What is it about opposites that attract? You could say that the heroine and hero in THE BAD BOY’S BABY are an opposites attract kind of couple. Admittedly, there are sometimes that I wonder how my husband can think so opposite of how I do. Last summer we remodeled, and our taste were so opposing that I often wondered how we ever managed to buy a house together in the first place. So there was some compromising on both ends, and we both loved the finished product. So I thought I’d explore what it is about opposites that attract. A new way of looking at things – I always like learning the way certain things affect another person and comparing it to how they affect me. Like music. I love asking what songs speak to someone and why, because I think it provides a great insight to other people. The challenge of stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things that the other person likes. In THE BAD BOY’S BABY, Emma loves carnival rides and Cam would never set foot in what he thinks of imperfect machines made by imperfect people. Not to mention he doesn’t like confined…

First off, thank you for doing this interview for us. I know you don’t have time for frivolous activities these days, what with your IVF cycle and your husband’s chemo. Simeen: It’s okay. I actually could use a break from all that. And from checking off items on Nirvaan’s tedious Titanic Wish List. What’s the Titanic Wish List? Simeen: Nirvaan’s bucket list. You know he doesn’t have long, so he wants to do all the things that matter to him before…he succumbs. I’m very sorry about Nirvaan’s cancer… Simeen: Thank you. But it’s okay. We’re okay. We’re dealing. So ask away. Right. Um, so…let’s start with, What’s the secret to having a good marriage? Simeen (grinning): A kinky spouse. Interesting answer. It certainly broke the ice. Next question, What’s the most fun party you ever attended? Simeen: The beach party where Nirvaan, Zayaan and I met for the first time. It was our fifteenth birthday—you know the three of us share our birthdays, right? So, we met at Dandi Beach, one hot summer night long ago. Wow. That’s some coincidence—the three of you sharing a birthday. Simeen: That’s not all we share. No pun intended. We also lived on the…

Taking time out to enjoy yourself is essential and it’s something I look forward to. I spend part of my day working on the farm and part of it writing, but I enjoy nothing better than to do something completely different. I have always had an interest in history and love visiting castles or grand old houses. I usually take my camera with me as it gives me a chance to indulge in that little passion too. Whilst the splendour of large stately homes is fun to see, it’s the castles I like best. Usually they are ruins, but I love to use my imagination and build up a picture of what life must have been like all those hundreds of years ago. Of course it doesn’t have to be time away or a day out. Just an hour or so to myself to relax and do something I want to do, which for me would be losing myself in a good book. Again, it’s history which draws me and this or romance is my chosen genre. At this time of the year, as summer is arriving and the days are becoming warmer and longer, I enjoy spending time in…

When I was asked to do a little piece for Fresh Fiction, I knew I wanted to tie it to my new book, THE MISBEHAVED, which released—May 10th—from Totally Bound Publishing. It’s a friends-to-lovers romance involving a frisky bartender, Natalea Jones, and her best friend and most eligible bachelor, Drake Harte. The story opens at Natalea’s bar where she is hosting the charity reveal of the firefighter calendar, which includes as Mr. December—her best friend Drake. Yes, the hero of THE MISBEHAVED is a sexy firefighter. Not uncommon. Not unheard of. Who makes a more desirable hero than a firefighter? The interesting element for me is that I find myself drawn to them in my writing. I have three books that thrust a firefighter hero into the spotlight. Why? What makes these guys such great romance novel heroes? I’ve asked myself that question numerous times as I drive past our local firehouse and find myself slowing down in hopes of getting a glance of the firefighters out washing the trucks or shooting hoops in the driveway—with their shirts off, of course! And I’ll admit, some days I’m one lucky lady! J Is it the hard bodies? Maybe. As a warm-blooded…

Pro of Same-Sport Loving – If you’re really dedicated to excellence, you have to spend a lot of time working out, practicing, and otherwise perfecting your game. If you have school or a job as well, there isn’t much time left for a relationship. But if your work out and practice time is ALSO relationship time, you’re all set! Con of Same-Sport Loving – One of you will probably be better at the sport than the other. This isn’t necessarily true, but it’s pretty likely. What effect will that have on the relationship? And if both of you are equally dedicated and equally skilled, how will it feel if the difference is based on something neither of you have any control over? Like, say, your boyfriend hit a growth spurt at puberty and turned into 6’2” muscle-man, and you? You didn’t. Pro – You’re both probably pretty fit. Nice muscles, strong bodies, lots of endurance… hard to argue with any of that! Con – You’re both probably pretty competitive. This can work well if you’re both on the same team, but if you face off against each other? Look out! Pro – Passionate competition can lead to other kinds of…

