Diana: Hi, Joey, great to "see" you again. We miss you up here in the rainy Northwest! Thanks so much for the kind comments about my "Forever in a Day" 24 hour series! (And your check is in the mail. *VBG*)

Hi, Everybody! I'm so thrilled and excited to be here, because I used to chat on your boards! I wish I could recall my chat name. I was a reader eons before I became a writer and RBL is one of my favorite sites. Especially the hunks! All those years ago, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be one of your interview authors! Wow, I feel like a woman who’s been given the key to the hunk store. *s*

My life has been overrun by three hormonally-challenged teenagers and their assorted friends, two imperious cats, a rambunctious puppy, a saint of a hubby, and a constantly-trashed house that ALL need a keeper. And guess who got appointed head caretaker of the asylum? *G* Once I decided to "get serious" about writing in 1998, I had to shuffle my schedule big time. I would gladly snail mail my teenagers to anyone who wants them. (**Note: Diana’s teenagers arrive post-paid, complete with their own wardrobes and Walkmans – friends and food not included!**) Unfortunately, my Internet "play" time is the most expendable, so that's what got axed.

During the five spare minutes I have per year, I am an HGTV addict, and I scare the family to death by conducting renegade redecorating missions. They whimper and run when they catch me pouring over my massive collection of paint swatches. The cowards. Other than belonging to DA (Decorator's Anonymous – if you have the sudden urge to wallpaper, you call them and they talk you out of it), I'm rather boring. I spend most of my time researching and writing. I like living in my imaginary world with my characters. Even when they’re giving me fits, like the book I’m writing right now! Argh!

Joey: Okay, enough chit-chat!! *smile* Let's get to the GOOD stuff. BULLETPROOF BRIDE was my favorite book of 2004! I noticed it was voted Best Intimate Romance of 2004 by CataRomance, too. What ever inspired you to make your hero and heroine meet by having him kidnap her during a 'bank robbery'? Did you come up with that idea and work forward? Or did some other part of the story come to you first?

Diana: The catalyst was actually a real life event. I worked in a bank for eight years BC (before children.) We'd been robbed several times, and it wasn’t usually what you’d call a bundle of fun. Well, one Friday afternoon, we got robbed, and the bank robber was very cute and charming. Though the FBI didn't appreciate my viewpoint. Those agents are so stern. *VBG* The robber did his job with such finesse, I "almost" couldn't begrudge the cutie patootie the money. I'd been fooling around with writing for years (mostly magazine articles). I went home and jotted a few pages about the robbery. Then I promptly tucked it away.

Fast forward thirteen years: The first novel I *finally* completed was a Scottish time travel with a sexy, sword-wielding Highlander. I will always have a fond spot in my heart for that book and I hope it will eventually be published one day ... after major revisions, of course. (For all you Scott-o-philes, my Website is packed with fun Scottish goodies - including an up-close-and-personal snapshot of what a true Scot wears under his kilt.) Oh, and check out "Innocents Abroad," the crazy story about what happened when a friend and I – who met in an Internet chat room – went on an impromptu ten day trip to Scotland for "research."

My second creation was a pitiful attempt at a short romantic comedy ... with no conflict. That one makes a great doorstop. *G*

Right before I started my third book, I stumbled across the "notes" I'd written after the robbery. I have to admit, over the years, my imagination had played "what if" with the scenario. (That’s how you can tell you’re meant to be a writer. You constantly do the "what ifs." And there’s no cure for it except spewing it all out onto the page!) "What if the sexy, charming, adrenaline junky robber had another agenda? What if things went horribly wrong and he had to kidnap a bank employee ( a young, single, far-too-serious-for-her-own-good woman) for her protection? What if they fell in love?" I had a blast writing that book!

A disclaimer: The airhead bank manager who was always running out to a "charity lunch" or "community event" and was never in the office and dumped all the responsibility on his conscientious, overworked, underpaid operations manager was totally fictitious and bore no resemblance what-so-ever to any boss *I* ever had. Nope. None. Not at all. Not a bit. Cross my heart.

Joey: All three of your books so far have been full of constant, non-stop action (I swear my heart rate is still in overdrive after reading TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES). Did you always want to write action stories? Why? And are you more interested in the adventure, the romance, or both?

