Live Oak Key follows a private investigator working a case that starts with a missing horse and quickly turns into one involving drug trafficking, deception, and kidnapping. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I wanted Colt to stumble upon something that was much larger than he intended. Of course, drug trafficking is a huge business, and it’s amazing the lengths some people will go to in order to turn a profit and cover their tracks. Based on my research, it always seems to escalate into something worse before it all falls apart. Live Oak Key expresses that as Chambon panics and his world starts to fall apart around him.

Colt feels like someone who belongs in the world you’ve created. How did his character develop?

I always wanted to write a mystery series, but more of a modern western. There are many great mystery westerns about sheriffs, but I thought a private investigator would be more interesting. For example, Colt wants to do the right thing, but might be willing to bend the law once in a while to achieve his goal. It’s also a great way to get him into more trouble. A perfect story is just boring.

Williston, FL also played a part in inspiring Colt. Williston is an old rural town outside of Ocala. It has that small-town feel where everyone knows each other. There are many ranches in the outlying areas, and it’s not uncommon to see cowboys and cowgirls with their horses loaded into horse trailers as they pass through town.

Why did you choose the equestrian world as the backdrop for this mystery?

I live near the Ocala, FL area, and it’s known as the “Horse Capital of the World.” What’s neat is that there is a mixture of equestrian activities here. One can watch a rodeo at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, go to the Florida Horse Park and watch polo, or go to the World Equestrian Center and watch major competitions from show jumping to professional reining. I like the mixture of it all and thought it would be a great backdrop to pull someone in like Colt.

What new challenges would you like Colt to face next?

I think Colt is going back to working small cases and working odd jobs to make ends meet, but you know that can’t last. He will stumble upon another case that’s beyond anything he could imagine.

I also wanted others to be able to relate to Colt. He’s not perfect. None of us are. He’s just getting through life like the rest of us. Along the way, I would like to see him learn from his mistakes, improve his relationship with his family, and see his relationship develop into something deeper with Carina.

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