Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, her books reflect her love for mountains and wild places.
After a career in teaching and outdoor education, she reconnected with her passion for storytelling, and is now the author of several beloved romance series.
When not writing, she’s either reading, adventuring in the mountains, or enjoying time with her family.
When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I was always writing stories as a kid, like for my parent’s dinner party guests and I loved to write essays in school (that should have been a clue because what kid enjoys essays??)
In high school I wrote for our newspaper and became the editor my senior year. Writing for our paper was fun but I didn’t consider it a career path. I went on to pursue a degree in science, which actually involves a lot of writing lol. I think that’s what drew me to science, because it’s like storytelling, only with data to back it up.
When I was in my early 30s, I had an opportunity to pursue travel writing, and that’s when my author career started to take shape.
Did you have any influencing writers growing up?
I loved the Trixie Belden mysteries, and later, Agatha Christie.
Are any of your characters based on people in real life?
All of them are based off of some facet of real life or real people. Usually there will be some little spark – a conversation, some odd or unusual circumstance that gets my wheels turning.
For sure the family relationships in my books are gleaned from my experiences. For example, I am very close with my brother, and in my 20s, because of my adventurous lifestyle and jobs in outdoor education, most of my friends and coworkers were guys, so I have some deep insight when it comes to writing in the male POV.
Where do you draw your book inspirations from?
I love how love helps us grow. Helps us let go of things that are holding us back. I love the way that being vulnerable with someone can create a deep and precious connection.
That is at the heart of what my stories are about: an invitation to give love a chance.
Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?
I start with a couple of foundational pieces, such as the meet cute, the characters’ backgrounds (family, former loves), and how the book opens. I also need to create and fully understand the central conflict – the reason why these two people can’t be together. This ties in with tropes too, and I’ll try to flush those out before I start writing also.
I often daydream certain scenes as I am planning a book (or when I’m in the middle of another one lol), and I try to figure out where that scene might fit. Usually this means I have the first 1/3 of the book pretty well laid out. After that, I just let ‘er rip.
When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?
I have to have basic info like eye color, hair color, and for the FMC, her hair length and her height because those things are baked into the story. I use Pinterest a lot to make mood boards, but I try not to get too attached to any one particular photo for a character.
For Love Me Dangerous, though, I had already picked out an image from a photographer. I had planned to use that model’s image on the cover, but we later went with a couple instead. Even though the model on that cover is a good fit for Zach, in my head he still looks like that original image.
For Love Me Reckless, the couple on that cover are an exact fit of what I had in my head, which was really cool (and super rare).
Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?
I don’t sit to relax. I usually get on my mountain bike or go for a super long walk in the woods or a hike.
If I have downtime at home, I’ll usually garden or read.
I love listening to audiobooks when I’m on one of my walks, or if I’m in the car for long stretches.
Who are your favorite current authors to read?
This is always changing because I cycle through several genres. Sarina Bowen, Tess Gerritsen, Victoria Wilder, Jessica Peterson, Simone St. James, Devney Perry, LT Vargas & Tim McBain, Jewel E. Ann, Tim Johnston
What are your favorite books by others?
The Dry by Jane Harper
Restless by William Boyd
Descent by Tim Johnston
Euphoria by Lily King
The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen
The Sundown Motel by Sloane St. James
Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?
Absolutely! Small mountain towns are the heartland for me. In every story there is an element of mountain life, its beauty, wildness, and sometimes, its danger.
Do you write in single or multiple POV?
Multiple
What do you find to be your best research tool?
Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?
I write under more than one name
What genre do you write and why is this your preference?
Primarily contemporary romance, often with suspense.
I love the combination of small town romance in a western setting and murder/mystery.
Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait... what led to you being you?
My family is in the restaurant business but I wanted nothing to do with it!
I’m an outdoor nature nut and spend a lot of time outside
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Start.
How do you deal and process negative book reviews?
Keep scrolling.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Deadlines.
What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?
Quiet and to be left alone.
What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?
I don’t actually believe in naughty indulgence lol! I am disciplined about making sure I eat while I’m writing. I can get sucked in and forget, and then my brain stops working. I keep snacks and chocolate handy in my office. Someday I’ll probably get a mini fridge! It’s nice to be able to just keep working if the words are flowing.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?
Tess Gerritsen because her mysteries are so captivating and she’s so successful. I would want to pick her brain on all the things!
What is your schedule like when you are writing?
I write from 5am-6:30, then get my kids off to school
By 7:30 I’m back at my desk. If I’m not working on marketing or my day job, I’ll write until lunchtime.
After lunch if I can, I’ll get outside.
The afternoons are usually for my kids and family.
Evening is often carpooling my youngest to dance and back, or maybe some TV. Unless I am stressed about a deadline, I rarely work at night. My brain is too tired.
Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?
I have a chocolate banana PB protein smoothie from a shop just up the street that is a great lunch option if I’m burned out on sandwiches or just want to treat myself. I love blackberry bubby water as a drink with my lunch, and I love crisp apples.
Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?
No, it’s too distracting.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
Not my current one! She is a lovely but lazy golden retriever. In the past, when I have had Labradors, they need a lot of exercise so yes, being interrupted to go play happened a lot!
What is your kryptonite as a writer?
When I have already imagined a scene (like on a walk, or on a long drive) and I am finally able to get it out.
What totally puts you off your game?
Noise – leaf blowers should be outlawed everywhere. Power tools too. Oh, and lawn mowers. Like, could everyone just agree to let their yards go wild? That would be heaven.
Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?
My murder victims are usually already dead or will be very soon into a story, so readers don’t really get to bond with them.
How do you celebrate after typing THE END?
I always buy myself a dozen roses. My family will help me celebrate too.
I hope you enjoyed this interview!
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