This week in The Loft: Author Gayle M. Irwin!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Gayle M. Irwin. Gayle enjoys incorporating her passion for pet rescue and adoption into her stories. A former editor and reporter  for the West Yellowstone News, Gayle has won three Wyoming Press Association awards for magazine writing. Now a freelance writer, as well as an author, she donates a percentage of her writing income, including book sales, to animal rescue and adoption organizations. Gayle's books range from children's stories to adult contemporary romance.

Author Gayle M. Irwin

S:  Welcome, Gayle! Thanks for joining me today!

Did you undergo any sort of educational or other preparation/training to become a writer?

G:  Yes. I studied journalism, creative writing, and public relations while attending college. My first job upon graduating with my bachelor’s degree was as a reporter for newly-formed weekly newspaper in western Montana. I went on to become the reporter and editor for the West Yellowstone News in West Yellowstone, Montana – the western gateway into Yellowstone National Park. I covered topics such as endangered species, introduction of wolves into the park, tourism, and the usual community news, including police reports, council meetings, etc. I also became a freelance writer, creating short stories for various publications, work that I continue doing today. I enjoy sharing stories, for newspapers and magazines, as well as in book form. I don't enjoy ambulance chasing, arrest records, and court proceedings, and therefore, no longer work as a reporter or editor. I like the creative aspect of writing, sharing human interest stories and providing encouragement and inspiration. Those are a few of the reasons I became an author. As an adult, I’ve taken a few college classes on creative writing and I’ve attended several writing conferences, in person and online. I’ve certainly grown as a writer during the past 30-plus years!

S:  (Laughs.) I spent a few years on the courts beat and then I became a lawyer! 

Complete this sentence: "As a writer, my dream is to..." 

G:  ...inspire, educate, and entertain, and to do so as a full-time author and freelance writer. Whether writing stories for magazines, sharing uplifting stories for children, or entertaining adult readers with clean romance, my goal is to put smiles on people’s faces, encourage them to turn the page with engaging content, and inspire them in various ways.

S:  Do you write in other genres?

G:  I’ve written children’s pet books that weave life lessons, such as courage, perseverance, and friendship, as well as Christian devotions for dog-lovers. I believe animals can teach people amazing life and faith lessons. Therefore, I use my passion for pets as a catalyst for my book writing, including my romance books.

S:  (Nods.) Children and pets. A perfect combination.

What is your favorite thing about writing romance? 

G:  I can relive my younger years and recall moments of romance, as well as envision romantic escapes that can and do happen. I enjoy creating various settings for romance, such as an evening meal, bistro-style, set up near a river with the moon and stars, and a few candles for light. That’s a scene I created for my book “Rescue Road.” I believe the outdoors creates opportunities for romance, whether walking hand-in-hand as snowflakes filter to the ground or a candlelight dinner on a patio. I like reminding people of the sweet and simple aspects of romance.

S:  Have you ever experienced what you consider the perfect romantic evening? Can you describe it? 

G:  I traveled to Victoria, British Columbia with a boyfriend. We enjoyed a meal at the Empress Hotel in that lovely city. We dressed in evening attire, strolled through the grand hallways, and ate a most delicious meal, being waited on to the extent of being given wet towels to clean our hands after the meal. Then we strolled outside in the crisp autumn air along the bay that came in from the Pacific Ocean. That was nearly 30 years ago and an evening I’ll never forget.

S:  That sounds lovely. A perfect romantic evening.

Why did you write "Finding Love at Compassion Ranch?" What was your inspiration?

G:  "Finding Love at Compassion Ranch" is based upon a real animal sanctuary in Wyoming. I’ve visited that place, called Kindness Ranch, a few times, and I am so impressed with their mission and their results. I wanted to create a story about a place that provides second chances for animals so that they have a life filled with love, compassion, and freedom. Both Kindness Ranch, the real place, and Compassion Ranch, my fictionalized version, takes in animals that have been used in research, many of which are trapped in small cages for years. I wrote this book about second chances, for both the human characters and the animal characters, because many of us experience second chances, including adopted animals. The setting and the theme tie in nicely together and as author, I have the opportunity to subtly educate people on the importance of pet rescue and adoption.

S:  Pet rescue and adoption is an important issue and it's great that you can bring attention to it with your writing. My nephew and brother work with a parrot rescue. They have gotten some rather interesting birds in there, but so far, nothing I can incorporate in my stories.

What about this story makes it special--to you? To readers?

