Where did your inspiration for this story come from?
I live in California, where Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor, and was stunned when the news came out that he’d had a child with their housekeeper. I couldn’t believe that Maria had had so much contact with the boy and yet never realized—and that the housekeeper with whom he had the child had continued to work for them as if nothing had happened. I couldn’t help wondering how this secret remained a secret for so long and how each of the people involved would cope with such a shocking reveal—and figure out how to move on—so I decided to examine my own version of these events within the confines of a story.
How did you decide to set this story on Teach, Florida?
I plan to write a historical series one day set during the golden age of piracy, so I’ve done a lot of research about pirates. Teach isn’t a real island, but pirate lore is common in the area, and after visiting the Florida Keys, I could easily picture someplace like this existing.
Did you have a favorite character and why?
I really enjoyed creating Marlow and seeing her wrestle with her attraction to Walker. I also liked that she wasn’t quite perfect and had some atoning to do, because the struggle she faced made the whole thing more fun.
Which story line was the most enjoyable to write?
The love story is always my favorite. I’m a huge romantic and love nothing more than happily-ever-after, so all of my books contain at least an element of that, as well as the theme that love conquers all.
Do you plot your stories ahead of time or do they unfold for you as you write them?
I don’t plot my stories ahead of time. If I do, I get bored with the writing, because I already know how it will end. I let the story grow organically from the characters and the conflicts they face and love being surprised as the plot develops. This approach is also a good fit for me because then it’s impossible to ruin any surprises by telegraphing what’s going to happen before it does.
After writing so many novels, what’s your secret to keeping your stories fresh?
Learning more and more about human behavior and psychology as I age is what I believe brings something new to every story. I see the world differently now from when I was younger and pay particular attention to the shades of gray and moral dilemmas people face. I feel like it’s these dilemmas and morally gray areas that make for a richer and more intriguing read.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
I prefer stories that evoke a lot of emotion. I want to feel something when I read, so Kristin Hannah, Jennifer Weiner, Elin Hilderbrand and Nancy Thayer are some of my go-to writers.
What’s your favorite place to read?
Because I have such a demanding schedule, I listen to audiobooks when I clean house or exercise, but my favorite place to read is probably on a plane. Then I don’t feel quite so guilty about indulging myself when I have so many other things I have to get done.