Catherine Stang lives in Kansas with her husband and son and their three very active papillons.

Please visit our Review page and read the review of Catherine's first novel, Ravensthorpe Legacy.

Now please join me in chatting with Catherine.

HRC: Catherine, congratulations on your debut novel, Ravensthorpe Legacy.

Catherine Stang: "Thank you. This has been a dream come true for me. Seeing my cover with my name on it was a big thrill. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe this is really happening."

HRC: Please tell our readers about the Duke of Ravensthorpe and his heroine, Daphne.

Catherine Stang: "Barclay Stewart became duke under a dark cloud of suspicion. His father and late duke's friends died under mysterious circumstances. The rumor among the ton is that they didn't want their past secrets exposed. Then his twin elder brother, Burke, disappears and is presumed dead. Now, it is up to him to save his family from scandal.

"Daphne Townsend's parents are murdered and the last person to see them alive is Barclay Stewart, Duke of Ravensthorpe. When he avoids her, she is forced to show up on his doorstep to confront him.

"Barclay has no idea what to do with the brash American, Daphne, who won't take no for an answer. How can he stop her from unlocking the secrets that many were willing to die to keep?"

HRC: Where did you get your inspiration for Ravensthorpe Legacy?

Catherine Stang: "I was touring the mansions in Newport, RI with my sister and they made me think of what secrets an old house could keep."

HRC: What made you decide to become an author, let alone decide to write romance?

Catherine Stang: "I've always written ever since I discovered I could. Once I had an English teacher write on the bottom of one my very long short stories 'Have you ever thought of writing a book?' That did it. I started out writing in notebooks before I got a computer.

"Writing romance was an easy choice for me. I enjoy blending my love of different time periods with happy endings."

HRC: What is it that led you to write a historical novel versus, say, a contemporary?

Catherine Stang: "I'm a history buff who loves getting to escape to another time period."

HRC: Is Ravensthorpe Legacy a standalone book or will it perhaps be part of a series for you?

Catherine Stang: "It is part of a series. I love writing connected books. It seems that once I create a world that I like to play in it for a while. I'm not done with the Ravensthorpe twins. I think it is only fitting that since Burke helped cause part of the scandal by pretending to be dead that he gets to find out what it is really like to have the responsibilities for being duke. Watch out for Ravensthorpe Heir available now from New Concepts Publishing."

HRC: What did you do before you decided to write? Do you have an interesting or humorous story you would like to share with us from any of your prior occupations?

Catherine Stang: "I had trouble finding a major in college, because I didn't think of writing as a possible career back then. I ended up majoring in Elementary Education, so I could take all the English and History classes that I wanted. I taught preschool. When I had my son, I quit working to stay home with him. I wrote during his naptime and increased my writing time as he got into school."

HRC: How long/difficult was the journey to being published for you?

Catherine Stang: "I wrote for years and received so many rejection letters that I have lost count before I sold my first book."

HRC: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Catherine Stang: "Never give up. Believe in yourself no matter what anyone else tells you. Find some writing friends who understand what you are going through. My critique partners were my life line. I wouldn't be at this point without their encouragement and support."

HRC: Do you have any works in progress? Anything you can share with us?

Catherine Stang: "In May I have Crossing the Line which is a paranormal contemporary romantic suspense will be available in e book and print from Whiskey Creek Press. Also, I'm going to Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in April. I'll be at the RT club and at the book signing. More details are on my website www.catherinestang.com."

HRC: What is the creative process for you behind writing a romance novel?

Catherine Stang: "I tend to let the story develop as I write. I'm never sure exactly how it will end until I get there. I know they will end up together, but discovering the how and why are the fun part of writing for me."

HRC: Your characters in Ravensthorpe Legacy seem very real and intriguing. How do you 'find' or create these endearing heroes and heroines?

Catherine Stang: "I'm so glad you like them. These were fun characters to write. I let my characters tell their story. In this case opposites attracted. Very stuffy, practical Barclay was no match for the impulsive Daphne. She challenged him in ways he never imagined that anyone would. Little did he know that he needed some fun, love, and laughter in his life.

HRC: When you find some time to take a break and relax, are there any hobbies or activities you enjoy doing?

Catherine Stang: "I have a teenage son who is always getting me involved in his activities. Since I work at home, I'm more free to ride the band bus as a sponsor on short notice, judge Debate and Speech, or go watch him play tennis. I have three very active papillons who keep me company during the day. My husband and I are trained therapy dog handlers. We take our little dogs to nursing home to visit each week."

HRC: What era in history intrigues you most?

Catherine Stang: "It is hard to pick, because that depends on what I'm in the mood for. Each time period has its own unique quality."

HRC: Have you ever considered writing a paranormal or adding paranormal elements to your historicals?

Catherine Stang: "I have written paranormal elements into a couple of contemporaries. I would like to write some into a historical, too."

HRC: When you are not immersed in creating your own wonderful worlds, are there romance writers whom you read?

Catherine Stang: "I love to read. It is hard to only pick a few since I read all the time. I love Julie Garwood, Cathy Maxwell, and Lorraine Heath. Recently I discovered Sarah MacCarty, Samantha Kane, Donna Grant, and Barbara Baldwin. I'm always on the look out for someone new to read."

HRC: Which authors have inspired you in your own writing?

Catherine Stang: "Julie Garwood was the first published author that I met at a conference. Discovering that she was a stay-at-home mom like me gave me courage to send my stuff out.

"I won a critique at a conference from Mary Jo Putney. She taught me many ways to improve my work.

"The late Suzanne Barclay I met at a pre-convention Romantic Times writer's workshop. I approached her during a break and she answered all my questions. She was the first person to take my writing seriously and I'll never forget the feeling of talking about my work with another writer."

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