Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Calling All Chicas!

by Anna Sugden

Our favourite chica is in the Bandita’s Lair … Caridad Piñeiro.
I’m thrilled to welcome my super-talented friend, multi-published and award-winning author, Caridad Piñeiro.


From the start, Caridad’s novels have helped redefine the landscape of modern romance novels. In 1999, she was published by Kensington as part of Encanto - the first line of bilingual Latino romance novels. Death Calls, one of the novels in her fabulous vampire series The Calling, helped Silhouette launch the successful Nocturne paranormal line. And her highly acclaimed Chicas novels are helping to make Latina fiction part of the publishing mainstream. Caridad also writes romantic suspense for Silhouette. And if that wasn’t enough … she’s a successful attorney!

Her eighteenth release Moon Fever, a paranormal anthology with Maggie Shayne, Susan Sizemore and Lori Handeland is a bestseller on the USA Today and NY Times extended lists.

Don’t forget to look out for South Beach Chicas Catch Their Man and Holiday With a Vampire (an anthology with Maureen Child).

For more information about Caridad, please visit http://www.caridad.com/ and http://www.thecallingvampirenovels.com/ .

Welcome Caridad! It’s great to have you join us.

Thanks - it's great to be here!

I’m a huge fan of THE CALLING series - I’ve been hooked since the first one - Darkness Calls. Can you tell the rest of our gang a bit about it?

The Calling is a vampire romantic suspense series that began in 2004 with Darkness Calls in the Silhouette Intimate Moments line. I had wanted to write something darker, but I knew I wanted to also have a mystery going on in the various stories. Each story in the series stands alone and the paranormal element varies from story to story. For example, in Darkness Calls and Death Calls, the suspense elements aren’t paranormal, but rather, are a serial killer case and an investigation into a possible terrorist attack. In other stories, the paranormal element is in the forefront, like in Devotion Calls where the villain is a chupacabra (goat sucker). I decided to vary the paranormal and suspense elements so I could give readers something new and exciting with each story. Next year you’ll see things like a Chinese vampire and vampires in Miami!

Your vampires are wonderful three-dimensional characters, who have so much depth and elicit so much empathy (and this from someone who doesn’t really read vampires!). Can you tell us how you manage to achieve the fine balance?

I think the one thing that drew me to the vampire genre was the ability to explore the many emotions that they must have experienced after such a long existence. That makes them wonderfully complex creatures and each of the vampires in The Calling have had different life experiences which have shaped who they are, much like humans, but in this case, they’ve lived with these experiences and emotions much longer. That makes resolving those issues in a happy way that much more powerful.

Totally different from these dark, emotional and intense vampire tales are your fabulous Chicas. Can you tell us a bit about them and what inspired you to write them?

It was tough to be writing dark all the time and so I wanted to try something lighter, but also something with which all women could identify. The Chicas were born! I wanted to have them explore real life events that women experience, like having friends marry and possibly leave their friends behind or dealing with their parents and conflicts with them. I also wanted to do this in a light and humorous way and so far, the response has been very positive.

How difficult is it writing two such different types of books? Indeed, with your romantic suspense novels, three?!

I enjoy writing all the different genres because each one presents its own unique challenges. Also, having to switch gears helps keep my writing fresh because sometimes you grow dependent on certain crutches when writing. Having to switch the tone and theme of what you write helps you avoid that.

Do you get any cross-over in your readers between the different series?

I regularly get cross-over readers, especially between the straight romantic suspense and the paranormal romantic suspense novels. I also get a lot of men reading the paranormals and they enjoy the empowered women in those novels. As for the Chicas, I have many of the same readers and they enjoy the realism of real life female friendships and relationships.

You write under the same name for all your books. Was that a conscious choice?

I had thought about using a pseudonym, but decided against it since I wanted readers to be able to experience all the different kinds of writing that I did. Since readers do follow me from genre to genre, I think it was a good decision to do this.

Have you got any advice for writers wanting to be in different genres?

The hardest thing about being able to write successfully in different genres is understanding the expectations of readers for each of the genres and making sure you satisfy those expectations. For example, in books like the Chicas, it was fine to leave certain romantic relationships unresolved, but that wouldn’t fly in one of the romantic suspense novels. Also, study the pacing of each of the different genres, since it will change from one genre to another. Proper pacing is key to any book.


