At the time I decided to write paranormal romances for Silhouette Nocturne, one idea I wanted to focus on was shapeshifters.  I created Alpha Force, my super secret military group that's the subject now of a Nocturne mini-series--and many of its members are shapeshifters.  Not all are werewolves, but they're in the majority--again, because I love canines.

I also believe in synchronicity. I didn't start writing about wolves and werewolves all at once, but the stories have been appearing this year anyway. And coincidentally--or not--the day I received these questions for the wonderful ITW newsletter, and before I read my e-mail and saw the questions about wolves and me, I happened to put on a shirt I hadn't worn for a while, one I'd bought in Alaska. On the back are... you guessed it.  Wolves!

Will Kendra and Dante be raising any wolf-pups of their own? Or is that another tale?

If the question is intended to be an inquiry about Kendra's and Dante's relationship--well, you'll need to read on to find out! But rich, powerful Dante seems to be a good match for Kendra. Will they stay together? Maybe...

I have two very vocal cats, although I might be afraid to hire her in case a body turned up on my lanai.  But just in case, how much does Kendra charge for pet sitting? And how does she keep getting clients when she keeps finding more bodies than chew toys?

A lanai? You and your cats must be lucky enough to live in Hawaii!

You know, I've never asked Kendra what her pet-sitting fees are, but they're enough, with her law work, to support her Lexie and her. I assume she's getting around what I pay for the excellent, professional pet-sitter I have caring for my Lexie and Mystie when we're out of town.

That's also a good question about why people keep hiring her. Maybe because she's so good at pet-sitting and mystery solving.

I hope you and your cats never trip over one of the bodies whose murders Kendra has to solve. You're probably safe in Hawaii, since Kendra hasn't been there in any of her mysteries... yet

What's next for Kendra Ballantyne, Esq.?

Kendra's ninth Pet-Sitter mystery, Feline Fatale, will be a July 2010 release. Kendra will also appear after that in a spin-off mystery series about Lauren Vancouver, Pet-Rescuer, who is introduced in Howl Deadly.

Can you name the last book you finished, the book you're currently reading, and the next book on your list?

Recently finished: Show No Fear by Perri O'Shaughnessy.

Currently reading: Winter Study by Nevada Barr. It's about...wolves!

Next on my list: to be decided. Any ideas?

Rebecca Cantrell sold her house, quit her high tech job, and moved to Hawaii to write a novel. Her first novel, A TRACE OF SMOKE, starts a mystery series set in Berlin in the 1930s. It was released in May 2009. As of this writing, she lives in Hawaii with her husband and son.