1--What is the title of your latest release?
PROTECTING THE PACK
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Book #4 in my Protectors at K-9 Ranch series, featuring dogs that have been rescued by and/or trained at K-9 Ranch. In this one, my heroine has a black Newfoundland named Jasper, who is trained in water rescue (she lives on a lake) and is a gentle guardian for her and her foster children.
PROTECTING THE PACK - A plus-size woman with foster kids and a dog is set up on a blind date with a silver fox cop. But they’re interrupted by an urgent request to foster two boys. Stella and Joe’s connection is real. Their found family is everything they wanted—but someone doesn’t want the kids, or lovers, to have a happily-ever-after.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I’ve set many of my books in and around Kansas City, Missouri, including this one. While I don’t live in K.C. anymore, I still have family in the area and visit often. I love checking out new places in the area or revisiting old favorites—and I have a lot of fun including them in my books.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely! She’s smart, accomplished, and shares my sense of humor. Plus, she loves kids.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Loving, Fierce, Vulnerable
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
All about Newfies! (Newfoundland dogs) I’ve had dogs all my life, but never one as big and chill as Jasper, the Newfoundland in this book. It was fun research to do, including watching a Newfie doing water rescue drills with his handler.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I go. Other than a final read-through to check for grammar or continuity errors, once I hit “The End,” I’m done.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I’m a Pepsi girl. I’m not a coffee drinker, but that’s how I get my caffeine every day. If you’re talking a rare indulgence—it’s a toss-up between cinnamon rolls and crème brulee.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I write on my laptop at a desk my dad built for me. I’m surrounded by my many collections—books, Mary Englebreit, antique toys, Dr. Who, folk art, and family pix. I’m watched over by a Lego guardian my son built for me about twenty years ago.
10--Who is an author you admire?
So many! Susan Stoker, Julie Kagawa, BJ Daniels, Delores Fossen, Elle James, Lynn Raye Harris, Janie Crouch, Agatha Christie…
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Again, so many! (I was an English teacher in my former life, so I’ve read/love/taught many classics.) But one of the greatest impacts was THE KEY by Rebecca Flanders. It was the very first Harlequin Intrigue. When I read it, I knew that was the kind of story I wanted to write—the perfect blend of romance and suspense.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I was in the kitchen doing dishes, and my then editor called and said, “I think I have some good news for you.”
I started my indie journey when I wanted to write some different things than what my publisher wanted—military romance with a paranormal element, or grittier/sexier romantic suspense, for example.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Romantic Suspense and YA Fantasy.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Answer: I’m a movie buff, so my list is endless. The Jurassic Park and Marvel franchises. Classics like Singin’ in the Rain, Now Voyager and It’s a Wonderful Life. Holiday Inn and White Christmas for the holidays. Beauty & the Beast, French Kiss, or The Sound of Music when I want romance. Disney movies with great music.
15--What is your favorite season?
Autumn.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I love to see my family. Usually, it’s dinner and a movie, but I also love a game night. And cake!
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Dr. Who, Reacher, NCIS: Sydney, Father Brown, Sister Boniface, The Orville (not new, but new to me)…
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Read, watch movies, travel.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
More books in my Protectors at K-9 Ranch series. (CRIME SCENE K-9 comes out July 29th) I’m also working on a new indie romantic suspense series featuring a team of former Marines and soldiers who now run a security agency.
Protectors at K-9 Ranch #4
When a terror campaign goes awry
A cop, a foster mom and a canine protector are on the case
Foster mom Stella Smith and Officer Joe Carpenter’s makeshift family unit is threatened with the arrival of two new vulnerable foster boys and a terror campaign waged by the boys’ biological mother’s violent boyfriend. When threats and extortion fail, the culprit resorts to kidnapping at gunpoint, leaving Stella injured and the kids fighting for survival. It will take a fearless cop—and a fiercely loyal canine—to face down a monster and bring the children home alive.
From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.
Romance Suspense | Thriller Police Procedural [Harlequin Intrigue, On Sale: February 25, 2025, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9781335457226 / eISBN: 9780369752680]
Born and raised in Missouri, Julie now lives in Nebraska. She attributes her passion for writing romance to the fairy tales she read growing up, and shyness. Her family encouraged her to write down all those feelings she couldn't express and she soon developed a love of the written word. Today, she gets continued support from her fellow members in PRW, her husband Scott, and son Ryne.
Inspired by the likes of Agatha Christie and Encyclopedia Brown, she believed the only thing better than a good mystery was a good romance. She decided to combine the two and began writing for Harlequin Intrigue in 1999. She loves writing gritty, action-packed, emotionally-compelling stories.
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