Welcome to our New Faces column, where we're delighted to introduce some of the latest romance authors in the genre. This time we're visiting with Robin D. Owens, whose debut novel HeartMate is a futuristic romance now available from Jove. Let's find out more about Robin and how she built the world of Celta.

Robin, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself.

I'm single and living in Denver with cats. All my family is here and we've been in Colorado for four generations now. I have a degree in International Service and Information Science and a Paralegal Certificate.

Cats --sigh-- if I'd known that all I had to do to get cats was to put out a bowl of food on the back porch, I wouldn't have bought two kittens. So now I have four, two purchased (who think they're better than the two who showed up and stayed). Of course the two who showed up got written into the first book, so now THEY think they're better...especially Maddox, The Cover Cat.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

LOL. I sure haven't quit my day job. But I am a contract paralegal, so I have a bit of flexibility to write. I'm also "out of the closet." Everyone at work knows I write (hard to miss with the cover flat of HeartMate attached with a magnet to my gray cubicle wall outside the ladies' bathroom....)

What led you to write romance?

I started out reading science fiction/fantasy (surprise!), then was an avid mystery fan, and finally realized that what I loved most about the books I read was any romance. So when I finally decided not to ignore my writing urge, I wanted to write romance. I like the idea of an upbeat ending, enjoy exploring relationship issues, and frankly, I like hot stuff.

Tell us about your road to publication.

Oh, boy! I say eight years of writing before I sold, but it was more like nine. Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers taught me how to write. I have one VERY long-term critique group, one I've been going to for about three years, and an online group. HeartMate is the first novel that I sold. My first book will probably never be rewritten. I think I can revise my second and third to sell also.

Yes, I entered and placed/won contests with several of my books, including my current WIP, Heart Thief. Paranormal/Futuristic Fantasy is always tough to win, because one category can have time travel, ghosts, wizards, or telepathic cats.... I got used to placing in contests, not even making the finals, and winning. It's a mystery.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

Most of theresearch was scientific/social sciences. A world with two moons inhabited by Earth colonists. What would it look like? How populated would it be? What is the social structure? I have pages of notes on the FirstFamilies and the naming. I have books on Celtic legends and myths, and on divination. The cat stuff came very easily. All I had to do was think what my cats would say or do--that's a daily, living research, very much "write what you know."

Who are your influences as a writer?

First and foremost Jayne Ann Krentz, particularly writing as Jayne Castle, then Nora Roberts, of course, Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell. In science fiction and fantasy I like Jo Clayton. In mystery, my favorite was John Dickson Carr/Carter Dickson. For sheer inspiration, I admire Julia Cameron who wrote The Artist's Way, I've modeled my Free Your Artist page on my website after her insights.

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

They are very proud and supportive, buying quite a few books for gifts. Ok, so a $5.99 personalized present is hard to beat...I think they were surprised I sold, but pleased.

Tell us about plans for future books.

I believe Jove (understandably) is waiting to see how well HeartMate sells before they buy Heart Thief (excerpt at my website http://www.robindowens.com ). I have seven or eight ideas for Celta that I'd love to write.

The second book, Heart Thief, is about Ruis Elder, the thief, and Ailim D'SiverFir, a judge. There's both a cat (female--"Lets go play!") AND a puppy. Ruis appears in HeartMate, and Ailim is mentioned there. Both T'Ash and Danith from HeartMate have minor parts in Heart Thief, as well as Holm Holly and Larkspur Collinson; Straif Blackthorn and Mitchella Clover. Holm Holly's story is also in the works (twin orange kittens, both boys), as is Straif Blackthorn's (half-Siamese cat, female, the REAL Princess). I have notes on Winterberry and Trif Clover's romance, and Tinne Holly's. I ideas for some characters that not even my critique group has met -- Saille Willow, Marigold, and "Vinni" T'Vine...and a reader is trying to persuade me that Claif Clover deserves a story....

How can readers get in touch with you? I love for people to explore my website which I update monthly: http://www.robindowens.com My email is robin@robindowens.com (did you know there is a goddessmail.com out there? I thought it was a little over the top for business purposes, but the lure....) My postal address is: P.O. Box 12616, Denver, CO 80212.

It's been great chatting with you, and I'm honored that you asked for an interview as well as being pleased that you liked the cats (Maddox/Zanth and Pansy-Princess/Muse have photos up at my site on the "About Robin" page) and liked HeartMate. As the Celtans would say "Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again."

Readers, we have a review of HeartMate on our Time Travel/Futuristic page.

January 8, 2002