From the time I was a very small child, I always wanted to be a writer. I took every writing course I could find in high school and college, and when I graduated from college, I began the very long process of trying to get a book accepted for publication. I knew I wanted to write mysteries–but cozy mysteries barely existed at that time and the market for romance novels was growing quickly, so the first books I wrote were in that genre. I wrote ten romances, one YA book, and two psychological suspense novels. In 1995, the first book in the Melanie Travis series, A PEDIGREE TO DIE FOR, was published–and 19 books later, I have never wanted to do anything else!

I think the key to the series success is that Melanie is a very relatable character. Readers often tell me how “real” she seems. Yes, she gets involved in solving mysteries (sometimes reluctantly) but she’s also a wife, a mother, and a special needs tutor–in addition to breeding and showing Standard Poodles. She has a very full life and I think readers enjoy watching her scramble to get everything done just like they do.

For me, the dogs were inevitable. I grew up going to dog shows as my mother bred and showed dogs and my grandmother was a terrier group judge. Later, as an adult, I bred and showed Poodles (both Standards and Minis) for 20 years. So I was well acquainted with the dog show scene and I thought it would make the perfect backdrop for a cozy mystery series.

If I could not write about dogs, I would definitely be writing about horses. Now that I’m no longer showing Poodles I am breeding Thoroughbred racehorses. Some day, there may be a book in that too.

Everything! Right now I’m binging on historical fiction and YA dystopian novels. But I also love mysteries of all kinds, chick lit, and non-fiction. The only thing I will not read is horror. (I get frightened very easily.)

Poodles, of course! But really, all dogs are great, purebred and mixed breed alike. MURDER AT THE PUPPY FEST introduces a new dog to Melanie household–a little mutt that has been dumped on the side of the road, and is brought home by her son, Davey.

After more than 30 years with Poodles, I’m taking a break from grooming and have 2 smooth Collies, who are wonderful. Maybe I’m easy, but I’ve never met a breed of dog that I didn’t like.

The Christmas book is what is called a gift-sized book, it’s about 3/4ths the length of a regular Melanie Travis mystery. I loved having the opportunity to write a more compact plot, and I had lots of fun bringing back some of Melanie’s family members who hadn’t been seen in recent books. Melanie’s younger brother, Frank, buys a Christmas tree farm and mayhem ensues. That’s all I’ll say!

I’m currently working on the 22nd book in the series. It’s called RUFF JUSTICE and it will come out in July 2018. That book takes Melanie and Aunt Peg back to the series’ dog show roots.

I often think about writing a mystery series based in the horse racing world, but for the moment that idea is on the back burner. I’m really enjoying Melanie’s adventures and I hope to be writing them for many years to come.