Congratulations on your latest book release, Unfamiliar Waters. In this book, we meet Garrett and Nigel.

How do you select the names of your characters? 

Dominic actually helps me quite a lot.  I try to pick the names based on how I want the character to feel.  I know that sounds weird, but I would never name a quiet character something like Stone.  It would be softer.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters that seem real to life? 

Trying to keep them interesting.  See real life people are boring when you translate them to fiction.  We need to goose them up, but not too much or they feel too out there.

What kind of research went into writing Unfamiliar Waters?

I had to research boats, islands, and even spent time with maps near my writing desk.

Have you collaborated with another author? If Yes Who? If No is there an author you would love to collaborate with? If so who and why?

I am working on a story with Amber Kell.  Which reminds me I need to get my part done.

In all of your books, what was your hardest scene to write? If given the opportunity to do it all over again, would you change anything in your books?

I would always change something in my books, especially once the readers have their say.  I want my books to be their best, but you never know the real reaction until the readers get their chance with it.

How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader? 

I think there should be a little of both.  Its easy to spoon feed everything to the reader, but that underestimates them.  I like the reader to have to make some connections so they feel more a part of the story.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I read them, but only for promotional purposes.  Good ones make me happy, bad ones get to me sometimes.  After both, I go back to work.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer? 

I think I would give up Diet Coke if I could have the gift to give every reader what they want in a book.  And anyone who knows me knows that would be a lot.

Do you have any interesting quirks or writing rituals?

Not really.  I’m pretty dull.  I work a lot and at all hours.  Its nearly midnight as I’m doing this interview.

Any last thoughts for readers? 

Just that I appreciate each and every one of you.    The readers are why I write and keep telling my stories. Without all of you I would probably wither away.

Nigel swam back to shore, and Garrett followed. They sat once again near the stream in the shade of a coconut palm. “How long will you be here?” Nigel asked after a few minutes of silence.

“I don’t know. There’s no place I need to be.” God, it was peaceful. Tropical breezes blew through the trees, rustling the fronds, and Garrett would be happy to stay here forever. He sat up and tugged his shirt over his head before lying back down on the sand, then closed his eyes for a few minutes and just let himself be.

When he opened his eyes, he found Nigel looking at him, watching him, with naked desire in his eyes. It had been a long time since Garrett had seen that kind of unashamed longing without a hint of caution.

“You’re a very handsome man,” Nigel said softly.

“Thank you.” Warmth spread through him at the admiration and heat radiating from Nigel. Damn, it was heady being admired and ogled like that. Not that Garrett intended to do anything. The last thing he wanted was to pop the bubble of an innocent, and all indications were that Nigel was as innocent as they came. “Do you have friends here?”

“Like Sancho Panza and Don Quixote? No. There is no one here to be friends with like that.” Nigel turned away, staring out to sea. “There is just Jules and me. He is my friend and also my brother, but it’s not the same.”

“No, I suppose not,” Garrett said as a bell rang somewhere, the sound carried on the wind.

“I have to go.” Nigel jumped to his feet. “I’ll be back. Will you stay?” He was already heading toward the break in the trees that formed the path.

“Yes. I can stay for a few days,” Garrett agreed. This was as quiet a place as any, and the view was spectacular.

“Okay. I will be back later.” Nigel waved and disappeared down the path.

Garrett watched him go, blinking a few times. With Nigel gone, the only indication he’d been there at all were his footprints in the sand, and many of those were already disappearing in the tide. This whole encounter could have been part of his imagination if it wasn’t for the lingering heat that stayed behind, and the small pile of shells near the edge of the beach that Nigel had been gathering when he’d first arrived.