I know your daughter has the same love of shoes as I do. What is your wicked pleasure?

My wicked pleasure is watching TV. I have been a TV addict since I was a little kid and I have it on all the time when I work. Sometimes I just watch TV, but I also often watch videos that help get me in the mood for when I’m writing. If I’m doing something dark, I’ll be watching Buffy, Underworld or something equally dark and graphic. If I’m in a Chicas mood, it’ll be a romantic comedy or a Sandra Bullock movie. Since I’m such a TV addict, one of the best gifts hubby got me was a DVR and big TV.

Caridad has got some great prizes...a copy of Moon Fever and a Chicas t-shirt! Just share your wicked pleasure with us and Caridad will draw two lucky winners!

72 comments:

Anna Campbell said...

Bawahahahahahahahaha! Roast chicken for dinner at my place tonight! Bwahahahahahahaha!

p226 said...

aroo?

Jennifer Y. said...

OH NO!!! GR has flown my coop!

Jennifer Y. said...

Great interview! I loved Moon Fever! My wicked pleasure is also television...and visiting blogs...LOL

p226 said...

Aw man... More lawyers!!!!

I keeeeeed, I keeeeeed.

I've just spent the past two days in a brutal deposition. I was pleased to read that your interview did NOT include discussion about Caridad's other profession. I'm all lawyered out here.

Interesting interview. How in the world does one find time to write and manage a legal career? I've yet to meet an attorney that doesn't put in 55 hour weeks.

Jennifer Y. said...

Just e-mailed the Banditas the pics I tried to snap of GR...before Anna stole him!!

Sue A. said...

Great interview! I love learning things about authors.

My wicked pleasure is I use the TV like a radio and I have it on for the background noise while I work on my laptop. I can't be doing one thing without the other. I'm a multitasker and I can't kick the habit.

Anna Campbell said...

Caridad, welcome to the lair! And Anna, fantastic interview! As usual, you went straight to the sole, uh, SOUL of the matter.

P226 as he often does has beaten me to the punchline - honestly, Caridad, you are amazing. How do you work and do all that writing and juggle all those different genres and presumably manage to have a life? Do you have any time management tips? Is there a process you use that I can steal...uh, that might offer me some hints?

And huge congratulations on making the NYT and USA Today. That's something all writers jokingly say - when I'm on the NYT list, I'll... Did you give yourself a reward? Was it spontaneous or something you've promised yourself for a long time? And HOW DID IT FEEL???!!! Let us all live vicariously through your success! Pretty please with sugar on top?

jo robertson said...

Ah ha, the rooster is back in the Land of Oz!!!

Great interview, Anna, and thanks for joining us in the Lair, Caridad. What an interesting career you've had with the different genres of writing. I can't wait to add your books to my TBR pile!

Christine Wells said...

That rooster would be a tough old bird by now, with all that flying between the hemispheres. Much like...no, we'd better not go there, had we, Foanna?*g*

Fab interview, Vrai Anna! Thanks so much for joining us in the lair, Caridad. I, too, would be grateful for any time management tips. Oh, and the secret to bestsellerdom wouldn't go astray, either! You're very versatile. Do you find one voice harder than another to move into? I saw an interview recently where LIsa Kleypas said she finds the contemporary voice harder than her historical one.

Helen said...

The GR is back in the warmer weather good on ya Anna.
Love the interview Ladies I would like to know as well Caridad how you do all you do and so well.
My wicked pleasure is reading I love losing myself in the stories that take me to different coutries and settings.
Have Fun
Helen

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Oh wow, another set of books to be searching out, I am sooooo going to need another set of shelves. I don't know where to start first, the vampires or the chicas!
I don't know how you do it Caridad, I don't write or anything like that and still run out of time!

Caridad Pineiro said...

The time management is tough. I do normally work 50 hour weeks at work, but am lucky that I can deal with some of the work from the house thanks to technology.

