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Occasionally, when I tell someone what I write, the question I am asked is, “Why did you choose to write romances?” I’ve even been asked, once or twice, when I was going to write a “real” book.

I learned a long time ago not to be defensive about romance novels. I understand that tastes vary, though I’ve often found that the harshest critics of romance novels have never actually read any. So, rather than saying that I’ve written over 90 “real” books, I explain that I love writing romance because I believe it is a topic that appeals to a broad range of readers. Everyone can identify with that need to find a soul mate. A safe place to call home. I’ve written family sagas and ghost tales and mysteries and suspense — but within each book is the story of two people who find each other, overcome the obstacles that try to keep them apart, and commit to a lifelong partnership. They understand that there will be challenges and trials ahead for them, and that their relationships won’t always be roses and fairy tales — but they are willing to work hard to make their marriages last, because they have found something together worth fighting for.

I’ve met with my share of cynicism during my career. Why would I write about the search for a soul mate, I am asked, when so many marriages end in divorce? Well, because I’ve seen so many shining examples of marriages that last for lifetimes. My grandparents. Great-aunts and uncles, aunts and uncles, in-laws and family friends. A few had earlier marriages that did not work out, but were fortunate enough to find each other later and thrive in their second attempts.

My parents were married 54 years before my beloved mother’s death last year from pancreatic cancer. My dad still misses her terribly. John and I have been married 31 years — and counting. We married young, right out of college, and we’ve seen our share of the challenges of keeping a marriage strong in difficult times. I make no claims that it has always been easy, but it has been worth the effort. We’ve raised three wonderful children, one of whom is now a year and a half into her own marriage.

So, the search for a partner — for a family — will always be a part of the stories I tell, no matter whether they’re classified as “romance” or “suspense” — a new direction I am pursuing because I have some slightly different ideas I want to explore. It’s so much a part of who I am, and from where I have come.

Continue reading “Why not romance?” →

When I was a child and the world around me became too noisy or overwhelming, I would escape to a quiet corner with a beloved book. Because I had three younger brothers and we lived in a small, three-bedroom, one-bath home, there were many times I craved that quiet escape. One of my cousins (hi, Mickey!) still fusses at me because of all those times as kids when she wanted to play and all I wanted to do was curl up somewhere with a book.

One of my earliest memories is sitting in the floor in my grandmother’s house with an open book in front of me. I couldn’t read yet, but I stared hard at the symbols on that page, convinced that if I could just figure out what they said, I would be engrossed in the most amazing story. Even then, I thought of books as wonderful adventures, perhaps because my mother was an avid reader who shared her love of books with me. By the time I was five, whenever anyone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was, “A writer.”

I still escape into stories (either my own or my many favorite authors) whenever I get the chance. I’ve been fortunate enough to make my living as a writer since the mid 1980s. I know how blessed I am to have a long, successful marriage, three amazing children, and the career I have wanted almost all my life.

I am also a champion procrastinator. Several years ago, I realized I needed a website. I started looking at other writers’ sites and I was awed at what I found — music and animation and glitter and flashy things! So much to see, so many decisions to make, so many options from which to choose. Overwhelmed, I crawled into my quiet place with my books and my imagination and decided I’d get back to that later …

After looking around again during the past months, I’ve concluded that this is where I want to be for now. A quiet, not very flashy corner to share with fellow lovers of books and romance, with my long-time readers and, I hope, with my future readers. Here, I’ll talk about my upcoming books and works in progress, about my life as a writer and lifelong reader. It’s a way of connecting with all of you who also need an occasional quiet retreat in an increasingly stressful world.  I hope you will visit me here again soon.