Zinnia Hope Spotlight

West Virginian, Zinnia Hope, is another erotic romance writer. The three books she has published with Freya's Bower all have very interesting premises, and all dabble in one way or another with the paranormal. Reviewers have said her book Free Spirits is about "a love that transcends time," and that Honeysuckle and Wild Roses "is a story anyone in love with myths and legends will adore."

Let's find out a little more about the author who inspires such glowing comments!

KW: What do you feel is your strength as a writer? What do you do best?

ZH: I convey people as they really are. Sugar coating something just doesn't feel right to me. I'm not sure if my style is my best writing quality, but I'm told that the way I write instantly sucks readers into the story.

I adore reading thrillers, but probably couldn't write one to save my life!

KW: Is there a genre you'd really like to write, but don't think you could?

ZH: Hard, techie science-fiction. I adore sci-fi, and if I can mix it with horror or fantasy, I'm fine, but writing one that's technology-based just isn't my cup of tea.

KW: Which of your books has been the hardest to write? Why?

ZH: Well, if you're talking about e-books, that would be The Sexual Science of Witchery. The overlapping time eras and facts were really hard to keep straight, LOL!

As for WIP's or Conspiracy of Angels (that one will be in print and e-book format), I'd have to say Conspiracy has been a pain in my back porch swing. It shows people without any of that sugar coating I mentioned earlier. Traditional publishers raved about how great I write, but were afraid of the content. It's not racy like my material is known for online. It's mainstream romance that involves a church community and a shocking scandal. It has tangy sex, tastefully written ie no graphic words or descriptions.

KW: Who are your top five favorite authors?

ZH: Tess Gerritsen, Philippa Gregory, Stephen King, Sue Grafton, Terry Brooks

KW: What's the craziest trend you've ever followed?

ZH: Lordy, me follow a trend? Nope. Never. I've been known to set them though. In high school, I dyed my hair jet-black and frosted the front part (no bangs, all long) snow white. I had very long hair (still do) and had a zigzag of white through the French braid I wore every day. Wasn't long before the other girls started experimenting with similar effects, LOL!

KW: What makes you laugh? What makes you cry?

ZH: Anything and everything makes me laugh. I've stubbed my toe and laughed about it while tears of pain streamed down my face. Same thing for crying. I can see a stupid commercial about a little girl getting a puppy for a present or some guy simply kissing his girl--and mean the kiss--and start sobbing like a baby. My boys think I'm deranged.

KW: Is Zinnia Hope a pseudonym? If so, why did you pick it?

ZH: Heheheh...

KW: What physical characteristic would you change if you could?

My back porch a.k.a. my butt. My husband loves it. Did a bit of modeling a few years ago and the photographer was an African American who fondly labeled me as his only white soul sister, ROFL! I'm tall with a booty. I'd love to wear low-rise jeans, but gals with the type of backside God originally intended just can't wear them without a crack attack happening.

KW: If you could be a man for a day, what would you do? Be specific. ;)

ZH: I'm perfectly happy as I am, so I wouldn't want to be the opposite sex, but if I could be anything I wanted to be, then I'd choose something like a cat or a fly (as long as I could go unnoticed) so I could get the scoop on some things I've always wondered about.

KW: Do you believe in the paranormal? Have you ever had any first-hand experience?

ZH: Yes, I do. I have a very long background in the paranormal. Let's just say I grew up on an interesting farm, and my family has a history steeped in the paranormal.

Ahhh, such a mysterious answer. Makes me wonder if some of the events that happen in her book aren't purely from her imagination! ;) Anyway, visit Zinnia at zinniahope.com and zinniahope.blogspot.com or buy her books here. Thanks for the interview, Zin!