studying her carefully. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore, but other than that fine. I. . ." She paused, unsure of how to continue. Though she knew about the dream sharing between Horsemen and their destined mates, she had been certain it would never happen to her. All her life, she'd been independent. Free of the burden so many women carried--the burden of wanting or needing a husband. Surely someone of her nature wouldn't be predisposed to sharing dreams with a Horseman?

"Do you remember what happened to you?" he asked, removing his cloak and tossing it aside. The shirt and breeches were damp where the ice and snow had seeped through the front of his cloak.

It seemed odd having such a mundane conversation with a man whom she'd met in a dream and whose presence quickened her pulse. A barrage of inappropriate thoughts filled her mind. She imagined them locked naked in an passionate embrace, of whispering secrets only lovers shared.

This was utter madness, yet wasn't there a bit of craziness in shared dreams that compelled two strangers to experience almost irresistible passion?

"Yes. I was riding through the woods and something hit me on the head. I can only assume it was ice blown off a tree. My horse. Black Silk. Where is he--"

"He's in the barn and perfectly safe. I just came from checking on him. Now I suggest you get back in bed and I'll bring you tea and something to eat."

"I can't." She stood and found they were just about at eye level. Not surprising, considering she was taller than most humans and the equal height of many Horsemen. It was part of her bloodline. Most daughters of Horsemen were quite tall. Luther was much bigger built than she was, his shoulders broad and chest wide, the mark of tremendous stamina among his kind. She could practically feel the power in him and it sent a thrill of desire darting through her.

The smoldering look in his eyes told her that the passion she felt wasn't one-sided. The faintest smile touched his finely-shaped lips and the urge to kiss him almost overcame her.

She cleared her throat and tried to step away. "I need to get back to Hornview. My nephew is waiting for me." He cocked an eyebrow and sidestepped, blocking her path. Placing his hands gently, yet firmly, on her shoulders, he pushed her onto the edge of the bed. "Back to Hornview? Not tonight you won't be."

"Excuse me?" she demanded. What the hell was he talking about? Another hint of fear struck her. She was stuck in a strange cottage with a Horseman she didn't know who seemed bent on forcing her back into bed. As much as he aroused her, she had no wish to be ravaged by any man. She stood abruptly and with such force that her head started aching again. "Get out of my way!"

"Don't upset yourself."

"I'm not upsetting myself, you horse's ass! You're upsetting me. If you don't let me off this bed, there's going to be trouble."

"There's no need to be rude," he snapped. A glacial look crept into those gorgeous eyes. In spite of his reserved manner, he possessed a toughness that raised more questions in her mind and warned her to remain cautious. "I'm trying to see to your comfort while you're here."

"I told you I'm leaving."

"And I told you there's no way you can get to Hornview tonight. The snow is thigh deep out there and still falling so heavily that even if I wanted to fly you out of here, there's absolutely no visibility."

She stared at him for a dumfounded moment, then pushed past him toward the door. This time he let her go. She pulled it open and again snow tumbled in. Great gusts of wind blew in her face and she squinted in the icy swirls on a backdrop of utter blackness. It took her a moment to force the door shut, then she turned to him.

His arms folded across his chest, he wore a gloating expression that she longed to slap off his handsome face. Gods, how could a man be compelling, yet at the same time thoroughly annoying?

"Convinced?" he asked, an amused smile on his lips.

"This is terrible." She began pacing the room, ignoring any lingering soreness and pain in her head. At least Canyon was safe with Susana, but what if she was stuck here for days? It could happen, depending on the weather.

"Surely my company isn't that bad," he said.

She stopped abruptly and stared at him. Goodness, how ungrateful she must sound. He had, after all, saved her life. Still, the last thing she wanted was to be snowed in with a man she'd shared a dream with. Or had she? Now it was starting to fade. Probably because he stood right there in the flesh, watching her with those soul-stealing eyes, unbuttoning his shirt and slipping it off. . .

Heavens, what a gorgeous chest! Broad, dusted with golden hair and made of lean, sculpted muscle. He had not a bit of spare flesh on his sides or that stomach with those rows of muscles she longed to trace with her fingertips. In the dream he'd looked too perfect to be real, but he was real after all. This wasn't just an average Horseman, but one of Fighting Carrier quality. Again she thought of that underlying toughness revealed in his look from a moment ago. She realized a complex Horseman stood before her, yet at the moment she found it difficult to think about his complexity or anything else when faced with his magnificent body.

Her brother, Terra, was considered exceptionally well-formed, but Phillipa had never seen any Horseman like this. He was flowing, yet compact, and even in Huform moved with grace and precision seen only in the finest warriors and athletes.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's not your company that's the problem. Would you like me to turn around while you change clothes?" She did so before he had a chance to reply.

"If you feel more comfortable," he said.

That had been a stupid question she'd asked. Modesty wasn't a Horseman trait. They usually wore clothing only in the presence of humans or during the cold weather. Please, oh please don't let him be the sort who walks around his house naked. That would be too much to resist. . .

"I'm sure having me here is an inconvenience for you," she said.

"I'm decent, Phillipa. You may face me without fear." Somehow he managed to sound both regal and teasing. That cultured voice and the playful tone aroused her more than she wanted to admit.

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