I had to carve out time that I normally wouldn't use effectively in order to be able to write. So, I started writing on the commute to and from work and instead of sleeping in on the weekends, I get up at 6 and write for 3 or so hours.

It's tough, but writing is my passion so I can't imagine not doing it.

As for making the USA TODAY and NY Times lists, it was so exciting to be included in an anthology like MOON FEVER! I called home and e-mailed everyone I knew and when I got home, hubby had a bottle of champagne waiting for me.

That weekend we visited my daughter who is away at college (freshman year and what trauma it is for all of us!) and had a celebration dinner.

My latest, HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE, made the Bookscan list which was also very exciting.

Thanks so much for letting me visit with you!

I'll be back later. :)

Laura J. said...

Great interview!

My wicked pleasure....Is Chick-fil-a! I eat there at least 3 times a week and all the employees know me. But they do really have the best chicken sandwiches.

Buffie said...

Hey Caridad {{hugs}} It is great to see you over here.

Ladies, we always have so much fun when Caridad visits us at RNTV!! She is hilarious!

My wicked pleasure is reality shows on TV. All watch most of them, even the really awful ones on MTV and VH1. I just get hooked in and have to see what these crazy people do.

And I found a new wicked pleasure just yesterday. I'm not a coffee drinker in any way. It smells delicious but tasts awful. Well, yesterday I got a decaf green tea latte at Starbucks and OMG it is so fabulous!!! Had to stop this morning and get a bigger one :)

Buffie said...

Hey Laura!! I love me som CFA too!!! At one point, the dh and I would walk into the restaurant, the waitress would see us, and go ahead and put in our order before we even sat down. It's yumm-o!

CrystalGB said...

Hi Caridad. Great interview. Like you, my wicked pleasure is watching tv. If I am home, the tv is on. LOL

Caren Crane said...

Caridad, welcome to the Lair! We are so happy to have you with us. It will not surprise any of the Banditas to learn that I prefer Chicas to vampires. I am amazed at how your voice translates to both! Is it simply one of those writerly mysteries we should accept and not question closely? *g*

I am also amazed at how consistently productive you are. Amazing! My job only requires 40 hours a week and any Bandita will tell you they hardly get their time from me! I also resent not getting to write. This working thing isn't really working out for me.

Anna C., congrats on the GR! I'm sure he is exhausted from his trip back across the world, so be sure to pamper him. No, not with a nice, hot bath, either! Boiled rooser--tsk, tsk. *g*

Jennifer, I can't wait to see the pics! Unfortunately, the dreaded day job won't let me check personal e-mail, so I will have to wait. *sigh* I'm sure they are fabulous!

Dianna, I love the new pic! I noted on the winners post you were totally channeling your inner Laura Ingalls/Loretta Lynn--and with great hair! What a doll!

Buffie - back away from the decaf green tea latte. You will go broke in no time if you indulge this new wicked pleasure!

Laura, I adore CFA and had a grilled chicken salad just yesterday. It really is the best chicken in the known universe. I just wish it were less expensive!

My wicked pleasure: IHOP's Harvest Grain and Nut pancakes. They are so good they should be against the law. Sometimes I sneak off at lunchtime and indulge myself. Only about once a year, when I really need it, but still. *g* Mmm....pancakes....

Christie Kelley said...

Welcome to the lair, Caridad. I loved the interview and your books sound great!

My wicked pleasure, chocolate. Good chocolate, not the cheap stuff. Any time, day or night a little chocolate makes everything all right.

I'm off to the bandita cave to write a love scene. Hmm, I'm thinking a little chocolate might help.

Donna MacMeans said...

Anna - lovely interview.

Caridad - I'm in awe of your ability to multi-task. Send some of that efficiency and energy my way please.

Buffie - Like you I'm not a coffee drinker. I think I'll have to try that green tea latte. I wonder if the green tea is actually healthy when served as a latte - or is it all psychological at that point?

Susan Sey said...

Wow, Caridad! I so admire people who have the voice to write in multiple genres. I'm not a huge vampire fan, but after reading your interview I think your stuff is going into my TBR pile. (Which is already huge, so thanks. Thanks a lot. :-) )

Anna wrote: Bawahahahahah!

