When Toney Larson was a child, she dreamed of being a writer. When she grew up, she acted more responsibly and went to art school. After graduating from Southern Virginia University with a BA in Art, Toney reworked the Rapunzel fairytale in her first book, Growing Amaranth. Since then, she has continued to add tales to her YA fantasy series Legends of Draven. Originally from both Wales and Virginia, Toney uses her travels to increase her ability to relate to others. Through her writing, Toney hopes to help even one individual find comfort and companionship. A current resident of Utah, Toney lives with her husband and four children. When she’s not writing she spends her time in graphic design, homeschooling, and homesteading.

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​1. What is your favorite dessert?
My absolute, all-time favorite dessert is homemade Mississippi Mud Pie. My husband makes it once a year on my birthday. It’s a chocolate crust with rich chocolate filling (almost like a brownie, but it’s not brownie), and real whipped cream with chocolate shavings on top. In general, though, I enjoy custards, creme brûlée, and chocolates.

2. What is your beverage of choice?
Flavored water, herbal tea, or hot chocolate.

3. What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?
I love Once Upon A Time and Downton Abbey. I really enjoy clean historical dramas like The Young Victoria and A&Es Pride and Prejudice.

4. Where is your favorite place to go on holiday? 
I’m from Wales so that is where I long to be, but I love visiting my husband’s family in Washington state. The climate reminds me of the UK, actually.

1. Who or what inspired you to become an author? 
I’ve always wanted to be an author. I would say my greatest champion was my Uncle Dwayne. He used to make up stories about elves and hobbits when he would babysit and he’s always encouraged me to write. I’ve always loved a good story and was a typical book nerd. I would quiz myself on Greek mythology and devour books like Enid Blyton’s “Tales of Long Ago.” Rewriting fairytales so they’re more human and incorporating my family history, childhood passions, and personal experiences feels like it’s in my blood.

2. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did becoming an author ever cross your mind?
Yes. Author was my occupation of choice until I was a teenager when I felt like it wasn’t a realistic goal. So I went to art school instead, where I ended up writing my first novel anyway! So now I’m a graphic designer and author.

3. Who are some of your favorite authors?  Do these authors inspire your own writing?
Some of my favorites are the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Gail Carson Levine, Robin McKinley, Patricia Wrede, and Charles Dickens. I love the classics and retold stories and certainly all of them have inspired my writing. I don’t consider my novels romances because my deeper messages have nothing to do with the love interests, but my readers say the romance is their favorite part. And of course my books are retellings along the same lines as “Ella Enchanted” and “Beauty.”

4. When you are not writing, what other "hats" do you wear?
I’m a wife and stay-at-home-homeschooling mother of four. I also teach art and music lessons and do graphic design work like print layouts and covers for independent artists.

1. What inspired the idea for Unmasking Cassandra: a Cinderella Retelling?
When I wrote my first novel “Growing Amaranth,” Cassandra was a character that was mentioned, but never appears and I wanted to let my readers know more about her. My YA books are clean, no language or adult content, but still cover heavier issues in an inspiring way. “Unmasking Cassandra” deals with prejudices based off of looks.

2. What do you want readers to take away from reading Unmasking Cassandra? 
I hope that if they feel like they are being bullied or unfairly treated that they realize they’re not alone and that things can and will get better, even if it’s not in the way they think it should.

3. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
It’s book three in the “Legends of Draven Series” and is called “Engaging Helen.” It’s based off a little known fairytale called “The Riddle.” There are characters my readers fall in love with in my first novel “Growing Amaranth,” but they don’t get the ending many people want them to have. So it’s sharing what happens to them after “Growing Amaranth” and is a fun and lighthearted book, especially compared to the first two. The story involves elements like riddle solving and witty banter.

I’m actually running a contest right now that I would love for more people to join in. In anticipation of “Engaging Helen,” I am putting together a book of original riddles, written by anyone who wishes to participate. Every riddle submitted will be entered into the book and it will be published around the same time as “Engaging Helen.” Send us the riddle without the answer and we will have three days to guess. If we can’t guess, you will be entered into the contest to win either a copy of the riddle book itself or a copy of my first novel “Growing Amaranth.” There are no limits on the number you can submit. The contest ends March 25, so if you want to participate, please submit it on my author facebook page or email it to my publishing email [email protected]. I also have a daily riddle to answer on my author page, just for fun.

