I loved ghost stories, creaky staircases, stormy nights. If it guaranteed nightmares I read it by flashlight, after midnight.

Women cry. Men laugh. Whiners moan. Men laugh. Wimps complain. Men laugh.

I'm unique for a suspense author in that I don't have a specialty background. A lot of suspense writers used to be lawyers or crime beat reporters. I didn't even know a cop when I started out. I finally figured out that I could visit prisons - I just had to be willing to make the phone calls.

I have a huge author crush on Stephen King. Have never met him. Would probably embarrass myself. But it would be worth it.

If you choose to do something, do it with your utmost. And remember, expect nothing and life will be velvet.

When you're on book tours, you definitely need chocolate. At all times.

My secret vice is Sudoku puzzles. Can't stop playing them. My parents are accountants. I blame them entirely.