And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

It seems like every time you turn around, a new author is showing up with a new novel. Which is great: the more, the merrier, the more books for us to read. The problem for the reader becomes whether or not it's worth getting the book, and reviews are always one way to get a feel for an author.

Often my own decision as to whether or not to buy a book, especially a debut, is influenced by the authors themselves. The 'About the Author' blurb inside back cover can cinch a sale or have the book back on the rack before you know it. An author's website certainly gives you an idea of what to expect and is another good place to check.

Our 'Mystery Author' this round hasn't been giving reviewers or readers much to complain about--quite to the contrary, as a matter of fact. The reviews I've seen for Heather Grothaus' debut novel, "THE WARRIOR", have been very positive and nearly perfect, and the reader buzz is about the same. Obviously, I am biased, but really, interviews are the best source for finding out what an author is like, and from this interview Ms. Grothaus looks to be a winner.

Interviewing Heather was a pleasure. Very easy going and genuinely friendly, I can't help but think she'd be a lot of fun to be around. Heather's answers will show you what I mean. I've added her to my list of authors I must try and hope all of you do the same.

1. First, how exactly is your name pronounced?

LOL! I get this a lot. It's pronounced "grote-house"--I have my husband's German heritage to thank for that.

2. How did you get started in writing? Is it something you've always wanted to do?

Absolutely! I won a writing contest in the fifth grade, which earned me a summer scholarship to Northern Kentucky University. I took a creative writing course and it was the most fantastic experience! During that period, I read a lot of Judy Blume and CS Lewis, but once I hit 12 or 13 and snuck off with my mother's copy of Woodiwiss's THE WOLF AND THE DOVE, I was instantly hooked on historical romance! I did some freelance journalism for newspapers and magazines before writing THE WARRIOR.

3. THE WARRIOR is receiving great reviews. How does it feel having a debut novel doing well before it hits the shelves? Is it like a dream?

Sue, this is an experience like I never imagined. Before I received my offer from Kensington or got an agent, the only people who had read Warrior were my husband, my mother, my sister, and my cousin. They all loved it, of course, but it was hard for me to take their opinions at face value. After all, these are people who love me and they wanted me to do well. A very wise woman once told me, "Your mother would love your grocery list." And it is so true. So each favorable review is like a confirmation for me, because I truly believe I am my toughest critic. I am so grateful to all the people who have taken the time to read Warrior and give their opinions, and I'm really looking forward to hearing what readers think!

4. Tell us about yourself. Are you originally from Kentucky? Sisters and/or brothers?

I was born in Southern Ohio, but was raised about an hour and a half away in Northern Kentucky, where Tim and I still live. I am a Kentucky girl through and through—I believe it's the greatest state in the US. It's southern enough to be genteel, urban enough to be modern, and the scenery is beyond compare.

About me... I love music and art of any kind. I play piano and guitar (though not well, I'm afraid), I love to cook and garden, sew, play poker, watch movies, and, of course, read! I've recently taken up learning about wine, and I'm having a lot of fun with that! <g>.

I have a younger brother in Iowa, and a younger sister here in Kentucky, as well as an older half-brother in Ohio.

5. Your pups, Vladamir and Petra, are beautiful. What kind are they? Looks to be a bit of an age difference between them. I have my hands full with one. Do they drive you crazy?

Thank you! They do drive me crazy! <lol Petra (our "big girl", who also goes by "Sissy"), is full-blooded German Shepherd. Vladimir (our littlest, who also goes by "Tater"), is German Shepherd mixed with Plott Hound. Unfortunately, there isn't much of an age difference between them, only about 7 months. Petra turned two in February and Vladimir will be two in September. The past eighteen months with those two have been... a challenge! Between them, they've consumed/destroyed: 12 throw rugs, 10 pairs of shoes, countless candles, our 2004 tax return documents, several books, our couch, and most of the grass in our backyard. Petra is from police dog stock, and we knew confining her was going to be a challenge when she was three months old and we discovered she could climb baby gates and chain link in a heartbeat.

They are both so smart (and so sneaky), they really keep me hopping. I couldn't love them more.

6. Tell us about THE WARRIOR.

THE WARRIOR is about a woman who was born from an adulterous affair between her magical Scots mother and her Saxon father. After her father is killed at the Battle of Hastings and her mother dies at the hands of invaders, Haith is left to grow up in the care of her wise-woman aunt and her father's embittered widow. Her only friend is her half-sister, Bertie. Haith carries extreme guilt over her mother's relationship with her father, and is ashamed of her magical Scots lineage. Even though she's had nightly dreams since she was a young girl of the same powerful warrior--a man whom she is told is her soul mate--Haith vows to shun her heritage in order to put an end to "the curse" which plagues her family. This is all well and good, until the man of her dreams proves himself flesh and blood when he comes to Seacrest to claim his bride--Haith's beloved half-sister, Bertie. Haith is forced to come to terms with her family's past and her magical gifts in order to save the life of the one man she is condemned to love forever and then let go.

7. Can you tell us what you are working on now?

Sure! I am finishing up the book that will follow THE WARRIOR (title and release date TBA). The second book involves a secondary character from Warrior, and has been so much fun to write. There are a lot of twists and turns in this novel, and I hope readers will be as surprised as I was at the way it ends.

8. You like to dress up for the renaissance festivals. What garb do you go for? Wench, royalty.....? Does the hubby join you?

You bet! Ren fests are a big deal around our house--we plan what we'll wear months in advance, and I usually make our costumes. I've been a wench, a wise woman and a lady, and I must admit, the wise woman was the most fun! But I'll take any excuse to dress up in period costumes. One of the best experiences I've had was being a bridesmaid in a very good friend's wedding, where the wedding party and even all the guests and clergy dressed in costume. The pictures are beautiful—if enough readers interested in seeing them drop me a line, I'll post some on the website.

9. Do you miss your journalism days? There has to be a huge difference in careers, if for no other reason, because of the way you would approach your writing.

I don't miss journalism. With fiction, I can make everyone have a happy ending. Except for the villains, of course, who always get exactly what they deserve in my books--something that doesn't happen enough in real-life, in my opinion.