You write across several genres, including wholesome romance, faith-based fiction, romance suspense, fantasy, cozy mystery, Christian fiction, and children’s books. What draws you to such a diverse range of stories?
It is what I love reading. It seems wholesome stories in any genre don't get enough attention. I find wholesome, faith-based content to mean so much more in a story. I enjoy a love story that doesn't have to use sex to make it readable (and sex was ordained by God, but in the right context), suspense and violence need not be gory. Good wins over evil and it does not glorify evil.
How has your personal journey shaped the themes of love, hope, faith, and resilience that appear in your writing?
I have suffered through many heartbreaks in life, and that is what has drawn me to wholesome fantasy. Real life is too hard, and fantasy gives us an escape. Sometimes writing about our tragedies helps us move on in life. I'm a fighter, and will always get back up. I owe God my total gratitude, because there was a point I hated him. But repentence is sweet and my relationship with God is restored and blessed.
You’ve shared that fantasy became a lifesaver after the loss of your husband. What is it about fantasy that helped you find comfort and inspiration during that difficult time?
To this day I can't watch a Hallmark movie, read a love story that is real to life without breaking down. Fantasy helps my love for romance and movies escape the reality of what I lost. It keeps me grounded. Love is a beautiful thing.
How do you approach writing romance and love stories after experiencing such a profound personal loss?
I will always love a great love story. Because, it was hard for me to feel and show love for the longest time. Never heard the words, I love you growing up. A long story, but my parents were good people. So I had an invisible insecurity to love and fear of never living up to a person who is loved. My husband was a real knight in shining firefighter armor. He taught me to believe in it. For him, I will never take love for granted again.
Faith is an important part of many of your books. How do you naturally weave faith-based themes into your characters and storylines?
That part is easy. If you have a true relationship with Jesus, he is in our thoughts, day-to-day, and all we do. Actually, I cannot write a story without Jesus being in it. Even The Vampire's Consigliere has faith-based content. Most Christians would cringe at a vampire story, and I would never criticize them for that. We need to stay true to God's word. But to me, vampires are not real, and my story is about the Bible verse, "...it rains on the just and unjust alike." Because in my experience, trying to live a Christian life is hard and not struggle-free.
What does “wholesome” storytelling mean to you, and why is it important to you as an author?
I have nothing against sexual intimacy. But like everything, I base this on God's word. A marriage that follows God's word can be a blessed thing. Sex is something beautiful between a husband and a wife that God ordained. But that part of the relationship should be kept between them and special to that relationship. I have no desire to read sex happening between a couple. I think we all know how it's done.
Your stories span both realistic and fantastical worlds. How does your creative process differ when writing a fantasy novel compared with a romance or cozy mystery?
Believe it or not, I insert anywhere from mild to a lot of fantasy in all my romance stories. Like I said, after losing my husband, real-life romances are too heartbreaking. The love stories are great, but in order to enjoy the read, fantasy helps keep the pain of losing someone out of the story.
What inspires you when creating characters who face challenges involving love, loss, faith, or personal transformation?
That inspiration means a lot to me. It is so hard to live right, act right, and think right. There is so much bad in the world that it takes a toll on all of us. When someone accepts responsibility for the pain they have caused and turn it around, or a selfish, self-centered person realizes how wrong and destructive it can be, then they repent to God or accept Jesus as their savior and turn it all around is a beautiful thing. If we all just followed his word, we all would be happier. He has the right road plan for all of us that will keep peace and joy in our lives. If we let him. I speak from experience.
You also write children’s books that allow kids to simply be kids, without adult drama. What inspired you to create stories specifically with that philosophy?
I am tired of adults pushing adult issues into children's stories. Kids really do just need to be kids and not have to deal with political, hate, or adult issues. That is unfair to take away their innocence and fun as a child.
What do you hope children and families take away from reading your children’s books together?
Laugh, be silly, and realize it is okay to just have fun and forget the issues of the world. It will bring parents and children together more than trying to brainwash them to be a certain way. They deserve to live carefree as a child, and it is a wise parent who understands this.
As a mother of three and grandmother of eight, how has your family influenced your perspective on storytelling and the kinds of books you want to create?
Watching the struggles they deal with, seeing the innocence of growing up, and honestly, they really have nothing to do with my imagination. I believe it was a gift from God. You could not imagine how crazy my imagination can get. I love it. God says we can't even imagine what heaven will be like. He is the master of imagination. I can't wait.
You live in Southwest Florida and drive a pink convertible Mini Cooper in honor of your late husband. How does this meaningful tribute connect with your life and the memories you carry with you?
It is like he drives around with me. I will never forget how much he meant to me, and this is a way to honor his memory. And then the Barbie movie came out. Ugh!
Of all the characters you have created, is there one who surprised you the most as their story developed? What made that character memorable?
You are going to think I am crazy, but Sashay in the Vampire's Consigliere is the closest, although it is truly hard to decide. When writing, you have to become these characters. I also have a book I'm working on called the Count and the Secret of the Amulet. I have a lot of her same characteristics (Aella in the story). But Sashay had great heartbreak in her life, felt alone and unloved, scared to commit, but yet she was a fighter. When you go through so much tragedy, your heart dies like you were a vampire. And yet, even though we detest how it has affected us, we have to learn to fight. Sashay had every right to be bitter, but her love for God kept steering her through the pain.
What would you say to readers who are going through grief, loss, or a difficult season and are looking for stories that can offer them comfort or an escape?
You have to give yourself the time to grieve. Don't listen to people who are insincere in your feelings. Get rid of all the emotions holding you down. Truthfully, let God help you through it. I did the opposite and wow, did I regret that because of the things I let hate do to me. God loves us and watched his own son die the most horrific death, take on everyone of our sins at that death, and he was so unrecognizable from the beatings and sins of the world, I can't imagine how God, the Father, got through that. Understand that God did not cause the pain and he truly cares for us. Let yourself feel what you need to feel. Don't feel you have to explain yourself to everyone. They don't always understand. Give yourself time to heal and start writing it all down. It helps.
What has your experience been like as an author on AllAuthor, and how has the platform helped you connect with readers and showcase your books?
Honestly, I wish I had more time to learn about it, but I don't. I need to take the time, but I truly appreciate you not giving up on me. I never took the time to understand how to use the banners or what the result it would be. It seemed I just didn't have the time. And I don't even have the time to do this right now. But, I like how you mix personal and business together and help readers understand where the author is coming from.