J.E. Grace was born in California where she managed a campground for quite a few years.  In the late 60’s, she lived on a 4,000-acre horse ranch situated along the coastline of Northern California. She moved to the Midwest in 2000.
She has a background in Retail Management which she worked in for over 10 years and enjoyed very much.  After relocating to Missouri, however, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of working in Real Estate.

She is also a traditional oil/pastel painter, as well as, a digital artist.

​She has enjoyed writing since an early age and continues to educate herself in the craft.  She currently writes in the science fiction, mystery/suspense/romance, and Inspirational Christian fiction genres.  She writes for Winged Publications-Forget Me Not Romance.

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1. When you are not writing, what other “hats” do you wear? I laid down my real estate hat in 2012 when I retired in 2012, but I still wear a “housewife” hat and have been happily married to my husband, Joseph, for almost 28 years.

When I’m not writing, I’m wearing several other somewhat related hats.  Like so many other authors, I have to put on my “editing” or “researching” hat quite often. Then, of course, there is my “advertising” hat.

I’m also a self-taught artist and on occasion my painting urge surfaces and I have to pull out my easel and do some landscape painting in either pastel or oils. So, I also have an “artist” hat.  My work is on Fine Art America, Society 6 and Zazzle under Julie Grace.

2. What did your writing process of Redemption at Shadow Lake look like?   I started with an idea and then started laying out character descriptions. I then choose a setting (place where the story takes place) and decide if I need to do research for that process. Sometimes I have an outline for the book, but for Redemption at Shadow Lake, the story just seemed to evolve as I wrote.  I typed everything down as it flowed. Then at the end, I started the process of cutting, correcting and re-writing portions of the book that needed it.
 
3. What inspired the idea for Redemption at Shadow Lake?
The abandoned mansion idea came from a castle ruin here in Missouri that was perfect for my story.
All of my books start out with an inspirational Christian theme and a romance. This one was a little different as I needed to research the historical part I would incorporate into my story.  Of course, I changed the names and embellished for the fiction aspect.
 
 
4. What did you take away from writing Redemption at Shadow Lake?  
I found myself really enjoying the mystery aspect of this book and through the process of writing it, discovered that I was leaning away from my outline.  It was like the characters were leading me where they wanted to go.  I had an ending in mind but was surprised that it wasn’t exactly what I planned. In the end, I liked it better.

I learned through the writing process on this novel, that when I pray before writing each day, the process goes smoother and the words flow more easily.
 
 
5. What is your current WIP? What can you share with us about this project? 
I actually have two that I’m working on.  The first one is another mystery/suspense novel set on Magnolia Island, S. Carolina in the present day (fictional place).

The Belmonte’s have lived on Magnolia Island for generations, but what secrets are they hiding?  Can a young female P.I. uncover the truth?
​
A newspaper tycoon, a powerful investment group, and a female private investigator is in the mix of characters.  Not to mention a cold case and a new kidnapping for good measure.  I’m having a lot of fun with this one.  
My other project is Book 3 of the Pacific Cove series titled, “Love’s Enduring Legacy.”  It’s a continuation of the Sanders family covering Peter & Amanda as husband and wife at Pacific Cove Ranch.

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Julie Matern is a resident of Utah. She attended the University of Exeter in Exeter, England, and graduated with a double major in French and Education. She was born and raised in England, moving to America after her marriage and is the mother of six children. She has served in the PTA for over 20 years, taught tap dance, and enjoys amateur photography. She is the author of ‘British War Children’ ( for which she received a “Recommended Read” award from the League of Utah Writers) and ‘British War Children 2: An Enemy Among Us’.
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Hometown: Highland, UT

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1. If you could go to tea with any of the characters in The Secret of Haversham House, who would you go with and why?
Lady Augusta Haversham firstly, though she might refuse the invitation as I am a social ‘nobody’! I would ask her if she is lonely and whether her pride is worth the price of exclusion from her family. I would also ask her if she has any regrets about her own behavior.

