HQN did indeed want to buy The Stone Prince-plus The Pleasure Slave! I was very hard to live with during that time, I think. The day before Tracy returned, though, my agent had to leave, so another week passed before the women were able to hook up.

The phones were down at Harlequin but executive editor Tracy Farrell had read my book, loved it, and wanted to discuss it when she returned to the office-in a week. A few weeks later, my agent received a fax. That client couldn’t, but my agent said, “Have I got the author for you,” and sent them TSP. They called my agent, hoping one of her other clients could write for them. Two years passed before Harlequin decided to open up a single title line, HQN. Then I wrote The Stone Prince… but no one wanted it, either. Afterward, we shopped TPS everywhere, but no one wanted it. We got an offer for The Pleasure Slave almost right away-but that fell through. Gena: Absolutely! I’d written for a little over two years and had six manuscripts under my belt when I landed an agent (Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency). TRC: What was your first published novel? Do you remember how you felt when you were notified about your first book accepted for publication? I love to wear sweat pants and if you ever spot me out in public in a dress, take a picture because it may never happen again. I dream about eating whatever I want, whenever I want, and never having to exercise. I love to write, to read, to study ( that’s a new thing) and to just hang out with my family. Gena: I’m a big believer that we can learn something new everyday.

Would you please tell us about yourself (for anyone who is new to Gena Showalter and her world)? TRC: We would like to start with some background information. It is a pleasure to talk with you today about your new series and books. TRC: Hi Gena and welcome to The Reading Café. Last Kiss Goodnight is the first book in Gena’s new Otherworld Assassin series. We will post a review on the book in early January. Gena has a new release upcoming on December 26th, Last Kiss Goodnight. The Reading Cafe is thrilled to welcome the fantastic Gena Showalter our guest today.

Gena showalter otherworld assassin