My Own Answers per Request

Some of the girls at Soul Mate Publishing thought it would be fun if I answered the same questions I gave them over the last few days. So, without further ado, here you are girls!

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a mom of six, a gramma to one spectacular little girl and another one – a boy – on the way. I’m married and live in Upstate South Carolina – that’s by the North Carolina mountains. I love to read romance and suspense novels.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
First date with my husband was a homemade spaghetti dinner. He had a long low coffee table that he set with the plates, champagne glasses, and candles. He set up pillows on the floor for us to sit on while we ate.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Yes, absolutely. That’s the most comfortable way to create!

What are your pet peeves?
Ignorant people drive me a little batty and a chair scraping across the floor. That’s actually worse than fingernails on a chalk board.

Cats or dogs?
Dogs. I prefer a pug, but a black lab puppy my son named Rex adopted us.

White wine or red?
I’m not much of a wine person, but if I had to pick it would be white.

Coffee or tea?
Definitely coffee. An absolute must in the morning. Never acquired the taste for tea….although my mom has tried time and time again in convincing me it’s great and I don’t know what I’m missing out on.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Always always chocolate. Hands down.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Purse, cell, paper, and pen.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
I use both. More with the laptop as I can freely move around the house or outdoors.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I prefer to do it at home, but usually there is no set time I write. It could be morning one day and night the next.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
That’s tricky. Sean Connery, Rupert from Survivor, and Garth Brooks. That’d work. That covers sexy, great survivor skills, umm sexy again along with great music. Garth would have to bring his guitar though.

An actor you have a crush on?
Sean Connery hands down.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I’m beginning to get into X Factor. Love to listen to the various talented singers and watch them improve on their voices.

What made you decide to be an author?
Ever since middle school when my English teacher told me I had talent. At the time I thought he was just being nice cause he had to. But somewhere inside I knew it was more than that.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
When I wrote my first story. The suspense just kept creeping up into it with my characters screaming ‘leave it!’ And I’m a sucker for a great ghost story and all things paranormal. What we can’t see or can’t explain has got to be great!

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
I’m a bit of both. I can’t fully outline a book because I feel inclined to stick to it and don’t think I can change the story once it’s set in stone, but with a vague outline I keep myself in relative check.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
Lol, that’s a bit of a list. I’ll choose three: Stephen King, John Grisham, and Mary Higgins Clark

What is your all time favorite book?
That’s a tough one. I’d have to say Stephen King’s The Talisman. Love Jack Sawyer’s story ‘right here and now’. (Gotta read the book.)

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

Nicholas is trying to understand and believe Lena’s gift of Spirit Writing, but he’s a bit closed minded here. I love his attempt at reasoning and the last line.

“Some had a violent or sudden death and their spirits are ripped out so quick they don’t realize they’re gone.”
Don’t laugh. Don’t do that to her. He shook his head.
“Why am I explaining myself to you?”
“You want me to believe you?”
“I’ve been doing this for years with the police. They believe me. Why can’t you?”
If he couldn’t see it, it wasn’t there. The simple conclusion was that it wasn’t real. As far as he was concerned, there was no afterlife, heaven, hell or reincarnation. It was utter blackness. The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out...


How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
I’d have to say Nicholas cause he just wanted to be nasty toward Lena at the beginning. He loves her, but he has a pride problem and the fact that he wants to blame her for his brother’s death. He melted real fast!!

Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere. I even got a story from Pawn Stars. Someone brought in a 1880s coin of some sort and I was able to spin a story idea for it.

How did you choose your title?
It was going to be The Doves Cove Murders, but we had problems with it sounding funny, so I changed the name of the town to Swan Cove and presto, it became The Swan Cove Murders.

How do you cure writer’s block?
Usually a break. Sometimes I can just read a chapter or two of a book. Other times I need a 2 to 3 day break.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Don’t ever give up. Keep writing!

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?
Keep submitting, your book has a special home. And that person was right.

Where can your readers stalk you?
Everywhere. Here, on Facebook, on Twitter, on SMP authors blog, and over on Savvy Authors too :)

Tell us about your new release:

This is not the final blurb, but here you go:
As if the violent murder of Lena Dixon’s fiancée hadn’t been bad enough, now his brother, Nicholas Hunter, is court ordered to live with her for the next thirty days. And to top it off, the murderer’s ghost is asserting his innocence and refuses to leave until Lena and Nicholas prove it.

The skeptic in Nicholas believes Lena has lost her mind until he witnesses some unexplainable events and is forced to believe in her psychic abilities and his heart’s desire.

As their sexual chemistry heats up, so does their guilt levels. Can they make their new found relationship work or will it be too late when the real killer comes calling for her?






Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Both coming to Soul Mate Publishing