Secondly, I would be very interested to talk to Antonio, Francesca’s birth father, about how he felt when he learned that he had a daughter and all the emotions it stirred up and if he was angry about the contract they made him sign.

I think I might also like to go to tea with Mario and ask what he really thought of Giorgio’s revelation about a secret granddaughter and the search for her.

2. Did you travel to gather research for The Secret of Haversham House?  If so, where did you go? If not, what did you do to gather your research for this story?
I travel to England frequently to visit family and I have lived in France twice and often pop over when I am in England. So my research has been conducted over a lifetime. I have been to Italy once but a daughter spent time there on a study abroad and shared her love of it. In terms of research of the language style, I read Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Elizabeth Gaskill and watch lots of period dramas.

3. What did your writing process look like for The Secret of Haversham House?
This was my first book for adults and though I was careful not to write down to the middle grade readers obviously, the language for an adult regency book needed to be of a higher level. Also, the number of characters was much greater (necessitating some family group sheets and family trees to keep it all straight!) and the plot was more complex. I am not an extensive planner when I write (though many authors are). I know the end and perhaps the middle but then I let the story write itself. It can surprise me and is an exciting way to write. The characters are like this to some extent too. I write a bio of each character for reference at the beginning but they often change during the course of the novel and I have to go back and edit the bio. I also often write amidst lots of noise and activity. I am drawn into the writing so much that I am able to block the disturbance out, fortunately, which means I can be in the middle of my family while writing and not closeted away.

4. What inspired the idea for The Secret of Haversham House?
Social class. It is still alive and well in England but not to the extent it was in this period. One day I wondered what would happen to a person who discovered that they were actually from a much lower class. Would it change the way friends and family treated them? I decided it would and thus a main character with a secret past was born.

5. What did you as a writer take away from writing The Secret of Haversham House?
When I started the novel I did not know that Phillip was going to experience an emotional crisis. His reaction to Francesca’s heritage showed me that we all might have hidden prejudices that we only discover when circumstances tease them out. I also firmly believe that through Christ we can overcome all and any prejudices.
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6. What is your current WIP?  What can you share with us about this project?
Arranged marriage was obviously the standard during this period. Jane Austen’s writings show us that marrying for love was an often unattainable wish. It is a concept so foreign to our culture that I wanted to examine it. In order to do this, I created a character who is thrust into different households as a governess. She experiences the difficulties of arranged marriage as an observer. I plan on writing a third novel from the viewpoint of the bride of an arranged marriage.​

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1. If you could travel anywhere in the world for book research (expense covered for you by an anonymous donor), where would you go and why?
Hmmm, since all my stories so far are set right here in Loudoun County, Virginia, where I’ve lived since 1972, there wouldn’t be too many expenses. But since someone else is footing the bill, I do have a Christmas novella idea about a mail order bride from Germany. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that I’d need to travel there to discover her culture and customs, right?

2. What genre(s) do you write?  Why do you choose to write in this genre?
I write historical romance but am very interested in trying historical suspense as well. Why HR?  I guess I’ve always been a bit of a history geek. As a child, I tuned in every week to share the joys and struggles of the Ingalls family on Little House on the Prairie. I slept in a night cap, had a slate and chalk to play school and even a tin lunch pail. When mom wasn’t looking, I sat on the back of the couch pretending it was the seat of our Conestoga wagon as we crossed the prairie through the Dakota Territory. Ummm, yeah, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was a history geek. Then one September night in 1979, Laura Ingalls peered lovingly into Almanzo Wilder’s eyes and called him “Manly” and I’d discovered something new—historical romance. However, it wasn’t until my sister introduced me to Love Comes Softly, nearly twenty-five years later, that I knew Christian historical romance existed as a genre.
 
3. What top 5 books are currently on your TBR pile?
 1) More Than Meets the Eye, Karen Witemeyer
2) The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond, Jamie Jo Wright
3) The Love Letter, Rachel Hauck
4) The Lady & the Lionheart, Joanne Bischoff
5) This Wilderness Journey, Misty Beller
 
 4. What inspired your idea for A Love Restored?
A Love Restored is based on my real-life love story with my husband, Mike—all of our ups and downs, including our emotionally devastating break up. When I first began writing, I tinkered with a story about Irish mail-order brides (the whole mail order bride thing just fascinates me). Hubby read it, told me it “wasn’t bad,” then suggested I write our story. Skeptical, I questioned him. “Are you sure. I mean you don’t look so good in that story for a long time.” He grinned and responded, “Yeah, but I think it turned out all right.” I’d have to agree. We celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary in mid-June.
 
