Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have a B.S. in Information Systems and an M.B.A. but have pursued my true passion writing novels and poems. I am a mother of two, cancer survivor, kayaker, skier, gardener, camper, and lover of all things outdoors. I’ve written three books in the U-District mystery romance series and am working on my fourth.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My second book in the series, Ripped from Obscurity, was literally inspired by a poem about a country singer I had stuck in my head when I woke up from a dream. I popped out of bed, grabbed my laptop, and typed up the poem. I then wrote an entire romance mystery novel around an author of that poem and a country singer. My latest book, Seeking Sanctuary, involves the lead detective in the series and a character who has been with us since book one. She’s one of my favorites.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The first book I ever wrote was also inspired by a dream that didn’t make any sense. I re-wrote the dream in my head, loved it, and then started typing it up. I figured I’d stop after a few pages. A couple of months later, I’d written an entire novel and I had so much fun writing it in my spare time. That’s when the writing bug hit. And I thought, “Huh, maybe I can do this.” So I wrote another one and said “Yup, I can do this.”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’d never read a book for pleasure until my first boss asked me if I’d read Born in Fire by Nora Roberts. I was a goner after that and read most of her books. The romance novels I like the most have mystery and suspense elements. Since then, I’ve been influenced by J.D. Robb, Roxanne St. Claire, Christina Dodd, Marie Force, Barbara Freethy, Mary Higgins Clark, Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, Vince Flynn, and recently Melinda Leigh.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on my fourth novel, Another Casualty, in the U-District mystery romance series. I’m also working on book one, Seeing Double, in my new Harper Security series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Wish I new. Does anyone want to share…
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Most would be authors never finish the book so the best advice I can give is to finish the book. Then write another one. You get better with every book you write. In addition, I’m a member of Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America. I’ve spent the past eight years going to monthly presentations, workshops, and/or writers conferences to learn the “craft” of writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For writers block… read a book. It works for me every time. Somehow it gets the creative part of my brain working and in the middle of reading someone else’s book, a new scene will pop into my head for my own story. And nothing related to what I’m reading. It’s amazing how well this tip works.
What are you reading now?
Melinda Leigh’s Morgan Dane series
What’s next for you as a writer?
Launch my new Harper Security series and continue writing books in my U-District series. I have so many stories to write.
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?
A survival guide for sure, Born in Fire series, and the Divergent series. I love dystopian books too. But don’t think I’ll ever write them. Who knows…
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