Defending Engagement follows two brothers and the woman they love in an unconventional polyamorous relationship as the trio navigates judgment from family, societal expectations, and their own emotional minefields. What was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?

The initial spark for this story came from reader reactions to Overruling Judgment, Book One. Reader interest in the characters’ lives prompted some readers to want more, while others strongly objected to two brothers sharing one woman. I quickly realized I would not convince everyone to embrace the dynamic. Instead, I used that resistance as inspiration. I created side characters who embodied those critical voices, turning them into narrow-minded, often hypocritical figures within the story. It became a way to reflect real-world attitudes while still centering the story around love, complexity, and choice.

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

What draws me to writing about the human condition, especially about love, is the emotional depth and delicious complexity of it all. I’m fascinated by polyamorous relationships because they push characters (and readers) to rethink what intimacy, trust, and commitment can really look like.

There’s something undeniably compelling about multiple hearts in motion and how people navigate desire, jealousy, vulnerability, and connection when the rules aren’t pre-written. It creates space for raw, honest emotion, and unique character arcs. I write these stories to expand the conversation around love and offer stories where passion and partnership don’t have to fit in a single box.

I want to write bold stories that are a little daring and rooted in the belief that love can be real, messy, and beautiful all at the same time.

What was one of the hardest parts in Defending Engagement for you to write?

It may come as a shock, but the hardest part wasn’t the family confrontation. I had powerful feelings about how Sasha, JD, and Ian would stand up to their family. I stepped back into my law student mindset when writing that scene. Each character’s voice rang out with confidence, love, and a refusal to be shamed for what they share.

The real challenge? Restraining myself from turning the novella into a full-blown novel. But I knew that Defending Engagement shouldn’t end with a glossy ten-years-later epilogue and a picket fence. They deserved something real, grounded, and just a little raw. Sasha, JD, and Ian didn’t need a fantasy ending.

What they have is sold. They faced judgment, fought for each other, and came out stronger. That’s the story I wanted to tell. Not a neat bow, but a fierce, ongoing choice to love boldly, live honestly, and keep showing up for each other, no matter what.

Where do you see your characters after the book ends?

They’re not just surviving, but thriving. By the time they reappear in Book Three, they’re more confident and connected than ever. What started behind closed doors is now something they’re willing to defend in daylight. You’ll see them out holding hands while skating in the middle of a Chicago public ice rink. No dodging glances. No hiding in the crowd. Just three people choosing each other, over and over, with the world watching.

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