The summer raindrops are fat, falling heavy against the windshield. Oliver is silent in the passenger seat except for offering the occasional driving direction. “This is a terrible idea,” he says. I feel like screaming I’m just trying to fix us! over the sound of the pounding rain, over all his doubt, over the slow disease that is spreading through our marriage. But I stay silent and focused on the road. The buzz of arousal still tingles in my veins, giving me a sort of hope that I feel compelled to chase. As I pull into the parking lot of the strip club, Oliver’s knee bounces up and down. “We didn’t bring an umbrella.” We stare out into the dark rainy night together. “We don’t have to do this. Now you’ve seen the place.” “Let’s go.” I open the car door and make a break for it, not turning around to make sure he is following. Inside, it smells like sharp perfume and stale beer. I squint in the dim, pulsing light. I can’t make out the faces of any of the men. They seem to merge into the walls, the booths, the barstools. But my eyes travel to each…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WHITE MULBERRY 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Inspired by the life of my grandmother, White Mulberry is a rich, deeply moving portrait of a young Korean woman in 1930s Japan who is torn between two worlds and must reclaim her true identity to provide a future for her family. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? My grandmother lived in northern Korea, Kyoto, and Osaka, Japan so those became the locations for my book. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! She was a woman before her time, and I wanted her resilience and strength to rub off on me. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Spirited, Brave, Resourceful 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned that we don’t know what we’re capable of if we don’t try. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I love editing as I go, but usually after I write a complete chapter. I make sure that the plot, character, and stakes are always moving forward. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? I love potato chips!…

Do you reread books? I do. In fact, I will read a favorite book over and over again. Whenever I feel stressed or I need a pick-me-up, I find myself turning to my rereads more often. Many of my reread books are what I think of as my “classic” romances. They are books that I’ve had on my shelf for years. Books like…HONOR’S SPLENDOUR by Julie Garwood. HONOR’S SPLENDOUR was actually one of my very first historical romance reads. I fell in love with the characters. Julie Garwood has such a distinct writing voice. And let me just tell you…the “feet warming” scene is one I have never been able to forget. With the holiday season upon us, I have to mention that another favorite reread is a Christmas romance, DANIEL AND THE ANGEL by Jill Barnett. Such a sweet romance—I remember crying as I read this book for the first time. An angel visits a very Grinch-like hero, and, of course, she teaches him how to love. (How could she not? It’s a romance!) My third reread is DESIRE by Amanda Quick (the historical romance pseudonym used by Jayne Ann Krentz). DESIRE features a resourceful heroine, a determined hero,…

A Kingdom of Deceit and Desire by Leslie O’Sullivan Chapter 1 The King’s Riddle My curtsy before Finnbheara, the King of the Connacht Fae, sets my eyes inches from well-formed thighs which his fitted silver and white metallic tunic does nothing to hide. I immediately lower my head to avoid the appearance of ogling the Faerie king. Impropriety is not a great start when I’m on the verge of bargaining with a mythical figure for the destiny I need to control. My raging nerves are a bold contrast to the gentle strains of a violin and the barest hint of bells permeating the light mist surrounding us. It’s only been moments, but time flaunts its gift of endlessness as I wait for his response to my proposal. What have I done? I’ve asked this man, a Fae King, possibly the most powerful ruler of the Tuath Dé Dannan, the Irish Fae, to bargain with me. The Eala Duir I thought I was would never dream of being so bold. Dream. I wish I were dreaming. My current predicament mocks even the most outrageous of my dreams. This place, this reality, the Tír na nÓg where I stand, is the fodder…

I don’t write while listening to music (unless it’s instrumental music) because I have a tendency to start typing the lyrics by accident! I do, however, have a playlist for some of my books. The playlist for SERVANT OF EARTH, my dark, sexy Fae romantasy novel, is full of atmospheric music about haunted woods, forbidden desire, and dangerous heroines. Here are five standout tracks from that playlist: 1. “In the Woods Somewhere” by Hozier. This was the first song I put on my playlist for SERVANT OF EARTH, back when I was still plotting it out. Hozier appears more than once on my playlist, but this eerie, atmospheric track about running from an unknown creature in the woods sets the mood I wanted for the story. In the first few chapters, the heroine, Kenna, finds herself fleeing for her life across a mist-shrouded bog, escaping one monster only to realize she’s fallen into the claws of far worse ones (the beautiful, mercurial, and brutal Fae). “I found something in the woods somewhere…” 2. “Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea” by MISSIO. This song is equally sexy and menacing, which is why it’s the perfect song to pair with the Fae…

