Francis Ray is a native Texan and lives in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Woman's University, she is a School Nurse Practitioner with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1999 and 2000 she was nominated for Texas Woman's University Distinguished Alumni Award.

Ms. Ray's titles consistently make bestseller's lists such as Blackboard and Essence Magazine. Incognito, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. She has written thirty-one titles to date. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, and The Atlantic Choice.

Her titles include The Turning Point, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, Someone To Love Me, Big Girls Don't Cry, Any Rich Man Will Do, and many, many others.

In Another Man's Bed is her sixth mainstream and Book #3 of the Invincible Women Series and is scheduled for February 2007.  Irresistible You, Book #4 of the Graysons of New Mexico series, is due to hit stores March 2007.  Ms. Ray is hard at work on her next book.

Urban Reviews: Tell us about In Another Man's Bed.
Francis Ray: In Another Man's Bed is the thought provoking story of a betrayed woman, Justine Crandall, who finds herself in the unwanted position of deciding whether or not to disconnect her adulterous husband's life support. To complicate matters, an old love resurfaces. Will Justine follow her heart or her conscience?

Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for this novel?
Francis Ray: Unfortunately, I have friends who have had to make the decision to disconnect the life support of love ones. There has also been a couple of court cases in Texas where the judge, not the family, made the decision. I began to wonder if the person had betrayed you would that make the decision easier or more difficult. The complicated answer to that question became In Another Man's Bed.

Urban Reviews: How did you get into the business?
Francis Ray: I've always loved reading, but the desire to write started after reading three books by Katherine Woodiwiss. In all of the novel the couples remained faithful to each other despite the many problems and obstacles they faced. When I finished that third book I wanted to write similar stories where men and women committed to each other for a lifetime.

Urban Reviews: What are some of the biggest changes that you've seen in the romance fiction industry?
Francis Ray: Since I started writing there had been a steady decline of publishing houses, major distributors, and independent book stores. All this means fewer places to sell your romance manuscript, fewer places booksellers can obtain your book, and fewer retail outlets where readers can purchase your book.

Urban Reviews: What do you like most about writing romance fiction?
Francis Ray: The one thing I enjoy most in writing romance fiction is creating strong characters. I write about men and women who never forget who they are and where they came from. They all have core values. They're tall, petite, slender, voluptuous, dark, fair. They're men we can fall in love with and women we can root for.

Urban Reviews: Which do you like to write better romance novels or mainstream fiction?
Francis Ray: I enjoy writing both romance novels and mainstream fiction. I don't prefer one over the other. Each has its challenges and rewards. In Irresistible You, a Grayson romance, which is due out March 07, the romance is the focus, the heart of the story. Yet I have to keep in mind the reason they can't commit (plot), the sensual undertones, the push-pull between the hero and the heroine. In Another Man's Bed the focus of the story is Justine's character growth as she accepts that life kicks you in the teeth at times, but you have to deal with it.

Urban Reviews: What are some of your upcoming projects?
Francis Ray: Book #4 of the Graysons of New Mexico Series, Irresistible You, comes out March 07. Book #5, Only You, is scheduled for October 07. I just finished Secret Sins (tentative title), a mainstream book for St. Martin's Press which will probably have a 2008 publication date.

Urban Reviews: Do you still work a full-time job outside of your professional writing career?
Francis Ray: Yes, I still work full-time as a School Nurse Practitioner for a large school district. One day I hope to write full time.

Urban Reviews: What advice would you give to the aspiring romance authors out there?
Francis Ray: Read as much as possible in the genre you want to write in, but other genres as well. Study the craft of writing. Invest in workshops, books, and magazines like Writer's Digest. Write daily. Seriously consider joining Romance Writer's of America to learn about the industry and sharpen your skills. Last, don't judge your success by others.

Urban Reviews: What do you want people to know most about you?
Francis Ray: I'd like people to know that I deeply appreciate their support through the years. That means so much to mean and I'll do my best never to disappoint them.