How did you come to write in your primary genre? if you do work in more than one genre, which is your favorite and why?

With reenactors portraying the 1st Rhode Island Regiment of the Continental Army

I write contemporary YA fiction for teens (and former teens) and historical thrillers set during American history.  But I can’t play favorites—I love both genres! In my YA novels I get to explore the resilience that teens learn in the face of trauma and other challenges. Plus, teenagers are very funny and wield sarcasm like a dagger; writing those characters is a blast. But in my heart of hearts, I am a big American history nerd. I adore researching in archives and unearthing facts and perspectives that have been overlooked for centuries. Bringing history to life is my superpower!