Diana: I am a true romantic at heart. The romance totally does it for me! My stories always start out with a man and a woman and their relationship. Then the romance drives the action. The action comes from what will force them to grow, both as individuals and a couple. Take, for instance, my heroine in my first 24 hour book, MIDNIGHT HERO. Bailey was a quiet, shy bookworm. Because of her background, she feared and abhorred violence. But that fear kept her from getting the love she needed and living the life she deserved. Con, her hero, needed to learn that he didn’t always have to rush in to save the day. That he didn’t have to be the first one to kick down the door and eat bullets for breakfast. That there are many different kinds of courage.

So, I had to stick them in a situation where they were forced to confront their worst nightmares – and overcome them. By locking Bailey and Con alone in a mall during an ice storm and subsequent power outage with no weapons and a group of men who were determined to kill them. Oh, and just for fun, I threw some hostages they had to rescue, including three of Bailey's good friends. When Con gets hurt, guess who has to make the decision to take charge and rescue everyone? Yes, I am horrible to my characters. But in the end, they persevere and get what they want and need the most. *G*

Joey: Zoe Zagretti, from TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, is one of my favorite heroines. She's strong yet vulnerable, she kicks butt, and she's smart. I don't really have a question, I'd just love to know any further background on her. Like where the idea for her came from or how she molded into the heroine who ended up in your book or anything that went into the basic creation of Zoe.

Diana: Wow, thanks! You know, Zoe is my favorite heroine so far, too. I really don’t know what I did or how I did it. It was like magic. I do extensive character backgrounds and work on the characters a lot, but I don't plan out the story so much. A lot of it comes on the spur of the moment, when I'm flying by the seat of my pants. Zoe just took on a life of her own, and became real. Gad, I LOVE when that happens. I hated to let that book go. I’ve read it in printed form about five times. Usually, I’m sick to death of a book by the time it arrives on store shelves. After I write, rewrite, revise, edit, copy-edit and line edit, I normally don’t want to hash the manuscript over yet again. But TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES was one of those rare, special stories that grabs you by the throat.

It didn’t hurt that I’d modeled my hero's appearance after Adrian Paul, and threw in a bunch of "Highlander" references just for kicks (my all-time favorite hero and all-time favorite TV series)! I just loved TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES. Unfortunately, that’s making it tough for me to get into my new book. The transition between heroines is killing me. I never have trouble falling in love with my heroes. *G*

Joey: Could your heroes be any more manly men? Seriously!! (The scenes at the end of MIDNIGHT HERO with the O'Rourke brothers all together, or at the beginning of TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES during the hostage standoff are great guy-to-guy scenes.) So, do you mold them from your ideal fantasies? Put pieces of real-life guys together? And how do you get your 'guy voice'? Were you raised around a bunch of men?

Diana: LOL! Too funny! A reader recently asked me the same question and asked if my husband was a macho Alpha guy in a kick-ass profession. My husband is the most Beta guy on the planet (he was raised with SEVEN sisters!!). He works in a hospital and the patients love him because he’s so kind. My mom is one of my best friends, and I have two sisters and two daughters. We're overflowing with estrogen around here! We’ve only recently had our teenage foster son living with us, and he’s a sweetie pie, very Beta also.

I have the best of both worlds. In real life, a take-charge Alpha male would last about three seconds with me before he got smacked upside the head. The heroes in my books are my "fantasy men." Men I love to dally with in my imagination.

As I mentioned above, I do sometimes mold my heroes from watching "real" men. I strive hard to make my characters individuals and vastly different from one another, just as real people are. But there is some facet of Duncan MacLeod (the hero from "Highlander," the series) in every single one of my heroes. Duncan is the man to die for – the hero to end all heroes. Flawed, tortured by personal doubt demons, but willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. (And plenty easy on the eyeballs, baby!) I’ve watched episodes of that series until I have big swatches of dialogue memorized. Sigh.

To me, the perfect hero is a man who will not only give his life to protect the heroine, but also for the greater good. Which is why I have this huge attraction to cops and firemen and soldiers. Any of the *self-sacrificing* professions. The men who willingly put their butts on the line every day to keep you and me safe. Not for money or glory or power, but simply because they must. Figuring out what makes them tick is fascinating!!

