You write both standalone stories and collaborative anthologies — what about the anthology format appeals to you creatively?
Short stories are my first love—I grew up reading Poe and have always loved the format. My own short stories are cozy mysteries set in coastal towns, with strong female leads who run businesses like beach shops, wineries, fabric stores, dog walking services, or wedding planning.
“First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder” explores love gone dark — what draws you to the intersection of romance and murder?
I find that mystery and romance naturally enhance one another. By introducing a romantic interest into my mysteries, readers connect deeper with my characters and discover new layers of their personalities. This interplay also weaves in a subplot that elevates the central mystery.
Many of your stories are set during glamorous or emotionally charged events — weddings, cruises, wineries. What makes these “celebration settings” so effective for suspense?
Because each of my cozy mysteries is set in vibrant coastal locations—often centered around celebrations like wine tastings or vintage mobile wedding bars—I’m able to create a diverse range of backdrops that keeps readers engaged in the unfolding mystery.
You’re part of the Mutt Mysteries series — what inspired you to blend dog personalities with crime solving?
Animals often provide emotional support to my main characters, forging connections that resonate with readers. In my Mutt Mysteries series, the dogs Cagney and Lacey assist dog walker Catt Ramsey and her sister Em in solving crime and murder throughout each story. The dogs are essential to every book, playing a vital role in solving the mysteries.
How much real-life pet behavior influences the dogs in your mysteries? Any particular four-legged muse?
I share my home with a shepherd mix named Luke and a small Pyrenees named Maaco, who is our frequent grand dog visitor. While Luke is gentle and affectionate, he’s all business when it comes to food—I like to say he’s food motivated. If I give both dogs a bone, Luke will patiently wait for the perfect opportunity to sneak Maaco’s bone when he isn’t paying attention, maybe as a little payback for Maaco’s bossy ways. Their unique personalities and playful antics find their way into the scenes in my stories. Luke is always the first to inspect any new box of my latest books, giving each one a thorough “sniff” test as soon as it arrives.
Do you approach writing a dog-centered mystery differently from a traditional human-led whodunit?
Absolutely. Including dogs in mysteries enriches the storytelling experience, as they are highly relatable to readers. These canine companions uncover hidden clues—such as tracking a murderer’s scent in places others might overlook. My protagonists regularly confide in their dogs, and I enjoy weaving in scenes where the dogs sit beside them during those crucial moments of unraveling the mystery.
Anthologies often require synergy with other writers — what’s the collaboration process like when multiple authors share a theme or universe?
I have coordinated numerous anthologies and collaborated with a wide range of authors. My role includes selecting contributors, setting the word count and theme, securing a publisher, and managing deadlines for story submissions and editing. Among all the projects I’ve managed, collaborating with other writers on anthologies brings me the greatest joy, as it allows readers to discover new and unique voices.
What themes or emotional threads do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
Each of my cozy mysteries centers around a female protagonist who owns her own business in a coastal town. By making my main characters business owners, I give them the freedom to step out and actively solve crimes, rather than being confined to a typical nine-to-five desk job. I also enjoy pairing them with a sidekick—like in the Mutt Mysteries series, where Catt Ramsey’s sister Em joins her in unraveling mysteries and bringing justice.
In the love-and-revenge stories of “First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder” — do you secretly root for the villain sometimes, or is justice always the goal?
I intentionally craft my antagonists to be unlikable, so that when justice is finally served—whether they’re arrested or killed—readers feel genuine satisfaction knowing the victim has received justice.
Readers love clever twists — what’s your personal secret to crafting a surprising yet satisfying reveal?
I enjoy crafting unexpected twists and making sure every loose end is resolved by the story’s conclusion. To heighten suspense, I introduce red herrings for some characters in each story, keeping readers guessing about the true culprit until the very end.
Many of your books take place in Virginia and coastal settings — how does setting drive your storytelling?
Setting plays a vital role in all of my books, as I write mysteries rooted in coastal locations. Living in the Outer Banks influences my choice of settings, and I also enjoy crafting stories set in Virginia, where I reside as well.
Your stories span humor, suspense, and sometimes sharp emotional turns — do you plan tone in advance or let the characters lead?
I let my characters take the lead, and I’m often surprised by the directions they choose. Over time, I’ve learned to trust their instincts and see where the story goes. When it comes to writing, I’m both a plotter and a pantster, blending careful planning with spontaneous creativity.
Which character — human or canine — has been the most fun for you to write, and why?
I enjoyed creating the character of Cass Kennedy in my novel The Bride Arrived DOA. She faces numerous challenges throughout the story, including uprooting her family to manage the motel and unravel the mystery behind her brother’s death.
What can readers expect next — more canine sleuths, more twisted romance, or something entirely new?
I have a novel coming out titled The Bride Arrived DOA, set in the Outerbanks of North Carolina. The story centers on Cass Kennedy, who inherits a motel from her brother after his mysterious death. Though the motel was advertised as a premier wedding destination, Cass quickly discovers it’s anything but idyllic as she works to uncover the truth behind her brother’s passing. I also have a story, “A Penny for Your Murder,” appearing in the Shells, Lies, and Alibis anthology this spring, which features Virginia authors and the iconic King Neptune statue in Virginia Beach. In addition, I have two other short stories for release this year.
How has been your experience with AllAuthor?
My experience with AllAuthor has been fantastic. It’s a welcoming space to connect with fellow authors and discover new books, and I especially enjoy participating in the monthly book cover voting—it’s always a lot of fun.
