Q: Why did you choose to write faerie tales rather than modern romance?

A: One of the very first books that I remember being given as a child was a collection of Mother Goose tales. They were not the sweetened Disney version, but were possibly as close to the original tales as could be for an illustrated child’s book. I fell in love. I read that book over and over again, even well into my teens and I have since passed it on to my daughter. Every now and then, I will flip through and look at the beautifully illustrated pictures and be taken back to a more simple time in my life. I love the freedom that the world of faerie tales offers, where truly anything is possible.

Q: Have you always wanted to be an author?

A: Absolutely! I have been writing stories since I was old enough to hold a crayon. Granted they were quite different than what I write now, but it has always been my passion. I was an only child and often had to become very creative in finding ways to keep myself entertained. Writing stories, creating characters, and building kingdoms and new worlds were more often than not, the solution to my childhood boredom. It became part of who I was and what I did at such an early age that I could never see myself as anything else.

Q: Why did you choose to write erotic fantasy?

A: In addition to my love of faerie tales, I am a sucker for romance. However, as much as I enjoy reading a great romance, I have always wished there was more. Taking a love story to the next level is exciting for me. I know that reading an erotic romance is not for everyone, but for me it’s important to write without restrictions. I learned when I was younger and writing for my friends, that the spicier the content, the more my readers wanted. I am honored to be a part of the erotic romance/fantasy community and look forward to leaving my mark for years to come.

Q: Astronomy or Astrology?

A: Astrology, hands down! I find the idea of being able to interact with someone a little easier just by knowing what sign they are, very appealing. By having a generalized idea of someone’s overall personality, it gives me the ability to relate better. I, personally, am a Pisces and of course, like many others, argue that I was born under the best sign ever. :) I live in a house full of Capricorns and Sagittarians and if I did not understand that they are by nature, "always right," have a normal tendency for OCD, and tend to forget that the world doesn’t revolve around them, I would go absolutely crazy! I of course say that with extreme love since I am the wife to and mother of these beloved signs.

Q: Who made the biggest impact in your life as a writer?

A: Simply put, my grandma. I grew up watching her read and her house was virtually a library with hundreds and hundreds of books by countless authors. She never hid books from me and even when I was too little to understand the content. She allowed me to read whatever book I found appealing on the shelves. I used to watch her as she read and I found it to be the coolest thing that she could become so lost in whatever world she was reading about. I wanted to experience the other side of that, as in being the author who had written a story so compelling that the reader couldn’t put the book down until the last page was read.

Q: What does your writing process look like?

A: Disorganized. :) I am such a fly by the seat of my pants writer that I really don’t have a schedule or a process. If I obsess for too long over a chapter, character, or even an idea, I typically end up scrapping it because I overdo it and ruin the original concept. What works best for me is to take a random thought and just let it soak. More often than not I will wake up with that “ah-hah!” moment and at that point, I sit down and plug away. I do have a basic time line however, or at least a set of time related goals that I try my best to stay true to. If I had my way, I would write from morning ‘til night, taking breaks only when I could no longer feel my butt cheeks and need a stretch. However, my kids tend to enjoy things like dinner and mom-time, so I have to set limits.

Q: Are you always in writer’s mode or do you leave it behind on occasion?

A: Even if it is only subconsciously, I think I’m always in writer’s mode. There is not a single event in life that doesn’t trigger some kind of possible material for my next story and I am constantly writing down possible ideas that pop into my head for future books. In the new series that I am working on, I have a very general idea of which characters the books will be written about. So far I have a basic map up to the sixth book and as time goes on, I will have to decide how long I let the series go on for before starting a new one.

Q: How do you handle everyday life and still find time to write?

A: This one is a bit challenging. I have a husband and three very active pre-teen/teenagers that I take care of and I am currently working on my Associates degree as a full time student. Finding the balance between all aspects of life is definitely a juggling act. Currently I utilize early mornings and late nights for writing, but only if all of my other jobs are done for the day. I try to take full advantage of the days when the kiddos are at school and I have the day free to myself to catch up on missed writing hours. When it gets down to making the time versus finding the time, my family is really understanding that there are times when I have to lock myself away and I am not to be disturbed. They know how important this part of me is and respect the times when I need to just be left alone.

Q: How do you get your ideas for your books?

A: I have always been drawn to the intrigue of stories that are a little twisted. It’s probably a reflection of my grandma’s influence. Her library was filled with dark tales, murder mysteries, and things that go bump in the night. I love that the original faerie tales were way more violent and less happy ending than they are now, so when I decide on a character I try to think of what the opposite expectation of the story would be and work around that aspect of it. Then of course there has to be the romance element mixed in so music tends to be a big influence for that. Certain love songs trigger such deep emotion that I try to look at it from the singers POV. Who did they love that much to sing that song and how did they get to that point?

Q: Did you ever think you would become an author?

A: Honestly, no. :) I have been writing my entire life sure, but I have also always been by far, my own worst critic. There are so many tales that I have spun that will never see the light of day because I doubt that they are good enough. I am where I am today because I have an amazing support system that all believed in me and have pushed me to put myself out there. That and of course Siren Publishing who welcomed me into their family of authors with open arms. It has forever been a dream and a desire, but a reality? I cried when I received my first acceptance because it simply did not feel real.

Q: What is your favorite part about writing?

A: I love changing reality and releasing my creative side. In a "normal" world, the things I write about would never happen, so it’s exciting to see how things were actually play out.

Q: If you could meet any of the characters from your books who would it be?

A: I have a work in progress that features an evil witch and I would love to sit down with her and find out how she lost herself. She is grace and beauty wrapped around this cold hearted woman and I wonder if there is ever the possibility that she will find her way back from the darkness.

Q: Have you considered writing for a different genre?

A: No, not really. I love the freedom of erotic fantasy and am perfectly happy to be a part of it. I can take my characters to the brink and beyond and never worry that it was too far.