When did you first start writing?
I liked to write stories and plays as a child. The first story I remember writing was the tale of Daisy the Horse-Farm Horse, in 2nd grade. I also wrote a play about Sir Francis Drake when I was in the 4th grade, and my very awesome teacher, Mrs. Garrity, allowed me to perform it for the class. The scene with the storm at sea was very exciting!
Starting in 5th grade, I became more of a music person, and ended up getting two degrees in music before becoming a stay-at-home mom with my oldest son. I decided at that time I was ready for a new intellectual challenge, so, since I'd always loved to read and had trouble finding the kinds of romantic fantasy novels I wanted to read, I decided to start writing my own. That was more than twenty years ago, and now, with ebook self-publishing, the time is finally right for me to start sharing my stories with the world!
What's the story behind your latest book?
My current project is Mage of Storm and Sea, a four book series (three novels plus a prequel) set in the same world as my Wildings series but in a different time and place, the Islands of Silas's ancestors. The core of the main character, Esavas, a scholarly mage who is forced to fight in a war because of a connection he has to the villain, was inspired by a book I enjoyed in high school in the 70s. I always wanted to know what happened to the main character next, but no sequel was ever published. So I built a new character based on that core concept, set it in my own series world, and added the romance I wanted so much for the hero to have!
Winds of Magic (book 1) and Sea of Magic (book 2) are currently available. Dreams of Magic, the prequel, is currently only available by subscribing to my email newsletter; it will be coming to stores later this year. Storm of Magic (book 3) is in edits, and will be released later this year.
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