Protective Instinct follows a self-absorbed, international bestselling author who refuses to write the biography of the infamous, mob-connected man and winds up in a deadly situation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I have always been fascinated by the seemingly aloof persona of many bestselling authors. Some appear to be elevated to a higher plane than the rest of us. I wanted to create a self-absorbed writer who was insulated by his core entourage and shake up his perfectly managed and privileged existence, forcing him out of his comfy life in a jarring way. How would he react to a life-threatening situation without his team taking care of him? Would he step up or fold? What if he had to rely on the last person on earth he would expect? I have always disliked stereotypes of women characters. Females who are strong, independent, and self-reliant are often portrayed as abrasive, pushy, and overly competitive, while women who are kind and cheerful are portrayed as weak and reliant on men. I wanted to flip the script and the assumptions. My female protagonist would be perky, good-natured, and authentically herself. Someone who a judgmental author would easily underestimate, her mettle not overtly visible. Who would save who when the bullets start flying? The rural south and the Smokey Mountains added another challenge to the author’s discomfort.

There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?

One of the most important aspects of an enjoyable story is character development. If the readers don’t care about the characters or understand who they are, how can they be invested in the outcome of the story? I want the reader to get to know the characters; their motivations, their fears, their strengths, flaws, pain, insecurities, and what brings them happiness. I want them to be authentic and relatable. This doesn’t happen all at once. As a writer, I can’t just tell the reader who the characters are. The reader needs to get to know them for themselves in an organic way and truly believe it, as it is slowly revealed in each scene through actions, emotional reactions, character interactions, and through crisp and natural dialogue. Even the minor characters are important and must contribute to the plot or the character development. For example, a brief conversation at a diner can reveal a lot about the protagonists by their interaction. Asking for a New York strip in a rural diner with a daily special of fried pork chops and turnip greens, tells you a lot about the out of touch rich guy. The smirk on the sassy server’s face as she does a little self-satisfied jig all the way back to the kitchen tells you a lot about her. I try not to waste any opportunity.

How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?

As a reader, I love plot twists and surprises. If I can figure out what’s going to happen in the first few chapters, what’s the point. I want the unexpected, but I also want it to make sense. My story builds with a series of turning points, conflicts, emotional moments, or revelations. Some are dramatic, some subtle. It allows opportunities for my characters to grow and the readers to learn more about them. Twists can take the story in a new direction, cause roadblocks, or present a surprising reveal with emotive results. All these moments help to further develop the growth and complexity of my characters and the plot. It can add truth and understanding to the story.

What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?

I am currently halfway through a new thriller that I hope to have completed by early spring 2025. It is another fast-paced story with complex characters and a twisty plot. I will also be working on the third book to my YA series, The Jailer’s Daughter Mysteries, which I hope to be finished by fall of 2025.

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