Selena Robins, Author

First, I want to start off by wishing you and your families a wonderful 2011, filled with good health, laughter and many joyous blessings.

Please give a warm blog welcome to the very talented, multi-published, award-winning author, Denise Agnew. Can you tell I’m a huge fan? I’m not singing her praises because she’s a wonderful person and friend, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her books, even before I got to know her, meet her and have been blessed with her friendship.

I’ve had the honor and pleasure to critique her latest release, which she talks about in the interview, FOR A ROMAN’S HEART. I don’t usually read that time period and don’t watch movies with Gladiators in them. She made a CONVERT out of me, and my husband thanked her, because I then wanted to rent any and all movies with Gladiator hero’s. I HIGHLY recommend For A Roman’s Heart.

Denise has graciously offered to give away an autographed paperback copy of one of her titles for one lucky reader who comments on the blog or asks Denise a question. We’ll hold the draw on Friday, January 7th. Good luck and enjoy the interview, complete with a RECIPE from Denise.

Selena: What is the most unusual thing you did in the name of research?

Denise: Oh, Lordy. Let’s see. That’s a very good question. I’d say read through about fifteen books on Romans, Roman Soldiers, and Roman Britain for my January 4 release For A Roman’s Heart. I’ve read almost that many books for some of my other historicals, but I dipped my mind in a ton of Roman research.

Selena: Can you share something that your readers don’t know about you?

Denise:  That I’m the ultimate introvert given the right circumstances. Yes, I do like to socialize, but introversion is my true heart. I once spent four days alone at home in England without speaking to a soul. It was black ice and fog weather, so that kept me indoors, and my hubby was away on military training. It didn’t bother me at all that I didn’t see a single person for days. 🙂 Finally one of my neighbors (a dear older lady) came over and rang the doorbell and said, “Come over for a cup of coffee, love.”

Selena: I keep saying, we’re separated at birth, since I’m such an introvert as well. LOL (Okay, tongue was planted firmly in cheek on that one)

I know you are interested in paranormal activities such as ghost hunting, can you tell us what inspired these interests?

Denise:  I’ve been interested in the paranormal since I was a small child. I read spooky books, even ones that most kids my age weren’t allowed to read. I love old spooky movies and some new ones. I think it’s the mystery of the unknown that continuously drags me in. I can’t imagine not investigating the unknown and creating it in my novels, too. I’ve also had a few weird experiences since childhood that made me want to understand the paranormal.

Selena: If you could get into a time machine and flash back to the last year of high school, what advice would you give yourself?

Denise:  That half the angst I experienced while a teen was basically bollocks and not worth worrying about. I’d tell myself that my dreams would come true one day, so not to worry.

Selena: If we could ask your best friend, “What’s the funniest thing you could say about Denise?” What do you think she would say?

Denise:  That inside that sometimes reserved exterior is a real cut up.

Selena: Your choice. Sweet or spicy? A quick recipe you could share with our readers.

Denise:  Sweet and spicy. Best nachos ever. Your choice of a half pound/pound of ground beef or ground turkey browned in a skillet. Mix (in large bowl) one can of fat free refried beans, half cup low sugar barbecue sauce, a cup of shredded cheddar or other cheese of your choice with the browned meat. Spread in a baking dish. Bake at 325F for at least twenty minutes. Remove and garnish with chopped green onions, sliced black olives, chopped tomato and more sprinkle cheese. Enjoy with your choice of tortilla chips. I like blue chips. You can also spread Picante or salsa on top of this nacho dish but I find that sometimes makes it a little soupy. So use it sparingly. Actually, this isn’t much in the spicy department, which is okay with me.

Selena: Congratulations on your latest release, which you know I loved critiquing and reading. Tell our readers a little about FOR A ROMAN’S HEART.

Denise: For A Roman’s Heart is released with Samhain Publishing http://www.samhainpublishing on January 4th. It’s a true book of my heart.

For A Roman’s Heart is one of those stories I wanted to write a long time ago. I didn’t have the whole plot in mind (I never do), when I started writing it. I’d wanted to create something set in a Roman era, but it wasn’t until about five or six years ago that the real idea started to formulate in my mind. The story went through more than one rehash, and at one point it read more like a straight historical than a historical romance. But never fear romance lovers. This is definitely a hot historical romance. I wouldn’t classify it as erotic romance in the purest sense, but when the hero and heroine finally come together, I hope readers will find it explosive. Explosions aside, I love writing the gritty reality in my historical novels, so I don’t always pull punches.

Here’s a blurb to get you started, and you can pop over to my website at http://www.deniseagnew.com to read more.

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His scarred soul knows no vulnerability—except her touch.

Trapped between cruel parents and the need to hide her gift of second sight from suspicious villagers, Adrenia Tertia Brigomalla walks a line as thin as the threads she weaves. The need for independence burns fierce in her heart, but not as hot as her unexpected attraction to a Roman soldier who comes to the village in search of a deserter.

Though hardened by war, Centurion Terentius Marius Atellus defies any man to harm an innocent. Nothing shakes his relentless determination to track down a murderous Legionnaire with a taste for young women. Yet Adrenia’s spirit and vulnerability spark a protective instinct stronger than duty…and temptation that could be his downfall.

Fragile trust built on stolen kisses and a premonition saves his life and drives his offer of the ultimate protection—marriage. While she revels in the feral passion he awakens within her, Adrenia would sooner brave the fires of Hades than trade one yoke for another.

It’s a decision that could leave them both dangling above a precipice they may not survive…

Thanks so much, Selena, for having me as a guest today.

Denise A. Agnew
www.deniseagnew.com