Book Tour: Interview with Catherine Bybee

I know you get asked this question over and over but can you tell us a little about yourself? Maybe something juicy? ;)

I moved to California four days after graduating from high school in Washington State to be an actress. *sigh* Needless to say, that didn’t happen.

When did you first start writing? Are you a full time author or do you do it on the side?

I have written on the side for years, but started doing it seriously about five years ago now.

Do you have an author that has really inspired you?

I have always been inspired by the pace of Nora Roberts. I find inspiration with many different authors in several genres. The late Kathleen Woodwiss wrote sweeping historical that transcend time. Not that I write straight historical, but the family connections in Kathleen’s books stick with me.

How long does it normally take you to write an average book or your last book?

Average time? Wow, that’s a hard question. When I’m not distracted with publishing I can write a full length paranormal novel in three months or less. A contemporary really depends on the characters. Some write themselves. My best time for a first draft is two weeks. My average is two months.

What do you think makes a story great?

Great characters that a reader can fall in love with. Without believable heros and heroines the story feels flat.

Can you describe your book "Highland Shifter" in one sentence?

Captivating time travel romance that will keep you turning pages and wanting more.

Was it difficult to write a time travel romance (One of my favs btw) or was it fun?

I think time travel is the best of paranormal, historical and contemporary romance all rolled into one. I love writing them. Fun with a capitol “F”. It can be difficult making sure every element weaves together and nothing is left out, but it’s worth it in the end.

Did you do lots of research for this book or did the story just come to you?

Some elements just come to me. Because I base my time travels in a more fantasy world I don’t stick with historical times perfectly. I’m not writing a history book, I’m writing a romance. So if you keep in mind that you’re reading about two people falling in love in a paranormal world research is nothing more than the writers imagination. I do try and keep some things correct with the times, but not everything. The truth is, listening to people talk in sixteenth century Scotland would be almost impossible for today’s people. I don’t stick with the dialect as close as some authors do. This is a choice and not an accident. I actually have a hard time getting through some historical romances when the verbiage is an effort to follow. I want my readers to fall in love with the story, the characters, not the language.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a follow up contemporary to Wife by Wednesday. And then I will start Amber’s story, which follows Highland Shifter.

Can you tell us more about your book in more detail?

Simon had grown up in the twenty-first century, but was shifted back in time as a teenage kid. Although he loves his new life in the past he has a deep desire to find a lasting love like his mother did with his step father.

There is more to my time travels than a love story. There is drama, intrigue and family that will hopefully keep my readers fully engaged until I let them go on the last page. And maybe not even then.

Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to talk about or say to your potential readers?

Simon’s story is a long time in coming. Simon is son to Lizzy who is the heroine in my third book of this series, Redeeming Vows. We watched Simon grow from a teenage kid thrust into the past and finding out that he is a Druid with the power to read the minds of animals. I knew I always wanted to write the books of the three younger characters to my original trilogy, but it wasn’t until my readers kept asking that I did it.

Although Simon’s story is the fourth in a series, don’t be shy about reading it first. All of my time travels stand alone. It is ideal to read all the books in order, but this book is like the beginning of a new set of books.

Just for fun:

Hardback or Paperback? Paperback
Dog ears or Bookmarks? Both
YA novels or Adult novels? Adult
Library or Bookstore? Library
Reading glasses or No glasses? I’m old…I’ll let you assume.
Snack while reading or No snacks? No snacks
Beach or Mountain? Beach
Vampire or Werewolf? Both
Hot or Flirty? Flirty
Movie 1st or Book 1st? Duah…Book 1^st
Contemporary or Historical? Time Travel with both!
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker? Page Turner

 

Helen Adams has a knack for finding lost objects, but the Simon McAllister she finds isn’t what she expected. The missing California teen is now a grown man—a kilted, sword wielding, Highland warrior.

A mysterious Druid book and Helen’s sixth sense send her to Scotland in search of a missing boy. After being attacked by strange men dressed in medieval garb, a handsome, desirable hero answering to the boy’s name rescues her. No one is more surprised than she to find herself in sixteenth century Scotland. Unable to deny the reality of time travel, Helen discovers smoldering passion with a man destined to leave her.

Simon has lived his Druid life in two very different worlds, two vastly different times, and when Helen practically lands in his lap, he knows his life is about to change forever. There are enemies in California lying in wait for her, and an army in Scotland closing in on his family. Simon is the only person who can protect her. But when she learns his most guarded secret, will she still want him? Can Helen love a Highland Shifter?

New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Catherine Bybee has been addicted to romance since her teens. After spending a decade of her life working as an RN in urban emergency rooms, Catherine is now dedicated to writing happily-ever-afters for the world to love. Catherine is married and raising two sons in Southern California.

She loves hearing from her readers so feel free to visit her at:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Simon stepped closer and felt the heat of her skin. She smelled of the strawberry shampoo she used in her hair. Helen’s hands slid from her hips and fell to the side.

“’Tis time we clear up a few things in your lovely head about me.”

He stepped closer, and Helen, the wise girl, took a step back until her bottom met the edge of the desk. She reached behind her to steady herself and keep from falling.

Like a predatory cat cornering his prey, Simon towered over Helen, watching her body twitch as her eyes travelled over his.

“Really?” Her voice wavered. After clearing her throat, she asked. “Like what?”

Simon licked his lips and glanced at hers. “I’m not evil.”

“Uhm….” Her eyes never left his mouth while he spoke.

“And I’d never lure a child into my presence.”

Simon leaned into her, their thighs touched and Helen’s breathing started to quicken. He placed one hand on the table beside her, leaving her very little room to escape should she want to. From the hunger in her gaze, and the heat coming off her body, he didn’t believe she would.

“A woman, however, might tempt me to entice her attention.”