G:  For me, the story, which is part of a series I called Pet Rescue Romance, is set in a beautiful part of the world--The Yellowstone National Park. "Finding Love at Compassion Ranch" is set in the state in which I live, Wyoming. For readers, I think this book is special because it’s based on a real place and because many dream of or do experience a second chance at love, whether because a spouseor partner dies or we get dumped by our previous spouse or partner. Or perhaps, we left a relationship. Or we knew a certain person in school and many years later that person comes back into our life. We all need second chances now and then, and so do adoptable pets. I enjoy tying the two together--second chances for the people and second chances for the pets.

Here's the blurb for "Finding Love at Compassion Ranch"--

A ranch like no other …

Erin Christiansen is still adjusting to life as a widow. She seeks additional healing by volunteering at Compassion Ranch, a sanctuary for former research animals. Upon arrival at the majestic and unique northwestern Wyoming ranch, she meets Mike, a man she knew in high school, whose compassion for animals and people might be the balm Erin needs.

Retired veterinarian Mike Jacobs is no stranger to loss. Five years after the accidental death of his wife, he now serves as ranch manager of Compassion Ranch. He not only fixes fence and provides tours, but he applies his veterinary skills and his heart for animals to his work. Upon recognizing Erin from high school, he can barely believe his first love will spend a few weeks at the sanctuary.

Can Erin and Mike span the years since they have seen each other or do they, like many of the rescued animals, have wounds that run too deep to trust and love again?

S:  Nothing like a second chance at love! Where can readers buy your book?

G:  It's available at all major booksellers, including--

Amazon/Kindle:  https://amzn.to/2AM7sLk

Amazon/Print: https://bit.ly/2XhZbq3_CompassionRanchPrint

Draft2Digital:  https://books2read.com/u/4j2RNZ

S:  Gayle, thanks so much for joining me today! If you'd like to learn more about Gayle and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/books/

Blog:  https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/blog/

Author Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/GayleMIrwin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wyoauthor1

Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/gaylemirwin

Today in The Loft: Fellow eXtasy author Tim Smith!

Joining me today in The Loft is best-selling author Tim Smith. Tim writes romantic mysteries and thrillers, as well as contemporary erotic romance for eXtasy Books. His novels featuring former CIA agent Nick Seven have garnered several awards and international critical praise. The prolific author is also a photographer, blogger, freelance writer, and editor. He can often be found tooling around the Florida Keys, in search of the perfect Pina Colada or parasailing. 

Author Tim Smith

S:  Good morning, Tim! I'm am so happy you could join me today.

Why did you become a writer?

T:  I’ve had an interest in writing since I was in high school, but I didn’t really pursue story writing until years later. I had gone through some life changes, and decided it was time to indulge my interest. I had an idea for a character and a story I wanted to tell, and finally told myself to either write the damn thing or stop talking about it. For once, I heeded my own advice. 

S:  (Smiles.) Some of the best advice you can give a fledging author is to "just do it." It starts with a single sentence.

Do you write full or part-time? Do you have another job or other responsibilities?

T:  I write full-time now, and have been able to for the past few years. I’m a freelance writer, editor and blogger, in addition to producing three new books a year. These consist of one full-length adventure in one of my ongoing series, a summer beach read, and a holiday romance. I don’t have another job to distract me from that, unless you count home maintenance. 

S:  Complete this sentence--"When I started writing books, I wish I had known..."

T:  …how much time and effort I’d need to put into marketing and promotions. I wish I had spoken to people with more experience in the field, because it’s very competitive and hard to know what works and what doesn’t. When I first became published, print books still dominated the field, and most writers didn’t have an online presence. Book signings and personal appearances were what you went after. When eBooks became the new standard, online self-promotion became a necessity just to keep up with the number of new books released each year. I had to catch up or get left in the wake.

S:  (Nods.) I began writing when social media exploded, so I not only had to learn how to market a book, but also how to navigate social media. I'm not sure I have figured it all out yet. Still, it does take a lot of time and effort.

Is there anything you wish you had done differently when you began writing books?

T:  I would have researched the market more thoroughly to identify the audience for my books. I primarily write romantic mystery/thrillers, with tough guy heroes getting into all sorts of adventures while finding romance along the way. That crosses over into several sub-genres, and it’s still hard for me to categorize my books when I release a new one. I think the other thing I would have done when I signed with my current publisher is change my name to something ambiguous. Being a male who writes straight contemporary romance under my real name has made it tough to get accepted. 

S:  More and more men are "coming out" as romance writers. I think it's a good thing. It brings a more authentic male perspective to romance.

