FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER?
It sounds cliche to say always, but it's the truth. I've always known I wanted to be a writer. Actually, I've always been a writer, even when I wasn't published yet. I wrote my first two novels in fourth grade (a series called The Life and Times of the Three Potatoes) and, as a kid, I was always writing novels, short stories, and poems. It's my favorite thing to do -- always has been. There was never a moment where my hopes, dreams, and future plans didn't hinge on me becoming a novelist.
DO YOUR BOOKS NEED TO BE READ IN ANY CERTAIN ORDER?
Aside from The Messes Series, which should be read in this order: The Cleaner, The Healer, The Liar, and The Prisoner, none of my books have to be read in any certain order. I do like to include "Easter Egg" characters and towns from previous books as a treat for my loyal readers, but they in no way affect the reading experience.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?
This is such a tough question because I have so many. I have to say Jodi Picoult, Mark Edwards, Minka Kent, Gillian Flynn, Jess Ryder, BA Paris, Michele Campbell, and Ruth Ware are some of my favorites and the authors whose books I buy without even reading the blurb.
WHAT ORDER SHOULD THE LOCKE INDUSTRIES NOVELS BE READ IN?
When my co-collaborator, Emerald O'Brien, and I set out to write the Locke Industries novels, we made a very conscious decision to write them so they could be read in any order, without spoilers or confusion. So dig in to either of them, but we do hope you'll read them both.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME PUBLISHED?
My first book, previously titled If It Walks Like A Killer, was released in August of 2016. It has since been retitled Becoming Mrs. Abbott.
WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?
This answer is different depending on which book we're talking about, but the short answer is that my inspiration comes from all over. Usually the initial spark comes from a book I've loved, movie I've watched, song I've listened to, conversation I've overheard, or even just a random, what-if question that pops into my head. Then, I let that idea sit in my head for a while, I play with a few possibilities, get to know the characters who would best tell the story, and go from there.
WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU HAVE WHEN YOU AREN'T WRITING?
Hobbies? What are those?! I'm only kidding...sort of. I have a toddler, a husband, two crazy dogs, and I write full-time. So writing really does take up most of my time that's not dedicated to family. When I can squeeze an extra few minutes in, I love to curl up with a good book or watch Netflix.
OF ALL YOUR BOOKS, WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE?
I love all my books for different reasons and it's really hard to nail down a favorite. I love Becoming Mrs. Abbott because it was my debut and it was the book that I got to experience all my 'firsts' with. (First cover, first time holding my book, first time signing a book, etc). I especially love the twists in The List, The Stranger in the Woods, and I Said Yes. I love Lark from The Dream Job, Olivia from The Nanny's Secret, Quinn from The Healer, Finn from The Better Choice, and Fiona from The Prisoner. I love The Good Neighbors because it was my first taste of success and The Mother-in-Law because it was my first widely successful book, and The Liar's Wife because its success has brought so many new readers my way. The Cleaner made me a bestselling author and I Said Yes made me an internationally bestselling author. I wrote Playing Jenna with my newborn daughter on my lap. I wrote The Lucky Ones while losing my aunt. The Beginning After was my comeback book when I'd almost given up and The Better Choice taught me so much about writing. All of my books have special places in my heart for one reason or another, and picking one favorite would be like picking a favorite child. I'd love to hear yours though!
WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR BOOKS?
My books are available on Amazon in paperback and e-book form. A select number of my books have been made into audiobooks, and those are available everywhere audiobooks are sold! You can also check with your local library or bookstore--they are able to purchase physical copies of my books. Because my books are available in the KindleUnlimited program, I'm required to keep the e-book versions exclusive to Amazon.
HAVE A QUESTION YOU'D LIKE ANSWERED? Fill out this form and I just may answer it here!
It sounds cliche to say always, but it's the truth. I've always known I wanted to be a writer. Actually, I've always been a writer, even when I wasn't published yet. I wrote my first two novels in fourth grade (a series called The Life and Times of the Three Potatoes) and, as a kid, I was always writing novels, short stories, and poems. It's my favorite thing to do -- always has been. There was never a moment where my hopes, dreams, and future plans didn't hinge on me becoming a novelist.
DO YOUR BOOKS NEED TO BE READ IN ANY CERTAIN ORDER?
Aside from The Messes Series, which should be read in this order: The Cleaner, The Healer, The Liar, and The Prisoner, none of my books have to be read in any certain order. I do like to include "Easter Egg" characters and towns from previous books as a treat for my loyal readers, but they in no way affect the reading experience.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?
This is such a tough question because I have so many. I have to say Jodi Picoult, Mark Edwards, Minka Kent, Gillian Flynn, Jess Ryder, BA Paris, Michele Campbell, and Ruth Ware are some of my favorites and the authors whose books I buy without even reading the blurb.
WHAT ORDER SHOULD THE LOCKE INDUSTRIES NOVELS BE READ IN?
When my co-collaborator, Emerald O'Brien, and I set out to write the Locke Industries novels, we made a very conscious decision to write them so they could be read in any order, without spoilers or confusion. So dig in to either of them, but we do hope you'll read them both.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME PUBLISHED?
My first book, previously titled If It Walks Like A Killer, was released in August of 2016. It has since been retitled Becoming Mrs. Abbott.
WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?
This answer is different depending on which book we're talking about, but the short answer is that my inspiration comes from all over. Usually the initial spark comes from a book I've loved, movie I've watched, song I've listened to, conversation I've overheard, or even just a random, what-if question that pops into my head. Then, I let that idea sit in my head for a while, I play with a few possibilities, get to know the characters who would best tell the story, and go from there.
WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU HAVE WHEN YOU AREN'T WRITING?
Hobbies? What are those?! I'm only kidding...sort of. I have a toddler, a husband, two crazy dogs, and I write full-time. So writing really does take up most of my time that's not dedicated to family. When I can squeeze an extra few minutes in, I love to curl up with a good book or watch Netflix.
OF ALL YOUR BOOKS, WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE?
I love all my books for different reasons and it's really hard to nail down a favorite. I love Becoming Mrs. Abbott because it was my debut and it was the book that I got to experience all my 'firsts' with. (First cover, first time holding my book, first time signing a book, etc). I especially love the twists in The List, The Stranger in the Woods, and I Said Yes. I love Lark from The Dream Job, Olivia from The Nanny's Secret, Quinn from The Healer, Finn from The Better Choice, and Fiona from The Prisoner. I love The Good Neighbors because it was my first taste of success and The Mother-in-Law because it was my first widely successful book, and The Liar's Wife because its success has brought so many new readers my way. The Cleaner made me a bestselling author and I Said Yes made me an internationally bestselling author. I wrote Playing Jenna with my newborn daughter on my lap. I wrote The Lucky Ones while losing my aunt. The Beginning After was my comeback book when I'd almost given up and The Better Choice taught me so much about writing. All of my books have special places in my heart for one reason or another, and picking one favorite would be like picking a favorite child. I'd love to hear yours though!
WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR BOOKS?
My books are available on Amazon in paperback and e-book form. A select number of my books have been made into audiobooks, and those are available everywhere audiobooks are sold! You can also check with your local library or bookstore--they are able to purchase physical copies of my books. Because my books are available in the KindleUnlimited program, I'm required to keep the e-book versions exclusive to Amazon.
HAVE A QUESTION YOU'D LIKE ANSWERED? Fill out this form and I just may answer it here!