Enjoy your roast chicken, Anna, but watch out for tinsel. I understand the GR had himself a wild time yesterday...

P226 wrote: aroo?

This made me chuckle. Hello, Scooby.

As for guilty pleasures? Popcorn for dinner. I rarely do it anymore as I have two small children forcing me to set a nutritional example, but there's nothing I love more than popcorn for dinner, especially if I can curl up with a pager-turner, too. *sigh*

Thanks for stopping by the lair, Caridad! Next time I complain about how *busy* I am, I'll stop & remember that you work full time & write in three genres. And I'll sit myself down to the keyboard. :-)

Susan

Buffie said...

Donna -- you should really try the green tea latte. I get decaf, 'cause I don't do caffeine any more. They put a shot of some melon something in it along with the cream/milk. It's fab-o!

And Caren, don't get me started on IHOP. My kids love that place, and so do I :)

Anonymous said...

Caridad, thanks for a great interview! (and thanks Anna, too!) I'm also a lawyer and work full time, and I do the same thing you do--get up early to write, especially on Saturday morning, when I don't have to get the little ones ready for school. I'm curious if you have considered quitting the day job? I mean, now that you're a NYT bestseller and all? :-) I actually like lawyering and working outside the home, though there are definitely days I would chuck it all in an instant if I thought this writing gig was going to work out.

My guilty pleasure is shopping. I've only been able to admit how much I enjoy it over the past few years. I'm not picky--I enjoy a Goodwill run or a pass through my favorite consignment shop as much as a visit to the mall. I was one of those crazy Black Friday shoppers, and I still have a bag in my office at work with a vest I bought myself that day that I'm trying to convince myself I should return...

can't wait to pick up one of the Chicas books. I can't handle the suspense stuff (I've a VERY delicate constitution) so the lighter fare is right up my alley.

Caridad Pineiro said...

I so wish I had gotten the GR! I love roast chicken.

As for the lawyering job, I do think about just writing (often) and hopefully will get to do that one day.

As for guilty pleasures, for me it's those white mocha latte things at Starbucks! They are so wickedly sinful. I pick one up every now and again. I guess it goes with chocolate being good anytime anywhere like Christie said.

Hey Buffie! Good to see you here! I'll have to try that green tea drink. The chais are pretty good as well for a spicy pick-me up.

Kirsten - Way to go on the retail therapy! I am so for it. My daughter (who covets Anna's shoes by the way) and I love to window shop and always end up buying something.

Kate Carlisle said...

Hi Caridad! Welcome to the Lair! Congratulations on hitting the Lists -- and a special congrats on hitting Bookscan with my best buddy Maureen Child!

I'm with you on the wicked pleasure of watching TV. I swear I get chills when I see the first ads announcing my favorite reality shows are coming back for a new season. And since we're alone here, I'll confess......my absolute favorite shows are on Discovery Health Channel. OMG, tumors are everywhere!!

Great interview VA! :-)

Caridad Pineiro said...

Hi Kate!

Yes, it was totally exciting to hit the lists with Maureen in the holiday vamp anthology.

Plus I was so happy to get to meet her at Nationals!

I'm looking forward to going again this year to San Francisco.

p226 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nancy said...

Caridad and Anna, great interview! Welcome to the lair, Caridad.

Anna Campbell, congrats on the rooster! But if you eat him, it will trigger a magic spell. I won't tell you what, just this old saying: "You are what you eat." *evil G*

Caridad, I share Christine's curiosity about voice. Do you have to do a reset in your head when you go to one or the other? It's interesting to me, too, that you write everything under one name. Did you have any qualms about that when you launched your second series?

My guity pleasure is Heath bar crunch cookies from a local eatery. They're roughly the size of my face and sooo yummy. About a zillion calories, I imagine.

p226 said...

I had to delete my own question up there. It was answered in ten seconds of remedial reading.

I'd better get another cup of coffee.

Terri Osburn said...

Hello there, Caridad. I really don't have room on the TBR shelf so I guess I'll have to find room on the floor. Those Chica books sound great.

My pleasure (aside from chocolate) is Cracker Barrel. I could eat those chicken & dumplings everyday. And unfortunately, already look like I do. *sigh*

Oh, Anna, you could throw some dumplings in with that rooster!

