Welcome, and Thank You for Asking
One of my favorite parts of being a western romance author is hearing from you—through emails, social media comments, and conversations at events. Many of you ask similar questions about my books, characters, and writing life, so I thought it would be helpful to gather those answers in one place.
Think of this as us sitting down in a cozy corner of a Texas café, chatting about stories, heroes, research, and “what’s next.” I hope you see some of your own questions here—and if you don’t, I’d still love to hear from you.
“Where should I start with your books?”
With more than ninety books and many connected worlds, this is probably the question I hear most often. The short answer: there’s no wrong place to start, but some stories make especially good entry points depending on what you love.
If you like:
- Family‑centered historical westerns – Try the Men of Stone Mountain, Texas series or The Kincaids.
- Mail‑order brides and second chances – Start with the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Bride series or Loving A Rancher (Montana).
- Time‑travel twists – Look for the Texas Time Travel stories.
For a more detailed breakdown, I’ve created a full Reading Order Guide on my website that walks you through the main series and how they fit together.
“Do I have to read your series in order?”
I write my series so each book can stand on its own—you can pick up a single story and enjoy it without reading everything around it. That said, most readers tell me they find it more satisfying to follow a series in order because:
- Families and friendships deepen from book to book.
- Side characters in early stories often become main characters later.
- You’ll catch more little references and “Easter eggs” when you know the backstory.
My Reading Order page lists the recommended order for the major series (including novellas and related stories) to make this easier.
“Are your westerns historically accurate?”
I take historical detail very seriously because so many of you know your Western history and can spot an inaccuracy a mile away. My goal is always to give you a believable world where the emotions are universal and the details ring true.
That means:
- I research the time period, setting, and real events before and during drafting.
- I double‑check everyday details—clothing, transportation, communication, weapons, food—so nothing yanks you out of the story.
- When I do bend or compress history for storytelling reasons, I try to stay within what could reasonably have happened in that place and time.
As I’ve said in interviews, one glaring anachronism can make readers doubt everything else, so I do my best not to give you that moment.
“Why do you write western romance?”
In many ways, the West chose me. My earliest love for Western history came from my father’s stories about his family’s adventures after they came to Texas in the late 1800s. I grew up fascinated by those tales of survival, courage, and stubborn hope.
Later, when I began writing romance, I discovered that post‑Civil War western settings felt like home on the page. The landscape, the challenges, and the communities are a perfect backdrop for the kind of stories I want to tell—about ordinary people choosing love and building lives in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.
“Are your characters based on real people?”
My characters are not one‑to‑one portraits of real people, but they’re absolutely shaped by people I’ve known, stories I’ve heard, and experiences I’ve lived. As I’ve said elsewhere, we are the sum of everything we’ve seen, read, and felt, and that all goes into the “inner well” I draw from when I write.
Sometimes a single real‑life detail sparks a story:
- A brief mention of a girl in my grandmother’s town became the seed for The Most Unsuitable Wife.
- A news story about Irish Travelers helped inspire The Texan’s Irish Bride.
- An editor’s casual wish for a time‑travel where the historical heroine comes forward in time nudged me toward Out of the Blue.
From there, though, the characters grow into themselves as fictional people—shaped by the needs of the story and their own internal logic.
“Do you write sweet or steamy romances?”
I write a range—from sweet to sensual—across my western and Texas romances. What they all have in common is that the emotional journey and the happily‑ever‑after are always at the heart of the story.
To help you find what you’re comfortable reading, I try to make the tone clear in the description and series branding. If you’re ever uncertain about a specific book or series, you’re welcome to reach out and ask before you buy.
“How much of your own life is in your stories?”
On the surface, not much—I’ve never time‑traveled, battled outlaws, or arrived as a mail‑order bride in a dusty frontier town. But on the emotional level, my life experiences are woven into almost everything I write.
For example:
- Long‑term marriages and second‑chance love stories often reflect my own enduring marriage and the ups and downs real couples face.
- Found families, community, and “home” show up again and again, echoing my deep Texas roots and appreciation for small‑town connections.
- Grief, resilience, and hope are shaped by events I’ve lived through or seen in the lives of people around me.
I don’t lift whole events from real life, but I do pour real feelings into the fictional circumstances.
“What is your writing routine like?”
I write most days, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a morning person. A typical day looks something like this:
- Start with email, blog posts, and social media groups to wake up my brain.
- Move into drafting or revising once I’m fully awake.
- Take a break in the early evening to watch a movie with my daughter.
- Often return to the computer later to get in a bit more work.
I’ve learned over time that consistent, steady writing sessions serve me better than waiting for the “perfect” burst of inspiration.
“Do you prefer short stories, novellas, or full‑length novels?”
These days, my favorite length to write is the novella—typically 30,000 to 50,000 words. That gives me room for:
- A satisfying central romance.
- A few secondary characters and subplots.
- Enough world‑building to make the town or ranch feel real.
I also enjoy full‑length novels and have written many, but novellas fit especially well with the multi‑author and themed projects I often participate in. Short stories tend to be rarer for me—enjoyable in small doses, but not my main focus.
“How can I find out what you’re working on now?”
The best ways to stay up‑to‑date are:
- Checking the Books and Reading Order pages on my website for new releases and updated series lists.
- Following my blog, A Writer’s Life, where I share news, features, and behind‑the‑scenes posts.
- Subscribing to my newsletter.
From time to time, I also participate in group promotions, boxed sets, and multi‑author series, so you may see new stories from me pop up in those collaborations as well.
Reader FAQ Snapshot
Here’s a quick reference table you can skim or share:
| Question | Short answer |
| Where should I start? | Pick by mood and trope; Reading Order Guide helps with series order. |
| Do I have to read in order? | No, but series are more satisfying if you do. |
| Are the books historically accurate? | I research heavily and avoid anachronisms. |
| Why western romance? | Texas roots, family stories, and love of the post‑Civil War West. |
| Are characters based on real people? | Inspired by real details, but fully fictional. |
| Sweet or steamy? | A range from sweet to sensual; romance and HEA are always central. |
| What’s your writing routine? | Write most days, heavier work later in the day. |
| How to see what’s new? | Website books/reading order pages, blog, and newsletter. |
Thank You for Being Part of My Western World
Every question you send—about heroes, heroines, settings, or process—reminds me that these stories don’t live only in my head. They live in your imaginations and hearts, too. I’m deeply grateful each time you pick up one of my books, recommend it to a friend, or take the time to reach out.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, you’re always welcome to contact me through my website or comment on a blog post. I may not be able to reply instantly, but I do read and appreciate every note.
