Julie Lynn Hayes and I discovered we have something in common: we were both reading at the age of two and we both always wanted to be writers when we grew up.  Julie also has daughters, as I do, and it was her daughters who introduced her to  the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fuels her writing.

It’s a beautiful Spring day and we’ve been out in my back yard admiring the crocuses and the other bulbs I planted last year.  Now I can’t remember what those bulbs were – all we can see is their green tips springing out of the earth.  It will be exciting to find out when they flower :)

I’m intrigued to find out more about Julie’s writing, so let’s start straight in!

Where do you live, Julie?  I live in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, home of the Gateway Arch. I’ve lived here most of my life. Missouri is a beautiful state, and there is a lot to see and do. We have the second best zoo in the country, as well as a fabulous art museum. Lots of famous people have come from St. Louis, including Vincent Price, T.S. Eliot, Kevin Kline and John Goodman.

That sounds a great place to live.  Where is your favourite place in the world?  That would be in front of my computer, where I spend more time than anywhere else. I’m always most comfortable sitting at my computer, fingers flying over the keys!

Being a writer is a great job.  What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?  I’ve had a lot of jobs in my time. I think the worst was telemarketing. I had a couple of those, and I hated them. I’m not a salesperson, and I feel like I’m disturbing people by calling them cold. The only worse thing I could imagine is being in collections, which I wouldn’t do.

What book do you wish you’d written?  Wow, hard question. Right now, I’ll go with the series I’m reading – Fire and Ice (Game of Thrones), because I wouldn’t allow certain people to die. Of course, that also changes everything and there wouldn’t be as many books lol  It’s probably a good thing I didn’t, not until I learn to kill off people better.

That’s a great idea.  Then Sean Bean doesn’t have to die in the TV series.

What’s your happiest memory?  I have so many, it’s hard to choose, but let’s go with driving out to the country and having a picnic lunch, watching the kids play, and relaxing in the sunshine. I especially liked to drive out to Warrenton, which is about an hour from St. Louis, to one of the parks there. I used to dream about moving out there.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?  Another difficult question!  Well, living or dead… I guess that leaves out fictional characters, so let’s go with real people, shall we? First one that comes to mind is also my historical crush, Cardinal Richelieu. I would ask him about his hopes and aspirations for France, and also for himself, and why he did the things he did.

What would your superpower be, if you could choose one?  I would wish for the power to right injustices, wherever I see them, whatever they might be.

If you won twenty million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?  Invest it, buy a new home (not fancy, just better), maybe get a different car, help my kids and my friends, volunteer on a regular basis somewhere, travel more, and keep on writing, no matter what.

What’s the most important lesson life has taught you?  You have to live for now, not tomorrow or yesterday. And you have to help as many people as you can, because it’s the right thing to do.  And try not to hate people (with some people, that isn’t easy lol)

And finally, please tell us about your latest book, where we can find it, and where we can find your blog/website

My latest release, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night is something a little different for me. It’s a horror story, about travellers who are brought together at an inn by inclement weather. As they warm themselves by the fire, a handsome dwarf begins his tale…

Here is the blurb:

On a dark and rainy night, a group of travelers takes refuge at the Black Raven inn, seeking shelter from the storm: Two knights who are brothers, and who believe in diametrically opposed doctrines. A brother who questions the path his sister has chosen to take. A mysterious doctor whose presence gives the innkeeper’s daughter chills. A handsome dwarf, half owner of a traveling troupe of actors. Will they find more than they bargained for?

What is the mystery of the locked door?

My novel is available from MuseitUp Publishing , and you can find me at my blog, Full Moon Dreaming.

Thanks for having me, Helena!

It’s been great to meet you, Julie, and a great discussion.  I loved your answers.  It would be fabulous, and a bit scary, to meet Cardinal Richelieu. If only we could time travel!

If you enjoyed Julie’s interview, or if you have any questions for her, please leave us a comment.  We always love to hear from you!