1–What is the title of your latest release? THE OTHER PRINCESS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, an Egbado Princess, who was “gifted” to Queen Victoria when she was rescued from enslavement by a British Naval Officer 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? As a work of Historical Biographical fiction, the locations, time periods, names, and other historical benchmarks were already in place. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Oh, my. A tough question for parts of her life were unimaginably difficult, still, her tremendous zeal for life is inspirational. I would have enjoyed spending time with her in two places: Brighton and The Lagos Colony in the 1860s. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Brilliant, strong-willed, optimistic 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? So much about West Africa and England during the Victoria Era. Mary Seacole was loved and admired by British soldiers for her work during the Crimean War. They sponsored a huge fundraiser for her in London after the war ended. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are…

Book Title: A COLD HIGHLAND WIND Character Name: Lady Emily Hargreaves   How would you describe your family or your childhood? My older twin brothers died of influenza when they were thirteen, leaving me alone with my parents. My father, Earl Bromley, is descended from Vikings and indulged my love of reading. My mother indulged me not in the slightest; I agreed to marry my first husband primarily to escape her household. One can only tolerate having one’s waist measured and criticized so many times. In my case, that was once.   What was your greatest talent? I have an affinity for translating ancient Greek texts.   Significant other? I married Colin Hargreaves more than a decade ago. The beginning of our relationship was somewhat dodgy. First, he was my late first husband’s best friend, a fact that still gives me pangs of guilt. Second, I thought he’d murdered said late first husband. Fortunately, I was wrong. Colin is as classically handsome as a Praxiteles sculpture, believes women to be as capable as their male counterparts, and does discreet, confidential work for the Crown.  The latter occasionally proves problematic.   Where do you live? When in London, I can be…

1–What is the title of your latest release? GLORY BE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? “Murder She Wrote,” but with an African American lead.  Make it Louisiana instead of Cabot Cove. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Originally, I was going to set the book in New Orleans, which has such a mystique and strangeness to it. But ultimately, I set it in Lafayette because I’m familiar with it. I spent nearly every childhood summer in Lafayette, and return a few times a year.  Setting it in Lafayette gave me the opportunity to show more of the “real” Louisiana, like the endless amounts of strip malls, chaotic zoning, and the countryside. 4–Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life? She would probably want to be BFFs with the actress Jennifer Lewis, who I imagine to be around Glory’s age. I could see the two of them gossiping and complaining about the world around them, as well as reminiscing about how things used to be. 5–What are three words that describe your sleuth? Determined, overlooked, and proud. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned about the importance…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE TAKEDOWN 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? An undercover CIA agent is sent home to investigate her sister’s criminal fiancé but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with his bodyguard along the way! 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I spent some of my middle school and high school years in a small, coastal Maine town. I always thought it would be the perfect holiday setting. When I started writing THE TAKEDOWN Maine was a no-brainer. The snow, the sea, what’s not to love? 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! She has lots of stories to tell. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Hard-shelled, capable, funny. (I know, that’s four words!) 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? The types of crimes that mob families usually commit—and the locations of the best Christmas tree farms in Maine! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit constantly while drafting. It makes for a slower process, but I love a good, clean first draft. 8–What’s your…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A PRINCESS IN PLAID 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Lady Grace was born to be a princess but destined to become an outcast. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? A Princess in Plaid is part of a series (though it can be read as a stand-alone) about the children of a Scottish dukedom and how they find love. All the books are set in Great Britain for the most part. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? After Lady Grace realizes how awful she has been in the past, absolutely, yes. She is amazing! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Grace is refined, educated, and lovely. Frasier (the man she falls in love with) is rugged, determined, and protective. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned some things about the history of Lithuania. I also learned that snow removal was quite different in the early 1800s. Rather than shovel/clear the roads, they outfitted their carriages with skis. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I go,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? TRADING PLACES 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? After a bet is made, a socialite and a mechanic swap lives in this modern twist on TRADING PLACES. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? This was a hard decision! I picked the beautiful, historic city of Alexandria. This setting is one of the wealthiest cities in Virginia and where there is money, there are neighborhoods without money. With the surrounding area of Washington D.C., the landscape of privileged versus underprivileged kept drawing me back to this place. It was also important to choose a location with a downtown to serve as a central area with opportunities for the two main characters to run into each other. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! I would hang out with Lexi North in real life. Knowing her character, I don’t think first impressions are the full story. Like anyone I hang out with, I love people who bring a fresh point of view to my life. She would have no problem helping me pick out the perfect shoe and I think we would…

1–What is the title of your latest release? SOME KIND OF BLUNDERFUL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A woman accidentally winds up on a series of increasingly bad dates with her dad’s young hot-shot boss/nemesis—and her dad absolutely cannot find out. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? It’s set in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I wanted it to be set near a major basketball arena and in the American south, and I was craving a little of that Georgia charm! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Mia and I would marathon One Tree Hill or Two Broke Girls and knit blankets together, and then I’d help her decorate her classroom. It’d be among the greatest days of my life. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Crafty, independent, caring. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That if someone gives you the butterflies for long enough without kissing you, your smart watch will detect cardio. I researched this very important detail for the book. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I wait until I’m done…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A TRAITOR IN WHITEHALL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? While working in a munitions factory in 1940, Evelyne Redfern is recruited by a mysterious family friend to be his eyes and ears in the typing pool of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms. She’s not entirely sure what to expect—but it certainly isn’t the dead body of a fellow typist. Determined to solve her colleague’s murder, Evelyne uses her keen observation skills and her extensive knowledge of golden age detective fiction in a desperate race against time to uncover the killer and root out a mole that could cost Britain the war. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? A few years ago, one of my good friends mentioned that she’d never been to the Churchill War Rooms, a fantastic museum created out of the secret bunker that Churchill and his ministers used as a vital hub during World War 2. I told her that I would be happy to go with her for a visit, and while we were walking through the displays I realized that it would be a perfect location…

1–What is the title of your latest release? HALLO-WAIIAN MURDER MYSTERY 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? It’s Halloween in Aloha Lagoon, and dive tour leader Kiki Hepburn is hot on the trail of a killer – a trail which takes her to gardens of flowering poisonous plants, an animal shelter, and a zombie themed “Hallo-wedding,” with something stalking her every move… 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? It is part of the Aloha Lagoon series, so it is set at the Aloha Lagoon resort. I decided to make it at Halloween so I could have even more fun writing it! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes, I would definitely go diving with Kiki! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Smart, resourceful, and underestimated. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Poisonous plants. I was shocked to see how many plants I grew up playing with in my mom’s garden are actually poisonous! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I do a little as I write, but usually try to just get the story out. After I’m…

1–What is the title of your latest release? KILL SHOW 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A behind-the-scenes look at a reality show filming the search for a missing teenage girl…and how that show leads to unexpected tragedy. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? One side of my family is from Maryland.  Visiting often over the years I picked up enough local color to set the book there. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes, Casey is smart and fun and creative.  I just wouldn’t ever trust her! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Bold.  Ambitious.  Manipulative. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Some of the dialogue we hear on reality shows is scripted by the producers! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I try to write a really solid first draft, so there’s not too much repair work at the end.  When I finish a chapter, I go over it a few times before moving forward. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Fancy L.A. sushi.  And fancy ice cream. 9–Describe your writing space/office! Big desk in front…