Interview With Diane Alberts

Hello Diane. Welcome. Can you tell us where the inspiration for ABSOLUTION comes from?

Certainly! I wanted to write a gritty, exciting adventure for Decadent Publishing’s new line, Honor Guard. The men had to be complete alpha males, and it had to take place overseas.

An idea came to me about a pair of exes thrown together in a life-threatening situation…and ABSOLUTION was born! The first scene built rapidly in my head, and the rest all came smoothly. Before I knew it, ABSOLUTION was born.

What was the hardest part of writing ABSOLUTION?

Writing—and researching—the Cartel. I wanted to make the threat on Joseph and Eva realistic, so I did a lot of research on their activities and kill style. It was very disturbing at times, but I wanted ABSOLUTION to feel real.

When and why did you first become interested in writing romance?

When I was twelve. No, seriously. Twelve. I picked up a book—Jude Devereaux’s HIGHLAND VELVET—and I haven’t stopped reading romance since. So, when I first started writing, it came as no surprise the genre I went for was romance.

I just love a happily-ever-after ending.

How do you plan your stories? What tools do you use on a frequent basis?

If I need to research a certain plot detail—such as the Cartel—I hop on the internet. But as far as how the book comes out? I don’t plot. It just sort of…comes. If I try to plot? I fail. I get writer’s block. So, when I can avoid it? I do.

How important do you think it is for female readers to identify with the heroines in your books?

Very. I want the readers to like my female leads as much as I do, to feel pain when she does. To rejoice when the heroine gets her man. If you can’t connect with the lead characters, then you don’t get emotionally invested.

Thank you for joining us today, Diane. It’s been a pleasure to talk with you.

Thank you for having me! Enjoy the excerpt below!

ABSOLUTION excerpt:

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you everything. But not until I get you inside. Take me to your place.”

She laughed. “Hell, no.” Worried or not, he would get nowhere near her apartment ever again. “I told you when I kicked you out you’d never be welcome inside my house again. Nothing has changed. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”

She took a step away, and once again he took her by the elbow. This time, Joseph didn’t stop her but grabbed her and dragged her behind him.

“No, you can’t. And if you won’t take me to your place, I’ll just lead the way. Either way, I’m getting in.” He tugged her toward the red-roofed, stucco building Eva lived in, and she tensed.

“Go to hell!” She struggled against his hold, but he didn’t even pause. She dug her heels into the cement and yanked her arm but failed to free herself from his grip. “I’ll scream.”

He stopped and leaned into her face. “You wouldn’t dare.” Without waiting for her reaction, he continued to escort her toward her building.

She opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and yelled, “Help—”

Eyes wide, Joseph stopped and spun her until she rested against the wall of a nearby building. She had time to yelp before he crushed his lips to hers and thrust his tongue inside her mouth.

She pushed against his shoulders, and he groaned, deepening the kiss. She longed to bite his tongue, to kick him in the balls, but he felt so good. It might have been six weeks since he last kissed her, but her body remembered him well—including all the feelings he brought out within her—and wanted more.

She pulled him closer while he slid his palms down her back and cupped her buttocks, hauling her up tight against his erection. She groaned in unison with Joseph. He tore his mouth away and nibbled on her right ear.

“God, Eva, I’ve missed you so much.”

Nothing he could have said would have sobered her more. Man, but he had some cojones telling her he missed her! He’d cheated on her, not the other way around. She jerked out of his hold and slapped him hard across the face.

Diane Alberts links and info

Best-selling author of all things romance. Diane believes strongly in a happily-ever-after for everyone. She especially loves tortured heroes and heroines, as can be seen in her stories. She is repped by the fabulous Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. Check here to stay up to date on all Diane’s upcoming releases!

Entangled Publishing: On One Condition, a novella about a modern day marriage of convenience, is out–and hit the best-sellers list on B&N! Divinely Ruined, a novella about an aspiring angel, is coming soon.

Decadent Publishing: Kill Me Tomorrow, Diane’s first addition to the popular 1NS series from Decadent Publishing, and Reclaimed, a paranormal romance novel, are available. Absolution, the first of a new series with Decadent called Honor Guard, is out March 2, 2012. Broken, a military 1NS book, is out March 30, 2012. Escape To Me, a time-travel addition to the 1NS series, is coming soon.

In addition to being a writer, Diane also reads slush for Entangled Publishing as an intern.

Diane Alberts lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her husband, four kids, and a bird. She lives in the mountains-but wishes it were the beach. She has been writing since she was in elementary school, but only recently fulfilled her dreams of being published in 2011. Enjoys dyeing yarn and knitting in her “spare” time.

http://dianealberts.com/

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-absolution-738730-149.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/absolution-1

http://www.amazon.com/Absolution-Honor-Guard-Series-ebook/dp/B007FTIX7Q

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137824

http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=492&osCsid=mtca196b5fd6c8ekl3mb5phck6