I live in Arizona, but I'm originally from Nebraska. I've been married a mere six years (Mere! Did I say mere?) I started writing a very bad science fiction novel while earning a BA in Journalism at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Luckily, that manuscript is missing, but I did discover a few writings from my teenage years when my dad made me clean out the basement (Okay, I stored stuff down there for decades: think Monkees albums, bell-bottom pants that no longer fit, and books). Most of stories I wrote were romances. Most had a hero who suspiciously sounded like David Cassidy. Whoa! In these written-by-hand epics, the heroes were even named David Cassidy. No wonder he didn't have time to do more seasons of the Partridge Family. I seriously turned to writing after my mother's death in 1993. I'd always told my mother I wanted to be a writer. It was a way to work through sorrow.
My first novel It Only Takes a Spark was published in 1999. Since then I've published twelve more writings in both romantic comedy and Christian inspiration romance. My novella, "I Do, Too" in the anthology Dear Miss Lonely Heart was featured in Crossings book club and released in hardback. My novella "Murder or Matrimony" in the anthology The Wildflower Brides was featured in the Doubleday book club and also released in hardback. Promises and Prayers for Teachers, an August 2004 Barbour release, was my first non-fiction book and went to number two on the Christian Booksellers Association's bestseller list.
Pursuit of Justice, my first novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense came out in March of 2007. The Price of Redemption, which continues the saga of those who live in Gila City, Arizona, will be published by Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense in November of 2007. In 2008, yet another Gila City suspense hits the shelves. Broken Lullaby will be available in March. Spiritual Refreshment for Women: Everyday Promises a prayer book for women from Barbour Publishing will be available in September of 2007. Another book for Harlequin, this one a straight romance Lucky in Love will also be released in 2008.
I attend the Church of Christ. I'm an English professor. My husband Don is a plumber. Besides going to church, writing, teaching, camping, sewing, reading, grading papers, cleaning house, yakking on the phone to friends, and taking care of my family, I also join lots of writing groups: Romance Writers of America, The Society of Southwestern Writers, The Arizona Authors' Association, and the American Christian Writer's Association. I serve as the president of our local chapter Christian Writers of the West. In February of 2005, my newlywed status changed to that of newlymom. Every other tidbit about me pales when compared to the joys of motherhood.