Tell us a little bit about your background and family. How has your extensive travelling colored your writing?
Having the opportunity to visit many of the places that are in my stories helps with the describing the area. I can add in actual landmarks. I can visualize what I’ve seen and use it.
How long have you been writing and what inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve been writing about seven years. I began having dreams about stories the night after my first chemotherapy treatment. The dreams were a gift from the chemicals.
What is it about paranormal romance that you absolutely love, that you think sets it apart from any other genre?
I have three books that are classified as paranormal. It’s fun to write because you can be totally free with it. There’s no rules. It’s completely fictional so the sky is your limit.
How did you come up with the plot and characters for Elizabet, Under the Back Staircase? What were you trying to achieve with this story?
Elizabet is my first totally immersed Historical Romance. My favorite time period is the Victorian Era with a real love of the Civil War. Elizabet is the product of a love affair between a Pennsylvania wealthy steel baron’s son and the kitchen maid. When they aren’t allowed to marry, Elizabet is born with one door on the front stairs and one on the back. She is both illegitimate and loved by her father. Her strength and fortitude gets her through happy and tough times until she finds her place in the world.
Between Gareth, Gavin and Cesere, which character would you like to bring to life? Why?
Cesere is the epitome of a Latin Lover in every respect. He’s a gentleman, yet forceful, and sexy. Gavin is street smart and funny. Having him around would be a whirlwind of activity and craziness. Gareth is kind and steady. He’s the most real to me. He’s the guy next door and the family friend. So...I’ll take Gavin. He’s the most complicated character. He’d be the most fun to know.
Is any of your characters inspired by real life person? What is the one thing you love about Neomi in "Found in Understanding"?
Although most of my female characters have bits and pieces of me in them, none of my characters are real people. I’ve used some friends and family members names as characters but even then, they are not like the characters themselves.
Neomi, AKA Firelight, is a very complicated character. She grows the most from the beginning to the end of the book. I love her tenacity, her grit. She’s given extremely difficult situations to overcome and she conquers each with fortitude. I admire that in her.
From where did you get the idea for your first book title? Is there any significance of naming your book "Shadows of Him"?
The Kiss Me Chronicles was my first book. It’s a collection of four short stories all titled with Kiss me... I’ve grown so much since then with the help of reading very good books.
Shadows of Him is titled that because Zan, the main male character is a shadow. He’s been cursed by a Salem witch to travel through time never staying one place long enough to be more than a shadow in time. That’s until he meets a woman that won’t let him just disappear.
Which part of the book The Kiss Me Chronicles was most fun to write?
The first story was what I dreamed after chemo. It’s about a woman dealing with breast cancer and it’s aftermath. It’s not my story but it has bits of me in it. I won’t say it was fun to write but it was healing in a way.
Have you read any good books recently? What is your all-time favorite book?
My all time favorite book is Gone With The Wind. My favorite book for the last couple of years are the Gabriel Series by Sylvain Reynard. Sylvain writes beautifully. He’s my favorite right now.
What are some things you would do differently if you could go back in time to right before you wrote and published your book?
I would realize the value in good editing. An author can’t edit their own book. A good editor is a real find and a good edit makes your book. Don’t rush through to get the book published. Take your time and have several people read it to find mistakes.
Do you have any writer friends and how do they inspire you to become a better author?
I have many author friends including Sylvain Reynard. They all are very supportive. The best thing you can do to improve your writing is to read. Read all genres and many authors. You can learn from their mistakes and improve on yours.
What is something that most people don't know about teen and young adult books that they NEED to know?
Just because they’re kids doesn’t mean they’re stupid. Challenge them and don’t let them off easily. They like good plots as much as you do.
What are your plans for the future as a writer? Are you working on anything new? And do you plan on sticking with the romance genre?
I have two completed books but not edited. I have six books in various stages of completion. I like romance, I can’t imagine writing anything else.
What is one goal you have set for yourself that you haven't yet been able to accomplish but hope to, soon?
I’d love to have a book that is noticed. I’d love some real fans that look for new books of mine. That would be wonderful.