Caridad - this is sort of off topic but could you tell us about that dress you wore to the RITA's this past summer? I know it was worn by someone else before you? *g*

jo robertson said...

Oooh, I posted so late last night -- in a paltry attempt to capture the GR, no such luck, drat it -- that I forgot to add my guilty pleasure.

Here's the thing. What is my guilty pleasure my husband thinks is good healthy exercise! Shhhh.

Here's how I work it. I do NOT watch any of my many (oh so very many) favorite shows live on TV. I tape them and allow myself to watch them only when I'm in my exercise room, sweating away on the treadmill.

So instead of telling Boyd I'm going to watch my show, I just tell him I'm going to go exercise now. I groan a little for dramatic effect.

Hey, it's worked for a decade!

Maureen Child said...

Hey, Caridad! Holiday with a Vamp is STILL on Bookscan! Woo Hoo to US!

Loved the interview and next year at National, we'll have to dish on Buffy! I had no idea you too were a member of the Wedonverse! =) I'm slowly dragging Kate in there with me, but I think I've got her hooked!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Welcome to the Bandit Lair, Caridad! Please be careful to duck any Banditas swinging from the rafters!

It's interesting that you chose to keep your same name for all three genres. Great marketing choice! Having your readers move from one genre to another with you allows you to continue the connection and also shows you how much they trust you to take them on a great ride. That must be a great feeling.

I do have a question. Since writing genres go through cycles, do you see the vampire paranormals as continuing to grow over the next year or so? Or do you think they may wan in the near future? If so, how do you think you'll handle your paranormals then?

Okay that was like three questions. :)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Oops, I forgot to add my guilty pleasure. Reading. I've been known to hand the husband a $20 as I come in from the bookstore with a Julie Garwood or SEP book, and say..."why don't you go play golf or bowl for the rest of the day?"

Works every time. And I get to read without interruption!

Anna Sugden said...

LOL - congrats on the GR, Foanna.

P226 - great to see you - hope the depositions went well!

Jennifer Y - glad visiting our blog is on your list of guilty pleasures *grin*

Sue A - I like the rationale of using the TV as a radio - nice one!

Great questions about time management and the NYT, Foanna. Caridad doesn't mention her seemingly inexhaustible well of energy!

Anna Sugden said...

Just a reminder to Jo and anyone else who is interested in getting hold of Caridad's books - you can click through on the blog for those books featured! And I can highly recommend hunting down The Calling series!

Christine - great question about the different voices. I'd love to know if it's harder to write or the other too.

Helen - we love that reading is your wicked pleasure!

Hrdwrkmom - one of each? *grin*

Laura J - LOL on Chick Fil-A ... better not let you near the golden rooster then!

Oooh Buffie - you're such a temptress - the decaf green tea latte sounds yummy!

Crystalgb - good to see another TV addict! What's your favourite programme?

Caren - iHop is one of my wicked pleasures too!

Christie! Good to see you! I wondered if anyone would have chocolate as their wicked pleasure ... maybe we all eat too much for it to be a wicked pleasure?!

Donna - I like the healthy idea of green tea latte *grin*

Ooh Susan - popcorn for dinner - like it!

Caren Crane said...

Anna, I thought of listing the darkest of dark chocolate as my wicked pleasure, but then decided it was more like a necessity. IHOP, though, is simply pleasure! *g*

Anna Sugden said...

Kirsten - A shopping fiend! What's your favourite thing to shop for?

Kate - LOL at your admission. My fave is on CMT - Trick my Truck - and I don't even like trucks!

Nancy - ROFL at your wicked spell! And do you like Heath Bar ice cream too - or just the bars?

Terrio - a Cracker Barrel addict! I've never been in one - clearly I should remedy that. On the dress, I'm not sure, but I think you're confusing the Caridads. I think you may mean Caridad Ferrer's dress.

Jo - I like your devious thinking!

Suz - LOL on the $20. Luckily my DH is a worse reading addict than I am! Great question on the cycles.

Maureen! *waving madly* great to see you! Congrats to you too!

Anna Sugden said...