5. What do you want readers to take away from reading A Love Restored?
A Love Restored is not only a story of love, romance, heartache and restoration, but also a story about the power of words over our lives. It is a story about the struggle each of us faces to take our thoughts captive to the truth of Scripture so we may experience the fullness of God’s unequivocal love for us. As my husband and I discovered, it is only then that we are truly able to give and receive love, unconditionally.
 
My prayer for you and your lovely readers is that you will not allow the enemy to steal the joy that is rightfully yours as a child of God. Speak the truth of the gospel over yourself every day and ask God to give you His eyes to see yourself as He does.
 
“For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, butthe Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b
 
 
6. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
My current series, also set in Virginia, follows the Ashby family as they struggle to survive as the nation and their family are torn apart by America’s Civil War. Surrendered Hearts examines what happens when God calls us to surrender those things we hold most dear. Characters are called to sacrifice their dreams and ambitions, their pride, and ultimately their hearts as God recklessly pursues each of them. Hearts and wills are challenged, and lives transformed as characters experience restoration with one another and with God. Here is a little teaser for each of the books in the series.
 ​
Saving Jeremiah Stone -- A man crippled by War. A woman called to heal. But can she save Jeremiah from himself?
 
Resurrecting Asa Campbell – Sometimes you have to die before you can live again.
 
Redeeming Madelyn Ashby – A dream forfeited. A heart betrayed. Can love be ransomed from deceit?
 

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1. What inspired the idea to write My Israel Trail?
I thought others might enjoy vicariously joining me on a walk through the Land of Milk & Honey. And more, I thought others might perhaps benefit from the personal growth I experienced on the hike, the lessons learned which helped me complete the trek and meet and overcome the personal challenges I was facing (recovering from my devastating divorce).

2. What did you as an author take away from writing My Israel Trail?
It was almost harder (certainly longer!) than the actual hike. The writing consolidated my thinking, and certainly reinforced, and planted even more deeply with my consciousness, the lessons I learned and wrote about. I find myself more patient, tolerant, optimistic and focused as a result of the writing (as well as the trek itself.)

3. What type of research did you to so you could write My Israel Trail?
Well… I walked the entire length of the Land of Israel – that’s sort of a ‘practical research’ aspect, no? Otherwise, I did look up sources for the quotes and historical references I made in the book (to assure accuracy). But it’s a memoir, so not really relevant imho….

What did your writing process for writing My Israel Trial look like?
Went through many phases. I tried to dedicate 8 hours a day for a few months; then 4 hours every morning as I completed and re-edited the work. I ‘borrowed’ a room in a neighbor friend’s home and disconnected from the Internet to reduce home/house-related distractions, and took a week’s writing retreat on the Golan at friends who own a B&B. And I periodically took long walks in the countryside to re-kindle the feeling of the trek and remind myself of the pace and feel of the hike.
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4. What is your current WIP? What can you tell us about this project?
The lessons I learned on the Trail and which helped me move on with my life are incredibly applicable to our conflict here in the Middle East. I had originally included these applications to develop a radically new approach to resolving the Arab-Israel conflict, but my publisher (rightly) suggested we leave this to another book. So… When My Israel Trail becomes a bestseller (!) I expect to publish a companion, or follow-on, applying the themes of the book to our situation. (I published an article along these lines a year ago – see here.)

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1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I honestly don't really know! It just felt like what God wanted me to do, so I set out to do it! (That's a terrible answer, isn't it??) 

2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Do these authors inspire your own writing?
I am trying to purposely read authors who write very differently from me right now... Liane Moriarty is a masterful storyteller, and I want to be her when I grow up. I am also loving Kristy Woodson Harvey, who I've just discovered. But then I have some favorites whose books are similar to mine (Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, Denise Hunter) who inspire me as well. Mostly when I read a good book, it makes me excited to jump back into my story again! 

