Lilly Kinman: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Catherine Mann: I'm a military wife and mother of four young children. The US Air Force has taken us on plenty of adventures, with eight homes in seven states over fourteen years. I have a Master's Degree in Theater, with a specialty in children's theater. I'm also a big fan of The Bard, and even wrote my Master's thesis on Shakespearean women.

LK: Why did you decide to write romance books?

CM: I've always been an avid reader of romance. I still remember the first romance novel I read, Laurie McBain's DEVIL'S DESIRE. I think I was around thirteen at the time. From that moment, I was hooked. When I was fifteen, I discovered Harlequin Romances and read them by the stacks. I still remember receiving a detention in the ninth grade because I had a romance novel tucked inside my science book. Of course it wasn't much of a punishment, because then I stayed after school for an hour and finished the book. So why did I decide to write them? I've always yearned to write, and naturally the kinds of stories I enjoy reading, romance and romantic suspense, would be the sort I want to tell.

LK: Who are some of your favorite writers?

CM: There are so many fabulous authors this is a tough question for me. Some auto-buys for me are any books by: Linda Howard, Suzanne Brockmann, Marilyn Pappano, Cherry Adair, Christina Dodd, Teresa Medeiros, Iris Johansen, and Virginia Kantra.

LK: How hard was it to get your first book published?

CM: I wrote non-stop, story after story for three years, knocking on the Silhouette Intimate Moments door until I hit upon the right story. Luckily, throughout that time, my husband always kept the faith, reading every word I wrote and cheering me along. I also had the help of my wonderful critique partner, Temptation/Blaze author Joanne Rock. We both celebrated our first sales within six months of each other.

LK: How long did it take for your write "WEDDING AT WHITE SANDS"?

CM: 6 months.

LK: On an average how long does it take you to write a book?

CM: While some books are tougher than others, my writing pace is picking up. It now takes me anywhere from 2-4 months to complete a book.

LK: Did you base your characters on anyone in particular?

CM: I keep actor/actress photos by my computer for whatever characters I'm currently working on to inspire descriptions or set a certain tone. As far as personalities, though, my characters are individuals to me. Sometimes I'll get so wrapped up in telling my husband what happened in the chapter I wrote that day, he'll say, "But they're not real people." I can't help but disagree!

LK: Do you have a website, and if so what is the internet address?

LK: Could you give our viewers a sneak peak at what you are working on in the near future?

CM: I'm excited to announce I have a pleasantly full release schedule with Intimate Moments this year. WEDDING AT WHITE SANDS debuts in June. My Air Force series, "Wingmen Warriors," takes flight in September with GRAYSON'S SURRENDER, followed closely by sequels TAKING COVER 11/02 and UNDER SIEGE 1/03. February brings THE CINDERELLA MISSION, my contribution to the IM prequels for the Silhouette continuity series "Family Secrets." After that, I'll be returning my attention to more "Wingmen Warriors" stories.