Grady just wants to grieve the loss of his ex in peace, but then Quinn's younger sister, Taryn, whirls into his Texas hometown, looking to stir up the past. She brings in a wave of goons with her and a mystery that's well beyond his pay grade. Still...
Where It Ends was featured in the MYSTERY profile's Book of the Month | Standout Mysteries (April 2025).
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Your short bio as the author of the book?
I began writing to stay sane during the early years of parenthood, and I've been writing ever since. Technically a scientist, I discovered later in life that I'm really more of an artist. Still, I have an "analytical" side, and it helps me keep things detailed, realistic, and organized. If you can succeed in science, you truly have the patience for anything.
When I'm not writing, I'm binge-watching, driving my shopaholic daughter around, giving "don't do what I did" advice to her older brothers, and tending to every need and whim of a spoiled, lazy Golden Doodle who, for reasons that are unknown to me, picked me as his favorite person.
I've lived in four different states, but currently reside in Upstate New York and have for most of my life. Moving again is an option, and sometimes a desirable one, but a part of me will always belong here. I'm very attached to sarcasm, coffee, decent pizza, culture and enlightenment, and I've made my peace with the cold. I get more writing done when it's bleak and miserable outside. If I lived somewhere warmer, I'd probably be thinner and tanner but bookless and aimless (and that would be sad).
Would you mind sharing what inspired you to write this book?
That's easy. Music! A couple of years ago, I got kind of tired of listening to the same music I'd been hearing my whole life and decided to switch things up for a while. Something that, for the record, my kids hated. Undeterred, I went for something that was pretty much all new to me. When I was young, I was an active musician and had eclectic taste—everything from classical to Broadway to grunge. I didn't care much for country music, though. It was too twangy. Too unrelatable. I knew a few of the songs/artists that went mainstream, but they were more pop than country, and I was never intrigued enough to delve any deeper.
Talking to friends who liked country music, I just didn't get it, and never took their word for it. I remained skeptical until I gave it an honest try. Thanks to "Where it Ends" by Bailey Zimmerman, I'd even call it life-changing. Something about that song just spoke to me. It got my writing gears moving in new and unexpected directions. Grady came into being. The song lays the groundwork for a traumatic breakup, and Quinn did not disappoint. As tough as Grady tries to be, he wears that bleeding heart on his sleeve, and the first thing Quinn's sister, Taryn, does is poke at it with a mystery she needs help with.
Digging up their intertwined past is the only way forward, and Grady reluctantly agrees. "The end" is peace and closure, and deep down he knows he won't get there unless he goes into the emotional trenches and gets his hands dirty. The "Where it Ends" song is the overarching concept, but there is relevant country music sprinkled throughout. For a truly immersive experience, I'd highly suggest the YouTube videos in each chapter, and if you want a quick and easy overview, check out the Playlist at the back of the story.
Which characters did you like most? Did you have a favorite?
Grady is the point-of-view character for most of the story. He is the obvious choice and a fan favorite, for sure. His personality fills a room, he is loyal to a fault, obedient when he needs to be, bold when the situation requires it, and he has a strong moral compass. He came from nothing and made himself something through grit and determination. I love Taryn too, but she takes a little more patience. She has big feelings and a lot of secrets, but she's afraid to let them show. She has abandonment issues and fears the truth will push worthwhile people away.
Would you mind sharing how you plan your writing with us?
I take a day or two to brainstorm before I start writing anything that resembles a chapter. Characters—their traits, motivations, connections, and backstories—important events in the order they'll most likely occur, snippets of dialogue, twists, endings and alternative endings too, since things don't always go according to plan. If I can't fill at least a few pages, I may set the concept aside and wait for more inspiration, a clearer schedule, or stronger motivation, like a contest.
Can you please describe the best aspects of your book according to you as the author?
Hands down, my characterization. I've been told my characters are like real people. I put a lot of myself into my characters—who I am, what I think I would be in their circumstances, what I hope to be, and what I wish I wasn't—and I think it shows. I also borrow traits from people I know closely. Human behavior is fascinating to me, and I'll do the homework if I have to. My characters make mistakes, but I'd like to think their thoughts, words, and actions make sense and are consistent with their core values.
We would like to hear what advice you would give to all writers out there.
At a time when I was hoping to gather the courage to write my first novel, I was placed next to a lawyer about twice my age and about a hundred times my net worth at a corporate Christmas party. I thought I was in for a LONG night. I'm not good at small talk and have only so much patience for long-windedness and self-flattery.
Much to my surprise and delight, this gentleman was down to earth, curious and insightful, and had a son about my age who hoped to become a writer as well. What you love doesn't always pay the bills, and "an hour a day" was his advice.
To this day, it's something I live by. Be consistent. Develop good working habits. No matter where you are and what you're doing—even on vacation or in the waiting room at the dentist—you can ALWAYS spare a few minutes here and there, and the minutes over a day add up. If you're not in the frame of mind to crank out the pages, you can read, market, network, do research, daydream about your characters, design a graphic, or brainstorm a new concept. An hour a day minimum, and you'll be in a better place than you were yesterday. Years of that, and you'll have a bookshelf you're proud of.
