Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I recently contracted with Write Integrity Press for three series. Stalking Willow and Better than Revenge, the first two novels in the Amazing Grace romantic suspense series are currently available for purchase, as are Charisse and Libby, the first two releases in her The Ties That Bind contemporary romance series. Serenity is the third series contracted, and Storms in Serenity is slated for release summer 2014.
I’m a past-secretary for American Christian Fiction Writers. I served for four years as the moderator for ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. For my volunteer efforts for ACFW, I received the Service Members Award in 2010. I was influential in the creation of the Central Florida ACFW Chapter known as Sonshine Scribes, and I’m a past-president and will serve as secretary in 2014.
I reside reside in Florida with my husband, Marc, where multi-generations of our families have lived. The legacy continues with our two married sons and six grandchildren.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Libby is my newest release, which is the second novel in my The Ties that Bind series. Libby jumped into the pages of Charisse’s story, and she won my heart. I didn’t realize until I’d written her tale that Libby is a lot like me, only better. Though Libby can’t see that about herself. Her lack of self-esteem is where I was several years ago. A poor image our herself keeps her from experiencing life to its fullest, and that’s what Libby’s story is about.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not habits really. I write. I love to write. Story world is where I go to get away from my every day problems. However, I’m also an editor for a well-known Christian publisher, and that keeps me busy and out of my story world more than I would like. However, I love working with authors. It’s a passion of mine.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been a James A. Michener fan since the tenth grade of high school when my history teacher assigned me Centennial for a book report. I shrugged it off, read off of the tome, and did my report. I aced it, but the book, and Michener’s writing remained with me, and I again took up Centennial, read it completely and then advanced to reading every one of Michener’s novel. His novel, The Drifters, has a great influence on a novel that I’m writing in which the backdrop of the story is professional surfing. Other writers who have influenced me are Sharyn McCrumb, John Grisham, and Margaret Daley.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on the third book in my romantic suspense series, Amazing Grace. The book is entitled Everybody’s Broken, the story of four individuals completely undone by the death of someone they love. His death leaves them at the whim of a psychotic killer. They must discover not only who the murderer is but what he wants from them.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find that I’m most comfortable with interviews. I love them. I’m able to be myself, and I can share about my writing journey and the journeys of my characters with ease. As I mentioned, I love working with writers, but I also love connecting with readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As cliche as they sound: 1) Don’t let anyone steal your dreams, but on the other hand, remember that not everyone who offers constructive criticism is trying to steal your dreams. That person might just be trying to hand you your dreams on a silver platter; and 2) Don’t every give up. No matter what. Take the criticism you receive, evaluate it, and move on accordingly. As an editor, when I send a rejection letter, I always try to provide a reason for the rejection. Editors want authors to succeed. They’re the reason we’re in this business.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I complained once about networking. I didn’t like the concept of siding up to someone because they had something to offer me. A wonderful mentor told me I was looking at the concept all wrong. I should be looking for people that I could side up to who needed me, and I should give without thinking of what I could get out of the scenario. This opened up so many doors for me, doors of service, doors of friendship, and also doors of opportunity that had I been seeking something specifically from an individual, I would have missed altogether.
What are you reading now?
Well, I’m always reading. That’s my job. I also read for contests and for my blog, Inner Source, in which I interview authors and characters and help authors promote their work. The last story I read was a novel by Christine Lindsay entitled Captured by Moonlight. Christine takes the reader into 1920’s India, and the image is fascinating.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m awaiting the release of the first book in my third series, Serenity Key. Storms in Serenity is the novel that literally took my lifetime to write. I started it nearly thirty-five years ago. The story is a modern-day retelling of the aftermath of David’s sin with Bathsheba. When I began the novel, I realized that our sexual relationships, when improper, aren’t just personal sins. As David’s story shows, there are far-reaching consequences. Storms in Serenity takes the adultery of one man, thirty years before the story begins, and shows how it can affect generations of family, even friends, into the future. Since they tell you that most first novels are never published, I’m excited to prove that theory wrong.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh, wow. I’m not sure. Surprisingly, I think they would be how-to books on the craft of story writing. The elements of storytelling fascinate me. I believe that there are key elements that every author most learn and relearn in order to tell a great story. That’s the reason I wrote my non-fiction tutorial, The Art of Characterization, which shows authors, by example, how to craft unforgettable characters by using all of the elements of storytelling.
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