Nalini Singh surely needs no introduction, but I’m going to give you one, anyway. She’s the author of the Psy-Changeling series, the Guild Hunter series, and a number of Harlequin romances way back in the day. Most recently, she released Kiss of Snow, the tenth installment of the Psy-Changeling series, and my most highly anticipated title of the year. Nalini was kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions for me, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as I did.
1. You got your start writing contemporary romances, but made your name with your paranormal Psy-Changeling books. Do you think you’ll ever go back, or is it strictly paranormal from here on out?
I adore writing paranormal romance – it just fits me so well. However, the future is uncharted territory, and I don’t think any writer can predict all the stories she may one day write. I enjoy contemporaries, so who knows, I may well have them in my future!
2. I’ve frequently wondered why you chose the U.S. for the setting for both the Psy-Changeling books and the Guild Hunter books. What made you decide not to set them in New Zealand?
New Zealand is gorgeous and I love it, but it’s very small. For the Psy/Changeling series, I needed a much bigger land area, so that the different changeling groups, for example, could have a wide enough range to run in without infringing on each other’s territories. I’d traveled through California, and when the idea came to me, CA as a location came with it.
The same with the Guild Hunter series – when I first had the idea, I saw an angel in a tower high above New York. The location was part of the story and still is. I don’t think Angels’ Blood could have been set anywhere but in the energetic, beating heart of New York.
3. I’ve been waiting for Hawke’s book since he flirted with Sascha in Slave to Sensation. Can you tell (without spoiling us, because I so do not want to be spoiled) if there’s another character whose story we’re building to?
I tried to answer this question several ways but they all turned spoilery, so I’ll just say, there will be many developments in Kiss of Snow, some of which may give you clues about future books. (Aww, I guess I would have been okay with something a little bit spoilery.)
4. You’re, like, a traveling maniac. Is there anywhere you haven’t been yet that you’re dying to go?
Oh, so many places!! If I could have a psychic power, it would definitely be teleportation – I want to go swimming in this gorgeous cove in Italy, stand on top of a mountain in the Himalayas, watch the northern lights in Alaska, walk the Inca trail in Peru…the list is endless!
5. I’m a ginormous fan of slow-burn romance, which is why I’ve so looked forward to Hawke and Sienna’s book. Is there a slow-burn romance that you love?
Interesting question. I’m really enjoying two urban fantasy series at the moment where there is a central romance – Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson books, and Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels books. (Yep, with you on these.)
What I love about both these series is that the authors are allowing the relationships to develop to the next emotional level, rather than keeping the characters in a holding pattern. (Well-said!)
I’m also waiting to read Michael’s story in Meljean Brook’s Guardians series. I’ve been fascinated by him since the first book!
Thanks to Nalini Singh for stopping by, and to Erin at Penguin, for making this interview possible. I confess to swooning a bit from the awesomeness of the opportunity.
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I so swooned too. And maybe turned a little bit fangirl with some high-pitched “squeeing” thrown in for added effect. Luckily, Nalini couldn’t see me or that would have been embarrassing.
Fabulous interview, I never really thought about why the books were set here instead of in New Zealand, but it definitely makes sense that they would need more room:) And huge YAY for slow-burn romances, those are my favorite.
nice interview!!! what exactly do you mean by slow burn romance?
What a cool person Nalini is! I really must get to reading her books now.
Awesome interview!! Swooooon!
I need to check out this series. 
I didn’t know she started with CR. Cool.
And teleportation has always been my biggest wish for a power.
Fun interview. I’m glad you got the opportunity, too, Ruby.
Jenny–you got to meet her! Talk about swoonage!
Carrie–Slow burn romance takes time to build. Basically, it’s the opposite of love at first sight. The characters don’t rush into the relationship so the tension has plenty of time to build to a fever-pitch. That way, when the first kiss come there’s more than a sizzle, there’s an inferno.
Logan–So? How is it?
Christy–You really, really do.
Missie–Not as glad as me!!!!!!
[...] I interviewed Nalini Singh! [...]