Welcome to the Bonus Features
Think of this as the ‘Director’s Commentary’ for my books. I am opening up the archives to share character secrets, the research that started it all, and the stories behind how these worlds came to be. Make yourself at home.
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Dannie Tinker’s story is a very special part of this series for me because she is a fighter. After growing up in care, she learned early on that survival is the only thing that matters. She’s sharp, guarded, and fiercely independent—the kind of character who doesn’t just break the rules, she dances on them.
Writing Dannie was a journey in exploring how someone who has been through so much learns to let their guard down. When Killian O’Neill explodes into her life, it’s a total war of wits. He is the polar opposite of her—bold, brash, and full of an energy that completely throws her off balance. I loved writing their dynamic because beneath all the smirks and the ego, there is a real connection waiting to be found.
For me, the heart of this book is about the courage it takes to trust someone when your past has taught you that trust is a luxury you cannot afford. Just as Dannie starts to peel back Killian’s layers and see the kindness underneath, her past comes back with a vengeance....
A Taste of Brandy is a story that holds a lot of emotional weight for me because it is about a woman navigating a life that feels like a total disaster. Brandy is carrying so much. She is dealing with an obsessed ex-boyfriend who won’t let go, while simultaneously facing the heartbreak of her grandmother fighting for her life.
What makes this story particularly complicated is Brandy’s situation with Ryan Hunter. He is her friend’s brother-in-law and someone who has been an acquaintance for a long time, yet he never truly saw her. In fact, he is the one who encouraged her to give his best friend, Rowley, a chance. Now Brandy has started dating Rowley and is trying to move forward, even though her heart is still firmly stuck on the man who set them up.
For me, the core of this book is about the moment someone finally looks past the surface to see what is truly in a person’s heart. As an unexpected turn of events brings Brandy and Ryan closer, their relationship shifts from distant...
Girl Code is the book that started everything for me. Cedella’s journey is emotional and sometimes messy, but that makes her feel human to me. She is strong in some situations and unsure in others. I think many readers relate to that mix.
I’ve had people tell me her struggle with confidence really hit home, and that means a lot. This book sets the tone for the whole New Beginnings series. It’s about friendship, growth and learning to value yourself, even when it feels difficult.
If you’re new to my books, this is the perfect place to start.
I’ve been thinking about the New Beginnings series, specifically the second book. It’s been my most popular release so far, and I think I know why.
When I wrote Gracie, I made her forty. She was starting over after twenty years of marriage and wasn’t looking for love at all. I know that for some readers, having a female lead in her 30’s and 40’s felt different than what they were used to seeing in romance.
But that’s exactly what I wanted to explore. The idea of starting over at that stage of life is powerful. Then you bring in someone like Callum, who has his own history of being burned, and you get a story that’s less about a first love and more about a second chance that actually matters.
Even though it’s the second in the series, you can read it as a standalone. I love how the characters from other books pop in and out, but Gracie and Callum’s story is really its own journey.
Every book is a journey that begins long before the first chapter is finished. Like many authors, I am often juggling the quiet work of writing with the noise of real life. Lately, I have been working behind the scenes on a new project, polishing scenes and making sure the emotional arcs land exactly where they need to.
One of the things I love most about writing romance is watching the characters grow beyond what I originally imagined. Even at this early stage, they have started talking to each other and revealing pieces of themselves at unexpected times. They are already arguing with me, and I am finding that a messy chapter is still progress. I cannot share their names or the title just yet, but watching them navigate their world has been a total surprise.
I have learned that writing in short bursts still counts. A paragraph on a busy day is a win. Those small steps add up beautifully, and I am currently brainstorming how these tiny details will spark the next story in my new romance...