BIO   

Growing up in a tiny community in Alabama boasting only one stop sign and a gas station gave Christy ample opportunity to create daring adventures in her head. When she wasn't thinking of her story characters, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys kept her entertained and out of trouble. Later came the chills of Stephen King and the thrills of John Grisham, but the romance genre always held a strong place in her heart.

After leaving her career with a major insurance company, the characters in her head came alive again and Christy decided to write her own stories. And now, she and her characters couldn't be happier.

A member of Romance Writers' of America, the Southern Magic RWA chapter, the KOD chapter, and International Thriller Writers, Christy lives in Alabama with her husband, two incredibly cute canines and one very shy turtle.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Not consciously, but for years, I've written down snippets of different stories I had in my head. I just never finished any of them. It wasn't until I left my job that I decided to see if I could actually finish an entire book. To my surprise and delight, I did. From there, I was hooked.

Why do you write romance?

I've read and enjoyed various genres through the years, but kept coming back to romance. I love the optimism in a romance. Each book has its own journey and story, but in the end, I know there will be happiness. As the main characters develop through the pages, falling in love, making mistakes, sometimes going through horrific circumstances, they experience a self-discovery and often find out they're much stronger and capable than they thought. And despite everything they've gone through, there’s hope for the future because of their love for one another. I so enjoy closing a book with a smile on my face.

What would you say to a writer just starting out?

Learn as much as you can about the business of writing. Surround yourself with like-minded, positive people. Join a writing organization. I highly recommend Romance Writers of America. Develop friendships and associations with other writers so you can share your triumphs as well as your disappointments. Help other writers and allow them to help you. If you decide this is what you truly want to do, despite the disappointments and difficulties, then never give up. Keep on writing, keep on learning. The more you write, the more you'll learn.

How long did it take you to become published?

I finished my first book in 2002. I wrote four more manuscripts before selling my fourth manuscript to Ballantine in 2007.

What books or authors have influenced your writing?

I honestly believe I have learned something from every book I've ever read. However, growing up, my favorite book was The Rolling Years by Agnes Sligh Turnbull. I think it was the first time I realized how powerful the written word could be. How it can move and influence you in ways you've never experienced. Even decades later, I still remember the incredible emotions I experienced while reading that book.

Can you describe ‘a day in the life’ of your writing routine?

I am incredibly fortunate to be able to write full time. I typically start around 10:00 AM and write until around 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening. If I’m on deadline, the hours increase tremendously and I’ll work till 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. If I’m too tired to write, there’re always emails to read and research to do.

When and why did you want to become a published author?

Characters have always been in my head, having dialogue, getting into all sorts of situations. A story line would pop up and I'd think about it, play around with it, but never seriously considered writing the entire story. After an eighteen-year career with an insurance company, I wanted a change. I quit my job, without any real idea what I was going to do next. I played around with several different things, trying to determine exactly what my real passion was. While I did this, I read a lot—seven to ten books a week. One day a story idea came to me. Instead of just thinking about it and letting it go, I began to write it. From there, an obsession was born. The more I wrote, the more I wanted to write. And I couldn't stop until I finished it. Of course, after I wrote that one, I had to write another. And after the challenge of completing the manuscript, I chose another challenge of pursuing publication.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on another Last Chance Rescue trilogy for Ballantine, due out Spring/Summer 2011. Working titles are SWEET REVENGE, SWEET JUSTICE and SWEET REWARD. I'm very excited about this new trilogy because several secondary characters from the 2010 trilogy will get their own story.