I grew up in a small town in northern New Jersey. We lived by a lake and lots of woods. We spent our days creating adventures in the woods, and in the summer swam in the lake until our lips turned blue and our mothers called us out to warm up. Every Saturday was a trip to the library to pick out a stack of books.

Good question. Dh and I were having dinner at our favorite restaurant/bar and I said I needed to come up with a new series, something hot with a good hook. He considered that for a minute and then said, "How about, Bondage in the White House?" It's amazing how one line, or one picture can spark a complete story or, in this case, a series. We're both huge fans of Scandal, House of Cards and The West Wing, so it wasn't difficult to come up with ideas for Red Tape and the FLC series.

Erotic romance is my favorite. I also read science fiction, romantic suspense, and thrillers.

Actually, the opportunity dropped in my lap. I was enjoying, and still do enjoy, writing for my current publisher. I had a few projects that I felt weren't quite right for their readers and had planned to indie publish them. Then I was invited into a multi-author boxed set (Spice Box-16 Steamy Stories). They had one slot left, but I had to let them know immediately. Suddenly, I was an indie author. The single title Red Tape, a romantic suspense/BDSM, will be released after the boxed set comes off the shelves in August 2014. Although my indie books will be very sexy or erotic, the themes explored may be darker, edgier and more detailed in plot, subplots and characters.

Discovering an unexpected twist in a plot as I write. I love when I hear a reader say, "I never saw it coming."

Fans mean everything! I love hearing from them, and I take their feedback seriously. Readers became so fascinated with one antagonist in a book that I ended up redeeming him and giving that character his own book and love story.

I'm grateful for so many things. I'm up early everyday. I have a wonderful husband who is supportive of my career. He truly understands what it means to be a writer. Writers have their crazy moments while creating the stories. I love my job, but leave time for him too. That's important. The days go by in a flash. A night out, a weekend away with loved ones is so important. It's all about balance.

I do a brief outline with key turning points, write a one line blurb and a detailed synopsis, including the ending and get a basic feel for the main characters. Then I begin. Many times the story changes as I go. So I guess I'm not strictly a plotter or pantser, I'm a hybrid of the two.

Art is not a skill set I possess. I look as covers in the same genre and make notes on what I like and don't, and pass that on to the expert designer. And I always welcome suggestions. I would never design my own.

1. I appear quiet and shy until you get to know me.
2. I hate to shop, really hate it, but I love, love hot shoes.
3. I consider myself an adventurer. I've climbed pyramids, biked in marathons, worked as a dive master, traveled to Europe alone and skied on a glacier.
4. I got an A in Advanced Calculus, but I'm not so good with computers.
5. I love working out at the gym, and feel guilty if I miss a day.
6. I first started camping when I was 3 years old.
7. I've lived in New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania.
8. I've traveled to Ireland, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Guatemala, but never California.
9. I admire tattoos, but don't have any--yet.
10. I love floating in my pool with a drink and a book.
11. No eBook devices near my pool, only paper back.
12. Did I mention I can be accident-prone? See #11.
13. Cape Cod is one of my favorite places. Can't visit without having a lobster roll or two.
14. #14 is my lucky number. No idea why, it just is.
15. Pizza with a movie is the perfect date to me.
16. I like white wine, dry.
17. I love chocolate, all kinds.
18. While scuba diving, I once chased a reef shark to get a closer look. Bad idea. See #3.
19. I'm an erotic romance author who also has an interest in quantum physics.
20. I have the most amazing friends.
21. My next big trip will be Hawaii.
22. I like a wide variety of music from Yanni to Godsmack.
23. I love going to writers' conferences to meet readers and hang with writer friends.
24. I'm married to the most amazing guy who truly "gets" me as a person and a writer.
25. My absolutely favorite vacation spot is a beach, any beach, as long as there's an ocean with dh, of course. Happy Reading!!