What's your writing process?

T:  When I come up with an idea for an adventure story, I decide which of my two series characters it would best fit. Some of my plots may work well for a private eye, but not for a former CIA spook trying to live off the grid. When I begin writing, I typically have a beginning, middle, and ending in mind. Along the way, the plot might change as new ideas come to me. I’m not one of those writers who has to produce a certain quota of words per day, because I’m not that disciplined. It all depends on my mood when I wake up that morning.    

S:  (Grins.) You are certainly not alone. I can't force myself to write. If the words aren't flowing, I'll bake bread or take a walk down by the lake. My mind seems to know when it needs a distraction and I just go with it.  

Tell me about your new book, "The Big Fall?" What was your inspiration?

T:  In “The Big Fall” I wanted to put my hero, former spy Nick Seven, in a difficult position that he would have to get out of by using his skills and training. He’s being set up as the fall guy for a murder he didn’t commit, and in addition to proving his innocence, he has to unmask the real killer and motive. When you drop your hero into a situation like that, it’s fun to see how they’re going to get out of it. Some of my inspiration for this one came from current events and the crazy world we live in, where social media seems to influence everything.  

Here's the blurb--

Just when you think life can’t get much better, a crashing wave wipes out your sand castle. Former spies Nick Seven and Felicia Hagens are taking a break from Key Largo to visit a casino owned by Nick’s friend, Rock Bianco. An unexpected, nasty encounter with one of Nick’s former lovers turns disastrous when she’s killed shortly afterward. The police and the girl’s wealthy father are convinced that Nick did it, despite the lack of hard evidence. The billionaire industrialist wages an online smear campaign to make Nick look guilty, including sordid details from his past career in the CIA. The stakes become more personal when the fallout impacts Felicia, testing their relationship. Nick fights back, but why is the man determined to hold him responsible for his daughter’s murder? Who really killed her and why is their identity being shielded? Can Nick and Felicia resolve this crisis and reclaim their idyllic life in paradise?

S:  Sounds like you have another bestseller on your hands. We've all seen reputations trashed on social media, often for no reason other than it amuses others. What a test for a relationship!

Where can readers buy your book?

T:  It was released last Friday by eXtasy Books and will be available soon from all major booksellers. Here's the eXtasy link--https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-3076-4-the-big-fall/.

S:  Tim, thanks so much for joining me today and sharing information about your new book. If you would like to learn more about Tim and his books, please visit--

Website:  http://www.timsmithauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004088102018 

AllAuthor:  https://allauthor.com/author/timsmith/

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Tim-Smith/e/B002HDEN4M

This week in The Loft: Author Dee S. Knight!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Dee S. Knight. Dee publishes under multiple names. She writes sweet romance under the name Anne Krist, and menage and shifter stories as Jenna Stewart. As Dee S. Knight, she writes in all other sub-genres of romance, including fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, contemporary, and erotic romance. Dee has led an adventurous life, at various times serving as a houseparent for 10 teenage boys, a long distance trucker, a teacher, and computer consultant. She married her high school sweetheart and they now live in Idaho.

Author Dee S. Knight

S:  Good morning, Dee! Welcome to The Loft!

Why did you become a writer?

D:  I didn’t intend to write. I kind of fell into it by having time on my hands. My husband was working as a consultant in South Carolina and was going to be there for only three months. That was too little time for me to look for work, and he suggested I spend my time writing a book. I hadn’t done that, but I read a lot, and thought, stupidly, “How hard can it be?” The first month, I zipped off a 95,000 word novel. Sent it off and got a good reply regarding my writing/storytelling. But the publisher wanted more sex in the story. So, again, stupidly, I wondered how hard that could be? By the end of the month, I sent her another book at 90,000 words. To my surprise, she accepted it. By the time we left South Carolina, I’d written three books all over 90,000 words and I was hooked.

S:  (Laughs.) You do make it sound easy, though I imagine a lot of thought went into those books. 

Complete this sentence. "When I started writing books, I wish I had known..."

D:  ...That there was much more to writing a book than writing a book. I wish I’d had some background in marketing, especially. Promotion is hard for me--as I think it is for most authors--and could be a full-time job. Add to that, I started writing when the biggest way to get publicity was with reviews and using Yahoo. I dropped out for a few years while life took control of my time, and when I got back into writing, reviews were very few and far between to find, Yahoo was passe, and social media was all the rage. I knew nothing about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or anything else. It’s a new world for authors.

