Welcome to New Faces, where you'll find interviews with the newest romance authors in the genre! This week we're delighted to spotlight Rogenna Brewer, whose Harlequin SuperRomance SEAL IT WITH A KISS is now on shelves. Welcome, Rogenna!

Tell us about yourself.

When a high school aptitude test labeled me suited for librarian or clergy I rebelled and joined the Navy. Though I was more of a bookworm than a rebel, I just couldn't see myself becoming a nun.

I was fascinated with the idea of being an adventurer and I wanted to expand my horizons beyond any expected limitations. Though it wasn't until I married and had children that I'd actually appreciated some of the people and places I'd experienced along the way. And even though I'd always fancied myself as a writer it was awhile before I actually started writing.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

After five years in the Navy, followed by five more years as a Navy Wife I held a variety of odd jobs (most very forgettable), but for six years I was a bookseller and a reviewer.

What led you to write romance?

I've been reading Harlequins since age 11, between the Stephen King's that is. My mother didn't believe in censoring my reading just as long as I was reading. I grew to love it. And really stretched my imagination. I scribbled poems and stories from a very early age and at 19 decided to write a novel, but got distracted by boys, then later marriage and kids. It was years before I pursue writing seriously.

Tell us about your road to publication.

In 1990 I took my first step (or detour depending on how you look at it) by becoming a bookseller. In '91 I went to my first conference for booksellers, readers and writers. Through trial and error I learned a lot about the publishing industry, but I knew being a bookstore owner wasn't really what I wanted to do. By '93 I'd joined Romance Writers of America and a local chapter.

It took me 4 frustrating years to write my first manuscript while learning the business end of bookselling. For a while I wrote only on weekends, then I started burning the candle at both ends. Eventually something had to give. In the end it was an easy choice. I'd always wanted to be a writer and for the first I was actually writing. I joined a critique group and from April '95 on I wrote full time. I started sending out queries in '96 making little headway. But in '97 I won two contests one judged by and editor who read and requested the manuscript that became SEAL IT WITH A KISS--published this April '99 by Harlequin Superromance/In Uniform.

Because of the detours the road to publication perhaps seemed longer than it really was and many times I wanted to give up on myself, but you never know when publication is just around the corner. I was seriously considering a career change when I got the call--of course selling my first book changed everything.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

I really believe in the adage "write what you know." I "knew" the Navy and once I started using it as the backdrop for my stories my writing started to take off. I also read several nonfiction accounts from Navy SEALs since it's a specialized field.

Who are your influences as a writer?

When I first started reading I didn't pay much attention to author's names and just devoured one story after another, by the time I started paying attention I was into historicals, so favorites like Shannon Drake & Laura Kinsale come to mind. Current favorites include Maggie Osborne and in contemporaries Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I've been personally touched by many fellow writers, published and unpublished, too many to name, I'd be afraid of leaving someone out!

What does your family think of having a romance author in their midst?

If there was even the off chance that I'd let any of this author stuff go to my head, my family keeps me pretty well grounded with their demands for clean socks and dinner at a reasonable hour.

Tell us about plans for future books.

I'm currently working on a sequel involving one of the heroine's brothers. I don't want to give too much away, but both the hero and heroine start out as top gun pilots, though that's not necessarily where they wind up. If you like Navy SEAL heros you won't be disappointed with this one.

How can readers get in touch with you?

Readers can reach me though my website http://members.aol.com/Rogenna or email me direct at Rogenna@aol.com

Thanks, Rogenna, and best of luck with your new career! Readers, you'll find a review of SEAL It With a Kiss on our Category page.

March 29, 1999