I am happily married and a mother of three boys. I’ve been a freelance writer for six years, which is what I do in between writing novels. My passion is creating emotional stories with three dimensional characters that will touch my reader’s lives. Chasing Clovers is my first novel, published by Imajin Books. My experience working with my publisher has been nothing but a pleasure.

What inspired you to write Chasing Clovers?

I’ve always loved to write, but as I grew older the need to scribe intensified. It wasn’t just a way to express my emotions but more of a need to expel the voices and ideas in my head. Stories would run across my mind while at work, or playing with my children. My thirst for writing wasn’t satisfied until I put pen to paper and wrote the scenes that had taken refuge in my mind.

The idea for Chasing Clovers didn’t come to me right away. Snippets of scenes and dialogue had begun to surface, but nothing that I could create a story with. I wanted to write a novel that would touch people’s lives.

My Grandmother lost two children a month a part in the 50’s and I often wondered how she made it through each day without crumbling. How she had more children? And how she learned to smile again? This is how my protagonist, Livy Green was born. I took the scenario of losing a child, turned the year back to 1884 and placed her inside a saloon. As I wrote, Livy became a part of me, and I needed to tell her story. I needed to take my readers on this journey of pain, loss, and turmoil, but also one of redemption, as, John Taylor and Livy Green learn to overcome their hardships. And renew their faith, love, and happiness in their tale of Chasing Clovers.

Did you have to do any research or traveling to write this book?


Yes, I researched Mail Order Brides. In the 1800's Mail Order Brides married for a sense of security, and financial stability. They were widows seeking help to raise their children, lost souls searching for independence. As I delved deeper into my research I learned that Mail Order Brides were very popular in the 1800’s. Men migrated west to farm land, build towns and cities, and mine for gold. Most being successful, soon found themselves financially stable.

{ColumbusBride.com}

But one thing was missing...women. There were very few women in the early days of the west and if a few popped up, they were always married. Soon men began sending letters to churches and newspapers back east looking for brides. Women took on the status of Mail Order Bride for many reasons, but one looms above all the rest...security. Times were tough back then and a woman needed to know she was taken care of. These weren’t marriages founded on love, but instead on convenience and knowing you had a roof over your head, food in your stomach, and money in your purse.

Have any authors or books inspired you or your writing?

Absolutely! If you want to be a writer you must read, and I read almost anything. I love Linda Lael Miller, Judith Stacey, Steven King, and Jane Austen. All of these writers are completely different, I know, but their writing style is what inspired me to want to write.

If you could pick a song that encapsulated your book, what would it be and why?

I listened to a lot of Dean Martin and The Beatles while writing this book. I’d have to say Blackbird would encapsulate Chasing Clovers best because Livy Green has broken wings she has given up on life. John Taylor is the one to heal her and help her fly.

**{Due to the Beatles Copyrights, I cant post anything here at my blog...however here is a link if you want to listen to Blackbird....which by the way is gorgeous song.  http://youtu.be/P5CUHHGlQg0 }

Any future plans you can share with us?

Yes, I am currently writing my second novel, and hope to see it released in the fall. Thank you, Tina for having me on The Saturday Spotlight. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!