You've got questions; I've got answers! Here are 10 frequently asked questions about my books, category romance, and writing...
Q. How do I stay up to date on book releases, sales, giveaways, and other news?
A. The best way to stay in the know about my books and upcoming events is to join my newsletter. You can do this on the Newsletter page of my website. Don’t worry! My subscriber service keeps all emails confidential. Your personal information will never be shared. Another way to stay up-to-date is by following me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Q. What is your latest release?
A. Ollero Creek Conspiracy, Book II in the Fuego, New Mexico trilogy, was released in December 2023. It is a Harlequin Romantic Suspense so if you haven’t read it, expect plenty of danger, passion, and drama! Learn more here…
Q. What is category romance and are your books available in brick-and-mortar bookstores?
A. Category romance is novels released under a common imprint at regular intervals (often a certain number a month). Category romance is often trope-driven. Depending on the imprint, these books can be anywhere from 50,000 to 75,000 words, which makes for a quick and engaging reader experience. For example, Harlequin Romantic Suspense launches four new titles every month. They normally have a quick shelf life as paperbacks in brick-and-mortar stores, but the digital edition is available much longer.
Q. What is the best order to read the Fairhope, Alabama mini-series?
A. I have a Series List page on my website that shows the reading order of the Fairhope, Alabama mini-series and the Fuego, New Mexico trilogy. All my books can be read as stand-alone books. However, for the best reader experience, I recommend reading them in order.
Q. Are Fairhope, Alabama and Fuego, New Mexico real places?
A. Yes and no. Fairhope is a real place on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. It was where I grew up so it felt like a natural place to set my first novel, A Place With Briar. I loved the setting of Fairhope so much, I have returned there countless times through my books and in person.
Fuego, New Mexico is not a real place. Though I was inspired to write Coldero Ridge Cowboy and subsequent books in this trilogy after traveling through northeast New Mexico to Colorado. While crafting Eaton Edge, the ranch central to each of the Fuego, New Mexico stories, I was inspired by Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings and her beloved high desert home, Ghost Ranch.
Q. Will you write anymore books in the Fairhope mini-series?
A. Yes! I loved revisiting Fairhope with Hunted on the Bay (May 2023) and left the storyline open for a handful of more characters to tell their stories (particularly William’s brother, Finnian Leighton) so stay tuned…
Q. Where do you get your ideas?
A. I’m drawn to characters and backstory, but a lot of times it’s setting that really draws me in. I love traveling with my family and I’ve drawn so much inspiration from the shores, lakes, mountains, and cultures that I’ve experienced. There are stories everywhere!
Q. Why are only your most recent books available in paperback?
A. As a category romance author, the paperback editions are sometimes difficult to find new instead of used at their original prices. This is because after a year, Harlequin stops printing them to make way for new books in each imprint. If you prefer the paperback to the ebook, I suggest purchasing in-store or online during its release month or within the next three to six months.
For example, my next book, Close Range Cattleman, will be released on April 23, 2024. The paperback edition will be at most Barnes & Noble stores from April 23 to May 25. The paperback will then be available online for the next six months to a year.
That’s why joining my newsletter and following me on social media is so important – so you can have the latest book news delivered to your inbox! Join my newsletter here…
Q. How long have you been writing?
A. It feels like I’ve always been a writer because brainstorming is a huge part of being a writer and brainstorming is just a fancy word for daydreaming. I’ve always been a daydreamer, weaving stories out of thin air to entertain myself. I discovered I could do that in writing in elementary school and I haven’t stopped since. I’ve been a professional romance writer since 2006 and a published author since 2008. My first category romance novel was published by Harlequin Superromance in 2014.
Q. Do you have any advice for other writers?
A. Never give up. It’s as simple as that. There is a home for every story and if you feel strongly about a project, someone else will, too! Writing is lonely work, however, since it’s often an independent effort. I highly recommend Anne Lamont’s Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing & Life. It helps get me through the hard days.
