A: I started writing novels when my oldest daughter, now almost 16, was about one year old. I'd always been a huge reader, and being home with a colicky baby, I found reading to be a huge solace and escape. I soon realized I was drawn to the books with happy endings and discovered these were a genre of their own. Once I delved deeper into Romance, it called to me and I knew I wanted to be a writer. I had been a lawyer - I graduated law school and passed the bar in NY and CT but really didn't enjoy the high pressure world. I ended up staying at home when I was pregnant and reading and writing flowed from there!

Q: You write several series (Costas Sisters, Ty and Hunter, Hot Zone, Chandler Brothers, Simply Series) Would you please briefly describe each series ? Hot Property is the fourth in the Hot Zone series. Is this the start of a trend for you?

A: I love writing series because as a reader, when I finish a novel, I usually want more with the characters or more in a series. As a writer, by the third book, I usually find myself tapped out and ready creatively to move onto another series. The Hot Zone ended up with four books. I was going to attempt six, but … it didn't happen.

Costas Sisters - My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets The Addams Family … Under the Boardwalk and Summer Lovin' are the stories of twin sisters who couldn't be more different, who hail from a wacky Greek family on the Jersey shore who specialize in con artistry … and love. These are pure fun.

Ty and Hunter - Cross My Heart and Sealed with a Kiss are the stories of three childhood friends (Ty and Lacey and Hunter) who grow up together in foster care and who share a secret: They faked Lacey's death in order to save her from an abusive uncle. They find their way back to each other in Cross My Heart when Lacey's uncle wants to have her declared legally dead and claim her trust fund; and Hunter's story continues in Sealed with a Kiss.

Chandler Brothers - The Bachelor, The Playboy, and The Heartbreaker - these books marked my entry into the single title world - Three bachelor brothers and a mother who wants them to marry and give her grandchildren - she fakes being sick to get them to grant her her fondest wish - and see what happens next! Kelly Ripa picked The Bachelor for her Reading with Ripa Bookclub on LIVE! With Regis and Kelly. I was on national television. Still hard to believe!

The Hot Zone - Hot Stuff, Hot Number, Hot Item and Hot Property (7/08) - the story of three orphaned little girls raised by their wacky bachelor uncle who is a sports agent. They join his business as publicists for athletes and each sister finds the man of her dreams although not in the way she planned! One of my favorite series.

The Lucky Series - in the process of being written now - Lucky Charm (10/08), Lucky Streak (4/09) and Lucky Break (7/09) - three male cousins, bachelors, bound by a family curse from the 1600's - any male in the family who falls in love is destined to lose his love and his fortune - the curse has lived on for generations. Coincidence? Circumstance? Or real witchcraft? The three males of this generation struggle against their fate when they meet their match in the perfect woman for them - but they fear the repercussions of the curse. Another fun bachelor series!

Q: Do you set out to write a series or do the themes evolve into a series? Hot Property is the fourth in the Hot Zone series. Is this the start of a trend for you?

A: I set out to write a series for the reasons I said above. I love them as a reader! Hot Property is the last of the Hot Zone series … for now. It's the one series I can see revisiting in the future.

Q: You are a self-described "TV addict." Can you share any specific examples of ideas or characters that were inspired by TV or pop culture?

A: Yes! Let's see … Brandon Vaughn in Hot Stuff - his name is from my favorite TV show and one I still miss, Alias; his background of dyslexia is from an article I read in People Magazine years ago about Tom Cruise (pre-couch jumping days) and his struggle to overcome it. Soap Opera characters that are well written very often inspire me in subtle ways. Soap writers, for all the clichés on soaps, are extremely bright and very clever!

Q: Tell us about your blog with other writers: www.plotmonkeys.com?

A: www.plotmonkeys.com began as a blog with the four writers (Myself, Janelle Denison, Julie Leto, Leslie Kelly) who bonded as Harlequin Temptation writers and who plot together. We take a trip at least once a year for work, where we hole up in a hotel room, eat room service, and plot our books for the year. Then we stay in touch all year with questions, etc. We began the blog which has evolved into a community I'm very proud of. Plotmonkeys runs seamlessly - Each one of us has a steady day to blog (mine is Mondays) so readers can count on who they'll be reading from on any given day; Fridays are contest day and we each have an assigned Friday of the month; and if there is a fifth Friday it's a joint giveaway by all four of us - books and/or prizes including chocolate and fun things! Saturdays is craft day. We have high profile guest bloggers who discuss the craft of writing; topics, etc. and who come on during their Saturday and answer bloggers questions. The great thing about Saturdays is not just writers participate and ask the guest blogger questions. Our readers are getting a lot out of it too! And on Sunday's we announce the Friday contest winner and post a weekly joke or comic. I really hope you'll come visit in the jungle. If you don't' want to post/comment until you feel more comfortable that's great too, but we're warm and welcoming!

Q: Besides, reading and writing, what are some of your other passions in life?

A: My family - my two daughters, my husband, and my parents who I spend as much time with as possible. I adore my dogs - two soft coated wheaten terriers - I blog about them often and I post pictures on my website all the time. Their names are Bailey and Buddy. I've become dog obsessed, I think. I love makeup - I'm a huge makeup junkie. It just makes me happy. And I appreciate and enjoy time with my friends as a break from writing.

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone past or present who would it be and why?

A: Always the one tough question! The answer: one of my grandparents. For obvious and not so obvious personal reasons! Funny, you expected a famous person, didn't you? Thanks so much. This was fun!

Interview Date: December 2007
Profile and questions compiled by Megan M., Mian Library