I grew up reading the classics - Little Women, Alice in Wonderland, Heidi, Girl of the Limberlost, Anne of Green Gables. I probably read each of these books a dozen times. I loved the use of language and the images I could see as I read.
As I got older, I discovered young adult historical fiction novelist Ann Rinaldi, and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. I realized that writing historical fiction was what I most wanted to do. What an amazing way to share history - through a story.
I also read a great many cozy mysteries, and fell in love with that genre as well. I like Diane Mott Davidson, Anne George, Joanne Fluke, Selma Eichler, Dorothy Cannell, just to name a few.
My first three novels are all historical fiction geared toward the LDS market, and then I branched out into cozy mysteries. It's been a lot of fun exploring both worlds.