The first book I remember reading that really influenced me was *Mrs. Mike: The Story Of Katherine Mary Flannigan* by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. I was probably around 11 years old. It's a love story, a coming-of-age story, a warm and sometimes heart-breaking story about a young Irish woman from Boston and her Canadian Mountie husband. The struggles and trials they endure opened my eyes to other lifestyles and times. I wanted to be able to write like that, to have a real effect upon my readers and make them want more.

Aside from the obvious--that the cover should be appealing and enticing--I think it's important that the cover have relevance. Book covers should not mislead a reader by including false aspects. As a reader, I like covers that actually tell me something about the story. For the Beacon Point Romance series, all of the covers feature lighthouses as each story centers on or involves a lighthouse in some way. I have designed almost all of my book covers myself.

I currently read ebooks on my Android tablet (Samsung Galaxy One Note). For many years, I read on a Nook, and before that, the original Rocket e-Reader. I'm not opposed to reading on my phone, either!

Unfortunately, no one technique stands out. There is nothing better than word-of-mouth for marketing a book, so anything that encourages readers to recommend is a boon. Competition is fierce.

Ah. Well first off, it needs refinishing! I seem to have spilled everything from coffee to acetone on my oak work station. Because I also use it for my bookkeeping business, I have a printing calculator to my right, my "to do" (Inbox) to my left, a cup full of my favorite pens in front of me. On the wall I face is usually some visual aid to the writing of my WIP, such as photos of my "characters" and locations and such. UNDER my desk is a little floor heater. That and my coffee cup are my best friends when I'm writing.

I grew up and still live in Southern California, near Los Angeles. My first novels were all about movie stars. When I was in junior high school, my best friend and I hung out around the Hollywood studios watching for celebrities. We stalked them, walked their neighborhoods literally studying their lives. This was immensely helpful to me when I wrote STARCROSSED HEARTS, a big Hollywood romance about a love triangle between film stars!

I started writing in junior high (or middle school) - around 7th grade, when I took a Creative Writing class and decided I liked putting together words and forming stories. My teacher encouraged me to write short stories and poems. I think I have a couple of those tucked away in an old trunk in the garage loft.

In ANGEL'S GATE, a young Hopi man sets out on a quest to discover the answers to his late mother's secret past. In the process, he meets and falls in love with a funny, sometimes-psychic girl named Emelie, and the two of them become entangled in a modern day crime that actually has roots in 1942 Los Angeles. This story involves World War II, the removal of Japanese-Americans from San Pedro, and a 70 year old unsolved murder. ANGEL'S GATE is the fourth Beacon Point Romance, and features Angel's Gate (Los Angeles Harbor) Lighthouse as the central setting. Although fourth in the series, ANGEL'S GATE is a stand alone novel, as are all of the Beacon Point Romances.

Two things motivated me. One, the health challenges of my then publisher, and two, the realization that I had the ability to self-publish and earn a larger share of the profit. While self-publishing isn't for everyone--it's no walk in the park, to be sure--I had the experience of 11 or 12 years of being traditionally published and I was already doing the lion's share of my own promotion and marketing. So why not? I've never looked back.

Smashwords has made it possible for me to reach a number of important booksellers that would have been difficult or impossible to gain on my own. Their attention to detail and strict quality requirements have not only forced me to adhere to quality practices, but it also assures that my books are side-by-side with other well-published works. Reputation is paramount in this business.

The greatest joy of active writing is when the muse sits on my shoulder and whispers the words. When I can't type fast enough to keep up with the ideas. When I re-read and marvel that the words came from somewhere within me.

My favorite post-writing joy is hand-selling my books, and getting positive feedback. I'm still humble enough to be shocked when I hear from a reader about how much they enjoyed this book or that, or am questioned about "when the next one is coming out?" There's nothing more gratifying.