Whether you’re here to uncover the mysteries behind my books, curious about how many cups of coffee fuel a romance author, or just want the inside scoop on what Frankie (my adorable beagle) gets into while I write — you’ve come to the right place! This is where you’ll find answers to all those burning questions you didn’t know you had.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to contact me!
Questions about the author
Do you have a favorite adult book?
That’s a tough question, because I do read quite a bit – across genres – and I’m always finding something new to love. I would say one of my favorite comfort reads, when I need a good cry, is Three Wishes, by Barbra Delinsky. It wrecks me every time, but I still feel hopeful and uplifted at the end. It’s a love story, but it’s not a romance.
My favorite romance is Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. It is perfect. If you haven’t read it, do so as soon as possible.
In women’s fiction and romance I adore Susan Wiggs. I’ve read every book she’s ever written and she’s brilliant. (She’s a lovely person, too.)
You write a lot of scenes with food. What’s that all about?
Ha! I mean, a girl’s gotta eat, right?
In all seriousness, I guess it’s part of my upbringing. I’m of Italian ancestry, and come from a big family, and for us food is love. It’s not just about the eating, although that is the end game, but about the preparation. We cook as a family, we eat as a family. Any time someone prepares a meal, or bakes something to enjoy, it comes from the heart. I’ve started to include recipes in my book extras so you can make some of my favorites. There’s Lina’s Italian chicken soup, which is perfect for a chilly day in Compass Cove, and Viti’s chocolate chip cookies which you’ll find at her bakery in Angel Harbor.
The recipes are from my heart, and I hope you enjoy them.
If you weren’t a writer, what career would you choose?
That’s an easy one. I was a teacher and librarian for 37 years, and while I love being retired, I’m fairly certain I’d make the same choice if I could do it again. I consider myself very fortunate to have had a day job that gave me such satisfaction. I like helping others; library work is perfect for that.
What part of the writing process do you find the most difficult?
Writing a first draft is the hardest part of the process for me. I love fleshing out characters and backstory, organizing plot points and developing conflict, but when it comes to actually drafting, it’s painful.
However, after I have a draft done, I can revise forever. I love revision. Polishing a manuscript until it sparkles is fun for me, drafting is not.
What was your favorite childhood book?
I was a child, I had a copy of Cinderella, translated and illustrated by the iconic Marcia Brown – I cherished that book. It won the Caldecott Medal in 1955 as the best picture book of the year, and if you’ve ever seen the book, you’d know why. The illustrations are gorgeous, but I adored the story, and the happily ever after, even more.
I guess it makes sense that I became a romance novelist.
Questions about the books
What inspired you to write Christmas in Angel Harbor?
I have to say my inspiration was grounded in the classic movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. The themes of hope, love and the idea that everyone can make a difference, touched me deeply, and those ideals are more important for us to internalize than ever before. It’s a Wonderful Life was a good reminder. Its message helped me write Christmas In Angel Harbor.
What makes the Specialty Burger from Rinaldi’s Cafe so special?
In Then Came You and You Send Me, characters indulge in the specialty burger from the cafe. It is, to be sure, artery-clogging decadence. It’s a 6 oz. prime burger, layered with gruyere, and cheddar cheese, maple bacon, shaved red onions, lettuce, tomato and a special sauce, the recipe for which Lina Rinaldi keeps to herself. All of this is on a toasted brioche bun. The cafe’s onion rings are served on the side, and are the stuff of legend.
The word compasssmith…is it for real?
It is. Compasssmith, while archaic, is the only word in English with the letter “s” three times consecutively.
How far would Compass Cove be from NYC?
Compass Cove is about forty miles east of New York City (Manhattan). Hop on the Long Island Rail Road and you’ll be in Penn Station in about an hour.
Will Laura and Jack from Until You have their own book?
Yes! I have the story all planned out, I just have to write it.
Unfortunately, they aren’t talking to me yet. I don’t think they’re ready.
What was your inspiration for the town of Compass Cove?
My home was my inspiration. I grew up on the north shore of Long Island, and have spent my whole life here. People who don’t know the area see it as one big suburb of New York City, but the individual communities all have unique personalities. The north shore, with it’s hills, tree-lined streets, town centers, rocky coasts, bays and harbors, feels like New England. People know each other, we know the local business people, and we create memories and traditions. Compass Cove represents all the things that keep me here…the things that make it feel like home.
Do you have a favorite spot in Compass Cove?
Gosh, there are so many. I adore Rinaldi’s Cafe. (This is the view of the bank from the cafe.) It’s at the center of town and everyone goes there for good food and better gossip.
My second favorite place would be Harbor Park as I wrote it in the book. It’s very much like Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay, NY, which served as my inspiration. The combination of green space, recreational space – like playgrounds and ballfields – and the water is perfect.
Questions about everything else
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Trust yourself. I’m not saying you don’t have anything to learn, but trust your voice, trust your story, and trust your process.
If you’re taking a class or a workshop and the advice makes you cringe, it’s not right for you. Yes, hone your craft and perfect the mechanics of getting words on the page, but stay true to your vision – no one can write your story but you.
If you’d like more help, I do coach authors – from beginners to the multi-published. You can visit my coaching website (linked for you) or check out the information I’ve posted about my workshops and coaching here.
Is there a list of all your titles?
There is! You can get a list of all my titles, organized by series, here!
Can you speak to our group?
Depending on my schedule, the answer is yes! I’ve given workshops and speeches to writers’ groups, readers’ groups, library patrons and educators. Check out my media kit for links to topics and workshop descriptions. I can also customize a talk based on your suggestions. Please reach out through my contact page to chat about availability.
If one of my novels is on your book club’s list, I can meet with your group virtually through Zoom, Skype or Google Meet. Discussions can center around the writing process, romance and women’s fiction, inspiration, or specific themes in the story.
Are the Barefoot Bay titles still available?
Unfortunately, they aren’t. When Amazon closed down Kindle Worlds, I decided to retire my Barefoot Bay titles, so that means Castle in the Sand, and Truly, Madly, Deeply are no longer available.