Coming Soon
From the Stone
When Regan Pendrake stumbles upon the Sword in the Stone and pulls it from its rocky sheath, she unwittingly unleashes Magic upon the world. Now she has to gather her “knights” to protect justice in a society threatened by new rules. Too bad she’s been cast as the villain.
Trouble Brewing
Starting a brewery is never easy, especially if you’re in competition with your father. It also doesn’t help that you’ve been kicked out of your apartment because of a nosy neighbor, especially when you have to rely on that neighbor for shelter. Trouble Brewing is a recipe of mystery, determination, and romance. And a loud bird. Yes, a bird.
The Ruby in the Snow
Tristan Hurst is on assignment for Queen Victoria to retrieve a ruby hidden in Switzerland. The job isn’t as simple as it sounds. Soon he’s leading a whole group of would-be helpers on a chase through turn-of- the-century (the last century) Europe. Can Tristan ever get the ruby to Her Majesty? And why is a ruby so important anyway?
Relic –Book 2 in the Mystic series
FAQ
How long have you been writing?
Unlike others, I never knew I was a writer. When I was young, I was an actress (please say that in your head with a flourish). I especially didn’t think I was a writer after a teacher in high school told me I just didn’t have the ability. But I’ve always read. Lots. Tons. I would ride my bike to the library every week and fill up my basket with books. And I’ve always had stories in my head. So one day when I was bored in a class in college, I started writing just to stay awake. When the class ended so did my writing, but I picked it up about five years later when my twins turned one and suddenly I had to do something to keep my brain from becoming jello (there are only so many episodes of Caillou you can listen to). I was first published in 2000, and haven’t quit (okay, for real) ever since.
Where do you get your ideas?
An easier question would be where don’t I get ideas. A sentence here, a snippet there, will send my brain whirling into a story. Sometimes I’ve had a vivid dream that workd into a novel with a little tweaking. I once heard a story about a guy who found an injured owl whose wing had to be amputated. He would set the owl on his shoulder and skate around Lake Michigan in Chicago. That idea became The Sea Eagle. Once I wanted to write an anti-western—a western that didn’t have horses, saloons, sheriffs, or gun fights. That became To Tame a Rose. The idea for The Wish List came about when I wondered what would happen if someone found a book called How to Be a Fairy Godmother in Ten Easy Steps. Writing is a wonderful game of “What if” and your imagination.
Which is your favorite book?
That’s like asking, “Who is your favorite child”: even if I had an answer I wouldn’t tell you.
Will you read my manuscript?
Sorry. Although I am considering hanging up my editor’s shield in the future, for now, I don’t have time. May I suggest finding a critique group (but study the pros and cons of them) or hiring someone. I will say DO NOT depend on your family and friends. Find someone who has nothing at stake in your manuscript or your life. However, if you have questions for me, feel free to write me (See the contact page). Or if your group has a conference or event coming up at which you’d like me to talk or give a workshop, I’d be happy to.
Why should I read your books?
Because they are fun. I write books that I want to read: lots of plot, touches of humor, a little love story, a good guy to cheer for, a bad guy to boo at (I love writing villains). My tone is light and breezy, even though some serious stuff happens in my books. My books are for letting your troubles go for a little while, and just sitting back and having some fun.
What are your favorite books?
I will, of course, mention Harry Potter first. Brilliant series. I love Bradbury, particularly Dandelion Wine, Huckleberry Finn, most of Julia Quinn’s books, Brent Weeks’s Lightbringer series, Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One, Michael J Sullivan’s Ryria Chronicles, To Kill a Mockingbird, I, Robot, The Little Princess (I must have read that hundreds of times when I was a child), Jill Barnett’s Bewitching, Edward Eager’s books, The Prydain Chronicles, and so many, many more. These are just the first ones that came into my head.
What about movies?
Again, give me adventure, laughter, and something to cheer about. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Shawshank Redemption, Second Hand Lions, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Notting Hill, anything Pixar.
What is your favorite food?
Sushi. Really. Cold dead fish. Love it.
Drink?
Anything with blue Curacao. And an umbrella. But not too often.
Do you have any pets?
I have always had dogs. Right now I have a spoiled diva of a cockapoo who absolutely owns my heart, and a neurotic boxer mix, who apparently doesn’t get enough attention, at least in her opinion. She cannot get close enough to me. She thinks she’s a lap dog.
What is your pet peeve?
The use of fewer vs. less and the new, growing habit of saying “between you and I.” It’s “me,” people! “Me!”