Some authors knew they were going to be writers from childhood. I wasn't one of them . . .

I had career plans that changed as often as the weather here in the Pacific Northwest--frequently. I considered, among other things, going into advertising, becoming a nurse, an artist, a meteorologist, a singer, a high school English teacher, and probably a few more that I can't remember any longer. A couple of these involved math and science, my two weakest subjects, so they were out. One dealt with a topic that I understand very well and find effortless and eternally fascinating: the English language. In the end, I drifted through a couple of years of college studying liberal arts, and eventually went to work as a secretary. During the twenty-some years I did that type of work, I never wrote anything more interesting than very effective business letters (still one of my specialties). But I loved to read, and historical romances were my favorite. I daydreamed of someday writing one myself. In 1983, I began writing my first novel, Homeward Hearts, which I eventually finished and sold in 1993.

I served as vice-president and president of the Cascade Chapter of Romance Writers of America. In 1991, I was the winner of both the Editor’s Choice and historical category awards of Cascade’s Retreat and Recharge contest for a project that became my third book, A Taste of Heaven.

In 1996, that same western historical was chosen by bookseller judges to receive the Laurel Wreath Award from Volusia County Romance Writers. It was also a finalist in the 1997 Award of Excellence contest sponsored by Colorado Romance Writers.  In 2000, Romantic Times gave Allie's Moon their K.I.S.S. Award (Knight in Shining Silver), and selected the title as one of their top picks.

I have published nine full-length historical romances and two anthology contributions. Most of my work is done at hours other people shudder over, even some of my writer friends. But working at night, often until 3:00 or 4:00 AM, is my favorite. It's quiet--no phones, faxes, etc., my animal kids are usually sleeping (well, except for Lucy), and there's a feeling to the night that lends itself to my creative process. It's especially appealing in the summer. I have been known to work past sunrise in all seasons, but I usually don't like to do that unless I'm on deadline.

Now that writing is my profession and not my hobby, I enjoy needlework, all kinds of music, including classical and great rock ‘n’ roll (I still love to sing), computer games, and historical movies. I’m also building a Victorian miniature house, a painstaking and exacting project which I expect to finish sometime in this new century.