Kristi asked Katy Regnery:

I just read your book The Vixen and the Vet and loved it. I do have a question about the use of deity though. I noticed throughout the book that the characters were big on making it a point to NOT swear, or point out when someone did or was on the verge. Why the use of deity so much? To me, it's a very strong and harsh form of speaking (actually, more of a turn off) and made me cringe every time I came across it.

Katy Regnery For me, calling out the name of God (or Christ or Jesus, for that matter) is a personal choice that varies from person to person. At home, I don't use these words in vain (nor do I allow my children to) because it doesn't feel right for my personality, nor for the way I'm raising them. That said, an author is not her characters. My characters were a wounded veteran (who'd seen all manner of horror) and a reporter (who was trying very hard to shed her provincial southern roots.) I have never served nor been to a war zone. I am not southern and or a reporter either. These are made-up characters. And for these characters, invoking God, Christ or Jesus in conversation was organic. It's how they sounded in my head, and I don't "police" my characters. I write them exactly how I hear them, for better or worse. As a rule, I don't impose my personal morality on my characters or storylines. I write them as I see and hear them - only a conduit for telling their stories, without censoring. I hope that makes sense and answers your question.

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