Tell us about yourself.
I’m a widow, mother of twin sons, proud grandmother, semi-retired professor, and lifelong lover of stories, dogs, and small towns with big character. My writing is shaped by years spent in education, a fascination with intrigue, an appreciation for the mysteries of the heart, and—let’s be honest—a wildly active imagination.
I grew up in a small Florida town with one IGA grocery store, a diner where everyone gathered over coffee and blueberry pie, and no McDonald’s in sight. Back then, I couldn’t wait to leave for the big city life I saw on TV. Now that I live in a city, I find myself drawn back to small towns—traveling to new ones whenever I can, sometimes for a month at a time. Go figure.
I’ve been to all 50 states, co-owned an educational consulting business, and had a long career in both secondary and higher education. When my beloved husband was alive, we loved to travel—and I still carry that spirit with me. These days, my big projects are writing my Mysteries of a Heart series, building a media presence, and bingeing YouTube tutorials so I can tackle DIY home projects with more optimism than skill.
In between writing and marketing, I take walks with my spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and happily spoil my grandchildren even more.
What inspired you to start writing, and how did you get started in the world of storytelling?
A few things, really. Sometimes it’s the big stuff—the resilience of the human spirit, the way people survive heartache, loss, and grief and still manage to move forward with grace and grit. But more often, it’s the little things that catch me off guard: a mother absentmindedly stroking her child’s hair while waiting in line at Target, a toddler melting down over a toy, or the way my dog lights up the moment I walk through the door. When I’m sad, she quietly rests her head in my lap—and somehow, that always says more than words.
Lately, my granddaughter has taken an interest in writing, and I’ve found such joy in helping her structure her stories. I look at my youngest grandson and marvel at the little human he’s becoming—how much knowledge he’s soaking up in that busy toddler brain. And my oldest grandson? He’s always been an old soul, and watching him grow into the kind, thoughtful young man he is now makes me wonder: who will he become over the next ten years?
That’s what inspires me most, I think—the way people change, grow, stumble, and rise again. Life is full of stories. I just try to catch a few of them on the page.
What’s the most fun part of writing—plotting a twist, creating a quirky character, or something else entirely?
For me, it’s definitely creating quirky, fully human characters. I love character building—getting inside their heads and imagining what makes them tick. I picture them stumbling into the kitchen with sleep in their eyes and coffee on their mind. I think about the woman sitting down at the makeup mirror, discovering two more chin hairs after she just plucked three yesterday. I wonder how a man holds onto his strong, masculine exterior when what he really wants is to sit down and have a good cry.
Characters like that feel real to me—flawed, funny, aching, resilient. I don’t just want to know what they do. I want to know how they carry their grief, what makes them snort-laugh, and whether they eat all the pieces of the chips in the bag or just the whole ones. That’s the fun.
What’s the most unusual or quirky source of inspiration you’ve ever had for a story?
Last year, I took a solo road trip to Montana with my trusty co-pilot, Gemma—my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Along the way, we stopped at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. While we were parked, a buffalo casually wandered up to the car and looked right at us—like he was sizing us up for something.
It was both majestic and slightly terrifying. And yes… that moment is absolutely going to make its way into Broken Heart at Avalon Chateau—though it won’t be a buffalo this time. Let’s just say something large, unexpected, and not particularly friendly might show up when my characters least expect it.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?
Write the story that’s calling to you—even if it’s messy, even if it scares you, even if you have no idea where it’s going. Especially then.
Don’t wait until you feel ready. You’ll never feel ready. Write anyway. Time is ticking, it’s not waiting.
Give yourself permission to be terrible in the first draft. That’s what editing is for. (And if you’re anything like me, you’ll need a good editor who doesn’t let you get away with your own nonsense.)
Also—read widely. Learn from everyone. Celebrate your weird. And for the love of plot twists, don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s finished novel. Everyone’s writing journey is unique.
And finally: caffeine helps. So does a dog. Or wine. Or all three. And chocolate fudge brownies.
What role does research play in your writing process, especially when you’re exploring new genres or themes?
As a former professor, research is kind of second nature to me. I’ve spent years digging into topics, chasing sources, and following my curiosity wherever it leads. So when it comes to fiction, that same instinct kicks in—I want the story to feel real, even when everything else around it is imagined.
Research plays a huge role in my process. I read books, watch documentaries, scroll niche blogs, and yes—get lost in way too many YouTube rabbit holes. I want to get the little things right: how a Scottish castle might sound during a snowstorm, what kind of artifact could hold a secret, or how a specific stamp might trigger a mystery on a sleepy island.
For Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle, I had to learn about aviation—flight paths, terminology, and emergency landings. I even consulted a pilot to make sure the high-stakes scenes felt believable. And for both Lost Heart and Captive Heart, I spent time researching the particular mechanisms Gabby uses to escape… let’s just say, the details matter (and no spoilers, but she gets creative).
