I can't call this inspiration but...I'm all but forced out of bed! I've got one kid still living at home, not to mention several furry creatures who raise a ruckus if I'm not out of bed by a certain time. The real question should be be what inspires me to stay out of bed, because I do love sleep.

Some days, though...only coffee keeps me from diving back under the covers.

It seems like at birth...but in reality, I wrote my first couple of stories in 3rd or 4th grade. I was always telling myself stories in my head, way before I started writing them down.

I get to play in worlds that aren't this one.

One thing about those worlds is that when bad things happen, I can find some sort of justice in the confines of the stories I tell. That doesn't always happen in real life.

In writing, the shy, less confident girl can find her inner strength. The victim can become the warrior. And writing stories like these hopefully touches people out there who've been in situations where they struggled to do just that...find their strength, find their warrior.

My JC Daniels' story are primarily UF. I'd initially attempted traditional publishing with them, but didn't have any success so I decided to self publish them on my own. They've done very well.

The first book I independently published was called BEG ME, and yes...I used Smashwords. It was several years ago, before indie writing took off the way it has. The book pushed boundaries with my epub, but I didn't want to soften the aspects of the story because it would change it too much. So I did it on my own. It did great.

The world! I can write for myself, but if readers aren't there to read to my work? Well, something's missing...and I don't just mean a paycheck, although...we have to honest, paychecks are important. I want my stories to get to people, to matter...to entertain and the support from my readers is just...amazing.

I'm working a romantic suspense idea...an assassin who is asked to kill the sister of a cop, and instead saves her. I had the idea when giving a workshop, DRAW ME A STORY. The participants were asked to use a picture as inspiration to write a story and as an example, I picked a picture of a guy, dressed all in black, standing in the rain and holding on somebody, staring down at the somebody on the ground. I asked people if they saw a hero or a villain. I went with reluctant hero and spun a story from there. I've used the example five or six times and finally decided to write the story. I might do it with a writing partner or just solo. I'm not sure yet!

I've gone through a rough spate lately with depression following my brother's suicide, but I'm hoping to get to work on the next book in my Kit Colbana series soon.

After that, I've got a new world I want to explore.

This is such a hard question... I love Nalini Singh, Jeanniene Frost, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, JD Robb, Mark Greaney & Gregg Hurwitz...for starters.

It varies. Sometimes, it's recommendations from friends. Other times, I'll see one being discussed on social media. And then from to time, it's just a cover that grabs me.

Well, naturally, I love to read, because...well, who doesn't? I heard reports that some people don't like to read, but I can't fathom that concept.

I love photography, but haven't spent much time on it lately.

I've also recently developed a fascination with zombie movies and flicks on Netflix.