S:  (Nods.) I was unprepared for how much marketing the author is expected to do. I have experience in marketing, but it can be very time consuming. Sometimes, it really interferes with writing time.

Do you write in other genres?

D:  As you mentioned earlier, I write under three pen names: Dee S. Knight writes erotic romance--though she does have two ménage books. Anne Krist pretty much offers straight romance, sensual, but not erotic. Jenna Stewart writes historical and shifter ménage stories. They all write romance, so not different genres, but certainly different sub-genres.

S:  (Smiles.) Love comes in all shapes and sizes, so it makes sense to employ more than one sub-genre. I have written erotic and contemporary romance, but just started exploring paranormal stories.

Now for one of my favorite questions. What was your worst date ever?

D:  I had two, actually, and they were with the same guy. I have to qualify this answer by saying that I really hardly ever dated. I met my One when I was 13, started dating him--not exclusively--when I was 15, and we got married when I was 21. So these two dates were pretty rare occurrences. The first time we went out, Bob kissed me at the end of the date—a mixer for freshmen at Mary Washington—and he tried to French kiss me. I didn’t let him. I was a "good girl,” but that wasn’t the problem. I had no idea what a French kiss was, and kept wondering why his tongue kept probing my lips. The second time we went out was years later and we doubled with his brother and date. He kissed me at the end of the night--again, no tongue--and I said, “I had a great time, Steve…Bob!” Nothing says good time like calling your date by his brother’s name. Truth was, I liked Bob, so I have no idea why I did that.

S:  (Laughs.) Ah, the innocence of youth. I think we were all a little puzzled by the mechanics of romance as a teen.

How would you like to be remembered? What do you want your tombstone to say?

D:  Here lies Dee/Anne/Jenna. She wrote good books, loved her mother and her sweetie, her friends and colleagues, and made people smile.

S:  Let's talk about your book, "Passionate Destiny." Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?

D:  "Passionate Destiny" came about because I used to live not far from the town of Palmyra, Virginia, where the story is set. The Rivanna River runs through there, and while there’s no house--that I know of--set high on a bluff overlooking the river, there is a nearby house that had a hidden room. When I learned of the house, the then owners had just discovered that there was a small window, seen from the outside but not the inside. It was easy to imagine secrets, and in Virginia, we have both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War to draw on for the paranormal. Another inspiration was my boss in New Jersey. He was the inspiration for my heroine, Margaret. He was just so…so New Yorkerish! Very opinionated and loud about it. I adored the man. He did have his moments. (Laughs)

S:  Is there anything about this book that makes it special to you? To readers?

D:  A few things. Margaret is a woman of strong opinions—and she often voices them. Who of us hasn’t been like her at some point? Plus, she makes me laugh—she’s just too arrogant and set in her ways. It was fun to write her. I hope my love of central Virginia comes through. And then there’s the deep love that Margaret and Aaron develop, and their passion. I loved both characters. I hope readers, do, too. I updated and republished "Passionate Destiny" last year, but when it first came out, it garnered rave reviews and a "Top Pick" designation in Romantic Times, so it’s a book I’m very proud of.

Here's the blurb--

Dr. Margaret Amis-Hollings, professor of women’s studies at a small New Jersey college, is a woman who confidently knows who she is and what she expects of life. Until she loses her teaching position and her well-ordered life gets turned upside down. Then, in a subtle stroke of whimsy, fate tosses her a gift in an historic home and property in Virginia.

Harboring visions of Gone With the Wind, she determines to use River Peace as a temporary reprieve from her troubles. Images of Tara quickly evaporate when she arrives to discover the reality of her inheritance, however.

River Peace has history, grace and style going for it. After only one night, Margaret discovers that it also has a ghost. She’s visited by a male spirit from the time of the War Between the States, who knows how to make a woman feel special. And very loved.

Aaron Belton meets Margaret when she first arrives in Virginia. He’s renowned for historic renovations on a multitude of properties, but he’s got a special place in his heart for River Peace. He and his family believe the property always should have belonged to them. In fact, Aaron will do almost anything to make that happen. When his passion for the house changes to a passion for the house’s owner, Aaron’s as surprised as anyone. Can he gain both, the woman and the house? To do so, he’ll have to face a spectral being.

And his own destiny.

S:  That ghost is a nice touch! Where can readers buy your book?

D:  It's available on Kindle Unlimited at https://tinyurl.com/sxy5sfh.

S:  Dee, thanks so much for joining me today. If you would like to learn more about Dee and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://nomadauthors.com

Blog:  http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight 

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter:  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas:  http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

This week in The Loft: Author Alice Renaud!

