Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m the baby of 9. I’ve been wed for 27 years, have a grown son and daughter. And, I’m a (young) 46-year-old grandmother of five. I drink too much coffee, have no sense of direction and read and write obsessively. I grew up a tomboy, showing horses—had all sorts of animals, until I discovered poetry, books, and found the romantic in me. I love down to earth people, REAL men, and chocolate.

What made you want to start writing and how long have you been writing?

I likely always had a storyteller in me. (As I went about my chores on 9 acres, I used to pretend to be someone else, somewhere else, doing something else. I caught some flack for that. But at 16 I decided I wanted to write. However, it would be after marriage, moving three times, being a typical suburb mom, working several jobs, kids, that the dream was possible. I must confess, I devoured hundreds of novels/romances in those years.

Is there anything in particular that keeps you writing?

Several, knowing I waited so long to start. Knowing the sacrifice hubby made, so that I could quit work and dedicate myself to it. But mostly, my imagination, because it takes off without permission, and writes those (what ifs) in my head spontaneously. I’ve never quite grown out of it.

Can you tell us about the type of stories you like to write?

I enjoy Regency, Victorian, and sexy contemporary. I sometimes vary, my time frames can be Georgian, and I’ve written a medieval or two. But mostly in the early, late Regency era.

When you're writing, do you outline your story first, or work on the fly?

It depends. I say I don’t plot, but every book starts with a character sheet, and every plot point has been researched and the notes are there. I do plot more in my head. I see the story to a point, write that, then another 30—50 pages comes to me, I write that. But I do write straight through if possible, with as few stops as I can get away with.

Out of all the stories you've written, which is your favourite and why?

Oh, that is very difficult to answer. I know every author says it. So for the sake of being more honest, I’ll say Whispers in the Dark, because it was my first Regency. Also because readers and reviewers embraced it so excitedly, and because Roger and Joan were two characters who told their story to me, making them a great couple to write about.

If you could meet one of your characters, who would it be and why?

I’m going to say Dorian from my new book of two short stories, Imagine Me, because he’s the kind of guy I’d sit and have a talk with— and enjoy both looking at and listening to. He’s flawed enough, mature. I pictured him growing more interesting. So a few years down the road, I’d love to chat with him.

What stories can we look forwards to? What are you working on right now?

Right now, aside from preparing for paperback releases, I’m working on 3 stories, a Time Travel/shape shifter, and for months I’ve been plotting a group of rogue pirates, (They’re giving me fits, each wanting to take the lead before their turn) and another sexy contemporary— about two brothers who switch places— tentatively called (The Love Man). I’m also revising books coming out of contract for Alinar.

Thanks for joining us!

Always a pleasure. Thank you for having me.