Q: What was the name of the first book you wrote? How did you get it published?

The first book I wrote, Orion Rising, was never published, though I had some interest from agents. I haven't quite given up on it, but reading it now, I can see it needs revisions, though it's essentially a good story.

Q: Which do you find leads you to your best work: your triumphs or your tragedies? Do you write from joy or pain?

I write because I can't turn off my brain. Story premises leap out from almost anywhere, and I find myself wondering, What if... Eventually, I have to write it all down or my head would explode, lol. I do like to explore people's dark psychological sides, what makes them tick, but I also like to write stories from which I hope readers will come away feeling good about themselves, or the world in general.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

So many people, really, from my critique partners who encourage and teach me, to other authors who inspire me. Of anyone, I'd have to say my husband, who's been my biggest supporter, in every way. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be able to devote the time and energy to writing I currently do.

Q: Do you read for pleasure? If so, what kind of books do you like to read?

My writing reflects my eclectic tastes. I love to read any well-told, engaging story, in any genre. On my nightstand TBR pile right now you'll find anything from David Sedaris to Natasha Mostert to Stieg Larsson (I had to know what the fuss was all about!) to Linda Robertson and Gena Showalter. And more.:)

Q: What has been the most significant book you've read (or listened to, if you were a small child) in your life?

The first books that really knocked my socks off were The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I fell into that amazingly detailed world, and in love with its complex characters. It began a love affair not only with fantasy, but books in general.

Q. What project(s) are you currently working on?

I have a backlog of stories needing attention, as usual. Some are contemporary, some historical, but the ones I'm focusing on now are fantasy. I have what I hope is a cool series in mind called The Goddess Connection, and recently finished the first book, The Magic of Lavender. Each story links that book's heroine to a different goddess, and the series theme is that every woman deserves to be treated like a goddess.

Of my six releases this year, three were with Eternal Press: Fever Dreams, a contemporary romance novel with fantasy elements, Winning, a short contemporary mainstream with magic realism elements, and Follow the Stars Home, a Native American historical romance novel following two Lakota sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in my former town of Carlisle, Pa.