Annie, thank you! I’m very glad to be here and appreciate you and your readers helping me to celebrate the launch of my third “baby,” High As The Heavens! Currently I hail from Washington state, near Seattle, where I live with my husband of 38 years and my sweet, but persnickety feline, Coco. We have a grown son and a grandson who live nearby. I’ve published poetry, travel articles for our local paper, and I’ve been novel writing for many years. Five years ago, after much persistence and surrendering to God’s direction, I finally contracted with Bethany House to publish my debut novel, For Such A Time. I enjoy daily walks, RV camping, and watching my rose garden grow. And in the evenings when I’m not reading or writing, I love to take control of the remote and watch my DVD collection of BBC favorites like Downton Abbey, Pride & Prejudice, Wives and Daughters, and I’m looking forward to Season 3 of Grantchester! 

I love writing about history and it seems, about stories set during wartime. I think the draw for me is learning about people who rise beyond themselves in a crisis, like war; doing heroic deeds or making sacrifices they might not otherwise make. They become larger than life, and I find that very inspirational for plotting my stories.

This story required months of research, and it was a challenge to write because of the circumstances my characters find themselves in at the novel’s beginning. My heroine, Eve, also struggles with a haunted past and her ability to forgive in a time when nothing seems forgivable. It was an emotional story to write, but a labor of love as well. I hope readers will enjoy it! 

I enjoy the aspect of intrigue, and after writing about spies and touching on the fate of the infamous female spy, Mata Hari, in Not By Sight, I decided to explore more about the espionage of the Great War. I was led to read some amazing tales about ordinary people doing extraordinary work for the Allies behind enemy lines, and I felt compelled to share in part some of their story.

5. As you know, I'm a big fan of both For Such A Time and Not By Sight, what are some similarities or differences between them and High As The Heavens? 

As far as similarities, each of my novels has a strong female protagonist and a wounded hero—either physically, emotionally, or both. I think that’s because I love the Beauty and The Beast romantic trope the best. As for differences, Grace Mabry in Not By Sight deals with her share of danger, but Hadassah in For Such A Time and Eve in High As The Heavens live among the enemy. The stakes feel much higher and the risks they take greater. 

High As The Heavens does contain a few surprises, so I’ll just say for now that I enjoyed writing the budding romance between my hero and heroine, and there are one or two “colorful” secondary characters that still make me smile. :-)

Actually, one of my characters from Not By Sight is in High As The Heavens, and you’ll have to read to find out who. ;-) My next novel will also involve another character from Not By Sight. Beyond that...who knows? I have more stories in my head for several of them!

Are you kidding me??!!!! I'll need to find out now. I wonder if I'll figure it out or not?!

Eve’s best friend, Madeleine Arthur, from High As The Heavens 

My heroine, Eve, is a nurse by day, a waitress by night, and works as a spy. So, how to capture her on the cover? I had no real idea. I use a secret board on Pinterest to post various images of my novel’s “vision” and then share that with my editor and Bethany House’s graphic artists. I was so impressed with what they came up with! They hadn’t even read the story and yet captured Eve’s essence perfectly.

I think all of my books carry little a piece of me, it’s just part of an author’s writing process. Still, I’d probably choose Grace Mabry from Not By Sight as being the most similar to my personality type. She’s impassioned about her causes and always tries to be in charge! ;-D

I usually enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, red or white, depending on the meal. And red goes best with dark chocolate! ;-)

Coffee nips. 

I’ve been blessed to be able to visit many places, here and abroad, but Greece touched my soul. I’d love to go back and visit again one day.

I have a library loft upstairs that looks out on our bay. Being surrounded by books and nature’s beauty is wonderfully inspiring!

I love reading the adventures of Henry Huggins and his dog, Ribsy, in the series written by Beverly Cleary. A few years after that, I became completely immersed in Nancy Drew mysteries!