When I first dreamed up the Sweet Dreams series, I was so excited to have discovered a truly unique idea. YA cozy mysteries! Brilliant! I knew it would be a hard sell doing it the way I wanted, namely, keeping the books short like the young adult … [Continue reading]
Subverting Tropes in YA Fiction
Posted on July 24, 2024 ·
Tropes are recurring character types and plot devices often specific to a genre or readership. They can be an important part of the genre’s identity and as comforting as a well-worn blanket to devoted readers. Some are non-negotiable; for example, a … [Continue reading]
Sweet Surprise: Happy Book Birthday to My Debut Cozy Mystery!
Posted on July 15, 2024 ·
Today I am THRILLED to announce the publication of my debut cozy mystery, Murder by Milkshake! If the title seems familiar, that’s because I first published it in installments years ago on Amazon’s serialized story platform, Kindle Vella. Murder by … [Continue reading]
Read My New Essay in Five Minute Lit
Posted on June 29, 2024 ·
My children are much older now than when I started writing motherhood essays, but the milestones continue. Here's my latest for Five Minute Lit, on navigating the spaces left behind when a child leaves home. Also, congratulations to Allie, who won … [Continue reading]
Read the Reviews for What Was Never There, and Enter the Giveaway!
Posted on June 7, 2024 ·
The reviews are in, and I couldn't be happier at the reader response to What Was Never There! I am so appreciative of each and every reviewer who took the time to read this collection and generously write about it. Check out the highlights on … [Continue reading]
The Fourth Wall—Ten Years Later
Posted on May 18, 2024 ·
This month marks the ten-year anniversary of The Fourth Wall. In honor of the occasion, I reread my debut novel for the first time since 2018. It was an illuminating experience—so much time had passed, it felt like I was reading someone else’s book. … [Continue reading]
Launch Interview for What Was Never There!
Posted on May 3, 2024 ·
Image courtesy of Women on Writing I’m over at The Muffin today, where my long-time tour manager, Crystal Casavant-Otto, is kicking off the reviews tour for my short story collection, What Was Never There. You can sign up for the Reader Review … [Continue reading]
What Was Never There is Going on Tour
Posted on April 3, 2024 ·
What Was Never There is going on tour! Beginning May 3rd, tune in to Women on Writing for giveaways, interviews, and reviews on my winter release, a collection of literary short stories. Although What Was Never There was published a year and a … [Continue reading]
Happy Spring Break, and Happy Reading!
Posted on March 15, 2024 ·
Spring is in the air, bringing the scent of orange blossoms, the warmth of sunny afternoons, and a season full of bookish promise. There’s a new Simone St. James’ murder mystery in March, a Stephen King short story collection in May, and another … [Continue reading]
What If I’d Stayed Home?
Posted on February 24, 2024 ·
It's a rainy Saturday in February and I'm sitting in my car, in an empty parking lot, with a notebook in my lap. Usually I go to the coffee shop on weekend mornings to write, but today I'm feeling a little under the weather. I probably should have … [Continue reading]
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