4. Can you tell us readers what your first novel
My next book is called
was called that was successfully published and
first trade paperback novel--and I think the back cover
briefly what it's about?
copy describes it best (and in the shortest possible
was a historical romance published by
. This is my
space): Did she once have a sister? Has her mother lied
HarperCollins. I think it did fairly well, considering I had
all these years? Why?
already been orphaned (explained above). The rights
After a painful divorce, Maisey Lazarow returns to
have since reverted, and I've sold them to Montlake
Fairham, the small island off the North Carolina coast
(Amazon), so I feel as if it's been successfully published
where she grew up. She goes there to heal—and to help
twice! It's about a baby that is rejected by his powerful
her brother, Keith, a deeply troubled man who's asked
father because of a birth defect--and how he overcomes
her to come home. But she refuses to stay in the family
that rejection to be successful in his own right.
house. The last person she wants to see is the wealthy,
controlling mother she escaped years ago. Instead, she
5. What would you say inspires your creativity in
finds herself living next door to someone else she'd prefer
writing your latest novels? And why?
to avoid—Rafe Romero, the wild, reckless boy to whom
she lost her virginity at sixteen. He's back on the island,
think my love of storytelling inspires my creativity. I love
and to her surprise, he's raising a young daughter alone.
falling into a good book and find that using my
Maisey's still attracted to him, but her heart's too broken
imagination to create that experience for others is vastly
to risk… Then something even more disturbing happens.
rewarding. I'm not sure it's any different now than it's
She discovers a box of photographs that evoke distant
ever been. Each new story is a brand new challenge. I'm
memories of a little girl, a child Keith remembers, too.
always trying to write the best book I can write, which is
Maisey believes the girl must've been their sister, but
what keeps me fresh.
their mother claims there was no sister. Maisey's
convinced that child existed. So where is she now?
6. Your latest novel, This Heart of Mine, was
sensational. The characters popped off the pages
8. How many novels have you published so far?
and the romance was heart melting. Which of your
And what would say makes you successful?
characters in this novel, would you say is your
favorite?
I've now published fifty stories. Since I still somehow feel
like a newcomer to the publishing scene, I can hardly
I usually choose the hero to be my favorite of any novel,
believe my total is that high. The comment I hear most
but that's not the case here. I think it was Phoenix that
often from my readers is that my characters and stories
made this story. She's an unusual and inspiring heroine
feel real to them.
and just came to me so easily and clearly that this story
was one of the easiest I've ever written.
9. What advice would you give to new writers in
your genre?
7. Can you share with us readers what your future
Believe. If you believe in yourself and in your work, you'll
novel will be about and what it's called?
do whatever is necessary to get your stories published
and in the hands of as many readers as possible.