Which book inspired you to begin writing? Who is the most supportive of your writing in your family?
Out of the Box Awakening was the book that started it all. The most supportive member of my family is my youngest son (31) and one of my daughter in laws.
"Unwrapping Noel" was published almost three years ago. How do you think your writing or your writing process has changed since then?
If given the opportunity to do it all over again, would you change anything in your books? I feel that with each book, I've improved my craft.
The stories in "Out of the Box" centered around an older fifty-something couple came as a refreshing series read for a lot of readers. How do you manage to achieve that level of characterization so quickly into a novel?
I was tired of reading romance novels with heroines who are so much younger (Don't get me wrong - I love a good romance read, but felt that the 'over forty' gals needed a book from our perspective)
Your book, Toccata Obbligato, is described as a “mixture of romance and the truest feelings and thoughts unedited, meaning what the character thinks is what you read! .” What was your inspiration for this book?
The hero in this story, Todd is a rocker who is misunderstood. On the outside, he's perceived as cocky, conceited and a ladie's man when in reality, he has a teddy bear heart and was just waiting for the right woman to make him an honest man.
Being a USA Today Bestselling Author, I would imagine there’s a lot of pressure surrounding what you’re going to write next. How did you land on the story of Phillip & Jayne Miller in "Relationship Resuscitation?"
An author friend, Isabelle Peterson actually came up with the Juniper Court concept (BRILLIANT, I might add) and I was lucky to be one of her choices to write a title for the series. She gave us each a couple to write about and we were charged with coming up with the characters. This was one of my FAVORITE collaborations and I had a blast writing Relationship Resuscitation.
You characterize your writing as 'Grownup Romance from the Other Side of 30.' Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Writing about older characters comes naturally to me, since I'm one of the 'other side of 30' people. Just because you've hit 40 or 50, or 60 doesn't mean you don't have romance in your life.
Everyone talks about Out of the Box Awakening being on a whole different level, but looking back at your career up to this point, what are the moments that stand out most to you?
I've had a great career (working as CFO for a female owned, award winning commercial real estate investment firm) I've been there for 21 years and when I decided to start writing women's contemporary romance in 2012, my boss was and still is so supportive! I'm very lucky.
Desperately Seeking Sixty-Nine is set in the year 1969. How much and from where did you research for this book? How important is research to you when writing a book?
I'm a product of the 60's, so much of the story was set on my life in the 60's. While I did not attend Woodstock, I did have friends who did.
Sexy, short-story fiction done in the afterlife, Linda Gets Her Groove Thing is a quick read full of funny moments. How do you balance different elements like humor and romance in your stories? Is writing book series more challenging?
I always try and come up with something quirky and different. Ideas and characters just come to me, begging to be written into a book.
How has been your experience of working as CFO for an award winning, female owned real estate investment firm? How do you balance time between writing and being a career woman? Does your day job ever get in the way of your writing?
I'm a multi-tasker by heart, so the balance works well. My kids are all grown and gone, so I'm able to write at nights and on the weekends. Monday-Friday, 9-5 I'm devoted to my day job and once I get home, the creative book-writing juices start flowing.
What is the secret to becoming a bestselling author? Was it all too easy for you – the writing, the publication, and the sales?
It's not easy, I'll be the first to admit. Marketing is probably the most daunting to me.
What are the ethics of writing about middle aged couples who are finding themselves at a crossroads? Did you expect "Out of The Box Regifted " to become 2017 Reader's Favorite Gold Medal Winner: Women's Fiction? What was your reaction?
I was so excited and honored to have gotten this award! Ethics in writing about middle aged couples...hmmmm....is there such a thing???
Name one book that you like most among all the others you have penned down. Is there anything you are currently working on that may intrigue the interest of your readers?
While my Out of the Box series is, of course near and dear to my heart, I have to say that Relationship Resuscitation is one of my favorites. I'm currently working on a romantic comedy called 'Normal is Overrated' which is about a widow (45) who meets a younger man (36) while on vacation.
If you die today, how would you want the world to remember you? What does the word ‘retirement’ mean to you? Do writers ever retire?
I would hope the world and my friends would remember me as a fun loving woman, devoted to her family who writes inspirational books empowering women. Retirement? Is there such a word???
