Where have you spent most of your childhood?
I grew up in Carthage, Illinois, fifteen miles from the Mississippi River.
What was college like for you and how did it shape your writing?
College was a life-changing event. My father died at the beginning of my 2nd year. I also met my future husband that year and got married the following summer. That necessitated a change in schools and in majors, from journalism to English Ed., so that I was guaranteed a job upon graduation to help put my husband through law school. I eventually went to law school myself. Children and a legal career delayed my fiction writing, but they provided the experiences and material for future stories.
Have you always wanted to be a writer? When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?
I have been writing since I was nine when I wrote a lengthy story about a horse named Golden King. In high school I wrote a school column for the county paper, and I wrote for the school papers in both high school and college. During college I took two writing classes and wrote two novel-length stories. While working and raising children, I filled boxes and drawers with scraps of scenes and story ideas, telling myself one day I’d finish them. And upon retirement from the Juvenile Justice System, I finally wrote those stories and realized immediately that I wanted to publish them, if I could. Fortunately, I found a publisher willing to take a chance on a new author.
What inspired you to begin writing the plot of your first novel?
I have been a mystery reader most of my life, so it was natural to begin with a mystery plot. I had also been reading fantasy at that time, and a friend had given me the Buffy, the Vampire Slayer CDs. On the third day of writing, my protagonist informed me she was a witch, turning my mystery into a fantasy. That started a 10 book series, followed by three fantasy trilogies.
What inspired you to write the book, The Dead Cannot Hide?
Historical fiction has been a much–loved genre since childhood when I first read Ivanhoe and The Three Musketeers, but as an adult, one of my favorite periods in history has been the Regency-era in England. In 2019 when I decided to write what I was currently readinng, I switched genres from fantasy to mystery. It only seemed logical to try writing a Regency mystery series. The characters of Viscount Ware and Lady Anne came first, and then they told me their story. And one story led to another. I deliberately started The Dead Cannot Hide, book two in the series, with a mystery that was outside Lord Ware’s secret work for Whitehall to ensure the series was not classified as spy fiction.
What is the significance of the title of your book, The Dead Betray None?
The story is anchored by incidents of personal betrayal and betrayal of country. The title suggests one form of prevention or reprisal for such offenses.
What things did you keep in mind while setting your novel, The Dead Cannot Hide, in the year 1812?
Any historical novel requires hours of research (which I love) to get the language, the clothes, the habits, the handling of crime, and other details historically correct. It was both challenging and fun to also weave true events from 1812 into the plot.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I occasionally read reviews but not unless I have a special reason to do so (such as looking for a quote for promotion). When I do, I remind myself that a review is only one person’s opinion, and I don’t get too excited whether it’s good or bad.
Since there are so many mystery writers out there, how do you try to stand out from the crowd?
Write a good book. As voracious as mystery readers are, there can never be too many authors or books in the genre. I’m always looking for a new series to read.
What was your reaction when you received the first copy of your first published novel?
Insanely excited to be holding it in my hands. I bought a boxful and gave them away to all my friends!
What are the lesser talked about but not-so-fun things about being an author?
Marketing, marketing, marketing. I think most writers want to be writing, not trying to sell their books.
What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
First of all, I’d be disappointed if they didn’t enjoy it. I also hope they’ve gained a greater appreciation of history through a small, yet fictional, glimpse into the past.
Are you working on anything at present that you would like to share with your readers?
A writer is always working on the next book. My current project is book five in the Viscount Ware mystery series entitled The Dead Hath No Fury.
What type of books are you currently reading?
Mostly English mysteries. There aren’t enough Regency mystery authors, and CS Harris doesn’t write fast enough, so I’m also reading those from the Victorian period and the 1920s. Today I started a more contemporary story, the latest Hillary Greene novel by Faith Martin.
How do you usually promote your books? What do you think of AllAuthor and would you recommend it to your other author friends?
I don’t promote my books enough. I’d much rather be writing. I have two websites including two blogs (one for fantasy; one for mystery), two twitter accounts, and two facebook accounts. I usually post weekly on all of them. I have recommended AllAuthor to other writers and will continue to do so.
