Each of my books is different from the last, each with its own characters, its own setting, its own themes. As a writer, I need the variety. I sense my readers do, too.

In plotting a book, my goal is to raise the stakes for the characters and, in so doing, keep the reader mesmerized.

Too often, I've seen instances where we have an idea of what we want to be, where we want to go, and with whom - before life steps in the way, throws something at us that is beyond our control, and changes everything.

I'm not convinced that abstinence-only education works.

I love my house. I love my family. I love my animals.

My family is Jewish, Buddhist, Baptist and Catholic. I don't believe in man-made religions.

I come from a middle class family, and my parents weren't too supportive of my career choices.

Work used to be the No. 1 important thing to me. Everything revolved around it, and to have a new perspective and have something else, my family, not just being a mom but being a part of an incredible family of my own, it makes me have a different perspective on life that I think is richer.