3. What top 5 books do you currently have on your TBR pile?
Funny! I just posted something about this on my Instagram stories because my TBR pile is SO big! Here are five (of many!) I'm hoping to read: 
1) Secrets of Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey
2) Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt
3) No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert
4) Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano
5) The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay 

4. If you could go to lunch with one of the characters from Just Let Go, who would it be and why?
I think I would like to go to lunch with Judge. He's got so much wisdom, I'd like to soak it all up. But also Grady because...I mean...good-looking Olympic skier?! Yes, please. (But of course I'd bring my husband along!) :) 

5. What did your writing process for Just Let Go look like?
Angsty. LOL My writing process is always a little angsty. I'm not a plotter, so I basically have a loose outline and then fill in the blanks as I go. I always, always, get stuck around 30K words. It never fails. I have to go back to the beginning at that point. Sometimes I change the whole story or a major plot point. I am always second-guessing and praying and deleting and praying... you'd think I'd expect this process by now, but I'm always surprised when it happens. 

6. What inspired the idea for Just Let Go?
I got the idea for the title first, and I knew I wanted to write about letting go. After that, I had this image of Quinn as a little girl, sitting on the front porch, and I knew she was waiting for something. When I started asking questions--Who is she waiting for? Where have they gone? How does this shape her as an adult, I was able to learn more about her story. I began to fill in the blanks from there. There were very specific themes I wanted to explore, and my characters' journeys allowed me to do that. 

7. What did you as an author take away from writing Just Let Go?
Usually I'm writing to learn. In this case, learning about forgiveness and letting go was very therapeutic for me. I learned a lot about how to accept an apology you never got and how to move on, even when people who hurt you aren't sorry. I think that's one of the most difficult things for us as humans to do! 

8. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
My writing schedule is a little strange, and the book I'm working on now won't release until 2020... but I'll be writing another Harbor Pointe novel to release next year and I haven't quite settled on the details of that one yet because there are two heroines I REALLY want to write about! :)

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1. What kind of research do you do?
I’m still in the phase of writing what I know. I’ve been around awhile so there is still a lot in my life to draw from. J How long do you spend researching a book before you begin writing? Any research I do I usually do as needed. If I have a question about a medical condition, for example, I Google it while I’m writing and then use the information I discover when it’s appropriate.

2. What does your writing process look like?
I struggle with making time to write every day, so I have participated in NaNoWriMo twice and have had great success writing that way. It gets me going and committed to writing at least a little every day. Other than that, it seems like I can’t focus on writing until the dishes, laundry, and my other part time job are done. Once of these days, I plan to put writing first. Once I’m in the groove, it’s hard to stop, but I always take time out for my family.
In the sense of how a book comes to fruition, I write the rough draft, send it out to critique partners, revise, revise, and revise some more. Then I hire a professional editor, revise some more, and then work on cover art, back cover copy, and book description. Finally it’s ready for publishing.

3. Do you have a day job?
I have a very part time bookkeeping job for a company in Hawaii that I used to work full time for. I work from home and remote into their computers. It’s a little silly because I only work one day a week for a couple hours, but I like to keep the connection to Hawaii. Do you like it? I’m a bit weary of bookkeeping. I’ve done it for over 30 years. Writing is much more fun!  Does it ever get in the way of your writing? Not really. I don’t have enough work for it to get in the way.

4. Do you enjoy book signings?
I’ve only been to one book signing and it was a mass signing at a writer’s conference. Honestly, it was more interesting talking with authors whose books I’ve read than the actual book signing. It would be interesting to do a book signing at a book store. I still think it’s kind of funny that anyone would want my autograph.

5. What of your books was first to get published?  How did it feel when you finally had your first book published?  What did you do to celebrate?
My first published book is called The Triple-Date Dare.
Since I published it myself, it was a quiet press of the computer key that finally published the book on Amazon. I was adequately stupefied. It all seemed so unreal until I met other authors who were just normal people like me, and I realized I could be part of that community.

It was in the middle of the Christmas holiday season, so my celebration was limited to acknowledging the event at dinner and lots of support from my family and friends. I did a big post on Facebook, though!

