Michelle M. Pillow is married and has a daughter and a houseful of pets.

Having always had an active imagination, it’s only nature she writes in the paranormal and futuristic genres.

Please join me in chatting with Michelle.

HRC: Michelle, you have a wonderfully balanced backlist of all genres, but let’s talk about your historical books right now. What is it that drew you originally to the historical genre?

Michelle M. Pillow: “I started reading historical-set books in high school—both romances and non-romance genres—and fell in love with history. I’m fascinated with discovering how people lived within the confines of their societal boundaries. The fun challenge is setting a believable story within those boundaries. The first books I wrote were straight historical romances, and those just for fun. I haven’t published them all yet, some I haven’t even tried.”

HRC: Emerald Knight gives us a look at Wolfe and Ginevra from their childhood onward. Can you tell us a little about them and how their story came about?

Michelle M. Pillow: “This was one of those books I wrote before seriously thinking about publishing. I did it for fun, like other people do crossword puzzles. It was my seventh historical written and at the time I wanted to try something different—a book that spanned a lifetime instead of just a few short months or years. The concept of finding love in an arranged marriage also fascinated me and I found myself asking, what if they were raised knowing who they’d marry. There was no mystery in it, no reason to think beyond that other person. And then I wanted what brought them together and tore them apart to be realistic. The story grew from there.”

HRC: What made you decide to become an author, let alone decide to write romance?

Michelle M. Pillow: “I’ve always written—journals, bad poetry, stories for the middle school newspaper. Romance came about because I love people falling in love. It was a way to blend my affinity for all things history with my love of happily-ever-after.”

HRC: What did you do before you decided to begin writing? Do you have an interesting or humorous story you would like to share with us from any of your prior occupations?

Michelle M. Pillow: “I always seem to get promoted wherever I work. It was almost like a curse. My first job was a CNA at a nursing home when I was 16. I loved it, but it became too hard. Then I was a waitress, baker, tattoo shop front girl, head waitress at a bar, banquet coordinator for 200-300 people events. Then around 21, I became a restaurant manager at a big hotel restaurant. From there I did permanent hair removal and freelance photography (which I still do). And about seven years ago, I opened my own business with my artist husband. It’s been successful and allowed me the freedom to do what I want. Aside from running that, I focus on my writing nowadays. But, since I’m still in my twenties, I’m sure I’ll do several other jobs before it’s all said and done. I love new experiences.”

HRC: Maiden and the Monster is a medieval story introducing us to Vladamir and Eden. Please tell our readers about this engaging pair and how it was developed.

Michelle M. Pillow: “This was my fifth book written and my first straight historical published at Ellora’s Cave. I started in the dark ages, when this book was set, and planned to write my way through history, though I’ve been sidetracked genre-wise since being published. LOL.

“Vladamir was a side character from a book I have yet to publish, set about 10 years earlier. He was so in love and optimistic, chivalrous and hopeful. ‘Off screen’ I put him through hell. So when his book opened, he was scarred, beastly, and all around not-so-lovable. The title is my ode, one of my favorite stories, but it follows its own path story-line wise.”

HRC: How difficult would you say it was to have your work first published?

Michelle M. Pillow: “I think I had two rejections before contracting with NCP, New Concepts Publishing. Now, I can see why those books were rejected and will eventually clean up the writing, because I like the storylines.

“My first book published, The Mists of Midnight, came out in April 2004. It’s historical paranormal, a Victorian ghost story, and was my second foray into the paranormal. (The first was Tribes of the Vampire: Redeemer of Shadows-that came out later).

“I think the hardest part was suddenly having my work out there and being thrown into the business side of being an author. Only about three other people knew I wrote books, let alone romances. Suddenly, I had a contract, had to learn to build a website, promotions, and I had to tell the world I even wrote. Luckily, I learn fast and after stumbling around, I’m finally figuring it all out.”

HRC: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Michelle M. Pillow: “Do your research, do the writing, do your thing. But, mostly, do your research.”

HRC: You also have a number of historical paranormal books that all sound fascinating. The Mists of Midnight is full of paranormal elements. Please tell us about this book, its hero and heroine and how it all started.

Michelle M. Pillow: “Imogen is a slightly spoiled, willful young woman who doesn’t wish to marry the man her parents have chosen for her. After refusing, her mother swears never to talk to her again and her father hires a tutor to teach her how to be a lady of society. Her tutor, Dougal Weston arrives, but isn’t exactly the man her parents had in mind. For one, it becomes apparent he might not even be alive and if he is, some of the other new residents at her home are not.”