It’s also why I adore Celts. Especially Irish and Scottish men ... the ultimate warriors. Did you know that Scottish descendants hold the record for the most medals given in all the world wars combined? Studly ... er ... studying my heroes is full time "research."

My husband’s comment: "Your research looks an awful lot like eye-candy to me." No grass grows on him! I appreciate the fact that he’s very understanding about my job. (I know, it’s such a horrible way to make a living, but someone has to do it!) Especially since I was finally able to thank him for his support over the years with new golf clubs. LOL!!

How do I get my guy voice? During my lifetime, I’ve watched just about every martial arts/cop/action movie ever made. Twice. Or several times. *G* John Woo ... oh yeah!! The master! (Lest you think I'm an action junkie, I also love warm-hearted "chick flicks" and comedies, too.)

Once I know my characters, I "hear" them talking. I "see" them as I’m writing the story ... like watching an internal movie. My guys speak to me in their own words. Sometimes they roll their eyes and go, "Hey! I wouldn't say that in a million years!" and make me change their dialogue. LOL! When I'm writing their thoughts, I'm totally in their heads. If I were in any other profession, they'd lock me in a rubber room. It’s amazingly hard and fun and wild and weird, all at the same time. There’s nothing else I’d rather do! Even if they didn’t pay me! PS: Please don't tell my editor that last part. *s*

Joey: I noticed you have a great Website and I had a lot of fun perusing it. Why don't you brag about some of the stuff that's up there and tell us about some of the upcoming updates?

Diana: Okay. I already mentioned the Scottish stuff. Also, through July 15th, I participated in a multiple author contest, where readers could win a great LL Bean tote bag chock full of books and gifts. I also have humorous articles, and my blog, where I diss life in general. Though I haven’t had a chance to update the blog lately, due to Daughter #2’s recent tonsillectomy and other real life intrusions, I have a piece posted on "Why I Write Romance," which I hope will help struggling writers.

There’s a page of inspiring quotes and excerpts from my books and breaking news, which I try to update whenever I hear anything new. Also, when I’m not running a contest, I put hunky pictures on my contest page. Why let a blank page go to waste?

I’m hoping to get word on an official title and release date for Liam’s book (O’Rourke brother #3) very soon, which I will post to breaking news.

Joey: Speaking of upcoming, everyone will want to know your plans for your next books. What/Who is next in the "Forever in a Day" series? Will you be doing all the O'Rourke brothers? Any of their fellow SWAT members that we've met? Can you give us all the titles and release dates that you know?

Diana: Bomb technician Liam and his K-9 partner, Murphy, are up next. Doing the research about Murphy finally broke me down and inspired me – formerly a die-hard cat person – to get a puppy last summer. Much to my youngest daughter’s delight... and the cats’ horror.

I just happen to have a blurb for that book handy. *G* As I said before, no official title and release date yet. For now, I’m calling it "Murphy’s Law."

Murphy’s Law: A woman on the run from love. A man determined to win her heart. A loyal German Shepherd who would die to protect them both.

Two years after a disastrous one-night stand, fate catapults photographer Kate Chabeau and SWAT bomb tech Liam O’Rourke into an explosive reunion. Wounded and wary, Kate has come to Las Vegas desperate to raise funds for a life-saving procedure for her baby niece. When Kate is remanded into Liam’s custody, she’s forced to face her deepest fears: fierce dogs and true love.

Liam, with the help of his devoted K-9, Murphy, vows to protect Kate from the bomber who is stalking her. He’ll risk everything to keep Kate and the little girl alive. He’ll give anything to discover why Kate fled from his bed, leaving behind her innocence. But he and Murphy have only twenty-four hair-raising hours in Sin City to accomplish their most difficult mission ... disarm Kate’s mistrust and win her heart.

After Liam’s book, Grady, the youngest brother is next. He’s the swashbuckler of the O’Rourke family, and I believe his story will involve a rampant killer virus. Though that is subject to last-minute change. *G*

I also have 24 hour books planned for Wyatt Cain, the heart-of-gold negotiator, and Hunter Garrett, the soft-spoken southern sniper. However, I plan to take a break from the "Forever in a Day" series after Grady’s book, so something else will come out in between. The 24 hour format, with each chapter being one hour and the entire book covering a 24 hour period in the lives of the characters, is so intense. It will burn me out if I do too many of them in a row. I also run the real risk of forgetting how to write a "regular" book. LOL!! Stay tuned to my Website for updates.

