Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?
A. I started writing when I was pregnant with my oldest son. He’s now 21 and was born in 1991. My first book was published in 2003. I worked for years as tutor and instructor at a state college. It wasn’t until my sixth book came out that I took the leap and decided to put all my energy into writing.
Q: Do you write in only one genre and if so which one and why? If not, which ones and why?
A: I write both humorous mystery and romantic suspense. Right now the focus has been on the romantic suspense. The two genres are related in that they both deal with crime and how law enforcement works. The prewriting thought process and brainstorming differs quite a bit.
Q: How does your faith play into your writing?
A.If you have Christian characters, a faith message will emerge. I try not to force that or become too preachy.
Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?
A. Most of my books take place in the Northwest because that is the part of the country I know the best. Although this new book, Guard Duty, took place in the fictional town of Sagebrush, Texas
Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?
A: For the most part they are totally made up. I’m not thinking things like “Oh, that rude store clerk belongs in a book.” Instead I am thinking in terms of a characters motives and goals. Bits and pieces of real people end up a part of the story just because the way some people look, the things they say, or body language fits a situation in the story.
Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Guard Duty?
A: Guard Duty is part of a series put out by Love Inspired Suspense. My book is the third in the Texas K-9 series. Though you can read the book as a stand alone, there is some carry over from book to book. The series focuses on a Texas police dog unit. My character is the only female police officer. Valerie has a Rottweiler named Lexi for a partner.
Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Guard Duty?
A: Because the book is part of a series written by six separate authors, the publisher establishes the characters and the central plot line. The creative part of the writing process comes from fleshing out the characters and finding the twists and turns in the plot. I thought it was a lot of fun working with the five other authors, although the big story line is established there is a lot of latitude in creating the individual stories for each book. .
Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: As always, I want them to enjoy the suspenseful story with all its twist and turns and of course the romance between Trevor and Valerie.
Q: Tell us what you like about the main characters of this book.
A: Trevor the hero of the book has a very troubled background, but he has become a man of honor and integrity despite a difficult childhood. He is an FBI agent who comes to Sagebrush in search of a fugitive.Valerie has a lot to deal with. Her life is under threat because she can identify one of the members of the crime ring that plagues Sagebrush. Also, she has just gotten custody of her 18 month old niece Bethany after her sister died.
Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I am working on another Love Inspired Suspense that has a working title of To Sarah for Safekeeping. I won’t give too much away but it takes place in the Montana forests during fire season and the crime the hero and heroine must deal with is slave labor. I’m also working on continuity series for Love Inspired with a working title of The Protectors. The series focuses on an illegal baby adoption ring.
Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?
A. I’ve always wanted to see Ireland and England. And since I live in a part of the world that has a minimum of six months of winter, I would really like to spend a winter some place warm like Puerto Rico or Jamaica.
Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?
A. I did the bunny hop at a New Years Eve party in an opal mining town of Cooper Pedy Australia. I have never been much of a New Year’s Celebration kind of girl or much of a get up and dance kind of person. But my husband and I were traveling around Australia and got invited to this party at a community center type place in this remote little town.
Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?
A. I’m doing it right now. My husband has had bladder cancer for almost two years. Unfortunately, the cancer has spread to his lungs and kidneys, so the chemo has become way more intense. Michael and I have been married 26 years and I tell you one good thing that has come out of this is how purified my love for him has become. All the stupid little things about him that made me crazy, all the stuff we used to fight about, it just doesn’t matter. Every day is gift, every conversation precious.
Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. Yes, talking about taking a vacation to some place warm has made me want to go even more. I’m tired of winter and it hasn’t even been that cold. Ah well, winter makes you celebrate spring all the more.
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