Catherine Spangler returns to the Lair.

Interview by Suzanne

Pull up a chair Banditas and Bandit Buddies! Today, we have a guest who had a blast her last time visiting with us, my good friend, Catherine Spangler. Cathy is not only one of my favorite people and writers, but a big hit with both my daughters, who just gobble up her paranormal romances! So please welcome, Cathy...

Suz: Cathy, TOUCHED BY LIGHT is a continuation of your Atlantean Sentinel series. Can you tell us about the series and how this new book fits into the series?

Cathy: The Sentinel series is about Atlanteans reincarnating into current-day earth. First, the "bad" Atlanteans (Belians who worshipped Belial, made human sacrifices, and caused the destruction of Atlantis) started coming in, attracted by the new technologies. They thrive on chaos, fear, and blood, and many are dictators, drug lords, serial killers, etc. The good Atlanteans (the Sentinels) are now reincarnating to stop the Belians. They track the Belians psychically. They have one edge-human conductors who can amplify their psychic powers. A conductor is always opposite sex of the Sentinel, and the tracking process (a conduction) raises sexual energies. There are currently three Sentinel books: Touched by Darkness, Touched by Fire, and Touched by Light. Each is stand alone, but they're also linked.

Suz: Adam Masters isn't a typical Sentinel. How does his bonding with Julia change the Sanctioned dynamics? How does his bonding with Julia change the Sentinel-Conductor relationship?

Cathy: Adam is actually a Sanctioned, and more powerful than a Sentinel. His job is to oversee the Sentinels and conductors in his region (Texas). He's not supposed to have a matched conductor or perform conductions, yet when he meets Julia Reynolds, he quickly realizes she is indeed a matched conductor for him-which is unheard of. When he's put in a position of tracking one of his own Sentinels (something he would never ask his other Sentinels to do), then he also realizes that he and Julia are supposed to be together. It doesn't really change the Sentinel/conductor relationship, but it does create big upheavals for Adam.

Suz: Julia Reynolds is no simpering miss to be used by Adam as he pleases. How did she get that way? And how does she change during her relationship with Adam?

Cathy: Julia has never fully recovered from a horrendous attack twelve years ago, when she was stalked, brutally beaten and raped, and left for dead. Her leg was shattered, and she must use a cane to get around. She's buried herself in a brilliant teaching career, seeking refuge in order and discipline and control in her life. She doesn't want Adam messing up her haven, and she certainly doesn't want a relationship with any man, much less Adam. He's like a god, far beyond a plain woman like herself. But as she works with Adam to track the missing Sentinel, she finds herself attracted to him, and realizes she's no longer dead inside and can still experience sexual desire. When she almost dies during their tracking, she decides to throw caution to the wind and enjoy a relationship with Adam-even if it's only temporary.

Suz: The Belians are the dark forces in you paranormal world. Are the Sentinels going to best them or are they too strong?

Cathy: The Belians are basically as powerful as the Sentinels. It could go either way, and sometimes the Belians win. As I've already mentioned, the Sentinels have an edge with their conductors (there are none for the Belians), but there are no guarantees.

Suz: Miriam is an interesting secondary character. How is she involved in the story?

Cathy: I love Miriam. Underneath the Goth makeup, multi-colored hair, and multiple earrings, Miriam is basically conservative and extremely intelligent. She also comes from a Gypsy heritage and has psychometric abilities, and can read auras and Tarot cards. She becomes involved because she's one of Julia's students, and when she sees Julia and Adam together, she checks Adam's aura (which isn't normal) and gets a read from money he gives her. She knows something dark and sinister is going on, and believes she's being guided to help in some way. So she follows Adam and Julia to San Antonio, and ends up helping them in their search for a missing Sentinel and a dangerous Belian.

Suz: You usually write paranormal books. Are their more of the Sentinel series or can we expect something different in your future?

Cathy: Right now, all my story ideas are paranormal. I love those elements so much, it's basically impossible to keep them out of my books. Currently, there are no more Sentinel books planned, partly because of the downswing in the publishing industry. I am working on a new paranormal series about angels, and dusting off my "Silly Aliens" series (you can read sample chapters from Cowboys and Aliens on my website at http://www.catherinespangler.com/fun.htm).

I also want to tell you about the fun "Mr. Right Sentinel" quiz I have on my website. You can take the quiz and determine which of the three ultra-sexy Sentinels is your perfect match (okay, so Adam is a Sanctioned, but he's included in the quiz). You can find the quiz at http://www.catherinespangler.com/fun_quiz.htm. And if you do take it, I hope you'll comment on the blog and share your match. It will be interesting to see which Sentinel is the most popular.

Are you getting tired of the most written paranormal themes (vampires, werewolves, etc.)? What would you like to see in future paranormal trends (angels, demons, magic, etc.)?Do you think we might get some good discussion with those questions? We can let readers know that they can chime in on the questions or take the quiz and give their results, and either way, they'll be entered into the drawing for the book. I'm giving away a copy of Touched by Light today, so jump in for a chance to win.

Thank you so much for letting me hang out here today. The Bandits are ultra cool! .