Who was the most influential person to you growing up? Did you always want to be a writer?
I think like most people, our families define us. I was no exception. My mother inspired me. Mine was a broken home and it taught me to strive for what I want so that I wasn’t financially dependent on anyone but myself. So, it made me self-reliant and determined. If I wanted something I put everything into it. I went to university and was determined to be a career business woman – which I was, but then dreams change.
My publishing story is a bit different as I’m dyslexic, and I never, ever thought I could write for publication. Yet, I loved story telling. I used to write plays and put them on for my friends and family. In later life, a friend who was very ill made me promise to give writing (my dream) a try and I did. I dedicated my first book to him. Editors and copy editors are my best friends now. I’m thankful to the publishers who contracted me knowing I’d be extra work.
Who introduced you to the world of books?
My mother. She is a fanatical reader! I think I could read almost at the same time as talking. I was a late talker almost two and a half years old, as I’m a twin and my sister and I developed our own language. I always had a wonderful imagination and stories were my life. Maybe my unhappy childhood lead me to fall into other worlds. I love anything related to story-telling, movies, TV, Theatre (Shakespeare is a fav) and of course books.
Since how long have you been living in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand?
I was born in NZ. I’ve lived in NZ most of my life. I lived in the USA for 3 years as a little girl when my dad was at Cornell University. I also lived in London for 7 years in my mid- twenties. I’ve been living in the Hawkes Bay for around 7 years now, and I love it. It’s a wonderful wine growing, tourist area with two small towns of around 20k people, about 20km apart. It has long hot summers and short, not too cold, winters.
What inspires you to write about a modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes?
I’m in love with the idea of true partnerships in romance, and I love heroines who can hold their own against alpha men. I like alpha men, but they have to have that heart of gold.
What do you love the most about writing both historical and contemporary sexy romances?
History was my favorite subject at school. I love looking back and seeing how cultures grew and changed. I was also told to write what I love reading, and I loved historical romances – Judith McNaught, Sarah Donati etc. So it was natural that I wrote historical romance and I love the Regency period. I also love contemporary romance and it makes a nice change to write contemporary so my imagination stays fresh.
What inspired you to write the Wicked Wagers Trilogy?
I wanted a fun series about three friends who, while not looking for love, were knocked off their feet by three amazing heroines. I thought it was a clever idea to have Wagers, Challenges and Dares. Arrogant men versus clever women is always fun to read.
Who inspired the character of Marcus Danvers, the Marquis of Wolverstone in "To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone"?
There are so many historical stories about the class/inheritance system and first-born sons etc. Marcus came to me as I was writing To Dare The Duke of Dangerfield. He was so hurt, and I thought about what caused him to be so dismissive of love. I knew he’d had his heart broken. But I wanted this to be a reunion story, and so my heroine had to have a REALLY good reason to have left him. Read the book and think about the inheritance system and first-born sons. I thought the situation was so heartbreaking for both of them.
Why did you decide to set "Reckless Curves" in Bad Boy Autos?
Easy, I love Fast and Furious movies and Vin Diesel. I wanted to write a series set in the car customization arena. So Bad Boy Autos came to mind. I also love European classic cars. I have only ever owned European cars.
Did you expect "A Kiss of Lies" to become a best seller?
LOL, you expect nothing in this business. So many things have to align to be a best seller. I love writing suspense in my books, and I think the Disgraced Lords series managed to cross over into the romantic suspense market and the historical. So I attracted more readers.
How did you come up with the name of the character, Sarah Cooper in "A Kiss of Lies"?
My characters normally pop into my head, they come to say hello and get me to write their stories, and when they arrive they arrive with names. I don’t know how that works, but once I’ve started talking to them in my head, with a name that came with them, that’s it! In fact, I’m writing a novella for a multi-author boxed set coming out in 2021 and they asked me to change my heroine’s name as someone else had a heroine with that name, but I just couldn’t. That is who she is.
What was your reaction when you got to know that you have been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award.
I was so green! They nominated me for the very first book I ever wrote, Invitation To Ruin. So, I really did not understand how big a deal being nominated was. My publishers loved it, they were so excited when they told me. I had got a very good review from them, and that was thrilling. I guess, like anyone, authors love to know readers like their stories. I love getting emails from readers and seeing how they have fallen into the worlds I create in my stories.
Out of the eight books in The Disgraced Lords series, which one was the hardest to write?
A Taste of Seduction, Hadley’s story. Hadley had played no major role in the preceding 4 books, so I was worried readers wouldn’t want to read his story, but it’s proven to be one of their favorite books in the series. Hadley was a second son, different from the other heroe in the series. But he was such a strong character I knew I had to write a story that did him justice, and the reunion story, with the villain’s role, worked.
How does it feel to be a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown?
It’s the best feeling of all because it’s judged by readers! They are the people who buy my stories and it’s affirming to know I’m on the right track in my storytelling.
Which is the next project you are working on?
My next release in June is book two in my Drive Me wild series – Purr For Me: Bad Boy Autos. It’s up for pre-order.
But I’m now writing two new historical series.
1. The Lady Bachelorettes. It’s a series about a widow desperate to remarry and have children, but society thinks she’s barren. So she holds a house party but invites men only—men desperate for her money. At the end of the house party, she’ll select one man to marry. So, it’s a Regency Bachelorette story. Read the blurb for the first book, The Seduction of Lord Sin here, it will be a very comedic story.
2. The Sisterhood of Scandal. This is a very long series set across a group of friends, brothers and sisters and cousins. The females are sick of being treated like second class idiots so they challenge their male peers to a year-long investment challenge – anonymously. The series follows the trials of 8 females and their heroes. Book one is A Lady Never Surrenders.
How did you first come across the AllAuthor website? What do you like or dislike about the site?
I found it from a fellow author who recommended it, and I love the website. It’s so easy to use and find your favorite authors and all their books, or read about anything romance related.
