Welcome Dana, we are delighted to have you here and would love to learn more about you and your books.

First, please give us a little background about yourself.

–I always wanted to write, but becoming a romance writer was a long process. It took me 12+ years to get published. Good thing I love writing so much! I just kept writing one manuscript after the other, always trying to do better than the one before. I’m beyond excited to be writing for Harlequin Intrigue now. I write action/adventure romances and I’m having a lot of fun with them.

Dana, you write incredible intrigue stories with diverse settings, where do the stories come from?

–Some of my stories come from dreams. I have an active dream life. Just last night, I was chased by Puerto Rican race car drivers. I did some awesome driving, let me tell you.J Other times, I’m doing something completely unrelated to writing, and a character will just pop into my head, and I’m like, “Oooh, I like you. I want to write about you. Please tell me more.”

Your descriptions are so realistic. Have you been able to travel to visit the locations of your settings?

–I try to visit the locations I write about, but it doesn’t always happen due to restraints to time and budget. I’m currently in Europe. I did a lot of research on Cyprus recently, visiting there. Also, we’ve just come back from Venice, Italy. I hope to set books in both of those places in the near future.

Please tell us about your newest releases.

–My current release is Sheik Protector and it’s one of my favorite books that I ever wrote. It’s an action/adventure romance set in the desert. It’s a little bit like Indiana Jones, but with a lot more romance! Here is a short blurb:

“His past is filled with loss and pain. His soul is filled with revenge. Sheik Karim Abdullah is NOT your average prince. As a child, he survived assassination attempts, which cost him the sight in one eye and left numerous scars on his body. As a grown man, he stays to himself and works for his tribe, managing their oil business. But the murder of Aziz, his twin brother, brings Karim out of the office and pits him against gathering enemies.

Into the middle of this dangerous hunt, and with attacks on Karim’s life intesifying, comes waltzing Julia Gardner, claiming to be pregnant with Aziz’s baby. Karim knows one thing: he will not let her stain Aziz’s honor. But as it turns out, he way underestimates the beauty he plans on keeping locked up in his palace until he can prove paternity. Soon, they are fleeing for their lives across the desert, in danger not only from their enemies but the anger of disturbed ancient spirits.

At the beginning, all Karim wanted was to prove Julia a liar and a gold digger. But as passions flair amidst the danger, now all he wants is to love and protect her.”

And the cover artist who designed the book cover totally got the book, which is always super exciting for the author. You can actually see all those terrible scars on the hero’s back. Very edgy.

What other projects are in the working stage?

–I just started a new series about six brothers, princes of a small European kingdom. I’m tentatively calling it The Brotherhood of the Crown. I’m having a lot of fun with these guys. Man, are these bad boys going to get into major trouble…Ladies, get your ball gowns ready because you’re about to be invited to court!

Is there something you would love to write but have not had the opportunity?

–Everything! I’m a compulsive writer. I’d love to write fantasy. I’d also love to write women’s fiction, and humorous sci-fi, and historical novels, and… Everything!

What is a typical day like in the life of Dana Marton?

–Wake up. Brush teeth. Dress. Make the bed. Take three steps from bed to computer. Write. I’m easily distracted, so I try to get to writing as fast as possible. I don’t even go downstairs to get breakfast. I’ve given up coffee years ago. I don’t play computer games. If I started, I could never stop. When my first wave of morning energy is gone, I go downstairs and eat something. Look around. Ignore the mess. Go back to writing. I absolutely do no housework until the day’s writing is done. The one thing I came to realize about housework is that it’s never finished. So I try not to get into the trap of: I’ll write after I cleaned up a little. I would never get to write. There’s always more to clean. I decided a few years ago to give my best effort and most energy to the priorities in my life. The kitchen floor is not my top priority.

When you’re not writing, what are your hobbies or interests?

–I love flea markets. Oh, do I looove flea markets. I don’t know what it is about them. I float forward between folding tables toward glittering piles of knickknacks like moth to a flame. And don’t try to hold me back. I learned a lot of special commando moves from researching all those action novels!

What authors inspire you?

–Suzanne Brockman, Tara Janzen, Marliss Melton, Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler to name just a few of my favorite authors.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

–Don’t give up. If a manuscript doesn’t sell, write another book and make it better. Raise the bar each time. And make your writing a priority. What is your best time of the day when you have the most mental energy? Give that time, or at least part of that time to writing.

Is there anything you would like your readers to know about you?

–I would like readers to know how deeply grateful I am to them for making my dreams reality. It’s only because of the readers that I get to spend my days writing. Readers have brought so much joy and happiness into my life. I’m honored that they let me entertain them.

How can your readers find out more about you and your books?

–Please visit me at www.danamarton.com. I always have a contest or two going for a free book. I also have a whole novel posted right now electronically as a gift to readers.