Willow trees have always felt like keepers of memory to me, magical, matronly, and a little bit haunted. These days, the ones I love most hunch over the banks of Dow's Lake here in Ottawa, a quiet escape that's made being far from home so much more bearable. This summer I went there to take photos for my upcoming romance novel, Meet Me in the Market, and yes, the willow tree makes a cameo. Read on for the poem it inspired, straight from my collection Cocoon.

As an indie author, I wear every hat, including cover designer. For my debut contemporary romance, Meet Me in the Market, I designed four different covers, and now I need your help picking the winner. Cast your vote and you could win an advance copy before it hits shelves in February.

Coffee is life, and I mean that. From grinding whole beans every morning to my slightly unconventional maple syrup habit, here's a peek into my daily coffee ritual (and the poem that proves just how deep this love goes).

Rom-coms, chick flicks, whatever you choose to call them, have been a guilty pleasure of mine probably since watching the Anne of Green Gables series when I was 11 years old. Here are my top 10, from Say Anything to my controversial pick for the best Mr. Darcy.

There are a few poems I keep coming back to as I write my novel. One of those poems is in Unbroken Pieces. It recalls a first date I was reluctant to go on, one that became the beginning of a story that needs to be told.

I'm writing a novel. It's called Meet Me in the Market, a slow-burn contemporary romance set in Ottawa, with glimpses of the ByWard Market, Lansdowne, Dow's Lake, Little Italy and more. It's the kind of book I've always wanted to write, with the banter, the ache, and the happy ending that's non-negotiable.