Pompeii Fire features two enthralling romances, one set in ancient Pompeii and the other set in modern times. What was the inspiration that created the fantastic journey your characters go on?

Right before the pandemic, in January 2020, I took advantage of an opportunity to visit Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples. I realized that there were stories to be told; every character in the ancient part of the book is based on either a documented person (like Stephanus, the fuller) or a set of remains. I wanted to give voices to them. I also wanted to connect the ancient world to the modern one, to show that people are not so very different, no matter what era we’re in. We all want to live safely, have enough food and water, good shelter, and loving relationships. Making Damiano and Stephanus analogous to Drusilla and Suetonius allowed me to make that tie.

What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?

Suetonius was difficult; I had to really delve into the world of gladiatorial sport, and it definitely wasn’t a pretty picture. I had to deal with enslavement, violence, and the social mores of Ancient Rome, which are far different than those of the present day. By the same token, I loved writing Drusilla; she lives within the strictures of her time but knows there is more out there. She dares to dream of something more than marrying her father’s friend (most marriages during this time period were arranged, with the bride being as young as 12 or 13 years old and the groom usually much older).

What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?

I believe that every character is the hero in his or her own story. No one does things without a reason. So, even when they’re not a good person, such as how I portrayed Stephanus, they aren’t behaving from a place of evil. Now, for all I know, Stephanus could have been the nicest guy in Pompeii; he was a freedman who owned the fullonica, which is where clothes were cleaned, and he had a great deal of money. His motivation is that he doesn’t want to be told “no” ever again. So, he behaves accordingly. The main guideline I followed was “How would an ordinary person have behaved in this circumstance?” After all, these characters are not nobles at court, or senators; they’re merchants and slaves, for the most part. However, I also wanted them to experience a full range of emotions.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

I’m working on two projects right now. “Second Chance in Shalbourne” is the follow-on to my award-winning contemporary romance, “Rose in Bloom.” “Highland Fire,” which will take place in both modern-day and 1690s Scotland, is in the research phase right now. Look for both of them in 2024.

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