Each Love Story can be read as a standalone. There are some shared characters throughout the books (siblings, friends, etc.) Closely related books are often distinguishable by similar covers. The book order so far is as follows:

Premiere
Candidate
Taste
Reserved
Stirred
Vacancy
Playbook
Exposure
Brew
Smooth

What is that saying? It’s like choosing my favorite child. Cade is my current favorite because I’m writing his story.

My daughter plays this game called Kiss/Marry/Kill. I’ll answer in that format so I don’t have to choose one.
Kiss – Dane (Playbook) Marry – Boyd (Brew) Kill – Peter (Premiere)

Again, it is usually the one I am working on because the details are so fresh in my mind. I’m currently writing Tap and I love Sistine, as in can’t wait to spend time with her and see what comes next, love.

Females that stand out for me are Meg (Exposure), Kate (Candidate), and Anna (Playbook). I also liked Hollis (Vacancy) because she was pretty unlikable at times and made me work for every chapter.

Um… no. In fact, I am an infamously bad cook. My children each have their favorite remember-when-Mom-made story.

I do love to eat though and I believe so many great moments in life happen around a table. Friends and family often hash it out over food and drink so I’m drawn to those settings. And, I love to eat. Did I mention that already?

I have a hard time with favorites, but here goes.

As a reader, I like friends to lovers and sometimes the similar unrequited love trope. I enjoy the history, the dance around, and near misses that lead to that moment when one or both find out or spill their feelings. Sigh. I will hang on for well over half a book for that moment. 

Enemies to lovers is another good one provided the dialogue is on point and it takes them awhile to work through their issues. I can’t do E/L if they are in bed after one meeting. Their conflict and attraction need to be believable for me to hang on. I think this is a tough trope to write, but when it’s done well they are some of the most memorable stories.

I have also been known to favor some good Alpha, well-crafted fake engagements, which I think are best with a friends to lovers component, and I like fish-out-of-water when they’re funny. 

As a writer, I am drawn to friends/lovers because there is history to pull from, although that sometimes gets me into trouble. I am a recovering flashbacker so I remind myself to stay eyes-forward.

I write a lot of the opposites attract trope. It allows for individual character work, which is my favorite. And I love connecting the dots to their similarities and eventual HEA.

The most interesting place I have been to so far is Hong Kong. It was a bit of a culture shock, which I enjoy. At the same time, most things were in English so I rarely had to break out my translator.

The rush and energy are similar to other cities I have traveled to, but the markets and the temples left me with grand memories. I climbed 268 steps to Tian Tan Buddha, which I was surprised to learn was completed in 1993. It feels older. Oh, and Hong Kong was the first place I’d ever been where vendors sold mesh bags of live frogs. Definitely wins for most interesting so far.

The second part of this question is harder for me because there are so many places left to see. Top on my list would be Jodhpur, Rajasthan in India. It’s known as the blue city and they make what look like amazing omelets. I need to go there. I would also love to spend a month in South America.

If I’m sticking close to home, I would love to visit Nantucket and Louisiana. I’ve never been to either.

These are both questions that elicit the full spectrum of answers from writers. I will say first that there isn’t a right or wrong response, only what works for each writer. Here’s what works for me.

I try to stay away from reader reviews. Not because I don’t care what readers think or that I don’t appreciate them taking the time to comment, but the review is not for me. By the time most people have read my books, my work is done.

If I were doing something with a right or wrong answer, I would tune in to find out if I got it right, but the like or dislike of a story is subjective. One reader’s “best book ever,” is another reader’s “don’t bother.”

Besides, readers should have a place to talk amongst themselves. Reviews are their space to do that and while I will admit to peeking, I do not feel I should be there.

So, for those reasons and a dash of self-care, I stay away. I do have a wonderful assistant that reads reviews and shares some of them with me, as well as readers who reach out personally.  Those are spots of sunshine.

Second part. I don’t know how to write what readers want and sometimes I don’t think they know what they want until they read it. 

I have read so many books that took me on a journey I never knew I’d enjoy. Stories full of surprise and learning. That’s what storytellers do. They take your hand and lead you down a path. I think it would be boring if it was a path I helped pave. 

That being said, as a writer of love stories, I do promise a happy ending. Real life is messy. So if a reader is going to trust me enough to walk my path, I try to be careful with them until they’re delivered safely home.

Jack Jack Cutie Face, that is his AKC registered name, is my sweet and wonderful dog. He is a Brittany, which means he loves being outdoors.

He is my calm and at the risk of sounding cheesy, my best friend. You might see pictures of him from time to time on Instagram.

Fun fact: Garrett (Stirred) has a Brittany who rides shotgun in his truck. His name is Jack and that book was dedicated to, you guessed it, Jack.