Where did you grow up? Could you describe your childhood home to us and where your favourite place in it was?
I grew up in Altadena, California in a cottage type home. My favorite place to be was in my tiny bedroom, snug and cozy.
Did you have any special family traditions growing up? If so, do you still continue these traditions to this day?
One important family tradition was the weekly phone call to my grandma. It was lovely to share all the week’s events with her.
Do you think that your time as a flight attendant has in any way enriched your career as an author? What were the best and worst parts of that job?
I think being able to see so many new places enriched me as a person. I had opportunities to meet many interesting folks. It definitely helped me create a bank of experience to draw from when I’m writing. That was one of the best parts. The worst part was encountering rude people who never seemed to get that flight attendants are people too, with lives outside the aircraft.
When did you first start writing horror and what initially drew you to the genre?
I started writing horror very early, around age 13. My first favorite author was Stephen King and his work encouraged me to try to be as good as he is at what he does with a seed of a horror story. I love walking through the dark garden of his thoughts when I’m reading his books.
What inspired the dark tale of "Dark Deliverance"? Why do you think the idea of a fallen angel is so much more intriguing than a regular one?
“Dark Deliverance” was inspired by my desire to take my demon hunter in the black stiletto boots, Elle Connor, to the next level of being a full grown woman. She needed a man who matched her strong personality and passion and Patrick Holt, her fallen angel lover, was born. Fallen angles simply seem as if they have more of an intriguing story to tell.
What started the Hell on Heels Series? Who was your inspiration for the character Elle?
I was inspired to write it after a summer of binge watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I loved the idea of a slayer but wanted to take my work darker than light hearted vampires.
What did you enjoy most about writing "Sleeping Beauties"? If you could live out this story as one of the girls- Chloe, Laurie, or Nicola -who would you want to be and why?
I most enjoyed being able to show my readers the beauty and fun of Hollywood, California nights in the 1990s. I definitely identify most with Chloe, as she’s the romantic but with a level head.
How many stories have been compiled into the book "Rock, Paper, Scissors"? Which of these stories took the longest to write?
I have compiled ten short stories in that one. The story that took the longest to write and also was one of the darkest is “Paper”. A lot of love and care went into crafting that one.
I wanted the main character, Zach, to live and breathe on paper exactly how I imagined him in my head.
Are there any new themes of ideas that you introduce in "Hellbound" that you may not have in your other books? If so, can you tell us about them?
I really wanted to explore the emotional depths of betrayal at the hands of someone you thought you knew well in “Hellbound”. It’s a process that began with my short story “One” and continues on even now as I write. It’s interesting having my characters figure out how to cope when betrayal snatches the rug right out from under them. How do you cope with that? Do you shatter or do you nurse yourself back to good and stand firm? Interesting stuff.
Have any of your books ever sparked a controversy? Do you think that controversy over a book is a bad or good sign?
No! I have yet to spark a good controversy but it’s in me. Nothing wrong with pulling readers out of their comfort zone, sometimes.
Are you particularly emotionally attached to any one of your books? If so, which one is it and why?
I adore all of my books but I have a definite soft spot for my entire Hell On Heels series and the characters, demon hunter Elle Connor and fallen angel Patrick Holt. Their love story is so beautiful to me. There’s a little of me in all of my heroines but I’m most like her. There’s also a lot of me in Anya James from the story “One” and Natalie Kliebert from the book “Cushion”.
When writing a horror book, what are your best tips on creating a chilling atmosphere through your writing?
I like foreshadowing quite a bit. It serves to help me create both a chilling climax and a great AH HA! Moment for the reader.
If you had to describe your journey as an author till now in one word, what would it be?
Transcendent.
What is one question you wish interviewers would ask more? What would your answer be?
Tell us more about the love story between these two characters. I would respond that I’m always writing from a place of love and can’t imagine not writing some kind of romance.
