A Life Through Books - Author Interview

 

A Life Through Books 

Interview

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Time. Hands down, it’s finding the time. With two kids under five, three dogs, two cats, a job, and an active-duty military spouse, life is delightfully chaotic. I write in the margins of my day—late at night (I’m a proud night owl), during nap time, or while reheating my coffee for the third time. I keep running notes on my phone—everything from snippets of dialogue to full scenes—and a notebook in the kitchen for those lightning-bolt moments that strike while I’m doing…whatever it is I am doing. My computer has documents titled “Book Title – Pieces” because sometimes I must build a book like a puzzle.

What are your most played songs?

Music is my muse. One song can spark an entire plotline or give voice to a character’s emotional storm. Right now, my playlist is a bit of a genre soup because I’m juggling three projects. Here’s a taste:

Lose Control – Teddy Swims
Dead End – Cal Scruby
Sail (Feed Me Remix) – AWOLNATION
Boss Sauce – Stevie Stone & JL
Ambitionz Az A Ridah – 2Pac
Bad Guy – Falling in Reverse

And because I love a little vibe switch, you’ll also find Rebelution and Chase Rice sprinkled in.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

My best friend Rebecca is my rock—she’s my critique partner, beta reader, and unofficial world historian. She keeps my timelines (and my characters) in check. I’ve also been lucky enough to connect with a few wonderful readers who’ve stepped in as beta readers. It’s such a gift to see how others experience your work—it makes the story stronger, every time.

What book are you reading now?

I just finished The Wrath by Gena Showalter (Rise of the Warlords #4). Her writing is so immersive—bold heroes, badass heroines, and worlds that swallow you whole. She’s one of my go-to authors.

How did you start your writing career?

Middle school. I fell in love with books, and soon after, I wrote one of my own. That story became my debut novel, Caressed by Moonlight (Rulers of Darkness #1). I self-published it in 2010 and have been hooked ever since. Life tossed in some plot twists—two kids, three cross-country military moves, and a mountain of change—but I never let go of the dream. I’m thrilled to be writing again, sharing stories that have lived in my head for years.

Tell us about your next release.

I recently bundled the first three books of my Under Realm Assassins series into a box set (yay for binge-readers like me!). As for what’s coming next... well, that depends on which characters won’t stop talking! I’m working on:

Fade to Night (Under Realm Assassins #4)

Caressed by Dawn (Rulers of Darkness #6)

The Darkest Light (Eternal Kiss #1)

Each story has its claws in me in different ways, and I can’t wait to share whichever one claims the finish line first.