And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Our Mystery Author this round is Donna Kauffman. Judging from the number of entries we've received, the readers here are not unfamiliar with her. Donna has been writing novels for quite awhile. Her first book was published in 1993—almost 25 years ago. Over that time she has covered nearly every sub-genre of the romance spectrum. She speaks about this and other topics in our interview below. When you are done here, pop over to her website to catch up on what's new and take a peek at what's already out there waiting to be read.

http://www.donnakauffman.com/

1. Over the years you have been able to cover most sub-genres of romance. What is your favorite to write and why?

I've enjoyed dabbling in all of them. I've explored themes and ideas that appeal to me as a reader. It's great fun to get to dive in to as a writer as well. I think one of the best things about writing in the romance genre is that I have the freedom to venture off into a variety of sub genres without ever having to abandon the central love story that I love so much.

2. How has writing changed for you?

In some ways it is easier, in terms of the experience gained in constructing stories, building characters, developing plots, when you've been writing for a long time. In most other ways, though, it's just that much more challenging. I want to keep things fresh, and I always feel I can push a bit further, do things better, achieve more with my stories, so there is never a sense of complacency. Far from it, actually!

3. How about a little bit about you and your family? Where are you from? Married? Kids?

I was born and raised in the DC area and I still live in the metro suburbs. Great place to be. Mountains and beaches are within driving distance, and the city is close by with everything you could want. I have two sons who are at the nest leaving stage, but as I also have a mini-menagerie of dogs, fish, and a very bossy parrot, it's never quiet here.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy sports a great deal. And, growing up in a family owned craft business, I am still involved in that hobby industry as well. Currently I am running the education program for a nearby craft store and absolutely love it. Aside from the alternate creative outlet, it has the added benefit of getting me out and around non-fictional people for at least part of the day.

5. You're going to the movies? What are you going to see—Pan's Labrynth or Dream Girls?

Well....probably I'd end up at Catch & Release or the latest James Bond film instead. I write romantic comedy, so I'm definitely the first in line to see anything under that heading at the movie theater, but I'm never averse to watching a man in a tux escape death. And if he's in a sexy Astin Martin while doing so, more's the better.

6. Tell us about your new book, THE GREAT SCOT.

Okay, so drag it out of me...I'm a reality show junkie. Well, not all reality shows, but I have my favorites. For those who have read my daily blog, you know I manage to squeeze in, oh, one or two shows at a time. So it just seemed a perfect fit to find a way to combine my enjoyment of those programs, with my ongoing love affair with Scotland (In particular, the very hot men who reside there. Yes, sometimes it does not suck to be me.) I had already written about three of the lovely Chisholm lads in BAD BOYS IN KILTS, but there was one brother left, a darker, brooding brother with some ghosts to conquer. So what better way to get him to confront with reality, than to put him smack dab in the middle of a reality show and deposit a house full of women looking for their Prince Charming on his doorstep? Seemed like a great idea to me. Turns out it was an absolute blast to write. I can only hope my readers agree with me.

7. Even better, what can you tell us about the great Scot on the cover?

Honestly, is that man riveting or what? Those eyes are downright haunting. I think I get more mail about him than the book itself. I promise, if I can track down his number, I'll share. Maybe. Okay, don't hold me to that.