Hi! And thank you for the opportunity. The story came from a very dark, very seductive dream. The characters, the images were so vivid in my mind when I woke up and had no choice but to start writing.

Why it took so long…*sigh*…It's a long boring story but since you asked…. LOL. I'm slow at writing anyway and being that it was my first book, my writing skills improved gradually as I went along so I kept going back and revising, trying to make it better. I got stuck in the middle of it, totally blocked and I set it aside. Lora and I came up with the idea for Moving Violations during one of our many phone conversations and we began work on the story immediately. Then about half way through Moving Violations I picked The Warlord's Gift up again (Lora was so annoyed with me! LOL) Finally I finished it and submitted it to Kari, my editor. But we decided to finish Moving Violations before I started work on revisions of The Warlord's Gift.

Wow, good question. Both, to some extent. For me, the characters are always there first, even before the plot so initially the characters determine what type of music I'm drawn to while writing. From that point I believe the music itself influences me while I develop and flesh out the characters.

At times yes, especially being a home schooling mom. But I've learned to try and wait till after the kids are finished with their schoolwork to really get into writing. I learned that the hard way. There's nothing more frustrating then having to interrupt an extremely intense scene to explain cross multiplication of fractions. Don't get me wrong. I love home schooling and my children are my first priority. I'd have to say I've been blessed really. I have terrific kids and my husband, Paul is incredibly supportive and does all he can to make sure I have the space I need to focus.

I write a bit here and there during the day but when Paul gets home from work is when I can really dive in. Typically I'm able to write for several hours in the evenings barring any other obligations or a trip to the ER (Paul suffers from chronic kidney stones and is constantly passing them. Occasionally the pain becomes unbearable and requires that he seek help to manage it.)

I've always loved to read romantic suspense and medieval historicals, (I adored Julie Garwood's Saving Grace!) but I have very eclectic tastes. I think I like writing fantasy with a touch of paranormal the best. I love making my own rules and the freedom to do anything and/or everything I want. Anything is possible with paranormal fantasy.

Gaze. I over use that word a lot I think.

Actually, I never have….until now. Now I'm working on Disorderly Conduct with Lora Leigh as well as a couple of others.

It depends on what I'm researching whether I hate it or love it. *wicked grin* No really, I don't dislike research. I've learned quite a bit and I've never found it dull, if I ever did, I would need to rethink my subject matter. I'd have to say that the internet has been my most valuable research tool. If I can't find my answers on the web, I can usually find someone online whose willing to let me pick their brain.

Well, no. Many times I've awakened in the morning with a scene that had to be written immediately but never in the middle of the night. I'm a really, really sound sleeper.

My sister Lora Leigh. She always encouraged *read goaded, nagged, harassed* me to write but until just a few years ago I never thought of myself as a writer. I loved to read and I often dabbled with poetry and some prose, writing scenes and short stories for critique groups. Lora always believed in me and my ability and she knew better than anyone else that writing was not just something I could do, it was something I needed to do.

Yikes….I'll be 47!!! Hopefully my son will be graduating from college and my daughter will be finishing up her second semester. And maybe, just maybe…I'll be preparing for a summer book tour???

One of three things: I either grab a cup of coffee, go somewhere quiet and dark, where I can be alone, put on headphones and escape into my music….or…I grab a cup of coffee, get somewhere quiet, where I can be alone and read….or….I grab a pot of coffee, go to my room, dare anyone to disturb me, slam my door and write.

Drag my sister and our families onto a plane (I may have to drug her and Paul…. but, whatever it takes) and spend several months exploring Europe. Then just Lora and I would head down to some deserted tropical island inhabited only by very hot, very buff cabana boys whose only desire is to cater to us! Hey! You said DREAM vacation!!!

Lora and I are working on Disorderly Conduct, the second book in the Law and Disorder series. I'm also working on The Faerie's Dream, the sequel to The Warlord's Gift….and a couple other stories when inspiration strikes.

I'm working on another contest I'll be announcing soon. Check my website for details. Thank you for spending time with me, I enjoyed our visit!