What inspired you to write your new Bargain Hunters series?

"The Bargain Hunters series combines two things I love: a solid mystery and the search for a good deal. Just like the main character Ginger, garage sales, punch cards, and clearance racks are my thing. The one time I had an abundance of money to spend (my hubby and I ended up with a surplus in our budget at the end of a trip to Australia), I had no fun at all. I figured the thrill of the hunt and bagging a good deal was what attracted me to bargain hunting. To me, there is no victory in paying full price for something."

Although Death of a Garage Sale Newbie is a mystery, you do have a romantic thread in the story between Ginger and Earl, who are empty nesters. Why did you choose to show a romance between a married couple?

"You just don't see a romance between a married couple in books much. My husband and I are not empty nesters. Although we have been married almost 20 years, we still have three kids at home. What I found out was that it is possible to fall in love with my hubby all over again especially after we lived through some health and financial trials together. It's like you discover that person all over again. I wanted to chronicle that process of discovery and falling in love again in a book. A marriage can become even more intimate and connected. With most books the love story is always prior to marriage. I wanted to show the love story that can continue after marriage."

What inspired you to write the Ruby Taylor mysteries?

"I wanted to write the kind of story I like to read -- a fun, follow the clues mystery without having to endure lots of gore or sex scenes. Also, I wanted to portray a level of honesty about the Christian journey, but I didn't want to write a book that was a total depressing bummer. I like books that make me laugh out loud. I love the first person writing style of the tough talking detectives like Philip Marlowe and Nero Wolfe and the self-deprecating humor of chick lit. My books are sort of a cross between those two genres."

How is the character Ruby Taylor like you?

"Ruby and I share the loves of chocolate, hot baths and expresso. Even though her background is different from mine, I think our spiritual growth and struggles are similar.

I used to beat myself up when I would try to tell people about Christ and mess up just like Ruby does in Sassy Cinderella. I am the daughter of an alchololic, so I came into Christianity with all the insecurity and baggage that entails. Ruby's father was not much a part of her life either. What I have found with writing is that even if I set out to create a character completely different from myself, part of me comes out in the story."

What do you do when you are not writing?

"I have three kids, so I spend a lot of time running the kids to church and school activities. I am chronically unorganized and I am married to a clutter bug, so we seem to spend most of our lives looking for things. Someday, I'll get organized. I work part time at a local university. Before kids and before I decided to take myself seriously as a writer, I used to sew. Now, I just seem to collect fabric and patterns. Maybe someday, I'll get back to that."

Why do all of your Ruby Taylor mysteries have classic cars in them?

"I adore the design and "cool" quotient of classic cars. I would love to own a fleet of Mustangs and Thunderbirds. Since I don't have the space or the money for all those cars, I get to fulfill that fantasy through my character. Ruby gets to drive the really cool vehicles."