Author of the Month: Denise N. Wheatley

A Passion for Writing Denise N. Wheatley

Interview by Angela Anderson

Denise N. Wheatley was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She found her love for books and reading at an early age. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Fast forward, and the opportunity came for her to follow her dream to become an author. She found that she not only loved books and reading them, but she loved being the creator and wordsmith of great stories as well.

Denise is an eclectic romance author who has traditionally published many novels and novellas with strong, colorful, and relatable characters while telling entertaining stories that embody matters of the heart. Many know her for her chick-lit novel I WISH I NEVER MET YOU, which was published by Simon and Schuster in 2004. However, this Chicago native is no stranger to the literary world or being in the creative space. In addition to being an author, she is an avid blogger, ghostwriter, true crime addict, and self-proclaimed pop culture expert. A romantic at heart, she loves happy endings and the art of storytelling. From chick lit to suspense, sweet to steamy, Denise has a gift of writing entertaining stories that are known to stay with readers long after the final chapter. She loves connecting with readers and knowing they enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoys writing them.

The Heat Seekers Magazine had an opportunity to learn more about this gifted and versatile author, Denise N. Wheatley.

Angela Anderson: When did you know you wanted to become an author?

Denise N. Wheatley: I have been in love with books since I was a very young child. But it was during my freshman year of college when I realized I wanted to work as an author for a living. Back then, it seemed like an unrealistic goal, especially when some of my family members and friends didn’t believe in me. But I didn’t let that stop me!

AA: What do you enjoy about writing and creating stories?

DNW: I love writing/creating worlds and characters that allow my imagination to run free. There are so many aspects of our lives that are beyond our control. The ability to build storylines from the ground up on my own terms gives me an amazing sense of freedom that is indescribable. I am grateful to have found my passion.

AA: If you had to give yourself a tagline to describe your writing, what would it be?

DNW: Romance with a dose of sugar and a dash of suspense.

AA: What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most readers don’t know?

DNW: I am a night owl! My best writing happens in the middle of the night. Most days, when I’m working to meet a deadline, I am still sitting in front of my laptop while the sun’s coming up.

AA: What was one surprising thing you learned about yourself during your writing journey?

DNW: During my journey, I learned that writing is very therapeutic for me. The past couple of years has been pretty rough on most of us. I used that time to write, which enabled me to tap into a new level of strength that I didn’t know existed.

AA: You have an amazing series that has been optioned for film. Please share about this amazing opportunity.

DNW: Yes! My holiday novel, CHRISTMAS IN FULL BLOOM, has been optioned for film, and I am absolutely thrilled. LOVE AT THE ICICLE CAFE is under contract with an amazing executive producer who’s created a number of wonderful holiday films. So that book is in great hands as well. Seeing my novels come to life on screen has always been a goal of mine, so this is all a dream come true.

AA: Would you say that writing found you, or you found writing?

where one ends, and the other begins. I’ve just always adored the art of storytelling and remember writing little stories and poems early on during elementary school. So, it’s been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.

where one ends, and the other begins. I’ve just always adored the art of storytelling and remember writing little stories and poems early on during elementary school. So, it’s been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.

AA: Your most recent book is The Heart-Shaped Murders. Tell us what this book is about.

DNW: THE HEART-SHAPED MURDERS is about a forensic investigator named Lena Love, who works for the LAPD. She’s on the hunt for a twisted serial killer whose modus operandi is strangling women, then carving a heart-shaped symbol into their chests. During her investigation, Lena ends up getting attacked and returns to her hometown to recuperate. While there, she reconnects with an old flame, detective David Hudson, who she’d left behind after moving to LA. Sparks soon fly between the pair, but they’re disrupted when the killer appears to have followed Lena home. As she is stalked and bodies—all marked with the killer’s signature heart—are discovered in David’s jurisdiction, it becomes a race against time to catch the killer before Lena loses her life.

AA: If you could describe this book in three words, what would they be?

DNW: Dangerous. Twisted. Intriguing.

AA: What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?

DNW: Start the book. I always tell aspiring authors this. Starting the book is the hardest part. It’s the most intimidating because once you start, you’re proving that you believe in yourself enough to embark on your writing journey. Take it from me; it is absolutely worth it. There is no better feeling than completing a novel. It’s such an accomplishment, and you have to trust that you can do it. But you just have to start.

AA: What is one of your favorite childhood memories of summertime?

DNW: Being out of school, lol! I grew up in Chicago, so summertime meant beautiful weather, freedom to flourish outside of the classroom, and of course, reading all the fun fiction novels that I couldn’t get to during the school year. Summer was also the best time to dig into my mother’s stacks of romances, which is another fond childhood memory.

AA: What do you enjoy about summertime?

DNW: I always relate summertime to good times. Happy times. Enjoying the outdoors with family and friends, parties, cookouts… People seem more open and social during the summer, too, which is always nice. Again, being from Chicago, the winter can be so stifling. So, getting out and exploring during the summer always feels like a new adventure.

AA: What can we find you doing when you are not writing?

DNW: I love going to the movies, watching and playing tennis, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. Of course, I love reading. When I’m not writing, I enjoy ticking books off of my TBR list.

AA: What is next for Denise N. Wheatley?

DNW: I am putting the final touches on two Harlequin Intrigue holiday projects that are being released later this year—BACK- COUNTRY COVER-UP and A DEADLY CHRISTMAS INVITATION. I also just completed Book 2 in my West Coast Crime Story series, DEATH IN THE NEVADA DESERT. That is the follow-up to THE HEART-SHAPED MURDERS, which hits shelves in May of 2023.

AA: How can we stay connected with you?

DNW: I am all over social media and love connecting with readers. Here’s where you can find me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denise_wheatley_writer/ Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/DeniseWheatley Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DeniseNWheatley/ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/denise-n-wheatley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@denise_wheatley_writer Writer’s Blog: http://www.denisenwheatley.com/?m=1