What inspired you to write?

I have always loved to write. I have never considered myself “artistic” because I have never been very good at arts and crafts. My imagination, even as a child, has always been grounded in more reality than fantasy. I limited my early years of writing to keeping diaries and journals. As a young adult, I found myself in a marriage with a verbally abusive and controlling partner. I found solace in writing short stories about coping with motherhood, abusive relationships, and real life as I knew it. Because I had little control in my personal relationship, I was drawn into a career that gave me a sense of control. As I worked my way up in law enforcement and continued my education, I gained the self-assurance and strength to end my toxic relationship and took back control of my life and my future. Because of my focus on Criminal Justice, personal empowerment, and reality, my writing started to mirror own life and I was able to write about strong women, real crimes, and real life.

Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?

I started reading as a young teen. Someone gave me two large Hefty bags of Harlaquin Romance novels and crime novels. I read every single book that was in those bags. As I got older and began working in/with/around law enforcement, I found myself leaning towards crime novels where the MC struggled with or had a challenging love interest mingled into the story-line. I enjoyed Lisa Jackson novels. However, once I stumbled across Beverly Barton, I had found my literary heroine. Barton wrote Crime/Thriller novels that typically had a romantic twist. Although her I loved the plot, the writing style, and the twists in her books, the fact that most of her stories were set in the Mountain areas of North Carolina, Tennessee, and the Deep South appealed more to me because I am familiar to these areas.

What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?

I am working on two projects. The first project is the follow-up book to Bring Our Children Home. This book is a continuation of Agent Mackenzie Miller after she moves back to her Panhandle home and reconnect with Lane and her family. The second project is a joint work project with my little angel, Pandi. She has had to deal with my focus on writing and promoting. Because of that, I decided to start working on a Children’s book that she could assist me with. I want her to see her ideas and creativity come to life in print.

Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?

Keep working. Keep trying. Never give up. Because there are millions of books published and more being added every day, it is easy for your work to simply blend in or be pressed down to where it gets little or no daylight. It is up to YOU to promote your work. Network, advertise, and promote your work with enthusiasm. After all, if you are not enthused about your writing (and you know EXACTLY what is in your book), how can you expect others to get excited about your writing (they have no idea what is in your book).

What influenced you as a writer?

My biggest influences are: My own life experiences, My career, education, and work experiences, and innocent victims of real crimes.

Do you prefer a normal book or ebook? 

This has always been a tricky question for me. If I had unlimited funds and boundless personal space, I would own a printed copy of every book I have read and want to read. However, I am grateful to have a Kindle Fire that can hold more books than I could store in my own personal space and allows me to easily transport numerous books wherever I go. I love my Kindle! But, there will never be anything created in the digital realm that can replace to feel of an actual printed book!