Welcome to New Faces, where we introduce some of the newest romance authors in the genre. This week we welcome Reon Carter, whose debut romance Picture Perfect is a new release from Genesis/Indigo. Let's meet her!

Reon, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself.

I'm a southern gal at heart. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee the home of Elvis and lip-smacking ribs. I've lived in the Midwest since I left home for college. I graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor's degree in journalism. I work as a newspaper reporter covering features and lifestyle beats. I've been all over the place (pop culture, trends, fitness, fashion etc.). I was even a television critic at one time. That was lots of fun until the networks got on their bad miniseries kick back in the late '80s. Ugh! And I had to watch them all! Personal info. I'm engaged. Will be married in a matter of weeks. If you listen closely you can hear Mama and Granny sighing with relief. No kids yet, but I'm owned by an arrogant 11-year-old male Persian cat, who runs my household with an iron paw.

What led you to write romance?

I'm a big fan of the genre. One day after finishing a book by one of my favorite authors, I wondered if I had it in me to write one. It hit me like the proverbial chunk of ceiling. I also noticed that the market for multicultural romances seemed to be hotter than ever. That was about three or four years ago.

The road to publication?

I started one romance. Didn't finish it. The story wasn't percolating enough for me. If I got bored I knew other people would get bored as well. When I look back at that manuscript I can also admit the writing stank, too. Pe-ew! I joined a critique group. We were all novices, but it helped immensely. It kept me motivated to finish because I had to bring fresh chapters to each meeting for critiquing. It helped with the isolation that comes along with writing fiction. The critique crew pointed out a lot silly gaffes such as having too many scenes where the characters were in restaurants, but nobody wa s ever eating anything.

I started Picture Perfect and completed it. Sent partials to four houses. Got positive responses back from all of them in the form of letters or calls requesting the rest of the manuscript. I went with Genesis Press because they were the first to offer to buy it. I'm not a risk taker, but a bird-in-the-hand sorta person. And I was so tired of waiting. I was surprised to discover how slowly the wheels turn in the book publishing business. It was gratingly slow for someone used to working in an industry that thrives on making deadlines-- quick,fast and in a hurry.

What kind of research was involved for the book?

I talked to some experts about sickle cell anemia. I also read a lot of newspaper articles on the topic.

I didn't know anything about baseball, or any sport for that matter, when I decided to make my hero a baseball player. But I couldn't picture him as anything else. ( Maybe it's those tight little pants they wear.) I bugged a couple of sports writers at my newspaper for the basics. They were extremely patient with me. I was so clueless when I started I didn't even know when the baseball season started! And I live in a town where Opening Day is like the second coming. But I always tuned that stuff out. Realizing I was in way over my head, I decided to start the novel during the baseball off-season. Then when the season started I gave my hero a season-ending shoulder injury to get his butt off that dang diamond as soon as possible. ( I play it safer with the book I'm working on now. My hero and heroine are journalists! )

Tell us about writers you admire or who have influenced your work.

Oh, where do I start? The list is soooo long. For historical romance, Beverly Jenkins is a goddess as far as I'm concerned.

For multicultural contemporary -Sandra Kitt, Donna Hill, Brenda Jackson, Lynn Emery, Felecia Mason, Robyn Amos and Gwynne Forster. These are just a few--mind you.

Other favorite contemporary romance authors - Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I've read all of her Avon romances. The woman is so good it's frightening!! I also enjoy -Susan Andersen, Patti Berg and Elizabeth Bevarly.

Mainstream commercial fiction authors - Eric Jerome Dickey, E. Lynn Harris and Lolita Files.

Tell us about future books.

I'm working on a book now, but I have no idea when I'll finish. It's harder to write because I'm experimenting with romantic comedy this time around.

How can readers get in touch with you?

I can be reached by e-mail at reonc@aol.com.

Thanks, Reon, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of Picture Perfect on our Contemporary page. July 4, 2000