Meet Dru Horvath

Embraceable You, of the most gorgeous cover ever, will be released on February 23, 2011.
In honor of that, Dru Horvath is granting us a visit.

And here she is . . .

Where are you from originally? I'm not really sure. Somewhere in the mid-Atlantic states. My family traveled around a lot before they were arrested in Summerville for running a Gypsy scam and I was taken away by Child Protective Services.

What is Embraceable You about? It is the story of myself and Rory McElroy who come together for a few hours at an awards banquet during the 25^th reunion for the Class of ’85-and how those few hours forever changed our lives.

What did you think the first time you saw Rory? That he certainly filled out a tux real well.

What was your second thought? Since Homeland Security had me on a pretty tight leash that night, I looked at the great big bed over in the corner, and figured it was too bad I wouldn’t be sticking around long enough for him and me to try it out.

Did you think it was love at first sight? No, but there was a lot of lust flying around.

What do you like most about Rory? He makes me laugh, plus that man can slow dance like no tomorrow. Yum.

How would you describe him? He looks like Daniel Craig with that bored ‘screw-you’ look on his face and the build of a boxer. Man, he is hard all over. Sorry, didn’t mean to be crude, but this man does not have a soft part on his body . . . except his heart. That’s all mush.

How would he describe you? Tinkerbell with a mouth and an attitude to match.

What made you choose photo-journalism as a profession? I received my first camera as a Christmas gift when I was maybe 15. Pretty soon I was taking pictures of everything in town. Framing and light came easy, like instinct. An important man in town, Henry Dunavan, paid for private classes at RIT—Rochester Institute of Technology—for me. The instructor helped me get into RIT’s photography program. Things took off after that.

What is your biggest fear? Ten months ago I would have said not living long enough to accomplish my goals. Today I will say it’s not being able to come home to Rory.

How do you relax? When I find out, I'll let you know.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Ouiser Boudreaux from Steel Magnolias. She is confident, self assured and loyal to her friends. Plus, she makes me laugh.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Do not allow fear to keep you from doing what is right.

What books have had an impact on your life?

Mila 18 and Trinity by Leon Uris

Carnal Innocence and Divine Evil by Nora Roberts

A Problem From Hell by Samantha Powers

The Parsifal Mosaic and The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

A Man to Die For by Eileen Dreyer

The Night They Burned the Mountain and Deliver Us From Evil by Dr. Tom Dooley

Here's an excerpt from Embraceable You:

Suddenly, Dru remembered the back-up phone tucked inside the double zippered pocket in her satchel, right beside the extra flash cards and rolls of antacids. Hot damn. All was not lost. With a grin, she hefted the bag over her shoulder and turned toward the bathroom. “I won't be long.”

Before she made the first step, he slid in front of the door, blocking her access. “Give it up.”

Down to her last strike, she pulled the affronted female card. Granted, she used it maybe once in a decade, but Fiona was probably tearing her hair by now. “I beg your pardon?”

Leaning forward, he brought them nose to nose. “Play much poker, Horvath? Your face just lit up like the Fourth of July, which tells me you've got something more stashed in the tote. Unless you let me search it, it stays with me.”

Clutching the canvas bag to her chest, she sneered, “The only thing in here is my outfit for tonight, McElroy. If you think I'm parading around naked in front of you, one of us is a couple fries short of a happy meal.”

His response came in the form of another gimme motion with those thick, blunt fingers. “I'll close my eyes if I encounter any lacy unmentionables.”

She knew the instant he found the back-up. The screw-you look morphed into a smirk. “It's not wise to mess with Homeland Security, sweetie. Those guys eat small animals for breakfast.”

To purchase Embraceable You, go to www.thewildrosepress.com.