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Mostly, I write historical fiction. I blame my love of history on my parents, who gave us opportunities to travel and study. When I was a child of ten and eleven, my father moved the family to England while he studied and received his master’s degree in architecture. History came alive in every house, castle, church, and cemetery we encountered. As an avid reader, I began to relate my experiences in stories.
It wasn’t until about fifteen years ago that the idea formed to earnestly begin my writing journey. As I listened to my father relate family stories to a group of tourists at our home in north Louisiana, I wondered at the life stories behind the items he held. Who were these people—eight times great grandparents from Charleston, S.C.? Soon, I hopped on a plane to Charleston to begin my research and exploration.
The reader in me desired to know how these characters of the 1770s lived, interacted, worked, ate, and faced the war. Before long, my curiosity became Hold Me Close, Revolutionary Faith book one (1773). I loved the fictionalized historical Elizabeth and Louis so much that they became my focus for the series, a total of five books.
If I am honest, I must admit my geeky side and confirm that research is my favorite part of writing. For book one I gathered 25 sources—all books I purchased and read cover to cover, highlighting and taking copious notes. Before a plot was outlined, the research consumed me. My characters live and breathe the pre-revolution and revolution era of the colonies. Their journey mimics my journey through the volumes of historical facts and figures.
While I enjoy devouring historical tomes, I prefer fiction. With historical fiction, I can live it through the senses of the characters instead of stodgy pages of historical documents. Within a few years, I completed books two, three, and four: Surround Me (1774), Bring Me Near (1775), and Draw Me to Your Side (1776), adding an additional twenty resources. The final installment is Wait for Me (1777-1782).
As I plotted and planned and anticipated the birth of Hold Me Close, I confirmed and dedicated my writing to be Christian based, clean, and worthy of any audience. The series has found a niche, as I have found a community of readers, authors, and publishers that I’m glad to call friends, sharing this journey together.
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