Mission: The Figueroa Cipher follows two elite teenage spies on a mission that takes them around the globe to locate stolen nuclear launch codes before they can be used to start WWIII. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The original idea was the bad guy hacked the ICBM system to cause the missiles to self-destruct in their bunkers simultaneously, or change their targets in-flight. When I did research, I found out 1960s technology didn’t exist to perform either function. So I backtracked down the launch sequence to codes used.

James and Dakota’s chemistry really drives the story. How did you develop their dynamic, do they represent different philosophies of espionage or just different personalities?

James and Dakota are different personalities, a variation of “opposites attract.” I’ve attended, as well as performed and directed, a lot of theater since before high school. Their dynamic is probably a conglomeration of characters I’ve seen/played/directed over the years. So when I write, I put them “on stage” in my mind and see what bubbles up.

The book leans into riddles and coded clues. What makes that structure satisfying for you as a writer?

Treasure hunt books are always fun, regardless of genre!

I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers? 

The third book takes place in London, Amsterdam, Basel (Switzerland), and the Philippines.

Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon | Website