Caren - I know what you mean *grin*. Are you a Greene & Black's fan?

Caren Crane said...

Banditas, if you are jonesing for a holiday recipe, be sure to check out the great recipes at Caridad's website on the Cook's Treat page! She has so many over there and they all look and sound fabulous!

catslady said...

Great interview. I have to say mine is playing games on the computer - it's very addictive lol.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Caridad, Welcome to the Lair and THANX A BUNCH for hanging out with us!

About using one name for all your genres, I agree it was a savvy marketing choice. However, I'm curious if your publishers voiced any concerns. Did you have to 'convince' them that one name was better than two or three?

As for guilty pleasures, of course your ole Aunty has MANY! (very evil grin). But the one I should NOT have and should NOT admit to is... ICE CREAM! Any kind of chocolate ice cream, but esp. B&R's fudge brownie, or Ben&Jerry's NY double fudge cheesecake. Ummmmm! A teeny tiny half-step from Heaven!

I don't drink coffee either, though I also like the smell (but NOT the taste). But since I like hot tea and drink mine the Irish way (with milk) I'll definitely have to try that Green Tea Latte. Thanx for the recommendation Buffie!

AC

Anna Sugden said...

For those of you who couldn't get Caridad's website link to work - it is www.caridad.com and look for cook's treats.

Catslady - ahh - now that is one of my very wicked pleasure - computer games! What do you like? My worst addiction is Wonderland.

AC - not sayin' nuttin' about your vices!

Cherie J said...

Great interview! My wicked pleasure is earrings. I love dangly earrings with all kinds of shapes and stones.

Caren Crane said...

Danged links! Sorry, guys for the broken link and thanks, Anna, for telling everyone where it is. Aren't those recipes to die for?

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Oh Caren, it would be lovely to look like that again but that was a gazillion (feels like it anyway) years ago, I was just showing the 60's look for the previous blog......LOL

Caridad Pineiro said...

You guys are so much fun and a big WOO HOO to me bookmate Maureen! It's so awesome we're still on bookscan.

About the names -- none of the publishers saw a problem with using the same name for the different books. If anything, they were happy to have readers try out all my different voices.

What's hard about the light Chicas and Dark romantic suspense/Calling? I so wanted Tori or Sylvia to do some major butt-kicking, but knew that wouldn't fly based on the tone of the novels. So, I rein myself in there which tells me it's time to write another dark one.

Mwah-ah-ah (think Dracula laugh!)

As for the dress, that's another Caridad unfortunately. She normally writes YA and while I've wanted to do something in that genre (my daughter and I had even started a novel together), I haven't cracked that nut yet.

Those guilty pleasures you've all mentioned are so tempting. Cracker Barrel and Heath Bar! All those other goodies.

No wonder I'm always dieting. LOL.

I'll check back later!

Lily said...

Everyone knows mine and it is quite common! I love ice cream, hum, now that I think of it I love desserts!

Nathalie said...

My guilty pleasure must be reading... I don't have much free time, and I use it all on reading! and I must be honest study time very often also becomes reading time!

ChristyJan said...

Great interview! HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE is at the top of my shopping list.

I have too many wicked pleasures to list...chocolate, chai tea, books and reading...

jo robertson said...

Ah Lily - you have a sweet tooth I see!

Good to see another wicked reader *grin*, Nathalie.

Christyjan - now you know why you fit in well with the Banditas!

Nancy said...

Anna and Caridad, if it has Heath bars in it, I'm for it! So yes, I like the ice cream, too.

What a fun topic!

Laura J. said...

You know I was having visions of how that golden rooster would look on a bun (or as nuggets, or as chicken strips)


well dang.....now I'm hungry!

ellie said...

My wicked pleasure would have to be eating gourmet delights.

Anna Sugden said...

Sorry everyone - that wasn't Jo posting, it was me! Don't know why it did that.

VA

Pamk said...

Hi caridad, love your books. My wicked pleasure is surfing the net in my recliner with my new laptop.

Joan said...

Ya'll got some nerve mentioning "nuggets" and "Chick Fil A" in the same blog with our GR!

Welcome to the Lair Caridad! Your books sound marvolous!