6. What inspired the idea for Building a Life?
My husband is a builder and I’ve been surrounded by building ever since we met over 40 years ago. He’s told me for years that I could probably run a building project since I’ve been involved in the building of so many of my own homes. The actual story came to me suddenly while I was on my way home from work when we lived in Hawaii. I remember the exact place in the road when I had the thought. I firmly believe Heavenly Father helps me come up with story ideas. It truly just popped into my head.

7. What did you as a writer take away from writing Building a Life?
I wrote this book during a NaNoWriMo month. Every day I sat down at the computer and although I had a general outline, the details of the story were vague to begin. As I would write, the characters took the story line in their own hands and I simply followed. There are many parts to this story that I feel wrote themselves. That’s the miracle of writing for me and this book amazed me in that way. Every book isn’t that way, but I love the writing process and the inspiration that comes as the story unfolds.
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8. What is your current WIP? What can you share with us about it?
My current WIP is called Daisies in the Driveway.  It’s about two unrelated grandchildren who take over their grandparents’ bed and breakfast and campground so the grandparents can retire and get married. The story centers around the younger generation learning the ins and outs of running the Inn and the campground and the various problems along the way as they fall in love with each other.

Lindsay A. Franklin is a best-selling author, award-winning editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She lives in her native San Diego with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder of a husband, their precious geeklings, three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following. You can learn more about Lindsay on her website.

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​1. What is your favorite dessert?
This is the hardest question anyone has ever asked me. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I have a terrible sweet tooth. I like ALL the desserts. Today I feel like pumpkin pie, but tomorrow, it might be a white chocolate orange cupcake. Mmm.

2. What is your beverage of choice?
Coffee and tea! If not those, usually water.

3. What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?
Gah! I'm a person with 50 different "favorites" of everything. But if I had to pick one, I'd say Sherlock is my favorite TV show of all time. And I can watch the Lord of the Rings movies over and over without getting sick of them. 

4. Where is your favorite place to go on holiday?
London. When I last visited, I was ready to move my family halfway across the world and stay forever.

1. Who or what inspired you to become an author? 
I've been telling stories and writing them down as long as I can remember. But writing never occurred to me as a career option. I wrote my first novel when I was eleven and I still didn't understand writing was what I was supposed to do with my life! I had the most amazing English teacher my junior year of high school. She was highly educated and could have been a professor at a university, easily, but she chose to teach high school. In her class, I think it finally clicked for me how deeply impactful literature could be in a person's life. It took another eight years for me to realize I had the ability to create said literature, but I don't know that I ever would have realized the worth of that gift if not for my awesome American Lit. teacher.

2. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did becoming an author ever cross your mind?
I had a whole career path mapped out from the time I was in elementary school, which is probably why being a novelist never occurred to me. I was going to become an attorney and enter politics. Then I would be the first female president. Obviously. The older I got and the more I saw the binary nature of American politics, the less attracted to that field I became. Though I loved almost all subjects in school, I switched my focus to English and wanted to be an English teacher in my later teens.

3. Who are some of your favorite authors?  Do these authors inspire your own writing?
Oh, what a question. I loved the weirdness of L. Frank Baum's imagination in the Oz books as a kid. My favorite book in childhood was Lynne Reid Banks's The Farthest Away Mountain. I read children's fantasy constantly, then switched to classic literature and literary fiction in my teens, so I have a weird gap in my fantasy-reading background that I've been working on filling in. I love Jane Austen's snarky sense of humor. In my teens, I felt like J.D. Salinger was the only person on the planet who understood me (angst, you guys). And I like Steinbeck and Poe and Hemingway and Charlotte Bronte. J.K. Rowling blows my mind with her world-building and her ability to write friendships. Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga is delightful and funny, and then sneaks up and punches you in the feels (in a good way). There are so many great storytellers out there. But I remember the moment in my writing journey when I realized I was allowing myself to be influenced too heavily by all the stories I love, and it occurred to me that I hadn't figured out what stories I wanted to tell or how I could tell them in a way that was uniquely me. That was a game-changing moment in my life and career. So I'd say I admire my favorites deeply (I haven't even listed half of them here!) but I make a point to preserve that which is unique to my own stories and the way I tell them.

