One of the most frequently asked questions I get on radio or television interviews has to do with my story ideas. People want to know what inspires me. Last year, when writing Blossom Street Brides, my inspiration was my daughter, Jody. She and Greg had decided to marry and we were knee deep in wedding plans. I wrote their vows (as I did for my daughter, Jenny Adele, and her husband, Kevin) and was spending time with caterers, photographers etc. Brides were on my mind and it seemed only natural to write a book about brides.

The Blossom Street books have always been special to me as an author, mainly because I’ve been able to meld two of my passions: knitting and writing. I owe a great deal to this series. Back on Blossom Street was my first hardcover to hit the New York Times bestseller list. The Shop on Blossom Street, the first book in the series, had been published as a stand alone book the year before and reader response was encouraging and positive. I proposed the idea of another story involving Lydia and the yarn store and, as they say, the rest is history.