The Authorized Version

I was recently asked to be part of a mini blog tour. Since the invitation came from Pen Wilcock http://j.mp/RFNNRq who has long been one of my favorite writers— and her invitation came from Claire Dunn http://j.mp/RFOLxi , another writer I greatly admire— I readily accepted.

Likewise, my invitations went out to two more of my favorite writers (okay— I have lots of favorites) Fay Sampson http://www.faysampson.co.uk/ and Dolores Gordon-Smith http://www.doloresgordon-smith.co.uk/ . Who accepted with equal affability.

That got me to thinking about how lucky I am to be a writer. Not just because I get to tell the stories I love to share, but, even more importantly, because I get to do it in company with such lovely people. The writing community may be unique in the support it gives to its members. There may be the odd limelight-grabber or back-stabber, but, if so, I’ve been fortunate enough not to encounter them. Perhaps in the heady heights of best-sellerdom, but not in the comfortable midlist where most of us dwell.

So thank you to all those who have helped me along the way, to my current writing community on both sides of the Atlantic who give me daily encouragement, and all those who have allowed me to help them along the way. We truly do need each other.

And now, to the questions— thank you for asking me, Pen.

What am I working on? And How does my writing process work? (I’m cheating and running two of my answers together)

I write three murder mystery series: The Monastery Murders, contemporary mysteries with a lot of ancient British saints in the background; Lord Danvers, a Victorian true-crime series with a fictional mystery woven around the historic murder; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense Series, with a favorite literary great in the background of each contemporary mystery. That means I always have plenty to work on.

I try to have one book I’m writing, one I’m promoting and one in the editorial stage at any time. Currently I’m promoting A Jane Austen Encounter in the Elizabeth and Richard series, inviting readers to join Elizabeth and Richard on their idyllic second honeymoon visiting the homes of their favorite author. But be warned— evil lurks even in the genteel world of Jane Austen.

I’m also writing another Elizabeth and Richard— this one a prequel— telling the story of how they met, fell in love, but didn’t connect. It’s set in a glorious New England autumn in 1984 with the beloved American novelist Elswyth Thane and Rudyard Kipling both in the background.

And in the editing/production stage is A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary, Book 4 in my Monastery Murders. In spite of Antony’s warning her not to get into trouble when she sets off to do a spot of translating in an Oxford convent, Felicity just can’t seem to avoid danger. But it’s hardly Felicity’s fault that severed body parts start showing up in ancient holy reliquaries. Or that Felicity and one of the nuns is assaulted. Could the Medieval Latin document Felicity is translating for the sisters have anything to do with the repeated attacks?

Release day isn’t set yet, but it shouldn’t be long. Here’s a sneak peek at the artwork to be incorporated in the cover.

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

One of my primary goals as a writer is to give my readers a "you are there" experience. This requires intense on the scene research, which I believe has become one of the hallmarks of my writing. I am currently planning a research trip to England which should yield the background details I need for another book in each of my series. I’ll be visiting Victorian Brighton for Lord Danvers, Regency London for another Jane Austen themed mystery for Elizabeth and Richard, and Medieval Yorkshire where Felicity and Antony are studying the English Mystics for another Monastery Murder.

Yes, as it sounds, I do travel in time as well as in space.

Why do I write what I do?

I write from my passion, telling the stories I love to tell. I can’t imagine doing anything else and every day I say "Thank you, Lord," for letting me do this.

And thank you to my writing friends for your support and to my readers. Without you there wouldn’t be any storytelling.