1. For readers who haven’t picked it up yet, can you give us a quick, spoiler-free rundown of Lonewood: The Domino Effect?

Lonewood: The Domino Effect is the story of two sisters from Manhattan who have their lives completely upended when the younger sister witnesses a murder and they are placed in Witness Protection in a western tourist town. Lucky for the town, who is failing to draw a crowd and whose entire existence is at risk, one sister was a marketing director, and the other was a Broadway performer, meaning they have the skills to turn Lonewood around, but probably shouldn’t. (Ya know, because they’re in hiding.)

Things go from bad to worse when the older sister, Sienna, gets on bad terms with the town’s sheriff. Unfortunately, he’s attached at the hip to Sienna’s new boss, the mayor. 

As business begins to build, Sienna and Alex make a home in Lonewood, but they aren’t the only ones keeping secrets. 

2. What sparked the idea for Scarlett and Alex’s story — and why a failing western tourist town in the Badlands?

Scarlett and Alex are loosely based off of a pair of sisters I wrote for a fan fic of mine. I wanted to bring them into a space where I had more freedom to play and since I’m from North Dakota it seemed like a unique premise. I created a town so it could be whatever I needed it to be, but the area it’s set is very real and someplace I love dearly. 

3. Sienna Jade (formerly Scarlett Jacobs) and the sheriff have such an enemies-to-lovers energy. How did you approach building that dynamic?

I knew where their story ended, because even from the beginning I knew what his story entailed. From the reader’s, and Sienna’s, perspective, the sheriff is unnecessarily difficult. But I approached every scene from two angles: how Sienna saw it and how he saw it. Even though I only wrote one side, knowing what he was thinking helped me build a believable dynamic that becomes apparent the farther into the story you read. 

4. The book blends romance, suspense, and small-town charm. How did you balance those elements without letting one overshadow the others?

An excellent question really 😂. The first draft of the book was over 800 pages and included a lot more of their time in New York and their time preparing for their new lives before they arrive in Lonewood. In later edits I focused on the parts and characters that myself and my beta readers really enjoyed and what was left was (luckily) a beautiful balance. 

5. Lonewood feels like its own character in the story. Did you draw from any real places or experiences to bring it to life?

One of my favorite places in the world is Medora, North Dakota which is settled next to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I drew a lot of inspiration from there but wanted to feel different, less put together. I borrowed some of my favorite memories from growing up- barn dances, swimming in the river, trail riding through the Badlands. In the end my scrappy little made-up town feels like a walk down memory lane.

6. Which scene or chapter was the most fun for you to write — and why?

Kitty and Beau’s wedding scene was definitely a favorite. It was one of the few scenes that got added in later, so it was really fun to go back after the story was done and add it in. Seeing the main pairing through Alex’s perspective was so fun to write and anytime Gentry and Sienna are together on the page I’m giddy. 

7. What’s one romance trope you’ll never get tired of writing or reading?

I love a good enemies to lovers romance. There’s something so captivating of watching two people learn enough about each other to realize their initial feelings were wrong. 

8. What’s your favorite part of the writing process — drafting, revising, or release day?

I think revising is my favorite, but drafting is a close second. I just love going back in and giving the characters and scenes more life after initially getting them on the page. 

9. Do you have any quirky writing rituals or habits?

When I get burnt out from writing I’ll play Sims. I’ll play Sims for hours for days until I miss my writing. So I write until I can’t get anything productive done, then spend a few days trying not to light my Sim’s kitchen on fire until the writing spark is back.  

10. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote my first story when I was eleven and half a dozen more before I ever graduated high school, but being a writer was never on my radar. Years later, after having good reception to my fan fiction, I decided to give original stories another shot. It wasn’t until halfway through Lonewood that I realized I was creating something that could resonate with other people. It took twenty years, but that was when I realized I wanted to be a writer and pursue it as a profession. (Not a full time one, I LOVE my day job.)

11. What’s a fun fact about you that readers might be surprised to learn?

I worked at Walt Disney World for ten years, nine of which I spent driving safari trucks. 

12. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring romance authors?

There’s no true right or wrong way to write and publish a book. Take whatever time you need, write and edit it in whatever order works for you. The journey is the fun part and even back road side quests will get to the destination when you’re ready. 

Rapid-Fire Round (answer in one sentence or less!)

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Favorite writing snack? Nerds candies

Go-to comfort read? As conceited as it makes me sound, I gotta say Lonewood because it feels like visiting home.

One trope you’ll never get tired of writing or reading? Enemies to lovers

Dream vacation spot? Morocco

Book you’ve read more than once? ACOMAF

Favorite season to write in? Fall

First celebrity crush? Chris Evans

Ideal writing soundtrack — silence, music, or background noise? Whatever my husband is watching on the couch next to me.

The fictional character you’d most want to have dinner with? Jackson Bennet, but y’all haven’t met him yet 😉