Beyond the technical side, I also dive deep into emotional research—grief, trauma, resilience, healing. Because while the plot moves the story, it’s the emotional honesty that gives it heart.
Can you share a favorite quote or line from one of your books that holds a special meaning to you?
I’ve had several people comment that they love the following quote from Lost Heart in King Manor: People are like a sandbox. When you look close enough, you see some dirty sand, some clean sand, some strange sand.
Personally, I love a quote from Winnie the Pooh: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Psst: Two of the characters from Lost Heart have quote battles which are legend.
What is your favorite part of the writing process, and why?
There’s a magic moment, usually somewhere in the messy middle, when I know how they take their coffee, what they mutter under their breath when they’re frustrated, and which one is going to demand more page time (usually Lola). That’s when the story starts to write itself—not easily, but with energy.
I also love the surprise of it. I can plan a plot, sketch an arc, and still find myself saying, “Well… I didn’t see that coming.” The unpredictability keeps me curious. And when I get it just right—when a line clicks or a character makes a choice that feels perfectly true—it’s the best feeling in the world.
Also, let’s be honest: inventing drama I don’t personally have to live through? Highly satisfying.
How do you approach character development? Are there any real-life influences in your characters?
For me, character development starts with curiosity. I want to know everything about my characters—what keeps them up at night, what they regret, what kind of coffee they order, and whether they actually drink it or just warm their hands with the cup while staring out the window in existential dread.
I start by imagining their backstory, quirks, and emotional scars (because let’s be honest, no one gets out of life without a few). I think about how they move through the world—what makes them laugh, what makes them lie, and what would make them fall in love or fall apart. I create a table on my laptop and make notes each time I make discoveries about a character.
As for real-life influences… oh yes. My characters borrow freely from people I’ve met, moments I’ve witnessed, and yes, even things I’ve felt. They’re not carbon copies, but the essence of people I’ve loved, lost, or quietly observed in my everyday life. Standing in line at the UPS store returning an Amazon package. Watching two people argue over a restaurant order. A young couple in the throes of first love. Sometimes my characters say things I wish I’d said in real life—or things I did say and immediately regretted.
And once they’ve taken shape? They start lobbying for their own storylines. Loudly.
What’s your favorite “oops” moment from writing—those happy accidents that turned into something wonderful?
Oh, I’ve had my share of writing oopses, but one that stands out? I accidentally deleted an entire chapter. Poof. Gone. No backup. Just me, the spinning cursor, and a slow-motion “Nooooooo!” echoing in my office.
At first, I panicked. Then I poured a glass of wine, took a breath, and started over. And wouldn’t you know—it turned out better. The pacing improved, the dialogue felt sharper, and the emotional beats landed more cleanly. It was like my subconscious knew what needed fixing, and the universe just… helped me along by hitting delete.
Lesson learned: sometimes, losing a chapter is the best thing that can happen to it. (But yes, I back everything up now. Twice.)
Have any of your characters ever “taken over” a scene and surprised you with where they went?
Oh, all the time. I’ll sit down with a clear plan—plot points lined up like obedient little ducks—and then a character throws a fit, changes the subject, or drops a bomb I didn’t see coming.
Lola is notorious for this. She was supposed to be a secondary character with great earrings and good gossip. Now she’s running subplots, meddling in love lives, and cracking cases like she’s angling for her own spin-off.
Jay, on the other hand, surprised me with how emotionally deep he got. I thought he’d be all charm and wit, but then he started showing up in scenes with heartbreak in his eyes and quotes tucked in his back pocket. Next thing I knew, he was stealing the show—and my heart.
If your book were to get a movie adaptation, which actor would you cast as the protagonist, and why?
If it’s for Hallmark, hands down Tyler Hynes for the role of Jay. If it’s Netflix, how about Tom Ellis, Michael Huisman, or Dan Stevens (with dark hair)
How do you maintain creativity during tough writing moments or when you’re experiencing writer’s block?
I take a break. Sometimes fifteen minutes. Sometimes 15 days. But I always get back to it. Partly because I’m driven and the other reason is because the ideas start backing up and the characters start complaining, so I get no rest!
What do you hope readers take away from your books, and how do you want them to feel after finishing one of your stories?
I take a break. Sometimes it’s fifteen minutes. Sometimes it’s fifteen days. But I always come back to it.
Partly because I’m wired that way—storytelling is in me now. And partly because, well… the ideas don’t exactly stop. They start piling up like laundry, and the characters get noisy. Lola complains. Rick sulks. Gabby gives me the silent treatment. Nobody lets me rest until I sit back down and start writing again.
So even when it’s hard, I’ve learned to trust the process: step away, clear my head, and let the creative well refill. The story always calls me back.
Are there any Easter eggs or hidden messages in your work?
Oh yes! I pepper clues and little treasures that will pop up in future chapters or books.
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