Joining me today in The Loft is UK-based author Alice Renaud. Alice writes paranormal and fantasy romance, entertaining readers with tales of shapeshifting mermen, water demons, and time-traveling sea witches. Her fascination with mermen began as a child in Brittany, France, when she spotted a group of men emerge from the sea in wetsuits, with palms on their feet. It wasn't  difficult for her imagination to begin spinning tales about shape-shifting mermen with webbed hands and feet. By day, Alice is a compliance manager with a pharmaceutical company. She lives in London with her husband and son.

Author Alice Renaud

S. Welcome, Alice! Thanks for joining me today.

Why did you become a writer?

A:  I think I became a writer because I loved stories. As a child I soaked up stories, in films, on TV, in the tales my parents and grandparents told me, but above all in books. I was a voracious reader. I always made up my own stories in my head and when I played with my toys. I had an entire universe on the floor of the living room, where beads were Elves and buttons, humans, and little plastic animals were huge, intelligent, talking creatures. Most people grow out of that sort of thing, but I never did. Eventually, I became a writer because it’s one of the ways for an adult to create stories without seeming completely mad.

S:  Do you write full or part-time? Do you have another job/other responsibilities? 

A:  I don’t have as much time to write as I would like, because I work full-time and have a family. I have to be very focused when I write to make the most of the precious writing time. I write mostly short stories and novellas. It’s partly by inclination, and partly because if I wrote doorstep novels, it would take me years to produce one book.

S:  (Chuckles.) Exactly. My stories are short because I don't have the time to produce lengthy tomes. I also don't have the patience to read a long novel nor the patience to write one.

Did you undergo any sort of educational or other preparation/training to become a writer?

A:  Initially, no. I just wrote what was in my head. That was a mistake, because I needed to learn the craft. Once I realized that, I did a lot of online courses and workshops. Dozens of them. I also read books about writing and got myself two great critique partners.

S:  Did you have a mentor when you became a writer?

A:  No, but I had a wonderful teacher, Laurie Sanders. She really taught me how to write a story that was good enough to be published. She is still my editor and always gives me good ideas for my books. Now, I also have a publisher, Ric Savage at Black Velvet Seductions, and other authors, especially the ones who also publish with BVS.

S:  What is your favorite thing about writing romance?

A:  The happy ending. I hate stories that end badly. Everyone deserves a happily ever after.

S:  (Nods.) Happy endings are important, especially when in real life, it seems like few are available.

Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?

A:  The book, "Desire Me Again," is a collection of second chance at love stories by a bunch of wonderfully talented authors at Blavk Velvet Seductions. We collaborated last year on an anthology of paranormal romance stories, "Mystic Desire," and really enjoyed it, so this year we decided to do another anthology. We all love the trope of second chance romance, so that is the theme we chose. My story, "The Holiday Mermaid," is the fourth story in my Sea of Love universe. The Sea of Love series follows the lives and loves of shape shifting mermen and mermaids. Each book is a standalone story featuring a different couple, and is set in a different season. Book 1, "A Merman’s Choice," is set in spring. Book 2, "Music for a Merman," is a summer story. Book 3, "Mermaids Marry in Green," takes place in autumn. I wanted the fourth to be a Christmas story. So, "The Holiday Mermaid" became a seasonal second chance fantasy romance tale.

S:  Is there anything about this book that makes it special to you? To readers?

A:  I have always wanted to write a Christmas story set by the sea, with a mermaid and a shape shifting unicorn. My childhood Christmases were spent by the sea, in my family home in Brittany, and I wanted to recapture something of that double magic--a special place by the ocean, and a very special time of year. I hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

S:  Tell me more about "The Holiday Mermaid."

A:  Sure, here's the blurb--

Adam fell for surfer girl Rowena the second he saw her. But just as their summer fling was becoming serious, she left him without any explanation. Now, with Christmas just a few days away, she’s back… and Adam discovers that she’s a shape-shifting mermaid, from a Clan that hates humans. Can he love her as she is? Can she brave her family to be with Adam for good, not just for Christmas?

S:  (Grins.) Darn family always gets in the way, don't they?

Where can readers buy the anthology?

A:  It's available from Amazon--https://amzn.to/34NstC7/

S:  Alice, thanks so much for joining me today! If you'd like to learn more about Alice and her books, visit--

Website:  https://nomadauthors.com/alicerenaud/alicebooks.html
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AliceRenaudAuthorRomance/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/alicerauthor
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/alicerenaudauthor/
Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Renaud/e/B07L52P17B

Coming this December!

