Welcome to our New Faces column, where this issue you'll meet debut author Patti O'Shea. Her first book, Ravyn's Flight, is a Leisure release. Welcome, Patti!

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Minnesota and haven't managed to leave the state yet, despite my dislike of winter. I missed my chance to move somewhere warm when I attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in advertising copywriting. I've always been fascinated with traveling, probably because it usually gets me away from cold weather. I really like going to places that are a little different, though. I've been to Canada's Yukon Territory, the Australian outback and Papua New Guinea as well as many places in the United States.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

After college, I took a job with a major U.S. airline and continue to work there full time. My position is in 757 Engineering where I help keep the maintenance program for the fleet up-to-date.

What led you to write romance?

I started writing my first romance when I was in eighth grade even though I'd never read one at that point. It was about a year later that I stumbled across my first Harlequin Romance at a library book sale and became hooked on the genre.

Tell us about your road to publication.

Ravyn's Flight went out on the contest circuit because there are so few publishers interested in futuristic romance and I wanted to find an editor who enjoyed my writing rather than taking my chances in the slush pile. I entered the revised version of the story in ETC-RWA's Southern Heat contest in August 2001 and found out that it won in December. I sent the full manuscript to Kate Sever at Dorchester in January 2002 and left for Hawaii about a week after I mailed it off. When I came home a couple weeks later, I had voice mail and email asking me to contact her.

When I phoned, I had a terrible connection, jet lag from my trip, and had managed to pick up a bug so I had a cough drop in my mouth and was trying not to hack. I think about 1% of the conversation registered, but fortunately, I took notes. This was undoubtedly the best case of bronchitis I ever had.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

Since my hero is in the army's special operations branch, I read a number of books about Green Berets, SEALs and other commando groups as well as the U.S. Army Survival Manual. There were places I decided to deviate from the current protocol, though, like when my heroine stitched the hero's wound. The Survival Manual says not to do that. I also spent a lot of time watching The Discovery Channel. They've had a lot of fabulous shows about the military.

Tell us about your debut book.

Ravyn Verdier is the communications specialist on a twenty person Colonization Assessment Team assigned to study Jarved Nine. She is the lone survivor when the rest of her team is mysteriously murdered.

Captain Damon Brody is leading a Special Ops team on a training mission to the planet when they pick up the emergency signal from the CAT base. They respond immediately only to find they're too late. Damon and Ravyn meet when he pulls her out from under her bunk by the ankle.

When the rest of his team is killed, Ravyn and Damon have to survive alone until help can arrive from Earth. With only the clothes on their backs, they set off for an abandoned alien city, hoping the walls around the settlement will over them some protection. They learn to appreciate each other's skills and abilities on the trek through the wilderness and soon attraction deepens into something more. But the Old City holds secrets that challenge the bonds that have formed between them. They're going to have to face their personal demons--trust each other heart and soul--if they hope to defeat the murderer and return home to Earth.

Who are your influences as a writer?

I love to read Linda Howard, Justine Davis, Nora Roberts, and of course, other futuristic writers like Susan Grant, Jayne Ann Krentz, Kathleen Morgan and Dara Joy to name a handful. These authors really helped pave the way for Science Fiction Romance.

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

My family is thrilled! My dad carries my bookmarks with him and keeps asking women if they read romance. If they say yes, he tells them about Ravyn's Flight and gives them a bookmark. I also have aunts and cousins from Chicago and Florida who are incredibly excited.

Tell us about plans for future books.

My next story is another futuristic romance. The hero is a barbarian warrior whose people are dying from fever. In a desperate attempt to get help, he decides to abduct the lady who will one day lead their planet. Neither of them is thrilled when the runes indicate he is her destined mate. I call this my Conan the Barbarian meets Princess Grace story.

How can readers get in touch with you?

Readers can email me at patti@pattioshea.com . They can also visit my web site and sign up for my email newsletter. The form is on the Contact Me page at http://www.pattioshea.com .

Patti, thanks for joining us, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of Ravyn's Flight in our TT/Fantasy section. November 28, 2002