Shapeshifters are one of my favorite reads, so you can imagine how much I love these Amoveo from Sara Humphreys.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sara last August at the RWA conference in Anaheim. I know she won’t remember that, too many readers she said hello to during those days, but I’m glad I was able to let her know how much I enjoy the shapeshifter world she’s created.

So this is a chance for all of us to get to know Sara a bit better. Sit back and enjoy!

DUCK CHAT: Welcome to The Good, the Bad and the Unread, Sara!

SARA HUMPHREYS: Thanks for having me!

DC: If you could retire any interview question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

SH: How did I get the idea for the Amoveo? The cold hard truth….it just kinda came to me. No earth-shattering moment.

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

SH: I’ve had characters show up out of nowhere and totally change the story. That happened when I was writing Undone. Asmodeus just kind of appeared and his arrival changed the game entirely.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

SH: Yes. They do, of course!

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

SH: The internet. It’s the biggest time suck! I’ve learned that when I’m writing, I MUST shut off my internet connection.

DC: For those romance readers who have yet to read your Amoveo series, would you tell us a little about it?

SH: The Amoveo are a secret society of dream-walking, telepathic shapeshifters in search of their one true mate. They are comprised of ten different animal clans—lion, panther, cheetah, tiger, fox, bear, coyote, wolf, falcon and eagle. Until recently, they were told they could only mate with another Amoveo. However, the discovery of human/Amoveo hybirds proves that to be false.

DC: Is the series progressing as you originally envisioned it? Have there been any changes along the way that have surprised you?

SH: Yes, it’s following the overall arch that I first envisioned, but new characters show up all the time and that keeps it interesting for me.

DC: How do you feel your male or female characters have evolved over your career? Do you think you write them differently now than you did when you started?

SH: I think my writing overall has improved, but I wouldn’t say that the way I write my heroes or heroines has changed. I try to get better with every book!

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

SH: Funny you should ask. I just signed a three-book deal with Sourcebooks for a contemporary romance series and I’m really excited about it. It’s called Holding Out for a Hero, and each book features a man in uniform. I’d also like to try YA one day!

DC: Which fictional character would you like to hang out with?

SH: Santa. I want to see that workshop.

DC: The latest book in the series is Undone, which hit the shelves on May 7. Would you give us a look into Pete and Marianna’s relationship and how it all began for them?

SH: Pete is human but knows about the Amoveo. He works for Marianna’s twin brother, Dante, and is hired to keep an eye on Marianna. There’s a civil war going on between Purist Amoveo who don’t want the race mixing with humans and Loyalist Amoveo who know they need to breed with humans or die out. The Purists have targeted Marianna, and Pete is assigned to help keep her safe, although Marianna thinks it’s ridiculous. Most Amoveo have declared a side at this point, but Marianna is doing her best to stay out of politics. She’s a pureblood Amoveo who hasn’t found her mate yet, but this sexy human that’s escorting her around….changes the game.

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

SH: Everything will be okay. Don’t sweat the haters and follow your passion.

DC: What is the best thing about being a full-time romance author? What’s the most challenging?

SH: The best thing is doing what I love and being more available for my sons. The most challenging is not having a steady paycheck.

DC: What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever learned by Googling your name?

SH: That there is another author named Sara Humphreys. She writes travel books and her book “Rough Guide to Panama” always comes up in Amazon. I had to clarify to readers that it’s not my work or some kind of BDSM erotica. 🙂

DC: Can you tell is a little bit about Unclaimed, the next Amoveo book, which is due out in December of this year?

SH: Sure! Unclaimed is Tatiana and Dominic’s love story. Dominic is a pureblood Amoveo and Guardian of the royal family’s ranch. He hasn’t found his mate, but that’s not really his top priority. He’s all about doing his duty as Guardian. Tatiana Winters is a veterinarian and hybrid form the Wolf Clan and Layla’s adopted sister. Layla asks her to come to the ranch to help tend the horses who have fallen ill. Tatiana agrees but reminds her sister that she isn’t interested in finding a mate or being involved in the Amoveo world. However, once the two of them meet…the sparks fly. Can two people give in to physical attraction without getting their hearts involved?

DC: What book would you like to read again for the first time?

SH: Dark Prince by Christine Feehan. It was my first paranormal romance novel and I loooooooved it.

DC: What romance book would you recommend our readers pick up during their next bookstore run? (Yes, in addition to any Sara Humphreys novel!)

SH: Check out Crescent Moon by Lori Handeland. Great book.

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

SH: I’d be a public speaker or actor. Those are actually my other two careers. 🙂

Lightning Round:

– dark or milk chocolate?    – milk

– smooth or chunky peanut butter?    – chunky

– heels or flats?    – Heels or wedges

– coffee or tea?    – coffee

– summer or winter?    – summer

– mountains or beach?    – beach

– mustard or mayonnaise?    – mayo

– flowers or candy?    – flowers

– pockets or purse?    – purse

– Pepsi or Coke?    – Coke

– ebook or print?    – print

And because we still enjoy the answers we get:

1. What is your favorite word?    – Scrumptious

2. What is your least favorite word?    – moist

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?    – Being with my family and laughing until I cry.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?    – Mean-spiritedness

5. What sound or noise do you love?     – My boys laughing

6. What sound or noise do you hate?    – Shouting in anger

7. What is your favorite curse word?    – Fuck

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?    – Teacher

9. What profession would you not like to do?     – Data processor

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?     – “Well played.”

 DC: Thanks so much for being with us today, Sara!

[Ed. Sourcebooks is very graciously offering a copy of Undone for us to give away to one of our readers today! Leave Sara a meaningful comment or question to be entered! US and Canada only, please.]