Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .

Why do you write the genre that you write?
When I first began writing, I wrote sweet romance. My agent, Dawn Dowdle (who became a very close friend before she passed away in November) sat me down and said, “Look, you’re just not a romance writer.” Which was true, lol, though I do now write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense under a pen name. At the time, she suggested I try writing cozy mysteries. So, I gave it a shot, and I LOVED it. I love crafting a mystery, trying to figure out who dun it? while I’m writing. I often don’t know who the killer is until the last chapter or two. I will be forever grateful to Dawn for taking a chance on me and for gearing my writing toward cozies.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
The quirkiest quirk probably belongs to Cass Donovan from the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, who can communicate with ghosts but didn’t realize it until somewhere around book 3 in the series.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
My kids names are: Logan, Elaina, Nicholas, And my husband’s name is Gregory.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve always loved to read, but when my youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night, I decided to give writing a shot. I LOVED it!

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I first started working in my grandfather’s deli when I was around twelve years old. After that, I moved on to work in retail. I was also a dance teacher for more than twenty years, taught competition level classes, and owned my own dance studio. When my middle son was diagnosed with autism and couldn’t take the chaos of being at the dance studio, I left teaching and started cleaning houses. I ran my own house cleaning business for more than twenty years, as well, which gave me the freedom to see to my son’s therapy and health issues, plus make all of my daughter’s soccer, basketball, and lacrosse games, choreograph and co-direct her high school musicals, and attend all the other concerts and activities she participated in that I couldn’t have made if I was teaching dance after school. I also worked at the IRS for a few years. Now, I mostly write, though I do some freelance editing when time allows and help my boys run an ebay shop.

Where do you write?
I mostly write in my library, though I do love to take a notebook outside by the pool or even to the theme parks to write while my kids go on rides.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Anything chocolate!

Who is an author you admire?
I really admire Nora Roberts. She’s written so many books! That’s a goal I would love to achieve.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Oh, my gosh! That is such a difficult question. I read a lot of suspense (especially Love Inspired), cozy mysteries (of course), and thrillers. But I think my absolute favorite genre is probably fantasy. I love to lose myself in another world.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading Undercover Baby Rescue by Maggie K. Black, and loving it.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Peach tea.

What is next for you?
I am currently writing the fourth book in my Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series and the eight All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery. After that, I have three more romantic suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, three more cozies, and I’m hoping to write a young adult fantasy. Also, my thirteen-year-old son and I are working on a middle grade novel.

Where can we find you?
I love hanging out on social media, so you can often find me at: my website at lenagregory.com, on Facebook, my Facebook author page, Twitter/X at @LenaGregory03, Goodreads, Pinterest, and my newsletter.

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla
Chocolate!

Cake or ice cream
Ice cream

Fruits or vegetables
I love veggies.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast (which is why I started the All-Day Breakfast Café series)

Dining in or dining out
Dining in

City life or country living
Definitely country

Beach or mountain
Mountain

Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter
Fall

Extrovert or introvert
Introvert

Early bird or night owl
Night owl. I rarely sleep, and it’s not unusual for me to still be up at 3 or 4 am.

And even more fun . . .

What is your favorite movie?
Lord of the Rings

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
My kids, my husband, and a pile of books.

My bio:
Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.