Reese A Stephens

Though I was born in the mountains, I grew up in the city. So, coming back to visit family, playing in snow, or running around with my cousins were probably my favorite memories.

When I was a senior in high school, I had an opportunity to help in a 2nd grade class as a teachers aide. I absolutely loved it, so it was an easy choice.

All 3 are now schooling! My baby just finished up kindergarten in May. We focus on things they have interests in and want to learn. My son is really into construction and repair right now. He works often with my Dad on different jobs. My youngest is learning French. My oldest is planning to go into psychology, so she focuses on learning more in that field. We aren't always inside at desks, we school everywhere! I think their favorites are days we explore nature and hike with friends. Which we do often in all types of weather.

I feel like in today's world there are so many toxins and pollutants that our bodies become overwhelmed, fatigued, and sick. I prefer to use as many natural non toxic products as possible. Nature gave us everything we need to stay healthy.

CBD oil infused with herbs! I suffer with PCOS (Poly Cysitc Ovarian Syndrome) CBD infused with natural herbs has been my life saver.

I went through a deep depression battling infertility and a failed adoption. I had so many feelings and thoughts that I couldn't express them. My therapist suggested journalling, but I couldn't get into the right headspace to write about my thoughts, I couldn't put them into words. I started to read every book I could just to forget my problems. One day I had a story in my head, I don't even remember what it was about now, but it started me on my journey. I was hooked. I barely slept when I first started writing. It put life back in me and I couldn't stop. 11 years, and 3 kids, later and it's still the best way for me to relax and release my anxieties.

That started as a dream. I only remember Shayla getting a divorce and her having a son with her high school sweetheart. I woke up and immediately started to write!

Hmmm, It flowed pretty easily most of the time. I worked with an amazing developmental editor who kept me on the right track. The book blurb was my nemesis! It's so hard to give enough of the story to spike interest without giving away the key parts!

I don't know that any one particular person inspired her. She's not me. HAHA! Though, I would love to go to Australia for a signing. I actually wrote this story before Vengeance or any of the Oak Grove stories, but it was one of my first pieces I ever wrote and needed more work than I could give it at the time, so I put it off until I could get back into their world again.

That's a hard one. When the ideas are following and the muse is on the job, writing hands down. But, when I need a mental break I love to read. I'd like to say all the classic authors like Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, or Salinger, which I seem to hear all the time from authors. I do like and have read their works, but I'm more of supernatural type of reader. I love vampires, witches, werewolves, ghosts anything in that realm. When I read I want to read the impossible or improbable. Some of my favorites right now are Molly Harper (She's my favorite and I've read her books an embarrassing amount of times), Bella Forrest, Richelle Mead, and Jeaniene Frost to name a few.

I have very vivid dreams and they have given me plenty of ideas, not all make it to a complete story, but just getting the thoughts out helps and sometimes takes me into new unexpected directions. Today, I actually got an idea, by seeing an old piano my neighbor had put on his porch. I'm always on the look out. I'm sure people think I'm a complete weirdo when I people watch. It's fascinating to me and helps me describe characters looks, actions, temperaments more effectively.

I cannot listen to anything when I'm writing. I sometimes put on noise canceling headphones so there is complete silence, other times I zone out completely immersed in the world I'm creating, much to my family's annoyance. Ha! I do have a new book, several actually, but right now I'm working on book four of the Oak Grove Suspense Series! I'm super excited about it, because it's a collab with my good friend and author T.M. Witko.

My sister. She was the first to read my books and comment. I was nervous to let her, but then she wanted more, and it gave me courage. At first I thought she was just being nice, but she told me when something was dumb. LOL She didn't hide her feelings. She's been my champion from the beginning. I don't think I would have moved forward without her encouragement.

I used to write at least a couple hours a day, but over the past year, writing has taken a back seat to my family. My baby started kindergarten, so I wanted to be sure she had a good start, and all of my attention. But now, I'm trying to get back into my groove. I try to write at least 1-2 hours a night. Sometimes it's only 30 minutes, but every little bit helps and counts. Reese is my pseudonym. I chose Reese after hours of playing around with my families first names.

I believe it's coming up on a year since I joined. So far, I've been very impressed with the website. I love the magic tool! I'm so bad at creating posters or banners for my books. This has helped me so much!