(Kerry) Congratulations on receiving 4 ½ Stars Top Pick from Romantic Times Review Magazine for your new release, Flight to Freedom. Tell us about the story.

(Dolores) Flight to Freedom is a dark women's fiction. It tells the story of Montana Parsons-Jeffers who, for ten years, lived in the secret and lonely world of spousal abuse. Just when she has made plans and taken necessary steps to take her life back, a confrontation with her husband ends with Montana killing him and ultimately screwing up her flight to freedom.

(Kerry) This genre is a major diversion from Bertie and her antics. What inspired you to take the leap to write such a powerful book?

(Dolores) The truth of the matter is, I haven't settled into a certain genre yet. Stories and/or characters are born inside my imagination and then take on a life of their own until I am compelled to write about them. Montana's story was exactly like that. Several years ago I watched a tale about an abused woman who saw no way out but to kill her husband. After that, it seemed like an epidemic had started, and the news and many movies were centered on the subject of abuse.

With the messages I'd learned from those cases in the media and movies, plus adding things I knew from a few friends and family members who dealt with the problem, I felt I understood why so many women stayed. I believe that, in the beginning, I wanted others to understand, too. I hoped I could encourage those affected to know there were people ready, willing, and able to help if only they take the first step to get free.

More importantly I wanted them to know they were worth the effort to take the proper steps to take their lives back. I emphasize proper steps so it is understood that committing murder is not the right way to do it. Unfortunately, Montana didn't realize her options to escape until it was too late. My wish for this book is that others will find the courage and strength to make their flights to freedom.

(Kerry) What about Bertie and the Sweet Meadow series? Can we expect another addition?

(Dolores) I believe there will be a fourth Bertie book, someday, but first I have a few other stories I want to tell, like the Southern Tree mystery/suspense series I'm working on right now.

(Kerry) If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

(Dolores) I can think of many like Patrick Swayze and I wouldn't even have to explain why, but one person I'd love to have a one-on-one conversation with is Lavryle Spencer. I'd really like to know what she has been doing since she quit writing those wonderful stories that made me want to be a writer. My goal is to paint pictures with my words just like she did in every one of her books.