Excellent interview about your outstanding and varied world of words.

Fantastic interview! After almost 20 years i knew some. It still touches my heart and makes me aware of the depth you share in your books. I love the worlds you've created and the characters that are a part of them, from their sadness to their happiness and the bonds they form!

Wow! I didn't know . I know the feeling I'm glad you have a positive place for your memories of your son, that your readers can enjoy.

Have a great day.

I never knew your driving force behind the start of the epic Carpathian series... Now that I do, the series means that much more to me! Your resilience against the adversity life threw at you deserves so much respect. Not many people can grow back to being a normal person when life knocks them down, and you did so much more than that! MUCH LOVE!

Wow, such a great interview. Have been reading your books since around the time the 4th in the Dark series came out. As each series/new book was announced, I added it to my wish list as I worked my way through all the new releases of my group of favorite authors. I have always loved books with characters that are connected by loyalty, integrity & the sense of family, either by blood or bond. Your stories are definitely some of my favorite because of that wonderful bond.
The stories of abuse have affected me just as profoundly, often making it difficult to read, (actually had to take a break for a while from another series, that I was rereading to refresh for new releases I had bought). But for some reason, I keep getting lead back to the topic, most recently via the human trafficking angle. (I closely follow two wonderful organizations, who are involved with rescuing victims worldwide. Tim Ballard is ex-CIA, and left govt work in order to help those he saw during operations he was involved in. He is CEO to Operation Underground Railroad (name inspired by Harriett Tubman & others), which executes the rescues of those in various types of slavery, and The Nazarene Fund who is the support and recovery organization to O.U.R. (They are all on Facebook if you are interested in knowing more.))
Reading the very real background behind so many of your stories have truly inspired me to be even more involved. I am a dedicated reader, and love when an author works things into the story that makes me go do research of my own...one of which is the Black Russian Terriers from Earth Song. Now I know your incentive for their inclusion, they are beautiful. I also now understand your reason for love of the breed. I recall another breed you used in the Dark Series, as a seeing eye dog. Very similar characteristics, loyalty, courage, but with a mind of their own.
I applaud your strength in pulling yourself out of your own situations, and thriving as a result. You have a wonderful heart to take in these kids, and help so many others. So much in your books makes sense after reading this article. As mentioned before, I had to take a break from the hard stories put out by me favorite authors. I already knew enough about that world being on the health care end, as well as supporting organizations who help. (And I totally agree about the double standard re: treatment for girls vs. boys.) This interview & your insights have given me a new outlook on that, and truly give me incentive to get back in my reading groove. Thank you for being so open and sharing such a personal view.
From a fellow lover of the West Coast!

This is a fantastic interview. I totally understand that you don't wish to share your whole past, but the insights you share with us are nevertheless very deep! Thank you for sharing these with us. The loss of your son as well as your grewing up in a big family and helping kids and women for all these years explain why you are able to write in such rich emotions. Apart from the fantastic stories you create, I really appreciate that you are able to let the readers feel what your characters feel. Even though you have had very difficult times in your life I am sure that they helped develop your personality and your writing as well. As you said.. there is always hope. Even if the only positive aspect was the help in your understanding and writing, it is still a positive effect and you gained something good out of these terrible things. Thank you for sharing these things with us and thank you for spending so much time answering readers questions, writing blogs etc.

Joan wrote: "Excellent interview about your outstanding and varied world of words."

Thank you, Joan.

Maureen wrote: "Fantastic interview! After almost 20 years i knew some. It still touches my heart and makes me aware of the depth you share in your books. I love the worlds you've created and the characters that a..."

Thank you. Hard to believe it's been 20 years, but it has!

Shern wrote: "Wow! I didn't know . I know the feeling I'm glad you have a positive place for your memories of your son, that your readers can enjoy."

Thank you, Shern. I think he would have loved the stories.

Janice wrote: "Have a great day."
You as well, Janice!

Courtney wrote: "I never knew your driving force behind the start of the epic Carpathian series... Now that I do, the series means that much more to me! Your resilience against the adversity life threw at you deser..."

Thank you, Courtney. It's not always easy sharing such personal information, but I feel a real connection to my readers and wanted to share a bit of myself with them.

Liana wrote: "Wow, such a great interview. Have been reading your books since around the time the 4th in the Dark series came out. As each series/new book was announced, I added it to my wish list as I worked my..."

Thank you for sharing that with me.

Sarah wrote: "This is a fantastic interview. I totally understand that you don't wish to share your whole past, but the insights you share with us are nevertheless very deep! Thank you for sharing these with us...."

Now you have a bit more insight as to why my books are always about hope.