What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
After spending a lot of time in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee, I decided the rugged and gritty Appalachian hills would be the perfect backdrop for the fictional town of Possum Gap. Sadie Mills is the town’s sheriff. Her down-to-earth personality is combined with compassion, common sense, and a practical nature. Being tough as nails is a bonus. In a lawless town that has seen better days, Sadie joins the town’s Yankee coroner, Ray Russo, and a colorful cast of mountain folk to solve terrifying crimes.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Since I’m currently writing two crime fiction/murder mystery series, I like to escape from that genre for my personal reading. Anything with dragons, magical realms, and dangerous quests will do.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My adult son, Cole Hopkins, wrote a series called The Queen’s Reaper Saga. It’s an epic and gripping fantasy series that I’m thoroughly enjoying. I’m midway through the third book and will be reading his draft of the fourth book soon after. I’m also rereading Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern books, and there are a lot of them.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Since it’s a murder mystery, I don’t want to give too much away, but I always enjoy writing the scenes with horses in them, and Beware of Wendigos has several tension-filled moments on horseback. I’ve spent most of my life as a riding coach and caregiver for numerous horses. It’s fun to infuse some of that experiential knowledge in casual ways in my books. Surrounded by Amish farms here in Kentucky, where I live, it’s also fun to sprinkle their unique culture within the pages as well.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Not really, unless having a few rescue dogs and cats always by my side while writing counts.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Whenever things get tough, I remember The Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” A few important phrases in my life as a dog and cat rescuer are: “Adopt, don’t shop,” “Fostering Saves Lives,” and “Spay & Neuter Your Pets!!”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I try to make an impression with the little things and hope readers feel like they personally know the characters when they reach the end.
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