Welcome Anjeanette L. Porter to Love Romances & More. We are excited to have the opportunity to speak with you and learn more about your work. 

How long have you been writing; was it something you have always wanted to do?  

Yes, I’ve been writing since I was 16 years old. I am 27 ½   now.  My inspiration mostly came when my mom and her friend Leona got me hooked on reading romance novels and I knew pretty much from then that I would probably write my own some day. 

What influenced you to get published? How long did it take you to get your first book published?   

My mother and her best friend Leona got me hooked on reading Romance novels when I was still in middle school. My reading grade was lower than it should have been and my mom didn’t blame me for not wanting to read the materials they were having us read so her friend let me borrow a few books. I loved them the minute I got my hands on them and my reading grade did go up. I’ve been hooked on them ever since. And my dream of writing my own came later when I moved away from all my friends, away from Texas and to Bloomington, IN.  It took me about 10 years to get it published. I went through a self-publishing company called www.publishamerica.com. 

How much control do you have on the final books? Do you have any say in the artwork and the editing that is done?

I was really disappointed because I didn’t really have 100% say in my artwork, cover design.  And I made the biggest mistake I think anyone could ever make and that was not having my manuscript edited. I choose that option because I was impatient.  Luckily, I did go through it myself and fixed as many of them as I could find. Though there still is a few it really isn’t all that bad.  

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?   

I love wildlife photography; I love animals, the outdoors.  Fishing, camping, hiking and swimming. I also enjoy spending time online and just searching things. I also enjoy talking/chatting with my friends on here like on Myspace.  

BRANDON MCKENZIE: THE PROTECTOR has a beautiful and romantic cover. Who is your cover artist? 

Thank you. To be honest, I don’t remember.  

Can you give us a synopsis of BRANDON MCKENZIE: THE PROTECTOR?  

Brandon McKenzie: The Protector.  Sylvia Johnson is stranded on an island, full of enemies. After an ocean storm tipped her parent’s yacht over she finds herself in a strange man’s home. When she realizes she is his captive, because of her safety. She is determined to find those she lost and return to the mainland. But Brandon McKenzie is not willing to let her out on her own on an island full of enemies and unforeseen danger and protects her every step of the way. He is an under cover agent trying but not succeeding on finding out what happened to some of the islanders and is surprised and bewildered at the young woman he has as his own captive for she has visions of what is taking place to those she lost and those he is looking for. And while he is spending time with Sylvia Johnson he finds he is falling in love with her. But because of his first love and unborn child gone he is not sure if he is ready to feel close to another woman again.  Will time and events keep these two apart or will it bring them together in the true sense of love and happiness? 

I enjoy a time travel story from time to time. How did you come up with the idea for this book?   

Let’s see, it just came to me as I wrote it. I always got stuck in the middle and would just start over from the beginning, change a little here and there until its sounded and read more smoothly and then I would keep writing. It just came to me naturally from my imagination.  

How long did it take you to develop the history and the names of your characters for your book?   

There isn’t really that much history in my novel. My characters came from all of my very good friends that I have made through out the years. I didn’t use any of there real last names but their first names I did. And some of the characteristics as well that matched them.  I think it just came more naturally to me that way.  

How did you and Publish America come together?   

I was searching for a publishing company that would do everything for free. No up front costs or any costs for that matter on my part and so I did a search on the internet for a company like that and found www.publishamerica.com . They were very easy to work with and very easy to get acceptance of my manuscript.  I had my book published within three months or a little less I think.  

How did your family react to your becoming published?   

My mom especially was very thrilled and happy for me and just being able to get published was awesome to her and the rest of my family as well.  

Who is your favorite character? Why?   

My main character Sylvia Johnson, she is a very strong woman and I admire her for that. She is also very helpful, and loving and friendly. She tries so hard to make it on her own and then because of her love for Brandon she goes back to him.  She is just amazing.  

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?   

Oh yes, I am a very avid reader and I love all types of Romance novels, weather they are historic, time travel, modern, or paranormal or any mixing combination.  Yes, I think a couple of them have in some way or another.  I would let you know who some of them are but I can’t think of any of their names on top of my head. The titles are Autumn Dove, and there are many more I can’t think of right at this moment.  

If you could write and be guaranteed publication of any genre of book, what would it be?   

Most certainly a Romance novel, because I love them and I enjoy writing them as well, although at this time I only have one written and published, I am working on my second novel.  

Are you working on anything right now? Can you tell us a teaser about these projects?   

Right now I am starting on my second novel. This one is a time travel romance.  It is about a young woman who finds her husband cheating on her on a cold and wintry evening. Only he isn’t cheating with a woman but a man. She is horrified of course and storms out of the house and into the car and well that is when it happens. She travels through time.   

Do you read reviews of your books?   

Yes, I do. I have up to this point received two reviews, one not so good and the other much better. Like I say on my website the reviews done are done by only one individual and they are going to be different depending on that person’s likes and dislikes. My website address is www.freewebs.com/rmncwrtr27 so please go check it out and sign my guestbook, don't be SHY!!  I have my reviews put up on my website along with all the interviews I've done up to this point. I also have a bio, profile a synopsis and Chapter one of my novel on there to read free. So go check it out. 

What are some of your pet peeves?   

Scratching figure nails against chalk boards or people tapping their fingers against a table top.  

Is there any thing about you that people would be surprised to find out?   

Not that I can think of.  

Any final advice to aspiring authors?  

Yes, never give up on your dreams. Keep at it even if it does look bleak. If you are meant to have your book published some day, you will.   It might take a few months, possibly even years to have it done but it will happen.  Just keep at it.  

Thank you so much for spending time with us at Love Romances & More. We wish you the greatest success in all of your future endeavors.