Tell us a bit about yourself.
I love to read and always have. In fact, I was one of those flashlight under the covers readers when I was a kid. Of course, my Mom always had to drag me out of bed the next morning for school but it was worth it. I checked out Gone with the Wind from the public library when I was 12 and the librarian told me it was “over my head”. I read it twice before returning it. Just love to read anything and everything. My husband says I even read the ingredients on the cereal box at breakfast.
I began my career writing contemporary romance but always preferred a touch of mystery or suspense no matter the genre. Not to say that I don’t enjoy a good straight forward romance now and again, particularly if they have a cowboy hero. I’m a native Texan; have been known to step into a pair of boots and I speak fluent Texanese, y’all.
How long have you been a werewolf fan?
Forever.
When I was a kid I used to sneak in and watch old horror movies after everyone when to bed. This all sounds like I was a sneaky kid all together, doesn’t it.
What was the first werewolf movie you ever saw or the first werewolf story you ever read?
Can’t remember the title but any and all of the Lon Chaney, Jr. werewolf movies. I loved the transformation scenes.
What’s your favorite thing about werewolves?
Well, we had bad werewolves for so many years but I always liked how much power they had. They could jump from the ground to a rooftop. Kind of like superman but no flying. Now there’s a whole new genre – a mutated werewolf that can fly. I’m in!
Do you think werewolves are frightening?
Sure, but now we have werewolf heroes and while they’re still scary they rescue the damsel in distress. Makes for great storytelling.
If you could become a werewolf, would you?
Maybe not. I like the “wild” aspect of being a werewolf and all that freedom but I like standing in the moonlight with my husband so that might present a problem.
Do you prefer werewolves who possess the physical qualities of both human and wolf (for example Lon Chaney’s Wolf Man) or do you prefer werewolves who resemble a regular wolf (for example Peter Rumancek from Hemlock Grove)?
I like the half and half guys so you get the best of both worlds. All the power and wildness of the wolf but with human characteristics.
Do you prefer werewolves as mindless beasts or as creatures able to think like humans?
No, I don’t care for the mindless beast. Besides, even transformed I don’t think the beast is totally mindless. And who wants a beast for a hero anyway?
What is your favorite werewolf book or short story?
Anything by Patricia Briggs. She is brilliant at combining the beast and human qualities with a little humor thrown in. Her work is what inspired me to put a humor in my story.
Why did you decide to write a werewolf story (or series)?
Actually, when I decided to write a mystery I never even considered a werewolf character. Then one day this scene popped into my head: my character was at a cocktail party and said: “Hi, my name’s Parker. I’m a writer, a college professor, and oh, did I mention I was a Werewolf? By the way, have you tried the cheese puffs?” Now let’s be honest; it doesn’t get any more weird than that. But that’s how my character was born. Could any writer ignore an idea like that?
Would you tell us about your latest werewolf story?
To begin with when someone asks me what I write I answer by saying “I’m writing a Werewolf cozy.” I think I may have hit on a new sub-genre but who knows. Currently I’m working on book two of the Parker Doyle Mysteries entitled, Bone Voyage, due out in the fall. Parker (by the way he’s named after two of my favorite mystery writers, Robert B. Parker and Author Conan Doyle) has to find the killer of a girl he knew from high school who just happened to end up buried in his backyard. The third in the series is entitled, Tooth of Consequences. The fourth is called The Big Fang Theory and the fifth will probably be Fangs for the Memories.
Does your character enjoy being a werewolf?
Not really, but he’s learned to deal with what he calls his “altered lifestyle”. He vowed not to kill and he’s kept that vow with one exception. It kind of fell under one of the mottos we have in Texas: Some people just need killin’.
Is your werewolf character the protagonist or antagonist of your story?
Definitely the protagonist.
Is your werewolf involved in a romance? If so, how does his/her lover feel about him/her being a werewolf?
Yes, he’s fallen for a vet tech that has a real thing for wolves. The problem is she doesn’t know he’s a werewolf yet. That happens in book 3. I want to write a love scene but you can’t have a hero make love to a woman who doesn’t know what she’s getting. Not exactly cricket, right?
What’s the biggest problem faced by your werewolf?
Keeping his secret life secret. He built a room in his basement with a timed lock to help him stay kill-free. Plus, he’s still got to face telling his secret sooner or later to his vet tech girlfriend.
Please share a favorite quote from your werewolf.
“Trust me, I didn’t wake up one morning and decide my idea of the good life was being hairy all over and with a nice set of fangs every full moon.”
What makes your werewolf different than other werewolves?
His vow not to kill. This is serious stuff to Parker. He’s seen a werewolf kill and doesn’t care to see another one, especially one he killed. Plus, I often explain to people that basically he’s a werewolf that can’t stand the sight of blood.
What is your favorite werewolf movie/show?
Oh, there are so many but I really enjoyed The Wolfman with Anthony Hopkins and Wolf with Jack Nickolson. Nice little love story, too.
Who is your favorite screen werewolf?
Believe it or not, besides the two mentioned before, one of my many favorites is Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf. It’s a great comedic take on a horror staple and just kick-back-and- enjoy-the-silliness entertainment.
I really enjoyed Teen Wolf. There are some amazing werewolf movies out there.
I liked that one, too, Debra. I love werewolf movies.