What was the last book that you read that you’d now recommend?

I read It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey and absolutely loved it. I’m a big Schitt’s Creek fan so it was the Alexis inspired story I needed. 

Have you read any classics lately that you were reading for the first time?

Funny you should ask. I just read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. It was very good though overly wordy for my tastes and attention span. 

Do you re-read books? And if yes, what was your last re-read?

Yes. One million percent yes, I re read books. I absolutely love The Search by Nora Roberts, as well as The Witness and Angels Fall, also by her. I have pieces of them memorized because I’ve read them so many times. My last reread, however, was Midnights by Rainbow Rowell. Such an adorable story. 

What are your go-to genres?

I love contemporary romance and cozy mysteries. Now and again, I’ll fall into a really good thriller by Sandra Brown, James Patterson or Tess Gerritsen. 

What is your favorite childhood book?

I was obsessed with the Sweet Valley High series and V.C. Andrews as a kid. 

What books are on your bedside table right now?

Oh, I love this question. Let’s see: two Matt Haig non-fiction books, Alexa Martin’s Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes, Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Weather Girl and Lori Foster’s Watching Over You. 

Do you bookmark or dogear your page in a book?

I do both. My favorites are dogeared in spots I loved. 

What is your ideal reading setting?

Music playing in the background, typically Taylor Swift or Old Dominion. Icy cold bottle of Diet Pepsi at my side, curled up with a warm and cozy blanket in my oversized circular chair with my family close by but otherwise occupied. 

Tell us about your favorite indie bookstore?

I live in a small town and we have an amazing store called The Book Man.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

I think the first time was when I wrote a poem at age 11. I shared it with my brother and he loved it so much, he asked me to write him out a copy. I felt very cool and special. It was a really bad poem lol. 

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

I’ve been to Powell’s in Portland and that was an amazing experience. I love the Chapters on Robson in Vancouver and there’s an adorable bookstore in Duncan on Vancouver Island. I wouldn’t say I set out to these places for the books but they were definitely a highlight. 

Where do you get most of your writing and editing done?

I have a beautiful office but it’s downstairs in my house and I get cold easily so I tend to write at my kitchen table or in my circular chair. Which is probably why I have such bad shoulders. I do more editing in the office. Maybe it’s my serious workspace. 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both. I tend to get energized with the writing piece and exhausted with the editing piece. I’m trying to be better about the editing—trying to see it as this chance to really push the story to higher heights but sometimes I just get moody and think, why didn’t I write it right the first time 😊 

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

Hmm…I have one full unpublished novel and several starter projects that I haven’t returned to. 

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

(Averts gaze) I do read them. I actually try really hard to think about what people are saying and see if I can learn from them to improve my story. There are times when the bad ones hurt or throw me off but I’m getting better at focusing on the good. 

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

I started writing professionally about ten years ago. I was so sure if I didn’t push myself almost to the point of exhaustion, I wouldn’t succeed. I told myself that I had to prove myself, had to show that getting an agent, getting a book deal wasn’t a fluke. For almost every area of my life, I’d like to tell me younger self to chill out a bit. 

When you’re not reading or writing, what are you doing?

Probably watching Friends. I’m a bit obsessed. 

What are your three favorite things right now?

Matt, Kalie, and Amy if we’re talking humans and Friends, Lego, and my chair if we’re talking inanimate objects. 

Your favorite travel destination and why?

New York City. It’s amazing. I’ve been twice and I can’t wait to go back. There’s so much life there. I also love Seattle but we haven’t been in a long time because of the pandemic. It’s so beautiful there and I love walking through Pike Place. 

What’s your favorite meal and go-to drink order?

My favorite meal is Greek salad with tzatziki and pita. We order it almost every week from a restaurant by our house. I love Diet Pepsi to the point of silliness but also love a perfect, ice-cold McDonald’s coke. 

What six people, living or dead, would you invite to dinner a party?

I would love to have dinner with Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Fallon, Michelle Obama, Nora Roberts, Taylor Swift, and Courtney Cox. 

If a movie was made of your life, what genre would it be, who would play you?

I think it would be a dramatic comedy and someone who can laugh at themselves, like Sandra Bullock or Jennifer Lawrence would encapsulate much of my personality. 

What’s the last TV show or movie you watched that was really good?

I really, truly enjoyed Disney’s Turner and Hooch. Our friend was in it which was our original reason for watching but my whole family ended up loving it. I’m also obsessed with The Rookie. 

You have to sing karaoke; what song do you pick?

Anything by Taylor Swift or a good classic from The Eagles. 

If you were being taken to a deserted island and could only bring one book, what would it be?

Can it be an anthology? Is that cheating? Nora Roberts should make an anthology of all my favorite books and then I’d bring that. Otherwise, likely The Search.