Can you introduce yourself to my readers a little?
I’m Carrie Lofty, author of lush, adventurous historical romances such as my Robin Hood-themed debut, WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS, its Spanish-set sequel, SCOUNDREL’S KISS, and SONG OF SEDUCTION, a tale of two lovelorn musicians in 1804 Austria, which in June will help launch Carina Press–Harlequin’s new digital-first venture. I also co-write hot’n'dirty apocalyptic paranormal romances with Ann Aguirre under the name Ellen Connor. Look for our “Dark Age Dawning” trilogy of sexy shifter stories, coming soon from Penguin.

Can you introduce us to the world that you have created?
I’m all over the place! Blame it on my roots as an historian, but I just love a variety of settings. From Nottingham forest to the high plateaus of medieval Spain, from the grandeur and elegance of Napoleonic Austria…to an apocalyptic wasteland? Really? Yes…come with me!

Will this be your first RT or are you a veteran? Any advice for those who are going for the first time?
Oh, gosh. I’m a virgin! Now I’ll be singing Madonna all night. Please, if anyone has advice–pass it along! I get the feeling this won’t have tons in common with RWA Nationals…

Are you speaking on any panels during RT? Are there any you are looking forward to?
I am! On Wednesday afternoon at 5pm I’ll be sitting on the panel “Beyond Regency and Scotland,” described as,

Authors and editors discuss the wide variety of historical romances currently being published, from ‘unusual’ settings and styles to a wider range of historical eras being represented in the market.

I’ll be joined by moderator Kristie Cook, plus Zoe Archer, Blythe Gifford, Jade Lee, Sherry Thomas, and editor Megan Records of Kensington. I’m so thrilled to be a part of this, because unusual settings have been my passion for years. (I founded Unusual Historicals in 2006 for just that reason!)

I’ll also be co-hosting the Mad Hatter Historical Tea Party at midnight on Wednesday evening–or is that Thursday morning? Come see me and 11 other historical authors totally decked out in top hats and Victorian gear. We’ll be passing out tons of goodies and books, indulging in a full tea service and cupcakes, and generally buzzing around with a party atmosphere. My fellow authors are: Victoria Alexander, Renee Bernard, Emily Bryan, Kristina Cook, Genella deGrey, Charlotte Featherstone, Heather Graham, Sally MacKenzie, Donna MacMeans, Amanda McIntyre, and Sharon Page. I’m completely psyched!

If someone were wanting to meet up with you at RT, who should they look for?
Look for the girl at the bar who snickers at the goings-on…until she’s had a few too many and then dives right in! I suppose if I wear my nametag, that might help too…