Joey: Looking further into the future, what are your plans as an author? What type of books can readers expect to see from Diana Duncan five years from now? What type of books would you love to be writing?

Diana: I ADORE vampires. Which is hysterical, because I used to hate them. I got "turned to the dark side" thanks to that Angel dude *G*. I would kill to write a vampire series. (Okay, maybe not literally ... hmmm, then again ... I really, really want to write one.) Funny aside to that, I am a complete wiener when it comes to blood and guts. My dh lost a tussle with a soup can and asked me to help him bandage the enormous, Grand Canyon gash in his right thumb ("Stitches? We don’t need no stinkin’ stitches." Even though he’s Beta, he’s still a man.) *I* woke up on the couch going, "What happened?" Yup, I passed out. Blam, right there on the kitchen floor. And the wounded, bleeding man had to take care of me. You really don't want to be sitting next to me when the plane is going down. Sit beside my dh. He’s a rock. *VBG*

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, hottie Angel. I watch CHARMED. And I kept seeing all these commercials for ANGEL. Vampires, yuck! Blood and gore ... eeww! But hoo-baby, David Boreanaz in black leather? That guy is lickable! It's amazing how a little friendly persuasion can change your mind about some things. *s* I eventually couldn't resist and started watching the show. My weenie status is no secret. My oldest daughter cruised through the room and ANGEL happened to be on the TV, where some gooey demon was getting hacked up. She stopped dead in her tracks, stared at the TV, stared at me, and said, "Mom? YOU? Watching THIS? WHY?"

Then Angel appeared on screen. She grinned and said, "Oh. Nevermind." And went on her way. My fondness for hunks is no secret, either. Heh.

Now I read every vamp romance I can get my hands on! I LOVE paranormal romances. My editor and I have been discussing future projects. I have a couple of paranormal ideas simmering on the back burner, and she really likes them. So, fingers crossed for those to be coming from Intimate Moments in the future. No vampires, but some really great, otherworldly stuff.

And while I love doing the action-packed books, and probably always will, I also write steamy romantic comedies (with just a hint of light suspense). So far, I don't have a publisher for those, but I will eventually. Readers have noticed, and appreciate that my books have generous sprinkles of humor. It sneaks into my stories without conscious thought, through the backdoor of my brain. Sometimes, it rebounds on me. I'll get a note from my editor saying: Chapter 6 was hilarious, but you need to tone it down a bit. And I'm going ... "But I meant Chapter 6 to be serious!" Oops. LOL!

So, let’s see. Five years down the road, I’d love to have a vampire series (like Anita Blake), a fast-paced "detective" series with humor (like Stephanie Plum), still be doing emotional, kick-butt books for Silhouette Intimate Moments, and, in between, turn out funny, hot, sexy romantic comedies. Hmm. I think I’ll be busy. Hey, any takers on those teenagers, yet? *G*

Joey: We love to ask published authors to share any little gems, pieces of advice they have for yet-to-be-published writers who may read this interview.

Diana: Don’t ever give up. Hang in there, even when it seems like everyone hates your stuff but you. It took me almost six years to publish. I entered literally over 100 contests with BULLETPROOF BRIDE and finaled in three of them. Yup, three. I can’t tell you how many times I heard, "But you can’t have a bankrobber hero in a romance." Ya think? Well, duh! Read between the lines, people!

I’ve been told I have a "sassy, irreverent" voice that apparently scares a lot of contest judges ... and from the pile of rejection letters, also quite a number of editors and agents. I have 28 rejections on BULLETPROOF BRIDE. However, I eventually sold from one of those three contest finals. My smart and savvy editor, who has extremely good taste (*VBG*), loves my "sassy, irreverent" voice. I get e-mails from readers who seem to like it, too.

Take the time to learn your craft, and learn it well. Read 'how to' books, take classes, do whatever is necessary. And just keep on keeping on. Keep writing. Keep improving. Keep growing.

If I’d quit, I’d never have had this scary, thrilling, exciting carnival ride of a career to enjoy. It sure beats the pants off bagging groceries at the local Safeway, which I considered all too often before I finally got "the call." Thanks to loyal critique partners who talked me off the ledge many a time, I’m here to say it can be done!!