Runaway Artist follows a young artist who witnesses a violent crime behind a Beverly Hills gallery where she is interning, and her sketches become the only evidence, putting her own life in danger. What inspired the idea of an artist who can reconstruct a crime scene through drawings?

The experts say, “write what you know.” Because I’ve been a professional artist for over 40 years, the subject made perfect sense to tackle. Brooke reacts to stimuli the way I might if faced with her predicament, and if I were her age. We artists see the world in color and details.

Brooke is both brave and uncertain at times. How did you approach writing her emotional journey?

I love writing about females in their early twenties who are on the cusp of spreading their wings. Brooke is old enough to know a lot, but young enough to make mistakes. And the average reader has been there at one point in their life, so they can relate…and, hopefully, even cheer on the heroine.

The book touches on courage, independence, and trusting your instincts. Were those themes intentional from the beginning?

Yes, totally intentional. I treated Brooke as if she’d just joined the military by pulling her away from the life she had previously known, then throwing her into a place far from her comfort zone. She would either fold up into a ball or have to dig deep to find that inner confidence we all need if we are to survive. Fortunately, she has a sister who is strong and capable, so she has an example to follow.

Could you imagine returning to Wildridge or these characters in future stories?

Possibly. I really like the setting, which is patterned after a mountain community near me. I can imagine Brooke and Conner marrying and eventually enjoying their HEA, but prior to that, I’d have to invent a villain. Brooke might even become a police sketch artist and… Who knows?

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