I’m always interested to talk to writers after I have read their work. They almost never quite match in some way. Peter Straub, for example, scared the wits out of me years ago with Ghost Story (maybe “unnerved me” would be closer to the truth), and his collaboration with Stephen King, The Talisman, was first-rate fantasy. And then I met the man at a USF event, and he was just the most polite, soft-spoken guy. We drank coffee and iced tea together, is what I am saying.

Tampa Bay resident Susan Kearney was a surprise, too, for different reasons. She writes what the romance industry calls “hot” romance (i.e., sexy). And then you talk to the lady and she’s just as “normal” as can be. Where I was expecting leather and lace, I got a fairly big sci-fi geek.

I like Susan Kearney. So much so that some praise I once wrote is included in her new book, Lucan, which is the first in a new series she is writing, The Pendragon Legacy. The first book centers on Lady Cael, the high priestess of her people who is supposed to live a life without physical pleasure—until a myterious man named Lucan enters her life and tempts her to break her vow. And we’re off and running with some science fiction adventure and massive sexual tension!

Kearney’s done well with her romance novels, of which she has quite a few. You can find out more about her by visiting her website right here. She’s got a nice photo of herself along with a video about the new book and information about the series.