Caridad,

Thanks so much for doing the Q&A.

1) When did you first realize you wanted to write romance?

I had wanted to write since the fifth grade when a teacher assigned a class project — to write a book. When I got into high school, I decided to finally try my hand at writing a novel. It wasn’t until I was in college and I worked in the book department of a store that I realized that what I liked to read and write was romances.

2) Darkness Calls, the first book in THE CALLING series came out with SIM (Silhouette Intimate Moments) and now you are continuing the series in Nocturne. Has this changed your writing or influenced the series to take a different direction?

I was actually kind of shocked with Harlequin sought out the first book. It was originally a single title and much more graphic. I knew it would have to change for them to publish it and we worked to make it more of a romance. I had no idea where they would put it, but it ended up in SIM. By then I had a firm idea of the first 3 or 4 books and moving to Nocturne hasn’t changed the basic development of the stories. Moving to Nocturne has allowed me to beef up the paranormal elements and be a little darker and sexier, though.

3) Death Calls makes a revisit to the original characters that first appeared in Darkness Calls. Can you tell us a little about them?

Diana Reyes is a hard-edged FBI agent. Diana has experienced the dark side of human nature, including her own. The last thing she needs is someone who is darker than she is and who wants to protect her which makes vampire Ryder Latimer the perfect foil for Diana. The original concept when Darkness Calls was a single title was for each of the books to feature Diana and Ryder as the leads. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to do this in a category line, but I was so pleased when Harlequin agreed to allow Diana and Ryder return. I think we all knew there was more to their story (and there’s still more to go) and that readers wanted to see it.

4) What are your future plans with the series?

I already have another 3 book proposal with my editor. I’d like to do stories with Stacia and Blake (who share some time and loving in DESIRE CALLS, a free read from eharlequin.com in April). I plan on introducing new characters in book #9 and also plan to finish up the story arc with Diana that begins with the events at the end of DEATH CALLS. Those of you who have been reading THE CALLING know that Diana has been changed by those events and each book after that will provide a little more info about what’s happening with Diana.

5) If you could be one of your characters, who do you think you would be?

Without a doubt I’d love to be Diana Reyes. She is the character of my heart because she’s tough, but wounded. Strong, but also capable of taking Ryder into her heart.

6)You also have written fiction for women. How would you define the Chicas?

The Chicas are bright, independent, sexy and smart. They are four successful women who know what they want out of life and have a lot of things to balance — friends, family, men and work. The SOUTH BEACH CHICAS stories are really women’s fiction, but with an edge. A fun and sexy edge. A serious edge. A romantic edge. The Chicas books are a blend of all of these and I think women of all ages and ethinicities will identify with the Chicas and all that they have to deal with in order to find balance in their lives.

7) One thing that drew me to your stories was the strong Latina women. Do you have a preference when it comes to writing characters to be Latino/a?

I guess I do have a preference for writing Latina characters because of the old adage — write what you know. But I also like showing that many Latinas have found success through various paths in life and that Latinos are a part of the American mainstream. I’ve heard many people say that it’s nice that I include Latino characters and culture without beating them over the head with it. I do that because my first goal is to entertain, but my second is to educate. I think that once people get to learn more about you, and that there’s a lot you share in common, the better we will all get along.

I see something on the radar that has caught my attention — Moon Fever from Pocket in 2007. Care to elaborate?

MOON FEVER is a paranormal anthology that I’m doing with Maggie Shayne, Susan Sizemore and Lori Handeland. My contribution is a story set in the Amazon and revolving around a tribe of were-people. The heroine goes to the Amazon to finish the work of a dead ex-colleague and finds herself involved in a fight between the tribe and some loggers who are destroying the rainforest. The hero, Javier Dias da Costa, is a guide and turns out to be something unexpected.

9)) Why paranormals? What is it that you think attracts readers when it comes to Vampires and Werewolves?

I think paranormals appeal to us on many levels. We fear what we don’t know, but want to understand it. We relate to the inherent battle between good and evil that occur in most paranormals. Then there’s the sensual elements. Vampires and werewolves possess all kinds of physical powers and needs beyond those of humans. The possibility of either controlling that or being controlled by that is enticing.

10) During the day you are a patent lawyer (please correct if I am wrong) and during the nights a writer and on the weekends a mom and wife. How do you do it all and remain sane?

I’m a trademark attorney during the day, a writer on the train and weekends and a mom and wife all the time. It’s a lot to juggle but I’ve been blessed with a supportive family that helps me have the free time so I can write. The train ride is a big help as well. For 40 minutes the only person who I need to answer to is the conductor when he checks my ticket.

11) What advice could you give to those looking to break into category romance?

Read, read, read. Check out the books in the line you want to target and make sure you follow the guidelines. See what’s being done, but don’t be afraid to be innovative with your story. Editors are always receptive to different stories — look what happened with DARKNESS CALLS!

Thanks so much for coming down and shooting a few hoops with us for March Madness!

More on Caridad Pineiro and THE CALLING series, check out her website http://www.caridad.com

Death Calls and Devotion Calls available in now in stores and e-format!