HRC: What is the creative process for you behind writing a romance novel?

Michelle M. Pillow: “I’m not much for plotting and outlining. I make the characters, set the scene, set them all down with a basic idea of what will happen to them and then just let them react as their personalities would react. They run the show, I’m just typing along for the ride.”

HRC: Of all the books you have written thus far, which is your favorite?

Michelle M. Pillow: “That’s too hard, LOL. It’s like asking to pick favorites between children.”

HRC: Your Naughty Cupid series sounds like a lot of fun. There are three books currently in the series, Cupid’s Enchantment, Cupid’s Revenge, and Cupid’s Favor. How did the idea for this series come about, and please give us a brief look at each one.

Michelle M. Pillow: “This series is joined not only by worlds, but by Cupid—a mean, nasty, smelly troll who hates everything to do with love. The idea came from my cousin and her friends throwing anti-Valentines Day parties. I wanted to give them a Cupid even they could love.

“Unfortunately for Cupid, his plans usually backfire. In book one, Cupid’s Enchantment, he wishes to get revenge against Ilar of the Lycans for ridiculing him and throwing him out of the lycan castle. To do so, he brings the ugliest woman he can find -- who happens to be beautiful by lycan standards -- and enchants her so all lycans will want to mate with her. The woman is also human from our world, a world that is supposed to be sealed off from theirs. The whole army goes wild and Ilar, being in charge of the army, has a huge problem on his hands—especially since he too wants the human woman for himself.

“Book two, Cupid’s Revenge, starts right after book one, when King Larus informs the Council of Elders about what Cupid has done. To get the human woman, he opened the portals between worlds. The portals were sealed after a bloody, long war with the humans (our Early Dark Ages). No one wishes to see the two worlds mingle again. Not only that, but he spreads the rumor around that Cupid’s responsible for making Ilar and his mate fall in love. It’s the ultimate insult to his troll pride. He promises the council not to bring enchanted humans over anymore, but with a slip of his words, Cupid knows he said nothing about bringing humans over and enchanting a lycan to attract them. He thought it would be funny to see two ugly humans fighting over the lycan king. Grabbing two ‘ugly’ sisters, Cupid hits Larus with one love dart, but misses him with the second. Only one sister, Sophia, falls under the love spell with the lycan king while the other, unenchanted Mina, is the one Larus wants. With Sophia panting after him and her sister Mina completely clearheaded about their situation, it makes for an amusing, if not frustrating, triangle.

“Book three, Cupid’s Favor, again picks up where the first one ended. Cupid, after being thrown into a sandpit by Larus, is saved by their friend Malak—who didn’t realize who he was rescuing. Knowing he’ll have to repay the life debt so as not to be in the noble lycan’s debt, he hatches a plan to stop him from bringing Sophia to the portals so she can go home. For what better favor is there than delivering the one thing Malak seems to hate above all others—the ugly human. Sophia, broken of the spell, finds herself in a strange land and very frightened of her will being taken from her again. All she wants is to go home. Cupid kidnaps her again and delivers her to Malak, the frustrating man who she can’t stop fighting with. And, to make matters worse, the seasons have changed and all portals are locked—she finds herself trapped and at the mercy of the rogue Malak’s hospitality.”

HRC: Will there be any more books in this series?

Michelle M. Pillow: “I’m not sure. At this time, none are planned, though the world was a lot of fun to create. Like most of my books, I tend to let the fans guide me. If they demand more, I usually give it to them.”

HRC: Is there a particular character which holds a special place in your heart? Why?

Michelle M. Pillow: “Again, it’s hard to say. There are some characters that have a trait like me, such as Morrigan in Dragon Lords 1. Her hate of cleaning, inability to prepare gourmet meals is so me. Also the Dragon Lord’s code of dress—the pajama pant is all me. LOL Or like Ethan in Opposites Attract, I have a map I keep to mark off all the states I’ve been to.

“I tend to love the side characters when I’m writing, like Reid (Lords of the Var 4), Malak (Naughty Cupid 3), and Jirí from the Tribes of the Vampire series. I love writing them, but when it comes down to getting their own book, the reasons why I loved them are the same reasons why we fight. So far Jirí doesn’t have his own book, even though fans are asking. The trouble with him is, I love him too much to let him be settled.”

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