Bio
I graduated from Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but all my life I knew that I wanted to write a novel “some day”. For me, “some day” came in 2003, when I started writing and never looked back.
My first two manuscripts remain firmly ensconced in the back of my closet (the dust bunnies tell me they really are terrific!). My third attempt became my first published novel.
A Promise to Remember, Leaving Yesterday, and Finding Me were all finalists for the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, and Waiting for Daybreak and Fading Starlight were finalists in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award.
People often ask me where I get my characters and if I base them on real people. The answer to that is: sometimes. Most characters have a little bit of someone I know in them. I use a lot of friends’ and family members’ names in my books, but I never write the character anything like their namesake.
For instance—in my books a middle-aged mother and a twenty-something pharmacist shared names with my daughters, and a seventyish-year-old man shared a name with my fiftyish-year-old husband.
The one exception I make to this rule is my pets. Dusty the dog made a cameo appearance as himself in Waiting for Daybreak, Boots the cat made his debut in Leaving Yesterday, and Popcorn the turtle is incognito as a horse in Almost Amish.
Chance the new dog is still anxiously awaiting his turn for momentary fame—rumor has it, the dog has hired an agent.
On the homefront, I’ve been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for over thirty years now. Our two daughters are grown, and currently braving college and the working world.
We’ve lived in Santa Barbara for over twenty years. It’s a beautiful place and I feel blessed to be here (although a seventy-degree Christmas still leaves me dreaming of a white one—or at least a colder one!)
When I’m not writing or reading or braving seventy-degree holidays, you’ll find me trying my best to keep up with my family, or working on my newest project – beginning to knit. Let’s just say I have a lot to learn yet.
As far as writing goes, I have been on a bit of a sabbatical. This time away from deadlines and pressure has been nourishing and healing, not only for my creativity, but for my very soul. Now that I feel firm footing, I am once again beginning to delve into new storylines. and am trusting God to use these ideas as He sees fit. I will be sure to keep you updated as things move forward.