I know I'm not normal in this, but [ Severus ] Snape is absolutely my favorite character in the Harry Potter books. He is completely mortal - good, bad, strong, weak, motivated by hatred, motivated by love. A gorgeous, compelling, complex character who definitely earns a spot at my table.

I read a ton of fiction - historical, contemporary, literary, commercial, I love it all.

Historical tends to be my bailiwick.

All life's a risk, that's what makes it interesting.

I am one of those authors who believes (perhaps foolishly) that she is in complete control of the story.

I love women being the heroes of the piece. There is just something so dramatic and important about this story [The Nightingale ].

I know I'm not normal in this, but [ Severus ] Snape is absolutely my favorite character in the Harry Potter books. He is completely mortal - good, bad, strong, weak, motivated by hatred, motivated by love. A gorgeous, compelling, complex character who definitely earns a spot at my table.