JJulie Kenner has wowed readers for years with her Aphrodite series.  However, she has many more books that provide solid, entertaining romances.  It is a thrill to have Julie join us for a few questions!

Welcome to Roundtable Reviews.  It is such a pleasure to have you join us.  I have read that you are a lawyer by day (not sure if there are updates to this or not), plus you have a family (particularly a toddler and we all know how much energy they have!) that I’m sure demands the rest of your time, how do you find time to write as well?

Hi!  Thanks for having me here!  As of today, I am a lawyer by day ... but by the time this goes "live" I'll probably be writing full time (yippee!).  I gave notice yesterday and my last day in the office is June 15.  Everyone at work was very excited for me, so it was a lot of fun, though somewhat bittersweet (I've been at this particular firm for 8 years).  And, yes, toddlers take a LOT of time!

As for where I find the time?  Well, have you read my superhero books?  In the novella, the hero can stop time.  See, that's based on real life ... OK.  NOT!!  Seriously, while I'd love to stretch 24 hours into 36, alas, I cannot.  What I do, though, is stay up very, very late and work on weekends.  It will be nice to only have one full time job and get to bed at a normal time!

How did you get into writing?  Can you name some authors that most inspired your writing career?

I wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember.  I "wrote" books on my dad's typewriter at the age of 4.  I've always fiddled with writing, but didn't get serious about it until about 1997, when I started trying to write a romance novel that shall remain under my bed forever, never to see the light of day (the 2nd one was much better.  It turned out to be NOBODY DOES IT BETTER, my first book).

 Inspirational authors?  Judy Blume, Stephen King, Madeline L'Engle, Julie Garwood, Harper Lee, Agatha Christie ... and on and on and on.  Pretty much I read anything and everything.  My grandmother used to force me to go outside during the summer.  I'd take a book ...

 If I am correct, you have five books and novellas coming out this year.  Do you find it easier to write novellas over a full-length or harder because you have to develop an entire story in a smaller page count?

Let's see.  This year I had BEYOND SUSPICION (novella) in January, STOLEN KISSES in April, THE SPY WHO LOVES ME in June, ESSENCE OF MIDNIGHT (novella) in July, and APHRODITE'S FLAME in August.  Wow.  You're right!  I hadn't realized it was five!

As for which is easier, honestly, it depends entirely on the story.  Sometimes the characters and storyline sweeps me in so fast and furious that the story just blows out.  Other times, it's more slow going. Generally, the novellas take less time simply because they have fewer pages.  But that doesn't mean the stories always come easily! 

Can you tell readers a little more about the books you have coming in 2005?

2005 is going to be AWESOME!!!  I've very excited about CARPE DEMON:  ADVENTURES OF A DEMON-HUNTING SOCCER MOM which will be out in June from Berkley and THE GIVENCHY CODE (that's a working title) a chick litish suspense novel that will be out in July.  You can get a preview of The Givenchy Code by going to www.playsurvivewin.com  ... I've also got a novella coming out in The Hope Chest anthology w/ Jacquie D'Allesandro and Sue Kearney in (I believe) March and another Temptation (not sure of that date ... note to self.  ask Editor ...). 

I have been reading your blog and snickering along the way.  While I miss my babies being babies, and at ages 10 and 7 they would groan if they knew I called them babies, they do require A LOT of energy!  I have to comment on a couple of things:  1.  Like your daughter, I love lots of whipped cream on my shortcake.  That is the most important part!  Have you ever looked at the nutritional information of whipped cream?  You know that ONE can is supposed to give you between 40 – 70 servings (depending on which brand)!!  2.  I still am amazed that you find any time for television with all that you do, but I have to ask what shows you refuse to miss?

There's another good thing about quitting the day job ... more time to blog!!  And, yes, C definitely provides much bloggy fodder!  (And WHAT are those whipped cream suppliers thinking???)

Ah, television.  Well, if you'd asked me two weeks ago, I would have said American Idol, CSI and The Shield.  But now AI and CSI have had their finales, so I'm down to just one show  (The Shield is an amazing drama, imho).  (And, of course, these days I rarely miss Sesame Street and The Wiggles ...).  Also, I'm an E True Hollywood Story fan, along with The Actor's Studios.  But those are my "bonus" shows.  If I'm channel surfing and they're on, great.  But I don't search them out.  If I think about it, I also try to catch Raymond and Two and A Half Men. 

Every job has its share of good and bad aspects.  What is the best part of writing?  Worst?

Best part:  Giving a "home" to all those voices and stories bouncing around in my head! 

Worst part:  A deadline that means I need to be writing instead of lounging about in the sun on Memorial Day, LOL!  (Guess what I'll be doing next Monday ...)

With summer right around the corner, what are some of your favorite books for lazy summer day?

Well (ahem) THE SPY WHO LOVES ME is a great summer read!  (OK.  End of commercial).  I love "light" books in the summer.  Some favorite summer read authors are Stephanie Bond, Janet Evanovich, Jane Heller, Sophie Kinsella.  Temptations and Blazes are great summer reads, too!  Also James Patterson.  The Alex Cross books are wonderful.  And I confess to reading the entire Flowers in the Attic series poolside not too many summers ago!

Thanks so much for taking time out of your super busy day to answer these questions.  If there is anything you would like to add, please feel free.

Thanks for having me!  This was fun!  I hope folks visit my website at www.juliekenner.com Be sure to check out the Contest page!