Everyone deserves a miracle at Christmas!

When the doctors say there’s no hope, Santa begs to differ. After all, he claims, miracles are love combined with action to get the desired result. And at Christmas time, everyone deserves a miracle!

 David Wright is dying from cancer. He's not expected to see another Christmas. At least that’s what the medical professionals say. Fortunately, Santa begs to differ. After all, modern medicine is nothing more than a best guess. Santa believes anything is possible until you give up. When Santa tells David’s wife, Joan, that heaven is full and she has to keep her husband alive, she is beside herself. She has no medical skills. How can she save anyone’s life? Set your skepticism aside as Santa embraces a family already mourning their father’s terminal diagnosis and teaches them that a Christmas miracle doesn’t always require heavenly intervention. Sometimes, all it takes is a family with enough love to create their own. As Santa says, a true miracle is when love combines with action to get the desired results. And only humans are capable of that. Will Santa’s words fall on deaf ears? Or will Team Wright find a way to save their father’s life?

From Extasy Books!

This week in The Loft: Author M. Lee Prescott!

Joining me today in The Loft is award-winning author M. Lee Prescott! Lee has dipped her pen in a variety of genres, including western, historical, and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, mystery, young adult, children's books, and non-fiction. By day, Lee is a professor at a small New England liberal arts college, where she focuses on the social contexts within which children learn. A resident of southeastern Massachusetts, she enjoys spending time with family, yoga, swimming, teaching mindfulness, and walking.

Author M. Lee Prescott

S:  Good morning, Lee! Thanks for joining me in The Loft.

Why did you become a writer? 

L:  I’ve always loved writing to discover what I’m thinking and feeling in the deepest part of me. The process is full of surprises and awe. Then I got serious with a group of colleagues when we were exploring the writing process for our students. That was it. I was off and running, and 28 books later I’m still at it!

S:  (Smiles.) I often joke that writing romance is addictive. Once you start, you can't stop!

What makes you unique--as a writer and/or person? 

L:  We each have unique life stories that shape the writers we become. My stories are about family and community, and the love and support we give each other. No one else can tell my stories because even though they are fiction, they come from the heart and have sprung from my life as a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mom, grandmother, partner, colleague, and teacher.

S:  (Nods.) That's so true. My personal experiences as a lawyer, wife, mother, sister, and daughter inspire my stories. What is your writing process? 

L:  I write as often as I can, when the demands of my other job, as a full-time college professor, allow. When beginning a new novel, I mull for a while, sometimes a long while, briefly outline, mull some more, then begin. I usually write an entire first draft without lots of revising and editing. Then the shaping begins and I revise, revise, revise. I am blessed with a wonderful copy editor who is critical at this stage. 

S:  What attracted you to the romance genre? 

L:  Like many romance writers, I’m a sucker for a happy ending. I also believe in true love, unconditional love, and all the nuances of love that infuse my stories. I consider it a privilege to spend time with all the characters and families in my stories. They make me laugh, cry, and smile every day.

S:  These days, that happy ending is particularly important.

Do you write in other genres? 

L:  I have two mystery series—the Ricky Steele books--sassy, first person stories beginning with "Prepped to Kill"--and the Roger and Bess books--cozy, village mysteries. My first book in that series was "A Friend of Silence." I’ve also written "Song of the Spirit," a young adult historical novel. Each genre has its own joys and challenges.

S:  Tell me about your book, "Emma's Dream."

L:  Here's the blurb--

A woman is the last thing on Ben Morgan’s mind as he comes home to Morgan’s Run, his family’s ranch in Saguaro Valley. Doctor’s orders, he’s home to heal, but the sooner he can get back to Santa Barbara, the better. Then he runs into Maggie Williams on Main Street, prompting vivid memories of a magical night, and Ben’s ailing heart skips a beat.

Father of her beloved four year old daughter, the eldest of the Morgan sons is the last person Maggie expects to have crash into her car and back into her life. For years, she has struggled to forget him and to make a life for herself and her daughter, Emma, the mirror image of a father who is unaware of her existence. Now, here he is, looking more gorgeous than the day he ran out of town. Maggie swears Ben Morgan will never break her heart again.

S:  Where can readers buy your book?

L:  It's available at all major booksellers, including--

Amazon

Apple

Nook

Kobo

Google

S:  Lee, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about M. Lee Prescott, visit--

Website:  https://mleeprescott.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mlee.prescott

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/mleeprescott