Jennifer y...LOL. Your "friends" are as sneaky as the GR himself. Too cute piccies.

My secret indulgence? Hmmmmm....I have a lot but watching the Food Network and baking. I'm getting geared up for a weekend of chocolate, flour, nuts, eggs and sugar. (Not a chicken in sight!)

Anna Sugden said...

Congrats on your new laptop, Pam K. Glad you surfed our way!

Joanie - you're baking this weekend? Fancy visitors? Or sending out care parcels to us hopeless bakers?

doglady said...

Hey, Caridad. Loved Moon Fever. Three of the ladies in my hometown writers' group are attorneys with the Attorney General's office. How do you legal types do it??? I need those time management tips in the worst possible way!! More Vampires to add to my TBR stack. (Which is beginning to look like the Sears Tower!) RUN GR RUN!!!! The Aussie chick with the roasting fork is NOT your friend!! And ladies, I just finished UNTOUCHED. OMG!!! She has done it again. I LOVE this book!! Every word is just spellbinding. Matthew and Grace are such a miracle to watch. Which leads me to MY guilty pleasure - reading romance novels on my breaks and lunch at work. I can zone out everything and everybody at work when I pick up a great romance novel. It absolutely keeps me sane.

Anna Campbell said...

Actually, I feel frightfully guilty, she said in her best Enid Blyton voice. I posted the blog so OF COURSE I got the rooster. So having cheated, I now put him up for tomorrow's grab with no intention of cheating at all. Although actually I'm posting tomorrow too... Hmm.

Thanks for the time management tips, Caridad. I've got to say I think you're more awesome than ever now!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Pam, you're my favorite gal! Would you like a gift-wrapped rooster with slightly chipped black nail polish on his feet? Thank you, my friend! You're the best!

Unknown said...

Hi Caridad! Thanks for joining us in the lair!

And congrats on the lists! (High Five from Kentucky)

I stand in awe of your ability to manage time and your inner drive. I'm about tired thinking of how much you've accomplished. I'm gathering that you're a relatively fast writer, to turn out three different genres on any regular basis. Very inspiring.

The Vampire series looks phenomenal!

Anna, great interview!

doglady said...

You are entirely welcome, Anna! I have only one complaint. You need to write faster!!! Do I want to know how the GR got slightly chipped black nail polish on his toes???

Trish Milburn said...

Caridad, congrats on all your success. Your vampire books are on my list to read. I'm a big fan of vamp books, Buffy, Angel, Moonlight, Blood Ties...well, you get the idea. :) Yes, I'm a big TV fan too, always have been. When I sold, my gift to myself wasn't jewelry or something for my office. It was a TiVo! :)

Anna Campbell said...

Caridad, thanks for coming and playing with the Banditas. Come back and see us! And congratulations again on all your success. That's awesome!

Pam, the black toenail polish isn't up to me. He got it when he was in Cassondra's henhouse!

Caridad Pineiro said...

Thank you all for the wonderful welcome! I'm adding another guilty pleasure to my list -- roast GR but I suspect I'll have to get up real early to accomplish that.

Good luck on the new laptop Pam! Always fun.

I hope you all enjoyed the interview and again, thanks!

I'll drop by again soon!

Anna Sugden said...

I just finished Untouched too, Doglady - it was awesome! Our Foanna did it again! Glad to see another one who reads for guilty pleasure!

Cassondra, you're the one who tires us out with all you manage to achieve! Talk about the Energizer bunny!

So, how's the Tivo going, Trish? Worn it out yet?

Anna Sugden said...

Thanks everyone for dropping by! Stay tuned for the winner of Caridad's prizes!

tetewa said...

I have a couple of favorite guilty pleasures. Watching two of my favorite shows which are Supernatural and Lost. I also enjoy reading the paranormal genre with my favorite being the vamps. Sherrilyn Kenyon and Christine Feehan's series got me started on this!

Anna Sugden said...

Cool pleasures, tetewa. Hope you'll add Caridad's books to that list!

Gypsy said...

love your books!!!!!!

Caridad Pineiro said...

Hi Gypsy!

Thanks so much for dropping by and I'm so glad that you love the books!

Caridad