Newbie Bethany True reveals the truth about beauty queens, who she'd play in the story of her life, and just what makes her go from nice to naughty. Read on …

MB: What or who inspired your novel?

BT: During a very brief rotation through the pageant circuit, I met all types of women and men who later became the foundations for my characters.

MB: What do you like most about your novel?

BT: Most people imagine that pageant girls lust attention and adulation. This is true for some of the women but certainly not all. I liked that Delaney is somewhat the anti-princess beauty queen.

MB: Who is the most heroic person you know?

BT: My mother. People say you can't have it all, but somebody forgot to tell her: she is beautiful, smart, talented, and a great wife and mother. She's had to overcome grave setbacks throughout her life, but she doesn't let them intimidate her or prevent her from accomplishing her goals.

MB: Who's your romance hero: dark, brooding bad boy or white knight in shining armor?

BT: I'm an incurable romantic so one would automatically imagine my response would be "white knight," no?

No. Definitely the bad boy. They don't just live, they taste life. Intelligence, wit and mischievous charm are incredibly sexy and it takes a delicate balance of the three to draw the naughty out of me.

MB: Answer the question you wish an interviewer would ask.

BT: Question: Do you make an appearance in this book either as a main character or a cameo?

A: I do -- hmmm (wink).