I began reading romance novels when I was 12 years old. Unfortunately, my grandmother found out that I was reading a book from her stash and confiscated it! Once I got a little bit older, I began the wonderful journey into romance again. Everything from vampires to ranch hands, I love them all. The process of actually selling the books was a little bit harder. I remember going to my first Romantic Times convention. I thought it would be a cinch to snag a publisher at an event and quickly hand them my submission. Boy, was I wrong! That first convention, I gave myself a three year time frame to get published. One of the authors at the event said that it should at least be five. She was right! My love for writing and my stubborn spirit would not allow the many rejections to deter me from my goal in life. After six years of submissions, I finally received my first book deal. For all the aspiring authors out there who still have not been published, I challenge you to be true to yourself and your writing. You will get there if you want it bad enough. I always used to tell myself with every rejection letter "If I don't believe in myself, why should anyone else?" Years later, that still holds true. Live the Dream and Let your Characters Bloom!

Shauna Hart has published three books with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid and recently received a contract for her fourth. Her novel, The Pleasure of Sin, was a 2008 EPIC award finalist. She is also the winner of the 2008 Stella Cameron Scarlet Boa award.