“Sisters, as you know, also have a unique relationship. This is the person who has known you your entire life, who should love you and stand by you no matter what, and yet it’s your sister who knows exactly where to drive the knife to hurt you the most.” Lisa See, author When I was younger, I was all about trying to fix what was wrong in my life. Smoothing out the rough edges. If I couldn’t fix my flaws, I’d figure out a way to hide ’em. As I’ve aged, I’ve accepted the messiness of life. Sometimes we fall, Humpty-Dumpty-style, and break, and the pieces don’t fit back together again. As an author, I love to delve into complicated relationships. Family relationships. Friendships. Does he-doesn’t she romantic entanglements. You want to try to unravel some problematic relationships? Try to understand the bonds between sisters. Some sisters are each other’s designated best friends, with their phone numbers on speed dial so they chat with each other multiple times a day. Some sisters are so hostile toward one another that they haven’t seen or spoken to one another in years. And some sisters are an oil and water mix of the…

What I write: After spending time as a nonfiction editor and author, I crossed over to the “dark side” of the writing road, moving from contemporary romance to women’s fiction. Yes, I like happily-ever-afters, but women’s fiction lets me explore how relationships between sisters, moms and daughters, best friends—anyone we love—can be messy. The novels in the Thatcher Sisters series could best be described as my “Little Women gone wrong” books. More about me: I’m an award-winning novelist who once said she’d never write fiction and now enjoys hanging out with imaginary people. I’m a creative, but I’m also craft-challenged, so don’t invite me to join you at Hobby Lobby unless you want me to push your cart while you shop. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me taking photos of my daughter’s volleyball matches—lots and lots of photos. I learned the game through a camera lens. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader: You want a story that delves into real-life issues like complicated family relationships, grief, estrangement, breast cancer, and unexpected pregnancy. You want stories with a spiritual thread—and characters who might believe in God, might not, or who are struggling in their faith journey. You want…

Romance readers expect the satisfaction of a happily ever after (HEA) at the end of a novel. As an author who writes contemporary romance novels, so do I … really, I do. I understand there’s an implicit promise between my readers and me that I will deliver a HEA – or else. Or else I’ll disappoint my readers. Or else I shouldn’t even bother starting a new novel because I’ve lost my audience by betraying them. The romance genre, by definition, promises an “and they lived happily ever after” of some sort or another. A kiss – with the promise of more. (And different authors provide varied levels of “more.”) An engagement, complete with a close-up of the ring. A lavish, Pinterest-perfect wedding. One of my goals is to balance romance and reality. Why? Because there’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us. Classic “and they lived happily ever after” stories often avoid the struggles you and I face here on this side of the printed page. Yes, there are evil stepmothers and dragons … but there are also fairy godmothers and magic potions – and a romantic fade into the sunset. In true-to-life romance, relationship…