4. When you are not writing, what other "hats" do you wear?
My biggest "hat" is my wife and mom hat. My day job is freelance editing, and I also homeschool my three kids part time. They're getting older and more independent now, and after eleven years of homeschooling exclusively, they are enrolled in part-time classroom programs at our excellent local charter school. And my oldest is taking college classes. *wail.*

1. What inspired the idea for The Story Peddler? 
I was sitting in a workshop at a writers' conference, and an acquisitions editor for a large publishing house was explaining her role in the publishing process beyond what aspiring writers typically saw her doing (rejecting our pitches, mostly). She talked about how she understood our struggles in pitching because whatever tiny handful of stories she liked and wanted to acquire, she had to turn around and pitch those projects to the publishing board, including sales team members, marketing folks, and executives. She made a little throwaway comment at the end of that explanation--something like: "I have to peddle your stories to executives. At the end of the day, I'm just a story peddler." Then she moved on to something else I didn't hear because my fantasy brain went wild with that phrase. I thought of what a "story peddler" might look like if we added a little wonder and a sprinkling of fairy dust to the equation. Then I imagined a story around it, and the rest is history.

2. What do you want readers to take away from reading The Story Peddler?
Creativity is a gift that reflects God, and everyone has it in some measure. We might express it through story, art, song, or on stage, but we might also express it by building things, designing things, growing things, or even figuring out a solution to a difficult problem. There are a lot of threads in The Story Peddler fabric--humor, heartache, magic, intrigue, politics, adventure, coming-of-age, the search for purpose, and even a little romance--but I think this celebration of human creativity is at the core of the story. 

3. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
Ooh, I'm not sure if I've announced this publicly yet, but... I'm working on the second book in The Weaver Trilogy, and it's titled The Story Raider. Avoiding spoilers for The Story Peddler, I'll just say that The Story Mage follows a desperate quest around the world as the veil between my heroes and the darkness haunting them grows ever thinner. Lives and the future of the empire hang in the balance--naturally! 

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1. What are the top 5 books you currently have on your TBR shelf?
1)Heart of the West by Penelope Williamson
2)Captain Rockford’s Reckoning by Susan Lodge
3)The Truth about Love by
4)Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings
5)Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano
 
2. If you could go to tea with one of the characters in To Love a Spy, who would it be and why?
I would love to have lunch with Lord Camden. Not only is he a handsome hero, but he worked undercover in France for seven years before returning to England. He would have the most amazing stories! After all, being a spy is fascinating. Being a good-looking Lord is just a bonus!
 
3. What inspired the idea for To Love a Spy?
After writing the first two books of the series, it became clear that Kate needed her own happy ending. She felt she was the ignorant sister, disrespectful daughter, and a disobedient wife. Regardless of her trauma, the French spies were up to their usual tricks. They had infiltrated Parliament and were attempting to pass a bill that would end all funding for the war against France.
 
4. What do you want readers to take away from reading To Love a Spy?
Hope. Strength. Love. Also, ladies don’t always need dashingly handsome lords to rescue them; they can save themselves.
 
5. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about this project?
A Tangled Ruse, book #4 of The Beckett Files Series. It is in the hands of my editor and it is amazing! It continues the French story arc and has a swoony love story. It revolves around Lady Rachel and Eliza’s older brother, Lord Downshire. Plus, it is based in Rockcliffe, Scotland.

1. What do you like to snack on when you are writing?
I have found having an ample supply of Dr. Pepper around makes me super happy. And a Happy Writer has a Happy Life. 

2. About how long does it typically take you to write a novel?
Generally, it takes about two months to write a novel, because my kids like to be fed three meals a day.

3. What advice would you give an aspiring author?
Keep writing. You will stop and doubt yourself but keep writing. Also, not everyone is going to like your work, and that is OK. 

4. What inspired the idea for A Peculiar Courtship?
A Peculiar Courtship is the 2nd book in The Beckett Files and revolves around Lord Jonathon and Lady Hannah. 

5. What do you want readers to take away from reading A Peculiar Courtship?
I want the readers to enjoy the book and get lost in the witty banter and swoony love story.