What genre(s) do you write in and why? I write Ancient Rome, Regency, Victorian and American Civil War
What inspired your latest book? This book was inspired by the movie Sweet Home Alabama – I liked the twist of 2 heros for the heroine to choose and the viewer could find both men worthy, so her decision wasn’t set exactly.
What is your next project and when will it be released? The 2nd book in my Civil War series, called Unconditional Surrender
What is your favorite dessert/food? Anything with chocolate; make it dark chocolate and I’ll love it!
Do you have a view in your writing space? What does your space look like? My writing space is a nook built into my apartment with a computer desk and bookcase. Like this little nitch.
Do you prefer to read in the same genres you write in or do you avoid reading that genre? Why? I like reading Regency and English Victorian but American Civil War & Rome I just can’t. These two are usually depicted poorly, not historically correct, especially the Civil War. I’m a historian by degrees and a Civil War reenactor, so it’s gotta be right.
What are you currently working on? Finishing my manuscript for Unconditional Surrender (Book 2 in Civil War series) and then plan to finish the 3rd book in my gladiator series (its about ½ written now)
When did you start writing toward publication? I started seriously writing about 8 years ago, when my son went to college, giving me the time to devote to it.
What is your writing routine like? My writing routine is write as often as I can, even bringing my laptop to work to write on my breaks – not that I always can or do but that’s my goal.
Excerpt – This Love of Mine
“Capt’n!”
Before him, two of his men stumbled into the room, their hands holding a woman’s arms. She fell down, dragging Norm with her.
“Billy, whatever are you doing?” Where the hell had a woman come from? No doubt, one of the men snuck her aboard for whatever reason, though he could guess what. Or worse, she was a runaway who stole aboard to escape whatever issue plagued her—prostitution, irate father, poverty, drunkard, or many more excuses.
“Found ’er in the hold, sir, hidin’,” the taller, bulkier pirate sputtered.
He gave her a look-over, a little deeper than previous. She was petite just in comparing her size to Norm, who was one of the shorter pirates aboard the Equuleus’s crew. Definitely young, her skin was ivory white and her golden sable mane looked as if it had been coiffed up at one point during her voyage, but now, long locks of curls escaped the few hairpins’ hold. Her gown, a striped blue and white garment, held tears and stains of a harsh life but it’s silk material made him wonder if she wasn’t some kept courtesan with a brutal lover she escaped from. Her brilliant blue sapphire eyes stared at him with no hesitation or fear, which surprised him and instantly made him decide she must be a runaway. With a deep inner breath, he would have to correct her plans, for stealing onto a pirate ship was the worst choice a woman could make.
“Who might I be addressing here? Miss….?”
His addressing her seemed to snap her into her position now and she struggle to free herself of the two men. He motioned to them to let her go and once they did, she bounced to her feet—her bare feet.
She stood, glaring at him, anger and frustration reflected in her gaze but somehow, he didn’t think it was necessarily at him. If nothing more, his attraction to this waif was growing, for she didn’t appear the slightest concern at being on a pirate ship.
“The question, dear captain, should be who are you?” She glanced back at her escorts. “To call me to your ship, only to throw me into the grasp of your underlings.”