Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! It’s a pleasure to be here. I write in many genres, including clean historical romance, contemporary romance, YA paranormal romance, YA fantasy, as well as middle grades chapter and picture books. I’ve written over 20 books to date.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is A Whiskey River Princess (Whiskey River Brides, #3). We’ve all wanted to get away from our lives from time to time, to find adventure. The fictional character in my book Gabriella Grimaldi does just that. She flees her life of privelege and protection and opts to find adventure in Wyoming’s wild west. The inspiration for the character of Gabriella came when I thought how an actual princess would react to being placed in such a situation. With a bit of research, I found that the Grimaldi family had been the ruling family in Monaco for centuries. But although Gabriella was fictional, her uncle and cousin were real people. As a teacher, I love to mix fiction with history when I can.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Don’t hate me, but I’m a natural born morning person. (I know!) But I love rising early in the morning to get a head start on the day. I find that I accomplish so much more in the morning than I ever do at night, so I get up as early as five o’clock in the morning to write every morning–sometimes earlier–even on my days off.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephenie Meyers, author of the Twilight Saga, incluenced me quite a bit. Before I read the Twilight books, I had never really read YA books before. After reading her books, I thought, “I could write that!” And my first book Cambria (Cambria Series, #1) was born. Another book that influenced me is A Knight in Shining Armor, by: Jude Deveraux. In my opinion, it’s the best time travel romance book ever written and is the model for which all time travel books should be written. Another book that influence me was the first “real” book I ever read when I was a child titled Renee. I couldn’t tell you who the author is. But I enjoyed that book so much that it instilled a love of reading in me that I sill have today.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the edits and second draft of The Banker’s Bride (Whiskey River Brides, #5), and I’m also writing the first draft of The Sheriff and the Outlaw (Whiskey River Brides, #6). There will be ten books in all for my Whiskey River Brides Series. In addition, I’m mapping out other books that I will be writing soon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth is always the best advertisement. However, Bargain Booksy is wonderful and I’m had great results. Also, Hot Tree Promotions is wonderful for book promotions.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. More advice: You can do anything if you set your mind to it. A professor of mine in college once told me that you aren’t truly a writer until you get your first rejection notice. When I got mine, I ran inside, happy as a lark, jumping up and down. My husband asked me if I got accepted, and I told him no, I got rejected. But that meant that I was finally a writer. When you start submitting to publishers, be thick skinned. For everyone who is anyone was told that they couldn’t do it: Barbara Streisand, John Grisham, and many more. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers. Keep studying your craft, keep writing, and know that you’re in good company. Keep believing and your dream will come true.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The same as above. Never give up, and you can do anything if you set your mind to it. My father used to tell me that and I tell it to my own children, too. And it’s true: You can do anything if you set your mind to it, but you have to put in the hard work, too. It won’t just come to you. You have to earn it. The onld saying is that it took ten years to become an overnight success is sometimes true. But never give up and you will achieve your goals.
What are you reading now?
I just finished A Little Spark, by: Amy K. McClung. I highly recommend it. I’m also reading How to Write Non-Fiction, by: Joanna Penn, and Plot Gardening, by: Chris Fox. I highly recommend them all. In addition to reading books in your genre, it’s necessary to read books in your craft, as well.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, first I’m going to finish my Whiskey River Brides series. Then I plan to venture out to many other projects that I have in the works, including some YA, contemporary romance, middle grades, and more historical romance.
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?
The Bible, of course. Then I’d bring A Knight in Shining Armor, by: Jude Deveraux, Twilight, by: Stephenie Meyer, and a writing journal. (Hey! A journal is still technically a book! LOL)
Thank you so much for having me here today! I really enjoyed it!
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