Creation of Woodmont Mystery Series. I've been asked many times at my book signings where the idea for the mystery books came from and how publishing them came about. The answer is — it wasn't intentional and not what I set out to do. Well, that didn't sound right, let me explain.

During a conversation with a co-worker, I told her about this collection of short stories I had and wasn't sure what to do with them. She said put them together in a book. What a novel idea! But as it often is in life, things don't go as you plan.

The prologue in my first book, Screams In The Dark, was written as a complete short story. It certainly wasn’t meant to end up being the beginning of a book. In fact it was the story I took with me to the seminars and workshops I attended as I researched what I was going to do.

After that wonderful suggestion to put the stories in book form, I wrote and rewrote the prologue, but somehow it grew into my first book. Although it wasn't planned, I used local names and local settings throughout the book. Names like Grandville, Witherspoon, and Atherton and places like Upton, Woodmont, and Cumberland.

The series takes place in Woodmont, which is a fictional town, surrounded by a huge farming community and forest land for hunters and a hunting lodge known as the Woodmont Lodge. Woodmont is the name of the area where my husband grew up and using it seemed logical, since we are surrounded by mountains and wooded areas. Grandville Manor is based upon a house I pass every day to and from work. It's a beautiful home, not as old as Grandville Manor, but regal, and it also has a pond. I could picture the Grandville family living there.

Thrilled that I'd written a whole book, I couldn't wait to talk to a literary agent. My bubble was burst when she informed me that if I insisted on writing mysteries that I had to write a series with strong characters, and no less than four books. (She thought I should write children books.) My hopes were dashed and I'd had my heart set on my next book being about time travel. Maybe one day.

Back home I trudged and sat down to stare at my computer. How could I do what she asked? Honestly I didn't know I could complete one book, but to continue with a series using the same characters? Three more books? It was a daunting task. After a few fretful tries, Haunting Cries In the Mist, was written. (This book was featured in the Hagerstown, Md., magazine and this book has the most beautiful cover. Not just because I design all my book covers.)

It was another conversation with the same co-worker that gave me the concept for the series— the fact that we don't really know anybody. We think we know our siblings, best friends, parents, but we only know what our loved ones allow us to know. The entire Woodmont Mystery Series brings that fact home in every book. Just as our characters think they have the puzzle solved, another piece is brought to light and the dynamics are changed. As we know, that is exactly how life is.

Even with the second book written, something didn't seem right. I felt disjointed from my characters. We weren't connecting. Then an idea occurred to just write background pieces about each character to see if that helped. It did. Secrets From The Grave flew from my fingertips. By the end of this book, I was falling in love with Woodmont and all its inhabitants. This book remains one of my favorites because of all the intimate secrets that are revealed.

For those of you who have read my books, you might find it interesting to know that the lovable Sam Watkins was only supposed to be a bit player. I needed a police chief to officiate the investigation of Cassie's missing sister, Lainey. Uncle Phil was supposed to be Cassie's tower of strength, but it didn’t work out that way. Sam was going to enter and exit by the second book. Instead Sam grew on me and his part took center stage in the series.

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read the series, please don't read this paragraph. When I wrote the scene where Sam accidentally made Cassie cry and then hurried to the cemetery to confess to his precious Marie, I was as shocked as the rest of you that he turned out to be Cassie's father. Again the dynamics of the series shifted. Sam became the hub that will keep the group together.

By my fourth book, Never Alone, I'd hit my stride or as I often say — found my voice. I'd connected with everyone and quickly moved on to Destiny's Deadly Web. I wasn't stopping. With Sam in their lives, the Grandville family was reuniting and living together. Cassie's cousins joined them: Roy, Bill and Bill's sisters, Ruth Ann and Dora. So much happening. Beware of the Silent Footstep, was book number six. This book really brings home that we think we know the Grandvilles and got a handle on the Athertons, but nope. Lots of twists and turns throughout the entire series.

Another thing that has been brought to my attention is all the coffee drinking the characters do. That makes me laugh. The coffee sessions are written mainly to help readers in case they missed a clue and are not sure who did what to who. Can't have my faithful readers confused. Although if anyone is ever unsure, please email and ask. I'd love to hear from you and will be glad to answer any question you may have about the series.

For the next couple years that's all I did — write, rewrite, and write some more. By 2003, I felt exhausted and thought I was losing my objective opinion of the characters. My male characters were either sickly sweet or so hateful they needed to be shot. So I searched and found an online writers' workshop and joined. That interaction helped me immensely. Being with other writers forced me to think outside the box and stretch my writing skills. The give and take between authors, especially those from other countries, was exhilarating. The books were set aside and it wasn't long before I was submitting and selling short stories & ebooks for publication, of course under a pen name.

It was 2005 when I could hear the inhabitants of Woodmont calling my name, begging me to return. They were tired of waiting. During the time I was absent from Woodmont, I'd discovered Lulu Press, thanks to my friends at the workshop. I'd proven myself as a writer by selling stories and I'd followed the rules and guidelines and made all the edits the editors demanded.

The Woodmont Mystery Series was mine and I decided to publish my mysteries my way. I did my homework and researched like crazy. But after being told that my last name wasn't salable. I knew what my path was. Oh I took flack from peers who thought I should have gone through the traditional publishing house. What’s amusing is the people who grumbled the most and loudest to my face have never written a book in their life, not one, and all except for one person none of them had ever published a single story. Reminds me of those people who tell you how to raise your children, yet they don’t have any kids themselves. Amusing.

I’m pleased with the success of my books. To date, my first two novels have ISBN numbers are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and can be ordered through any book store in the country. And all of my books can be purchased through Lulu Press.

There are so many loyal fans who can't wait for the next book in the series. In the town where I work, there are eight people. Where my husband works, there are four. Where I live, there are five. Even my mother is involved and has two ladies who stop by where she works to get the next novel.

In the near future, I'll be opening a book store at my home. Of course it’ll have copies of all my books, but it’s my heart’s desire to have items from other artisans of the local area. Not just authors, but painters, quilters, knitters or crafters. Whatever their talent is, I'd love to be able to have a spot for it and showcase it. Although not set in stone the name of the store will be Woodmont Books & More.