PASSION'S FURIES - Genesis Press/Indigo - July 2008

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In July and August, Ms. Washington will be releasing A LOVER'S WORTH, RIVAL'S DESIRE and her second historical, PASSION'S FURIES.  One of Kimani Romance's most popular author, Altonya continues to pens stories of passion and romance.

This month she joins us to talk about her work.

1. Are you a full time author?

No, although I write enough to feel that I am. By day, I'm a library assistant for a college library.

2. When you’re not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I'm a movie fanatic and I love everything from the sleek classics of the 30s & 40s to the action adventure blockbusters of today.

3. What would you say is responsible for your critical success and your popularity with readers?

A good friend once told me to listen to my readers and give them what they want. As I've been a romance reader since age 13, I try to write material that send those shimmies down my spine and I pray that my readers will have the same reaction.

4. What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment (as a writer) to date?

There are two: My upcoming historical title PASSION'S FURIES and The Ramsey series.

5. If you were introducing a new reader to your work, which one would you choose and why? Probably "In The Midst of Passion" (Dafina Books/ August 2006) The work incorporates suspense and romance equally which are 2 of my favorite writing elements.

6. Tell us a bit about PASSION’S FURIES and RIVAL’S DESIRE?

RIVAL'S DESIRE (Kimani Romance August 2008) has a lighter tone to my style in a storyline that uses more humorous undertones and antics. Singer Vivian Desmond and Athlete Caesar Morrison have been in competition since the crib, but beneath all that intense...dislike stirs an intense...curiosity. Their grandmothers see the attraction and devise a ruse to throw the 2 celebs into each others paths. Intrusive? Perhaps, but the grannies believe their stubborn grandkids just need a much needed push to act on the attraction that has simmered between them for years. It'll be another sort of competition between the rivals to see who gives into desire first.

PASSION'S FURIES (Genesis Press, August 2008) Uses the historical backdrop of the proposed Denmark Vesey rebellion in Charleston SC circa 1820s. My heroine Jacinta McIver is a free black woman who is obsessed and incensed by the institution of slavery and its horrors. She uses her talent for writing to notate the insights of slaves close to her home. She is also very determined to be part of the rebellion in any way she can be. Of course, this will never happen if her father Jason McIver has his say. Jacinta's intentions to be part of the uprising are further compromised when she meets Solomon Dikembe. Wealthy, free, intelligent and gorgeous as sin, Solomon possesses qualities that never fail to draw interest and instill arousal in every woman he meets. Jason is sure his would be business associate would also make a perfect son in law. Jacinta would have none of it for she refused to sentence herself to marriage which in her mind was only another form of slavery. Moreover, Solomon Dikembe was mulatto and in 1820s Charleston, the hatred between 'pure blacks' and mulattos ran deep and within that reality lay the success or failure of Mr. Vesey's rebellion.

7. Can you tell us a bit about the two Ramsey’s books released this year A LOVER’S WORTH and A LOVER’S REGRET?

And why the move to self-publication for this series? A LOVER'S REGRET (IUniverse- January 2008) and A LOVER'S WORTH (IUniverse -July 2008) focus on the youngest and eldest sons of the corrupt Ramsey elder Marcus Ramsey. Any reader of the series knows that Marc's foul ways have cast a dark shadow over every member of his family especially his sons. We met middle son Fernando Ramsey in Book 3 A LOVER'S MASK (Kimani Romance- March 2007). Regret focuses on Yohan Ramsey and his estranged wife Melina Dan who left the man she loved when subtle threats from Marcus hit too close to home. Worth focuses on Moses Ramsey whose real fear of being like his father pushes him to betray Johari Frazier in the name of protecting her. Now years later, he strives to prove his worth and win back the woman he loves. Problem? Johari hates him and carries a secret that could devastate Moses more than he knows. Why the move to self pub? My previous editor informed me that the imprint was moving away from storylines featuring highly suspenseful subplots. I was disillusioned at first, but then I felt blessed to have the freedom to write these characters as I felt they should be portrayed. Any Ramsey reader will tell you that these characters can't be forced into specific guidelines. I have very loyal readers and couldn't see not sharing the rest of the series with them hence the move to self publish.

8. What has been the most difficult thing about being a published author who write African-America Romance?

I think any author who writes romance is in for a certain amount of difficulty. For one, there are some in the literary world who don't believe (or act as if they don't believe) in the credibility of the genre. So there is the issue of getting folks to take your work seriously. Then there is the struggle of getting your name out there and figuring out the best way to do that is something I spent quite a while working on. For me, maintaining contact with my readers and benefiting from their support in recommending my work to others has proved most beneficial. Also, utilizing the power of the web to reach out to new readers via various places such as My Space, Goodreads.com, Shelfari.com and my own website. It may not be the glamorous world of traveling from one event to the next but it has been a huge success for me.

9. You write historical and romantic suspense. How easy or difficult it is to write in two totally difficult genre? Do you have a preference?

I love both genres, but my preference is historical. I adore history- always have and to be able to weave a romance amidst various backdrops of times long past is a treat. However to create a truly insightful, entertaining and educating story takes more than coming up with sizzling characters, settings and love scenes...there's so much research involved- reading everything from the bible, books covering historical events, to ones on clothing, speech, food and transportation. Research for Passions Furies even included hours scouring atlases and slave narratives. I enjoyed every minute but it takes an extraordinary amount of time for me with all I've got going on in my life. I started researching Passion's Furies in the Spring of 2004 and finished my first draft at the end of 2005. I left it alone until it was time to revise it once more for publishing by Genesis Press.

10. What are you working on right now? Book of Scandal which chronicles the early days of the Ramsey Elders. Fans of the series will know these are the folks responsible for all the unrest strangling the family in the present series.

11. How have you grown as a writer since the release of your first book, REMEMBER LOVE in 2003?

I've grown as it relates to my characters. Their depth and my ability to really reach inside them and draw out who they are and what drives them- this has been such an enjoyable challenge to see where their personalities will lead me.

12. How can readers contact you?

Email me at: altonyawashington@yahoo.com or sign my guestbook at www.lovealtonya.com