Your new book is SIERRA FALLS. Can you tell us about it?
Sierra Falls is Sorrow Bailey’s hometown, located in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a small, close-knit community, and yet Sorrow feels stuck there. While her friends and older siblings have left to seek broader horizons, she’s stayed behind to help her parents run their family’s lodge and tavern.
The town has a new sheriff, Billy Preston, a widower escaping the grief of his former life as a big city cop. He helps Sorrow after an accident at the lodge, and their friendship soon grows into a deeper connection.
When Sorrow discovers a stack of old letters written by one of her ancestors, fame comes to Sierra Falls, but danger is quick on its heels, as a series of mysterious accidents at the lodge threatens Sorrow and her family.
When the community pulls together, Sorrow takes a lesson from her ancestor’s letters: only in family, friends, and love do you find true joy.
Where did you get the idea for this book?
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and with family in Tahoe, we drive through the Sierra foothills at least once a month. There are so many small towns along the way, and I love stopping in every one of them--the whole area is so rich in history, with old hang-towns and gold mines. I soon found myself dreaming up a contemporary cast of characters, and considering what it might be like to live among history like that.
Of all your books, which one stands out for you the most?
Ooh--that’s a tough one! I write in a few different genres, and they’re all so different. Among my favorites are SIERRA FALLS, because the land and community are so close to my heart; DEVIL’S OWN, because I’m always going to love me a scarred and tormented hero; and VAMPIRE’S KISS, because not only does it feature a love interest I adore, I also really enjoyed writing the balance of romantic tension and action.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I recently began classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve never enjoyed working out, but somehow this class flies by for me. Plus, I love how empowered it makes me feel (not to mention the fact that it’s great research for my young adult series!) Otherwise, I love reading, or just hanging on the couch with my family, doing things like eating pizza and watching movies.
What's next for you? What are you working on now?
I just handed in TIMBER CREEK, the second “Sierra Falls” novel, featuring one of my favorite heroes I’ve ever written. I also have a young adult series called “The Watchers.” Book three, BLOOD FEVER, comes out this August, and I’m writing book four now (THE KEEP, coming in 2013). I feel very blessed to be able to switch between genres like that--it keeps each fresh for me. By the time I finish one book, I’m champing at the bit to switch gears and get to the next!
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