You've been a valued member of AllAuthor for over five years. Looking back, how has your publishing journey evolved during that time?
I have always self-published my books and focused on honing my writing skills until I am satisfied. Marketing my books keeps me busy, and I have built lasting relationships with fellow authors on sites such as AllAuthor. Writers must stick together and support each other in the complex and cut-throat world of publishing.
Your books blend paranormal suspense, mystery, and emotion. What first inspired you to write stories with supernatural elements?
I have always loved to read. Agatha Christie, Alistair Maclean, Robert Ludlum, and other authors filled my young imagination with intrigue and mystery. When I wasn't reading late into the night, TV shows such as Murder, She Wrote, and Columbo entertained me with murder-and-suspense tales.
Over the years, my taste in TV has expanded to shows such as Supernatural and The Originals. I searched for paranormal and murder mysteries but found few at the library or bookstore, so I wrote one.
The Dead Game Series blends fantasy and surrealism with the classic murder mystery: dead bodies, suspects, and clues. It offers vampires, vampire derivatives, and a touch of romance to spice the mix.
"The Dead Game Series" takes readers from Florida to Quebec while exploring the world of the Dead. How did the idea for this unique series come to life?
The Dead Game began as a murder mystery with a deserted house. I used Agatha Christie’s "End House" for its title. Once the characters entered the house, my mind switched gears to create revolving rooms and deadly traps in a water-filled basement. As I added more obstacles, I decided to enter the paranormal realm to expand the story. In the book, End House and The Dead become characters in their own right.
Book Two, Prey for the Dead, follows The Dead vampires as they use an exclusive club in Disney World to infiltrate the rich and famous. As The Dead grow in power, not even the bright sunshine of Florida can weaken them. Linda and her friends join forces with human vampires, known as hybrids, to defeat the evil threatening to control Oasis, Florida. A masquerade ball and a romp through the tunnels beneath the town lead to a showdown in southern Florida's swamps.
The Dead At Heart is Shana's love story. Torn between a vampire and a human vampire, she and her fearless friends fight for Oasis and their lives at Château Frontenac in Quebec.
Your heroines often face extraordinary dangers. What qualities do you believe make a compelling female protagonist?
A female protagonist should follow her dream with passion and humility. She shouldn’t be a superwoman, but someone with compassion, understanding, and human weaknesses.
"The Blue Harbor Series" explores an ancient curse alongside the historical struggles of the Penobscot Nation. What inspired you to weave real history into a paranormal suspense story?
Meet Me in Maine is a paranormal mystery, similar to Netflix’s series Haven, and based on Stephen King’s short story "The Colorado Kid." I loved the series so much and was disappointed when it ended, so I decided to write a similar book set in Maine, but using a native curse instead.
Research can be a significant part of writing. What was the most fascinating discovery you made while creating "Meet Me In Maine"?
Research for Meet Me In Maine took me through Maine's vibrant history and the history of the Penobscot Indians. Maine is gorgeous, with beautiful scenery and festivals. The Penobscot fought many battles for their land, which I included in my first book and will expand on in the second.
Your novels balance suspense with heartfelt moments. How do you maintain that emotional balance without losing the story's tension?
I try to stay as close as I can to my outline and character arcs. My mind tends to wander into the unexpected, but then I must make sure the race is still on, and the adrenaline is flowing. I like fast-paced novels and get antsy with too much description that isn’t needed for the story.
Many readers enjoy stories that keep them guessing. How do you approach plotting twists and unexpected revelations?
The Dead At Heart is my most twisted book so far. The three character arcs had to peak simultaneously and follow the same timetable. This book taught me to write with one antagonist in mind, and with the possibility of a few others. After the halfway mark, I changed course and picked a different antagonist who made more sense. I needed to go back and verify that all my clues matched this conclusion. In this way, I fooled my readers and myself.
Across both series, setting plays an important role. How do you choose locations that enhance the mystery and atmosphere?
I chose vacation spots where people visit to relax and enjoy themselves. This way, when tragedy strikes, the dark emerges in stark contrast to the light. Oasis, Florida, is a small town with enticing beaches, while Blue Harbor, Maine, is a quaint harbor town popular with tourists.
Which character—from "The Dead Game Series" or "The Blue Harbor Series"—has surprised you the most during the writing process, and why?
Shana surprised me in The Dead At Heart. She took charge and fought valiantly to save Linda, who was kidnapped, while feeling betrayed by the two men, a vampire and a hybrid, who claimed to care for her.
As an author of paranormal suspense, what do you think readers are looking for in the genre today?
I wish I knew what readers really want. I can only give them a piece of my imagination that conjures unusual characters in strange situations. My overactive imagination leads me on a merry chase through dark corridors, and I hope readers are intrigued enough to follow along with me.
You also wrote "My Last Year" from the perspective of your beloved Maltese, Nounous. What inspired this deeply personal project, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
My best friend, Nounous, passed away three years ago. At the time I was writing the book, he was still alive but barely holding on. He had Cushing’s Disease, and cataracts took his vision. We spent time in the park, weather permitting, where I spoke to him about the birds singing and the people walking by. People would stop and say he was a cute puppy. I wrote the short story so I would remember those special times.
What has been the most rewarding moment of your writing career so far?
I belong to the authors' group, Rave Reviews Book Club, where I entered a month-long challenge to write a daily article on WordPress. The authors wrote about their lives and challenges, and we learned a lot about each other. I shared articles about my family and upbringing, along with old family photos. The authors helped guide me through my rocky marriage, and I enjoyed sharing vacation photos from better times. The most rewarding moment was when the authors voted me the winner of the contest, leaving me in tears of joy.
What's next for you? Are there any upcoming books or projects that you'd like to share with your readers?
I write every day and have even tried my hand at poetry. After editing my books once again, since I’m a perfectionist, I’m now busy writing my second book in The Blue Harbor Series, delving deeper into the Penobscot history and curse. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s too late to try something different. It is never too late to follow your heart.
How has been your experience with AllAuthor so far?
I enjoy being part of the AllAuthor community. I’m happy to see my book posts shared on X, where I spend most of my time and have the most followers. I enter the book cover contests and vote for other covers. It helps me see which covers do the best in each genre. Everything is a learning experience.
