Book: One Way Out: Saddle Key Mysteries
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Well, I’m a fairly new writer. I started writing in 2020 when I couldn’t stop having the most vivid dreams. Instead of just letting the stories go, I started writing them. The first book I wrote, Meet Virginia, was entirely from a dream I had after watching one too many episodes of Outlander. I read up about Scotland, and I wanted to know more. Writing became an outlet and as a friend of mine said – a writer was born.
I’ve always had a love of the arts. It was why I became an actress. I used my acting skills to help me write better. It also helped me with character development. I used to write about the characters I would play on stage. My backstory for them could be books in themselves.
On a personal note, my husband George and I will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary this December. The first day I met him, I knew I was gonna marry him. Love at first sight, I guess. Similar to my romance books. We live in Palm Beach County, Florida with our dachshund, Hoagie. Oh and yeah, I’m in love with those wiener dogs. Over the past 20 years, George and I have had multiple doxies. Hoagie is our 4th, and hopefully not our last.
Writing is a wonderful outlet for me, but I do have a 9-5 job as well. I’m a Research Director for a TV station group (my 2nd love – TV). When you watch TV as much as I do, it gives you so many ideas to write about!
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘One Way Out: Saddle Key Mysteries’ book?
My mother gave me the idea to start this mystery series. She asked me to write a story about the Florida Keys. That was all she said. I had to come up with the story. I thought it might be fun to create an entire small town where these mysteries occur. So, yeah creating a town out of nowhere was pretty hard. Plus, since this was the first book in the series, I had to make sure the world was vast enough to create multiple books.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
My favorite author is Janet Evanovich. When I first started reading her Stephanie Plum books, I loved her humor. Plus, who wouldn’t love it that two guys were falling for you. Stephanie was a down to earth character. She was far from a billionaire. Heck, she isn’t even a thousandaire. But you fall in love with her and how she solves crimes. She has a heart of gold. That is one of the best traits for a character. I used that for a few of my heroines. Solve crimes, fall in love with the guy (or guys in her case), and love your family.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I love two places. And I wrote about each of them. When I was a kid, my parents took me to Niagara Falls. I loved the waterfalls. They were so beautiful. I loved seeing the rainbows. As a kid, the colors always fascinated me.
My other favorite place is the Florida Keys. My husband and I had our honeymoon in Key Largo. It was a perfect time of the year – December. Not too many tourists, the water was perfect, hardly any waves. And the two of us had the most romantic time there. He caught fish off the dock, and I cooked it later that night. Key Largo and the Florida Keys will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s why I love to write about both locations. To show people how much I love those places.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
Yes. I have the idea for the book before I start writing it. I even do some role-playing trying to get into the heads of my characters. Again back to my acting days. Then I start writing.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Royal Entanglements’ book?
I’ve been writing this story for over a year now. I changed the story about three times before I finally finished it.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?
I’m exclusively available on Amazon.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?
The title comes almost right away for me. After I find out what the story is about, I start going through what sounds like a good title. I knew when I started writing the Saddle Key Mysteries that it would be multiple stories. So each book starts with a number – One Way Out, Two Hands to Hold, Three Piece Suit, Four of a Kind, Five Diamond Resort. The next book will be titled Six Shooter. Each book is about the Keys and the beach, so that’s why each picture is of a sunrise or sunset. I looked over Florida Sunset pictures and these pictures looked like my little island in the Florida Keys.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I read a lot of books, so I know what I like and don’t like in a book. But, I also love to create people you don’t normally see in a book. I also put a little bit of me in every character. Sometimes you have to put yourself out there. It’s more real that way.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
In One Way Out, I flipped the script. My male character, Mike, was the one who needed saving. He was abused by his ex-wife. Physically, mentally, and sexually. It’s nto something I’ve seen in any other book I read before.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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