1–What is the title of your latest release? MISTLETOE, MUTTS AND MURDER 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Christmas is coming to Wings Falls, New York, but Santa is found “run over by a reindeer”. Who would want to harm the jolly old guy? Was someone on his naughty list and wanted to silence his Ho, Ho, Ho? When Samantha Davies’s father and his best friend are accused of his murder, she and her beloved dachshund, Porkchop, set out to prove them innocent, much to her boyfriend, Detective Hank Johnson’s chagrin. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I love small town settings for cozy mysteries. I’m fortunate that I live in an area surrounded by these sweet little towns, so I can draw on them for inspiration. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. She’s loyal to her family and friends. The kind of person you can tell your deepest secrets to. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Brave, compassionate, and loyal 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That it’s okay not to be tied to the computer. That I can take days off…

Book Title: REBELLIOUS (Portrait of a Woman book 3) Character Name: Harmony Jones How would you describe your family or your childhood? Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but they can be a bit much. My father is a big, strapping lumberjack while my mother is a dainty homemaker, and they have the perfect marriage even at the ripe age of seventy. I grew up the baby and only daughter with seven older brothers. Needless to say, my mother didn’t get the girly girl she had hoped for. I am a tomboy through and through. What was your greatest talent? My greatest talent is making people laugh. I love to have fun and not take life too seriously. Significant other? I don’t have one and that’s the problem. I don’t need marriage. I just want a partner to share life with. The men in my small town are intimidated by me, especially since someone is going around spreading rumors that I’m a witch casting spells to make them love me. Biggest challenge in relationships? What can I say, I like to lead. It takes a lot for me to let my guard down and be vulnerable. I’d rather…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE MUSE OF MAIDEN LANE (Belles of London, Book 4) 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A silver-haired Victorian equestrienne and a charismatic pre-Impressionist artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Muse is the fourth book in my Belles of London series, set primarily in London. The additional locations were determined early in the series. Stella’s family is from Derbyshire, and Teddy is obsessed with the paintings of J. M. W. Turner. When Teddy has a chance to let a house in Maiden Lane—the place of Turner’s birth—he doesn’t let the opportunity pass him by. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! Stella is an equestrienne like me, and we could have lots of fun talking horses. I’m also a huge fan of Impressionism, so would get along great with Teddy Hayes. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Skillful, daring, loyal. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I got to do a deep dive into early Impressionism, with particular emphasis on the painting studio of artist…

King City lights swarmed my vision as we drove in. Around us, the bustle of the city filled the streets, crowds pushing their way to their destination. Even this late in the evening, there were people everywhere. Joe rolled up the windows, but we could still hear the clamor come in from outside. As the wheels of the truck glided across the frozen pavement, my mind traveled back home. I surely hoped Mom was all right running the cafe on her own. I had asked fellow witch and my good friend Cilia to help but it still worried me to leave her unattended. That woman could burn the place down in seconds. I shuddered, trying not to worry myself into a shaking mess in the front seat. Joe brought the car to a stop in front of a boarded up convenience store and unbuckled his seat belt. “The lounge is not too far from here,” he announced. “Brian said there’s no parking, so I hope you don’t mind the walk.” As we made our way to the exclusive lounge Brian’s friend reserved, I couldn’t help but gape. The city was a far cry from Orchard Hollow. No one smiled or…

1–What is the title of your latest release? BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A grieving widow who isn’t looking for love meets a charming NBA player who will do anything to have her. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’m from Charlotte, and it is a growing city. I know the area pretty well, so I figured why not? 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. In this case, I have two protagonists, and they are both cool people I could hang with. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Davina: Smart. Kind. Strong. Deke: Charming. Goofy. Passionate. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned there are different ways in which people heal from a loss. What one person does to get by may not look the same as what another person does. Seeing that happen with two different characters was beautiful. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I used to edit as I drafted and it 100% slowed me down. Now, I just bang it all out until it reaches the messy…