Name: Elaine Overton

Date of Birth: Oct. 4, 1969

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

City of Residence: Detroit area

1. Love’s Inferno is your debut novel, how did you feel when you got the call? Ecstatic! Actually, at first, I thought some kind of mistake had been made – but I wasn’t about to say anything!

2. How easy or difficult was it for you to become published? That’s the miracle! I had heard so much about how hard it was, and read all kinds of books that basically said "don’t give up". So, I was prepared to wait. My submission to Arabesque was my very first submission and I was called within four months – which is why I thought it was some kind of mistake. I’m in a local RWA chapter and I see all these really talented people being repeatedly rejected. So, I know it was not me, but the grace of God.

3. Has your life changed since becoming a published author? No, not really. I still get up in the morning and go to work everyday. I still come home, cook dinner and help my son with homework. The only real difference is I spend my spare time writing instead of reading. But, since I like my life, I’m not in any great big hurry to change it.

4. What prompted you to start writing ? I’ve always enjoyed reading, especially romance. A couple of years ago, I had just finished reading a particularly wonderful book, and I told my sister "Wow, I wish I could write like that." Her answer was, "Why don’t you?" Figuring I had nothing to lose, and a great admirer of Beverly Jenkins, I decided to try my hand at a historical. I had read somewhere that a manuscript in that genre should be about 300 pages. So, I sat down and pumped out my 350 page story, it was a multicultural western. Unfortunately, what I didn’t know is that they meant 300 pages double spaced – which made my book about 700 pages! But it didn’t matter, by then I was hooked on the creative process. Some time later, I was reading an Arabesque novel and found their submission requirements online. The rest, you know.

5. Tell us a little bit about LOVE'S INFERNO? It’s classic Cinderella. Only, instead of glass slippers, my Cinderella wears rubber boots and turnout gear. And instead of sitting at home feeling sorry for herself, she’s out fighting fire and taking care of business. The heroine rescues the man of her dreams from a burning building, only to discover that he is the primary suspect in the arson investigation. So, Marty is forced to choose between her heart which says the man she loves isn’t capable of murder, or her brain which cannot ignore the compelling evidence against Cavanaugh.

6. Which characters in LOVE'S INFERNO did you enjoy writing about the most? I think every author falls a little in love with her leading man. So, of course, Cavanaugh was very special to me. Human beings are the sum of their experiences, and yet most are still able to rise above our individual circumstances. That’s what I love about Cavanaugh’s character. Although, he was not raised in an environment that fostered love and caring, instead of becoming bitter and resent-filled, it made him crave love all the more.

7. How long have you been writing? Is it what you always wanted to do? I’ve been writing since I penned my first love poem to my seventh grade crush. He never saw it – and neither will you J. But, I’ve always found comfort in writing down my inner thoughts and ideas, and that eventually graduated to short stories, and on to my 700 page western.

8. Are there any authors that inspired you to become an author? Who and Why? The list is far too long to try to name them all. But I read everything from historical to paranormal. Everyone from Beverly Jenkins to Teresa Medeiros, from Brenda Jackson to Christine Feehan. I’m particularly impressed by people like Jane Krentz, someone who can write in three different genres, under three different pseudonyms and be a best seller in all three categories.

9. What do you do in your spare time? What spare time? Just kidding, now those hours are filled with writing, or trying to promote LOVE'S INFERNO Because I’m a book junkie, I have to squeeze in some reading time. And of course, my son, who is not the least bit impressed by my published author status still expects me to be a mom.

10. What’s next for Elaine Overton? My next book, tentatively entitled "Déjà vu" will be out in August-05. My hero and heroine are both attorneys. Eight years ago a high profile case had them squaring off in court on opposing sides. Their strong feelings regarding the trial caused them to end their year long engagement and life long friendship. Now, fate has brought them together again under the same circumstances.

11. How can your fans communicate with you? I’m still putting my website together, but for now they can reach me by email at eoverton03@yahoo.com. Thank you to everyone who has already sent me emails, I really enjoy reading them, and will try to respond to all.

Thank you for taking the time and allowing me to interview you. On behalf of RIC, I would like to congratulate you on being our selected new face for the month of January 2005. I would also like to wish you continual success in work and life.