Carnage in D Minor follows an RN from her days as a piano prodigy to a military veteran with PTSD, who goes on a quest to discover a new, and ethically questionable, treatment for mental illness. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The story came to me during a time when my brother, an Army war veteran, was dealing with severe depression—intensified by chronic pain from an injury he received in Iraq. His struggle inspired me to write about determination and perseverance in the face of soul-crushing obstacles. The frustration he experienced attempting to get anyone to listen to him about his chronic health issues—the direct result of his service to this country—was excruciating to listen to. The time it took for him to ultimately get treatment was a burning thread for me. During the long waits between phone calls, referrals, and appointments, he resorted to self-medicating with alcohol and prescription drugs. I was worried that he would become a forgotten statistic. But he persevered, and I’m beyond happy he’s still with us today. After a successful surgery, his pain is manageable, and he has quit drinking. Fun fact: his wife is also a career Army veteran. They are both huge inspirations to me.

Leeza’s story is one that readers can relate to or find pieces of themselves in, making it easier to connect to her character and become invested in her story. Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with Leeza’s character in the novel?

Yes. Carnage in D minor is an adaptation of a screenplay. In the original screenplay, the protagonist was a white male. As a writer, I had an urge to change that character to a Black female for the book because, over the years, I have had so many friends from underrepresented minority cultures, genders, sexual orientations, etc. I jumped in with both feet and wrote her character without holding back. I wanted her successes to rise to the level of a superhero. Judging by many of the reviews I’ve read, I think I came quite close.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The core themes I explored were the absolute refusal to give in or give up, and remaining true to oneself even when others have given up on you. Self-doubt is a major roadblock for so many.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

The Last Lily of Savannah – a novel. Late Summer, 2026. The story delves into a successful New York businesswoman’s seemingly perfect life. But beneath the carefully cultivated facade, she is tortured by the fact that she was adopted, and that the truth surrounding her biological family’s past has been hidden from her all her life. This story explores the primal need for adopted individuals to understand their origins. Unfortunately for our protagonist, sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.

Incidentally, I am also writing a screenplay for a production company in L.A. It is a horror flick set in a war zone. Fingers crossed—it may be in a theater near you soon.

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