Welcome to our New Faces column, where we are delighted to introduce debut romance authors to our readers. This time we're visiting with Loreth Anne White, whose first release is Melting the Ice from Silhouette Intimate Moments.

Welcome, Loreth! Tell us about yourself.

I live with my family in a ski resort in British Columbia's Coast Mountains, a far cry from the Southern Africa in which I was born and raised. I come from a family of writers. My father trained as a chemical engineer and packed it in to become a financial journalist. My mother is a Jane Austin fanatic and has published both non-fiction and a children's book. My brother is also writer. He just doesn't know it yet. I studied English literature, psychology and philosophy at university before taking a job selling advertising space with a newspaper chain in South Africa. It wasn't long before my ineptitude as a sales rep was noticed and I was moved over into the editorial department. I've been writing for a living ever since but this is my first foray into the world of fiction.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

I still work as a freelance writer for local non-fiction publications. But I 'm trying very hard to make the fiction side of my career work as that has now become my first love.

What led you to write romance?

I am a longtime reader of romance, particularly romantic suspense, but I also read widely across other genres. I had set my heart on writing a romantic suspense and had thought I'd target Harlequin's Intrigue line . but then I discovered Silhouette Intimate Moments and Leslie Wainger on the eHarlequin community message boards. I knew right away I wanted to write for her line.

Tell us about your road to publication.

I was lucky enough to sell the first book I wrote. I really think my solid writing background helped. But before penning my manuscript, I read just about every book that was being put out in my target line. Leslie Wainger, Executive Senior Editor for Silhouette Intimate Moments, is also very accessible on the eHarlequin site. I badgered the poor woman with questions as I wrote. MELTING THE ICE was requested by Susan Litman. It took almost a year from submission to sale including revisions.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

Quite a lot, most of which was never used. I read widely on Bioweapons and Bioterrorism. I also studied up on "Dr. Death" a frightening real-life "Plague Doctor" . The setting for MELTING is based on my hometown so everything on the ski resort comes from first-hand knowledge.

Tell us about your debut book.

Hannah McGuire's resort-town life had been quiet, happy and safe, until the body of her missing friend melted out of glacial ice. Hannah's investigation into the alleged "accident" forced her into a partnership with Dr. Rex Logan - the man she'd loved, lost and been hiding from for six years. Rex had put Hannah's life in danger once before. Now he had to face her again. And this time, to protect her, he was staying close - very close. Working to expose a terrorist secret that could threaten global security, Rex was defenceless in the face of the powerful passion that still simmered between them. But was passion enough? And when Hannah told Rex her own secret - that she'd borne him a son - would she put all their lives in grave danger?

Who are your influences as a writer?

I think everything I've ever read has influenced my writing in some way. And I go through cycles of favorites. In terms of popular fiction, I've devoured Patricia Cornwell. I love Elizabeth George's writing. Dan Brown is a current favorite for suspense. I eat up international spy thrillers. I love Wilbur Smith's earlier works which, in addition to the adventure and suspense, contain romantic elements. For romantic suspense I love Elizabeth Lowell (and her Ann Maxwell alias.) I've recently discovered Francine Mathews' espionage novels and I've read just about everything by romance doyenne Nora Roberts. But ask me again tomorrow and I'll have a whole new list.

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

My husband and youngest daughter are thrilled. My eldest is dubious. My mother is slowly coming round. But my extended family are basically very proud and are finally able to justify their "odd" relative.

Tell us about plans for future books.

I have several manuscripts in the Harlequin-Silhouette pipe, one of which links into MELTING THE ICE and features Bellona Channel agent Scott Armstrong who we met in the first book. I've had readers ask for his story and I hope to be able to tell it in the not-too-distant future. Getting used to the pace of this business, however, has been one of the toughest aspects for me. I'm used to seeing my stories in print the next day or next week. Yeah, I can hear you all laughing now.

How can readers get in touch with you?

I can be reached through the contact feature on my website at www.lorethannewhite.com , via e-mail at loreth@telus.net or via snail-mail at Box 423, Whistler, B.C. Canada, V0N 1B2. I'm also a regular on the eHarlequin boards and several writing loops.

Loreth, thank you for joining us and best of luck with your future books! Readers, we have a review of MELTING THE ICE in our Category section.