--Conducted by Denise Fleischer


Before you began writing that first manuscript you were a teacher and play director. Tell us about this time in your life.

When I graduated there was a surplus of English teachers so my first job was actually as a business teacher at a state orphanage in Xenia, Ohio. I fell in love with the math teacher there and married him three years later. I left Xenia when I was hired to teach English at Wabash Jr. High School in Indiana. Then I moved back to where I grew up in Ohio, and there I taught English and high school speech. I've also directed high school plays and that was a lot of fun.


Did you write non-fiction articles before becoming a romance author?

Yes, I wrote non-fiction articles about my two daughters born with Down Syndrome. I also have written several articles on different aspects of writing for an online publication. Woman's World published a humorous true story, "An Unexpected Splash."


In your novel, No Greater Loss, your protagonist Dr. Jennifer Hunter has had a difficult time dealing with the loss of her husband and baby. What helps her to see beyond her grief?

Part of the reason she has difficulty in dealing with grief is because she blames herself  for their deaths. She also feels strongly that God wants her to remain single. After all, she lost both her husband and baby son within a short period of time. Although Luke definitely helps her to get over her grief, she isn't able to let go of her guilt completely until she experiences a life changing event.


How does Luke Brunsman enter her life?

A friend introduces Jennifer to Luke Brunsman and suggests she hire him to renovate her old farmhouse. Instantly attracted to Luke, she refuses the widowed contractor's help. But after Jennifer gets injured working on a fireplace, she gives in.


What inspired you to write the book?

Having five daughters inspired me to write about a strong, intelligent, and independent woman. I thought it'd be interesting to write about a Christian psychologist with a Sunday radio show dealing with women's topics. I wanted the psychologist to be great at helping her patients with their problems, but she wouldn't be able to help herself work through her own grief and guilt.

By the way, a lot of the remodeling mentioned in No Greater Loss is based on how we made our farmhouse more livable.


In A Fiery Secret Catherine Steel has earned the attention of an old boyfriend who resurfaces from her past and a killer. What split them apart years ago? What brought them together again? Will her investigating skills endanger her life?

Jake Michaels broke Catherine's heart ten years ago in high school when he failed to show up for their prom date. And now that he's back in town and working as a sports editor at the paper where she's an investigative reporter, he wants to date her.

Her investigating skills definitely put her in danger when the killer realizes she knows too much.


You have fashion buyer Kimberly Collins and high school senior Tori Moorhead escaping a burning plane in Never the Same. How does their experience with being so close to death change their lives? Why did you choose to reveal their stories? Do they support each other months after the crash or they never meet again?

After Kimberly and Tori walk away from the wreckage of a plane crash, their lives will never be the same again. Kim's priorities change, especially in the bedroom. She's thankful to be taken to another world - one of love and romance, not of smoke and death. When she decides she wants another child, her husband reveals his own shocking plans for their family.

After being so close to death, Tori struggles to make the right decisions for her baby and her future.

I chose to reveal their stories when I heard of a woman walking away from a plane crash and wanting to change her life. She decided to have a tube reversal so she could experience the miracle of life again. I thought how no one would be the same person after coming close to death. What if I survived an accident where many people died? Would I change my life? My imagination took this idea to develop the story for Never the Same.

Kim and Tori support each other after the crash and become very close.


Are you writing another book? If so, what is the premise of this one and who will the publisher be?

I just started a book about three sisters. I don't have a publisher for it yet, but will seek one as soon as I have more written.


Tell us about your life now as a mom and author.

We were blessed with six children. Two daughters, Christina and April, no longer live at home but are nearby in Cincinnati and have careers. Bart and Emily are in college. At home we have Sara and Amanda, born with Down Syndrome. When I started writing, all six were at home so now I have a little more time to write.

By the way, in my book, A Fiery Secret, there's a secondary character Miranda born with Down Syndrome. She was fun to write. I think it's important to show people with disabilities in a positive light. Miranda is actually based on my youngest daughter Amanda. She is a vivacious 17-year-old and brings great joy to our family.

My life as an author has changed greatly. Writing is a career to me now and no longer a hobby. Since I received three contracts in one month from Samhain, it's been an amazing and exciting coaster ride. I'm very happy to be living my dream of being a fiction writer.

I'd like to invite your readers to visit my website, to learn more about me as an author, read my book excerpts, enter my contest, and hear the latest news. You can also find a link to my blog at my website.


What writer's organizations do you belong to and how have you benefited from them?

I belong to the Romance Writers of America Association, and I just joined a couple of years ago. This was a big step in the right direction. Being a member of this great professional organization helped me to learn to focus on my writing career. After I did this, things started falling into place. I also belong to several online yahoo author groups where I've learned a lot from others about promoting and writing.

© gottawritenetwork.com
March 18, 2007