Dear Reader,
I have three brothers and no sisters. So when I was young, I read a lot of “boy” books—mostly having to do with space travel. When I reached the ripe age of thirteen, my aunt decided I needed to have my horizons broadened. She put three “girly” books in my hand: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and Little Women. Need I say more?
I was hooked the moment I read the immortal line: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”
Holy moly, I had no idea what I was missing!
So it’s not surprising that I turned to these favorite books when I decided to write a series featuring members of the Last Chance Book Club.
In the first book in this series, LAST CHANCE BOOK CLUB, the ladies of the club decide to read Pride and Prejudice. And before long some of them are finding some interesting similarities between the book and their lives.
In the beginning of my story, the hero and heroine dislike each other intensely. Like Darcy, Savannah White has come to Last Chance from the big city. She’s there to renovate the old run-down theater. Dash Randall, like Lizzy Bennett, isn’t at all pleased with this new arrival in town. Dash thinks Savannah is a stuck-up snob. And she thinks he’s a no-account good ol’ boy. My hero is the one with the snarky sense of humor, and my heroine the one with the preconceived notions that will have to soften. Even though my plot and setting are wildly different from Austen’s, the underlying theme of pride and prejudice is what makes the love story of Dash and Savannah so much fun. I’ve also included a few other Austen-inspired complications, like a minister who is looking for a wife, a whole passel of matchmaking matrons, and a street dance that’s surprisingly like the Netherfield Ball.
I had such a fun time writing this story. It allowed me to connect in a much deeper way with one of my old favorites. I’m sure Jane Austen fans will enjoy searching for the Easter eggs I’ve sprinkled through the book. But even if you aren’t an Austen fan, you’re still going to love this story about a couple who discover the hidden depths of character in each other as they grow from enemies to friends to lovers.
Dear Reader,
I am so thrilled to be sharing the Faces of Evil adventure with you! This series has lived for several years in my heart. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to be working with the fabulous folks at Forever to bring these stories to you.
I grew up in Alabama with deep roots in Birmingham. While my husband served in the army, we traveled far and wide, but Alabama was still home and we were most happy to return. Many years would pass before I realized that Alabama was not only home for me but also a place with a rich past and a vibrant present perfect for the setting of suspense stories. I zeroed in on Birmingham, where much of Alabama’s most volatile and notorious history has taken place. Being no stranger to the city, it was easy to settle in and have my characters experiencing all sorts of dilemmas in the Magic City.
Birmingham also holds a special place in my heart for its renowned Children’s Hospital and incredible doctors. When my first child was born she was in serious trouble and in need of immediate surgery—a surgery that was her only hope for survival and at the same time a procedure she was unlikely to survive. The quick thinking of my small-town doctor, Dr. Louis Letson, got her straightaway to Birmingham in the hands of a revered pediatric surgeon. Dr. Letson’s decisive action and the unparalleled skill of the folks at Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital saved my daughter’s life. Eight weeks later the tiny girl who changed our lives proved to one and all that she had come into this world to live. And thirty-six years later she is still living life with immense passion. As you can see, Birmingham really is the Magic City!
Please watch for all twelve installments of the Faces of Evil series featuring Jess Harris and Dan Burnett and their journey through a maze of evils to find the love and happiness they both deserve.
Best,
