My writing process has evolved over the years. I started out as a panster, which resulted in my writing myself into corners that I couldn't get out of. So then I started writing a loose synopsis, with a lot of flexibility built in to change things up as I wrote. More recently, I have started doing a more detailed, chapter by chapter outline, which makes it so much easier when I sit down to write. Then it's a matter of setting up a writing schedule and committing to it until the book is done.

I read a lot of romance, obviously, but recently I have been reading a lot of psychological thrillers. Recent favorites include The Favorite Sister, by Jessica Knoll, and In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware.

I read almost exclusively on my Kindle Paperwhite. It's so light and portable, and is easy on my eyes.

My most valuable marketing tool by far is my mailing list. It's a great way to keep connected with fans and let them know what's happening. More recently I've been trying to be more active on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms, but I feel like I don't always have a lot to say. Too busy writing!

My desk is a big, gorgeous, century old teak desk from Indonesia. Right now it's fairly clean, with only a couple of piles of paper and files off to one side.

I grew up in Connecticut, and I spent a lot of time in Wyoming where my mom's family is from. That experience, spending time on a ranch in Wyoming and the surrounding areas, has definitely influenced my Big Timber series, which takes place in a small town in Montana.

I first dabbled in writing in junior high by writing fan fiction inspired by Judith McNaught's novels. I took my first stab at writing an original novel in college. It was a western historical romance that is now languishing, unfinished, on the hard drive of my old computer. I started writing in earnest in 2002, after I was laid off from my marketing job at a software company. I finished my first (still unpublished) book about six months later. I then went on to write 2 more novels and 4 novellas before I sold my first book, Delicious, in 2005.

My latest book, Something Just like this, is about Colleen Murphy, who has returned to her hometown of Big Timber, Montana, after a painful divorce. With her dreams of raising a family with a devoted husband in tatters, the last thing she’s looking to do is to get involved with another man. But then she runs into her old friend JT Osborn, and discovers that the awkward, chubby teenager she remembers has transformed into a serious hunk! She's convinced that love is no longer in the cards for her, but that doesn't stop her from giving into the serious chemistry crackling between herself and JT. But JT isn't going to be satisfied with Colleen as just a friend with benefits. He's bound and determined to prove to Colleen that love is worth the risk when you choose the right guy.

I was inspired to go indie by several different things, including witnessing my author friends' have tremendous success self publishing, and a lot of frustration with my editor and the whole traditional publishing process. I dipped my toe in the water by self publishing a series of novellas in between my traditionally published books. I was so happy writing and publishing on my own terms that when my contract was up with my publisher I went indie and haven't looked back.

I liken writing a book to training for and running a marathon. Those long training runs are grueling and leave you exhausted, but there is nothing like crossing the finish line. The training and slogging through it though is a necessary part of the process. Writing for me is kind of like that. Sure there are days that the story and characters are so vivid in my head that the words faster than my fingers can keep up on the keyboard. But there are many days where I struggle to bring my characters to life on the page. But the satisfaction that comes from typing THE END is like nothing I've ever experienced. It's so gratifying, it inspires me to start from scratch with new characters, a new story, and repeat the process all over again.

The fans are amazing, and have inspired me to keep going when I've been ready to throw in the towel. In the last few years, I experienced some huge challenges in my personal life, and there was a period of about a year that I was almost convinced I would never write another book. But every so often, an email from a fan would show up in my inbox, telling me how much she enjoyed my books and how she was eagerly awaiting the next one. The fact that my work meant enough to someone to inspire them to reach out to me meant so much, and reminded my that my work had a purpose and a meaning outside of myself.