Welcome to New Faces, where you'll meet brand-new authors in the romance arena! We're pleased to introduce Jen Holling, whose time travel romance A TIME FOR DREAMS is a Harper release. Jen talks about her background and getting that first book published. Welcome, Jen!

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Oklahoma and lived there most of my life. After graduation I went straight into the Air Force, wanting to see some of the world and get some of that college money. I stayed in for six years, working on Satellite ground antennas. I met my husband, who is currently in the Air Force, and we had two little girls. I've lived in Texas, Nebraska, Georgia, five years in California, and a year in Turkey before the Air Force sent us back to Oklahoma. While I was in the Air Force I earned an associates degree in electronics, and I'm currently going to school at night, studying for my bachelors in History.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

I separated from the Air Force in 1996 to write full time.

What led you to write romance?

I haven't been an avid reader of romance all my life. I read Victoria Holt and Janet Daily when I was 13 and 14, but then moved on to other things. I've always loved history, and I read a lot of historical fiction. My favorites always have a strong romantic subplot. So when I rediscovered historical romance a few years ago, it all fell into place.

Tell us about your road to publication.

I started A TIME FOR DREAMS on my 26th birthday, so I even remember the date, January 2, 1997. It was nearly a year after I separated from the Air Force to write full time, and all I had to show for it was a bunch of market research. So I told myself on my birthday that the market research was over and the writing was to begin. It took about eight months to write and revise, then I began querying agents. After 30 rejected me-only one of them even asked to read the book, and she was very helpful-I decided to go straight to the publishers. Harper responded immediately and bought it.

What kind of research was involved for your first book? A lot! The idea came to me when I was reading Mary, Queen of Scots biography-for pleasure. I didn't know much about Scotland, or the sixteenth-century. I haunted the library and bookstores-I now have an extensive library on Scotland, the Stuarts, and the renaissance/reformation. At the library, the librarians run for cover when I walk in-I've made good use of the interlibrary loan system.

Who are your influences as a writer?

That's easy, Cecelia Holland is the finest writer I've ever read and she has influenced me a great deal. Margaret George, Diana Gabaldon, Anne Rice, and Morgan Llywelyn have influenced me also. Other authors I love to read are Judith Stanton, Karyn Monk, Gayle Wilson, Christina Dodd, and Denise Domning.

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

They think it's great. My husband has been very supportive throughout; he hardly blinks now when I buy yet another history book. He tells everyone he knows. My grandmother carries around a stack of my bookmarks everywhere she goes and passes them out to everyone she meets. My parents are proud of me. My oldest daughter thinks it's really cool.

Tell us about plans for future books.

My next book, ONCE A BRIDE, is due out from HarperPaperback May 2000. It's set on the Scottish borders in the sixteenth-century. During my research for DREAMS I became fascinated by the complete lawlessness that prevailed on the borders throughout that period-even the wardens were corrupt. The inhabitants thought nothing unusual about this warped sort of justice, it was just their way of life. So I thought it would be fun to drop a man with strong sense of honor and justice into the middle of this anarchy with orders to clean it up and solve the previous warden's murder. His only help is a beautiful widow, a borderer herself, who is his prime suspect in the murder.

How can readers get in touch with you?

I love to hear from readers!
Email: jenniholl@aol.com
Website: www.jenholling.romance-central.com

Jen,thanks for joining us, and best of luck with your next book! Readers, we have a review of A TIME FOR DREAMS on our TT/Fantasy page.

August 20, 1999