What is your name? Do you have a nickname? My name is Tobias Ford. I also answer to Master, Sir, or Master T. Where were you born? Where have you lived since then? Where do you call home? I was born in Tucson, Arizona. My mother still lives there. I’ve lived all over the world with my stint in the military. Currently, Pasedena , California is where I call home. What is one strong memory that has stuck with you from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting? My alcoholic father left my mother and I when I was five. It’s tempered my need to control my life. I never have more than a drink or two, the disease that drove him from our lives resides in my veins, so I’d prefer not to go down that road. Combined with my PTSD from my tours in Iraq and Afghanistan it would be a bad mixture all together. And I don’t have relationships with women who have children, I know how much that can mess with a child’s mind. I prefer my subs unattached and unfettered. You’re getting ready for a night out. Where are you going? What do you…

SHELTER FOR ELIZABETH came about in an interesting way. At the end of book 4 in my SEAL of Protection Series, PROTECTING SUMMER, the heroine was kidnapped by a serial killer who wanted to torture the Hero SEAL. In order to accomplish this, he kidnapped another random woman from the parking lot of the local Walmart. He tortured THAT woman, telling the heroine everything that was happening to her was going to happen to the heroine next. Enter the SEAL team to save the day…but not before the poor random woman was traumatized and brutalized. I kept getting reader notes asking if the poor random woman was going to get a SEAL of her own. At first I had no idea who they were talking about, as that woman was a “throw away” character. But I thought about it…it was the perfect set-up for a book. So…. Poor Elizabeth moves to Texas to try to get away from what happened to her at the hands of the serial killer. She has agoraphobia…meaning she’s scared to go outside and is in therapy. When she nearly sets her apartment on fire, she meets a hunky firefighter who takes a liking to her…and…

Living in Florida is fabulous for many reasons, but one major reason I love it is all the beautiful birds I see on area walks. DH (‘Darling Hubby’ for those of you not familiar with the acronym) and I come across the most incredible creatures on every trek. And thanks to my awesome iPhone, I get the best pictures. Here are three pelicans hanging out! Here are two White Ibis birds on crab patrol! Here’s a majestic Great White Heron enjoying a river stroll! Here’s a Great Blue Heron that strolled past our beach umbrella! Here’s a Great Blue Heron enjoying a fish breakfast! And, as a bonus, here’s a cute turtle enjoying a grass lunch! The threatened gopher tortoise is the only native tortoise living east of the Mississippi River, and it’s Florida’s only true tortoise. What sort of birds or critters do you encounter on walks? What bird or critter pictures have you taken? Also, please join fellow author Rachel Good and I for a fun-filled Facebook party called “The Ultimate Food Fight” from the comfort of your home tomorrow night! Are you Team Whoopie Pie or Team Gluten Free Berry Cobbler? Pick your side and come join…

According to statistics, there are more than 33 million people in America–a little more than 10% of the population–who lay claim to Irish ancestors. I am not one of them. My bloodlines are strictly eastern European and I will take pierogi over corned beef and cabbage any day, a shot of vodka (it has to be from Poland) instead of a beer, a plate of the fruit-filled pastries called kolachki over . . . well, pretty much over anything! So why begin my new Ethnic Eats mystery series with IRISH STEWED and Irish food? The answer is really pretty simple. In the book, the heroine, Laurel Inwood, meets a man named Declan Fury who comes from a big, boisterous, rollicking Irish family. It’s no coincidence that my husband, David, comes from a big, boisterous . . . well, you get the picture. David’s ancestors were railroaders, firemen and housekeepers. Our current circle (it’s a big one) of relatives includes bagpipers and cops and any number of in-laws, nieces and nephews who will argue politics passionately with you one moment, then drape an arm around your shoulders and give you a hug the next. One of our best family traditions is…

The standard traditions for good luck at weddings include the bride not being seen by the groom on the wedding day before the wedding ceremony. Then there is the bride wearing something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. We throw rice to bring the marriage good luck and as a sign of fertility. Then there is the cutting of the wedding cake and the happy couple feeding each other. Keeping the top layer of the cake to be eaten on your first anniversary. So many traditions. All as a way to honor the bride and groom and to bring two families together as one. On my brother’s wedding day we could not decorate the church because there was a funeral scheduled before the wedding. They barely got the casket out and the funeral procession gone before people started showing up for the ceremony. WE went in and quickly changed the flowers from funeral to wedding. People whispered it was bad luck. But my brother is still happily married for over thrity years. My mother said it rained on her wedding day- also a sign of bad luck for the couple. And yet my parents are still together after…