Copper Waters follows an antiquities appraiser looking to escape her complicated relationship, who gets mixed up in a double murder investigation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Because New Zealand is noted for the huge number of sheep that reside there, I wrote a murder mystery surrounding a particular flock belonging to Annalisse’s friend. I raise Dorset sheep, so why not write what’s familiar? As I began the outline on 3 x 5 cards prior to writing the story on my computer, I realized an earlier murder was necessary in order for the sheep station family members to be seamlessly considered as prime suspects. Copper Waters weaves two murders and several possible culprits including the station’s Corriedale stud ram named, Dax. Can a sheep be tried and convicted of murder? The reader will have to pick up a copy of Copper Waters to find out!

How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically?

All of my books, including the children’s books, are worked out via an outline so it’s easier to manage the number of subplots. If I free write, I have a tendency to go off in too many different directions causing confusion for the reader, which is never a good thing. Each chapter is laid out on a card and the book is totally finished in basic format prior to beginning the novel document. I know the general direction of each chapter by the time I begin Chapter One.

The outline method was a happy accident after writing the fourth draft of Stolen Obsession, book one, in the Annalisse series. A strong developmental editor pointed out my many wandering sideline scenarios within the plot. She suggested turning each subplot into series installments. The original Annalisse standalone book I had created turned into a multi-book series at that point.

My writing is completely planned out ahead of time, although red herrings and foreshadowed events are added and do surprise me, occasionally. I’m know for twists and turns in each of the books and an ending that may surprise readers, like that in Copper Waters.

Are you a fan of the Cozy Mystery genre? What books do you think most influenced your work?

I prefer cozy mysteries because they aren’t as graphic and allow a more simplistic way of uncovering the villain(s). To understand how to write an ongoing series in the mystery genre, I read Cleo Coyle books and the Louise Penny Chief Inspector Gamache series. Both authors have a different approach and style, but they enable me to learn how to incorporate previous installments in a current book. The trick I struggle with most is how much information from previous books is too much information for new readers who might pick up a later Annalisse series novel. Not all readers begin with the first book in a series. As an example, Copper Waters advance reader copy was adjusted after its release with less information based on reader recommendations.

Do you have plans for a fifth book in the Annalisse Series? If so, when can your fans expect it out?

There will be a fifth book in the Annalisse series, and a new murder closer to home. Readers will find main characters, Anna and Alec at his Brookehaven estate in upstate New York as they are pulled into his horseracing sideline business more heavily. However, the next series book release for Annalisse is off in the future until my new one-book mystery is released, possibly in spring of 2024.

Before book five, I’m currently taking a fun break while drafting a standalone mystery unrelated to the Annalisse series. Completely new characters in entirely new circumstances!

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