A: When I decided to transition to the Christian market, I did so with my medieval romances in mind. Though the publishers were enthusiastic about my stories, they didn't feel the timing was right and asked me for something different. I was stumped, as historical was all I had ever written. Or nearly so. During one of my "That's it, I'm done writing!" phases, I gave in to the longing to write and started something of a memoir of being a historical romance author. That led to a fictional story idea which, over the course of six months, became a manuscript-one I put away to gather dust. So when I was asked for something different, I pulled out this chick-lit style story, polished it up, and sent it to my agent. A year later, Stealing Adda was published in the Christian market.

Should the timing ever be right for my medievals in this market, my commitment to Christian writing will be reflected most noticeably in how my characters lean on their faith to handle the situations they find themselves in. And, no, no more love scenes.

Q: Some of your characters have funny quirks (Adda with fingernail polish colors and Harriet with her jellybean obsession). What habit or hobby of yours would you share with your fans?

A: Bare myself, hmm? Well, I have a coffee habit, more specifically espresso-based drinks. As there is a commute involved in getting my boys to school, I often stay in the area and hunker down at a Starbucks to write until it's time to pick them up. As I don't notice any difference between caffeinated and decaf (no wide awake, bouncing off the wall antics), I usually go decaf. My favorite espresso drink is Caramel Macchiato-a squirt of vanilla syrup, an inch or so of foam, and caramel drizzled on top. Yum! But those drinks are expensive, so I always order them "extra hot" so I can make them last a loooong time. On the budget side, my family bought me a snazzy little espresso/cappuccino maker last Christmas so I can save money by making my own espresso creations (I add shaved dark chocolate). The downside is that with gas prices as high as they are, I'm not saving much-if any-money by coming home to make my drinks. Those hybrid cars are looking better every day…

Oh, a quirk-that would be running at the mouth in my writing (I have a very understanding editor).

Q: Do you have a special place where you write and/or a certain thing you do before you begin writing that helps you focus?

A: As noted (ha!) above, I do quite a bit of writing at Starbucks, but when I'm home, I usually retreat to our sunroom so I can't be distracted by the phone or laundry or a dishwasher that needs unloading. As for what I do before I start writing, I'm trying to get in the habit of praying. Though most mornings I read my Bible and engage in a devotional, the writing flows better when I take the time to ask for God's blessing. Then, I turn on the computer, read through the last scene to fix myself in the story, and off I write. Or stare at the screen. Or shake a leg. Or wonder what to cook for dinner. Or…

Q: In Stealing Adda, the main character is a historical romance novelist like you were. How much, if any, is the novel autobiographical?

A: See! What did I tell you about running at the mouth with my writing (I'm actually fairly quiet in person). As mentioned earlier, Stealing Adda had its roots in my experiences as a historical romance writer. Some of the things that happen to Adda did happen to me. No, no personal trainer who cracks a whip…no hunky publisher (though I do have my own hunk)…and no issues with plagiarism (though there was some of that going on around me when I was writing my medievals). Autobiographically, I'll let you in on this: the scene where Adda Sinclaire has lunch with her editor at a seedy restaurant in New York played out a bit like that for Tamara Leigh. Very humbling.

Q: The heroine in Splitting Harriet has a weakness for motorcycles. Have you been on a motorcycle and if so, what kind of experience(s) have you had?

A: Motorcycles-eek! Not my thing, much to my husband's dismay. While we were dating, and early into our marriage, I sometimes rode on the back of his motorcycle (with considerabel coaxing). Once my heartbeat returned to halfway normal, I actually enjoyed the air whipping past. But not on my own. My husband, thinking that all I needed was personal riding experience, surprised me with my very own motorcycle. Me-no-risk Tamara. That shiny lump of metal sat in the garage and sat, and one day while I was moving stuff around, I knocked it over (not intentionally). I struggled to get it upright, but it was too heavy (What business do I have riding a bike I can't even lift from the ground?). Then the car jack came to notice. I pulled that baby over, positioned it, and started jacking. Clever. My husband would never know I had knocked the motorcycle over. Except that those shiny metal parts on the side…they scratch and dent easily. Thus, I had to explain to him why I thought it was clever to use a car jack on a motorcycle.

Q: Kate in Perfecting Kate is first reluctant to have a beauty makeover and then afterwards seems to go toward the other extreme with contemplating more changes to her outward appearance. What kind of advice would you give women about outer and inner beauty in today's world?

A: Sometimes I still fall into the trap of spending too much time and money on my outer appearance, though not to the extent that Kate did. I like to look nice for my husband, children, and-yes-myself. However, as my faith has grown, I've learned that what's going on inside me and the beauty to be found there is more important than my outer appearance. I dress well (TJ Maxx and Ross are two of my best finds), I keep the gray out of my hair (color it all by little old self), wear makeup (a thin veneer), and exercise regularly (videos). So my advice: take care of your inner beauty first, as that's what God is concerned with, but don't neglect your outer beauty-within reason!

Q: Who are the Christian writers that have influenced your current writing? And have you met them?

A: Kristin Billerbeck comes instantly to mind. I was working in our church library when her book, What a Girl Wants, was returned by another member. The cute pastel cover caught my eye, and I started thumbing through it. I ended up checking it out and making a day of it. Though I had heard that the quality of Christian fiction had improved in the years since I had last read an inspirational novel, Kristin's book was proof of it. And gave me further inspiration to make the leap from mainstream to inspirational. I haven't personally met Kristin, but we have exchanged emails and she endorsed Splitting Harriet. There are so many other wonderful Christian authors I admire, among them Annette Smith, Tracey Bateman, Allison Pittman, Sandra Byrd, Gayle Roper, and J.M. Hochstetler. Talk about choices!

Q: From reading the previews of Faking Grace, the novel sounds like it is going to be about another heroine going through funny situations in her search for God. Can you summarize one funny scene or interesting character from the novel for fans and soon-to-be fans that might be curious about your new book.

A: How about the first scene (I had such fun with it). Though Maizy "Grace" Stewart considers herself a Christian, having been saved as a teenager, in all the years since, she has had little to do with her faith. When she arrives at a Christian publishing company to apply for a part-time job, she's prepared to put on a show of just how religious she is in order to get the job. In the parking lot outside, she consults her Dumb Blond's Guide to Christianity one last time, eyes the crucifixion air freshener hanging from the rear-view mirror, and pulls a fish emblem from the ashtray to affix to her trunk lid. But as she's sticking on the emblem and congratulating herself on the blatantly Christian bumper sticker she applied earlier, the hero of our story appears. Grace is flabbergasted at being caught, but relieved when he doesn't appear to be the type to work at a Christian company. Jack has his suspicions about Grace and doesn't let on that he does, indeed, work at the company. Let the games begin…

Interview Date: August 2008
Profile and questions compiled by Jeanenne R. Steele Creek and Angela A. North County Regional