Tell us a few things about your early life or childhood. Who was your role model as a child?
I was born and raised in Virginia Beach. We lived just a block away from the library, so it’s no surprise that I was a voracious reader from the word go! Books and visits to the zoo were my favorite things to do as a kid.
As a teenager, what were you obsessed with?
Cheerleading! I was a cheerleader for every sport, and loved the friendships built there.
What was the first thing you ever wrote and was it good? Did you share it with anyone?
Unlike most writers, I didn’t set out to become one. I worded in Corporate America and didn’t decide to write a book until the age of 40. The first book I write was horrible, as most first books are. I did show it to a lot of people. That’s how I ended up with a drawer full of rejections. But undaunted by the rejects, I continued to hone my skills and eventually had Sweet Tea and Secrets published in 2011.
When you began writing, did you ever dream of publishing more than 60 books one day?
No. My initial goal was to write one book to help one gal through one bad day. That was it. I had no idea it would one day become my career.
How many times did you have to revise your debut novel before it was finally published?
I worked on that novel for years. I didn’t keep count of the number of rewrites, but I’d guess it had to be over twenty.
Which of the books in the Adams Grove book series took the shortest and longest to write?
The longest was Sweet Tea and Secrets. With it being my debut novel there were a lot of lessons learned there. A nine-year journey to publication. I think Pecan Pie and Deadly Lies probably was the shortest write. It was the same length story, but I knew the hero and heroine so well since they were the stars of OUT OF FOCUS too…that it was a joy and pleasure to write. That story just flowed.
What did you enjoy most about writing the book "The Shell Collector"? What are some ways in which you can relate to the main character of this book?
The Shell Collector is the book of my heart. It came to me following the difficult period after I lost my husband. It took a few years before I was strong enough to actually write the story, but those characters and that story was in my heart for years. I could relate to Amanda so well. It’s hard to lose a spouse—to unbraid yourself from the couple you grew to be, and to step forward without the love of your life. I loved the friendship between her and Maeve.
What was it like working with Kelsey Browning and what sorts of things did you learn from this collab?
Working with Kelsey on the Seasoned Southern Sleuth Series (aka The Granny Series) was a hoot. I love that lady. She’s kind to the core and makes me laugh. I learned a lot about plotting in general working on those books. We had to do a lot of prework so that when the time came to get down to the art of writing we had a strong structure to work from. We loved working on those books. I think readers feel the joy that we had writing them while they read them.
When writing a story, what do you like to give the most importance to: the buildup of romance, the witty dialogue, the HEA, the interesting characters, etc?
I like a slow, realistic build to the romance which isn’t always easy in a book. I also like to make the town like another character. The people and place are always extra special to me.
How does one go from living on a farm to a career in finance and how did you manage to juggle the two?
Well, actually, I had the career in finance first, then my husband and I moved to the farm. It had been his lifelong dream to “own some dirt” and so we made that dream come true. I loved the simple life at home in comparison to the high-tech of my job. It helped my life balance.
Have you ever done a book signing? What's the most interesting request you've ever received at a book signing?
I’ve done tons of book signings and I love doing them. Meeting readers is one of the best parts of being a writer. I’ve met so many wonderful people, and I’ve gained so many new friends and learned from others through the process. I guess the most interesting request at a book signing had to have been the first time I had a customer ask me to autograph the red truck Hallmark ornament to go along with the autographed novel Christmas in Evergreen. I’ve autographed lots of them sense, but the first time someone asked me it seemed strange since I didn’t create the ornament, and wasn’t in the movie. LOL.
What does being a USA Today bestselling author actually mean to you?
It’s a nice accomplishment and reminder that I’ve had the great privilege to share with a large community. It’s humbling to think that I may have touched a heart, tickled a memory, or made someone smile just from words I typed on a page, and who I may never meet.
What should one remember while writing a romantic novel?
There has to be a happily-ever-after in a romance, or it’s not a romance.
Are you working on another novel?
Always. In 2022 readers will be treated to two women’s fiction – What Remains True (May 2022, Waterbrook Press) and The Wedding Ranch (Oct 2022, St. Martin’s Press). I also have a short story in a wedding anthology titled Something Blue that will release in first quarter.
When did you join AllAuthor? What do you think of the experience so far? Do you have any feedback?
I’m not even sure how long ago I joined. I love the lovely graphics y’all send. It’s like getting a present. Thank you for helping me increase our creativity together.
