Welcome to New Faces, where we're delighted to showcase some of the debut romance authors you'll see in your favorite bookstore. This week we're visiting with Lauren Royal, whose first romance is Amethyst, a Signet release. Hello, Lauren!

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and have always lived in Southern California. My husband and I have two sons, aged 14 and 12, and an 11-year-old daughter. They conspire to keep us both running all over the planet taking them to and from their various activities. Typical 21st century family, I guess! We're all too busy these days, aren't we?

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

Yes, this is definitely my second career! After college, where I majored in motion picture and television production (and wrote a lot of screenplays), I opened a jewelry store in a mall. (Um . . . yeah, I know that really doesn't seem to follow!) I eventually dragged my parents, brother, and husband into the business, and the one store grew to six. During this fourteen-year period I honed my writing skills on 150-page employee manuals, countless scintillating company newsletters, and an occasional political opinion article when I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. When we sold the stores to a national chain, I decided to stay home with my kids and pursue the writing career I'd always dreamed of.

What led you to write romance? Are you a longtime reader?

I read voraciously in all sorts of genres, but since I discovered romance in my teens, it has always been my first love. I'm a sucker for the happy ending, and really, I never even considered writing anything else!

Tell us about your road to publication.

My critique partner, Terri Castoro, lives all the way across the country in New Jersey. We met online right about the time we'd both finished our first books. At least we thought we were finished! It didn't take us long to discover that we had a lot to learn, but we were both committed to doing whatever it takes. We've both written "full time," every day from the start, and we read and critique every word each other writes. We learned together. We took classes, attended workshops, received feedback from contests, and shared every little nugget back and forth. About two years and twenty drafts later, I was finally ready to submit. I think I was rejected by 34 agents before I finally found one willing to take me on. It was a long, grueling process. But after that--and I know other authors don't want to hear this!--the sale itself was easy. She sent my manuscript out on a Thursday, and the next Monday we had an offer for a three-book deal.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

Lots and lots, but it wasn't painful at all. I actually fell in love with the Restoration period at the age of 14, when I sneaked a valuable first-edition copy of FOREVER AMBER out of my great-uncle's library. I have never quite lived that escapade down! After that, I started collecting history books on the period, which I read for fun. Everyone in my family knows that my favorite birthday present is a dusty old book, so my collection grew and grew. Years later, when I sat down to write, I really had a lot of the research in my head already, and what I didn't have in my head was right there at my fingertips.

Who are your influences as a writer?

I think every book I've ever read has influenced my writing. I'm a sponge. Even if a book is less than wonderful, I learn from it . . . in a few cases, I've learned how not to write, but it's all valuable input. I couldn't even begin to list my favorite romance authors here, because I love so many and I'd be mortified if I left one off by mistake. My favorite non-romance authors are Ken Follett, Robert A. Heinlein, Ayn Rand, and Diana Gabaldon (I really don't consider her a romance writer, even though she's often shelved there).

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

Oh, they are very proud and excited! My oldest son designed and maintains my website, which is truly a labor of love. My younger kids are always willing to help out however they can, whether it's folding flyers or telling people at the door that Mom can't talk to them because she's on deadline. My husband carts my bookmarks all over the place, and my parents are just thrilled--it's almost embarrassing the way they go around telling perfect strangers their daughter wrote a book. On the other hand (there's always another hand, isn't there?), I think they're all a bit overwhelmed at the amount of time this career can consume, especially now that my first book is out and the business end of writing has been added to the writing end of writing. It's been a big adjustment for us all, but we are slowly learning how to prioritize and handle it.

Tell us about plans for future books.

My debut book, AMETHYST, is the first in a trilogy about the Chase family. The second book, EMERALD, is currently scheduled for October of this year, with AMBER to follow sometime in summer 2001. I also just finished writing a novella that will be part an anthology titled--are you ready for this?--IN PRAISE OF YOUNGER MEN. It's due out next February, and the other authors are Jo Beverley, Cathy Maxwell, and Jaclyn Reding. Heady company there!

How can readers get in touch with you?

I would love to hear from readers, either by e-mail at lauren@laurenroyal.com, or by regular mail at P.O. Box 52932, Irvine, CA 92619. If you mail me an SASE, I'd be happy to send you an autographed bookplate and/or bookmark. I also hope everyone will stop by my website at www.laurenroyal.com and have a look. I've posted pictures of my characters' homes and recipes for the 17th century dishes they eat. And don't forget to visit the contest page--I'm giving away genuine amethyst and pearl necklaces--one every month through August!

Lauren, thanks for joining us, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of Amethyst on our Historical page. March 20, 2000