I read almost everything on my Kindle Paperwhite.

My desk is actually two long white IKEA tables pushed together with a set of five drawers under each table. Technically, the second desk belongs to my husband for when he's working at home, but I tend to take over both tables...

My desk faces a window that has a shelf below it where I keep my journals (I have an obsession with journals) and my mini Pac-man game. The cat also lounges on the shelf and hogs the breeze through the window.

I like to keep the surface of my desk fairly tidy, but I often end up with sticky notes plastered to the top of it. I use two screens, a full size keyboard instead of my laptop keyboard, and I have an adding machine (I used to work in accounting!), as well as a big jar of pens and pencils on my desk. Under the desk is a horrendous mess of cords, the dog bed, and my dog.

I first started seriously writing in my early thirties. Before that I'd always written stories in my head, but never actually typed them out. I assumed everyone made up elaborate stories in their head and when I discovered that no, not everyone did, I was a little surprised. I started writing out the stories, eventually self-published, and before long I was writing full time and loving every minute of it.

I sent one novel to a small independent publisher and was promptly rejected with the standard, "it doesn't fit what we're looking for" answer. Before I could send it to the next publisher, I read an article about Smashwords and decided I liked the idea of being an indie author and having control over every aspect of my story (I'm not saying I'm a control freak, but I'm not saying I'm NOT a control freak). I love being an indie author, and love how many readers actively support us.

Smashwords was the first self-publishing platform I discovered and used. The easy-to-use interface, the prompt "human" replies to any questions or issues I've had, and the wealth of information they provide through free books, podcasts and blog posts have been invaluable to me as an indie author. I love how they're constantly updating and improving, and offering new opportunities for indie authors.

Simply getting to do what I love most on a daily basis. Not many people are lucky enough to be paid to do what they truly love, and the fact that I get up every morning, sit down at my desk and write is an extraordinary gift that I will never take for granted. There are always good days and bad days, of course, but just the act of writing, of getting my stories out of my head and onto the page for others to enjoy, is pure joy.

I tend to write on multiple manuscripts at the same time, unless I have a deadline that is approaching. If I'm working on a book and can't get a scene right, I'll switch to another book and write while my brain subconsciously works out the details of the first book. I also edit as I write.

I write at least three days a week with the other two days dedicated to admin work. I will, however, also write at least one day of the weekend for a few hours. In the morning while drinking my coffee, I read over what I wrote the day before and then edit it. I do a quick check of email and social media to answer any questions and respond to readers and then I write. I usually write in time slots of about an hour to two hours, take a fifteen to twenty minute break, and then write again.

I love reading biographies and I'm also a big fan of Stephen King so I read a lot of horror books. Romance as well, of course, but I first discovered Stephen King when I was thirteen and have been devouring his books ever since! It was not uncommon as a teenager to see a pile of Stephen King books and a pile of romance books sitting beside me on the couch.

Right now I am currently working on the fifth book in the popular Recruit Series and the second book in my new sci-fi romance series, "The Draax Series".

I spend most of my free time with my husband. We enjoy watching movies, exploring our city (in the warm weather!), and browsing antique shops. I like to meet other author friends for coffee at least monthly. I also volunteer with an animal rescue organization and usually end up with three or four litters of orphaned kittens each year. Bottle feeding and raising them takes up a great deal of my time during kitten season.

I have an amazing cover designer who, bless her, is used to my vague details and descriptions of what I'm looking for. I usually am able to give her an idea of the theme or feel of the cover that I'm looking for and she goes from there. Honestly, she does her own thing a lot of the time, and that just seems to work for us. We've worked together for years, so she had a pretty good idea of what I like and don't like for covers.