I'm a writer. A storyteller. Someone who loves the company of words. A professional journalist for more than twenty years, I've worked as a newspaper reporter, award-winning magazine editor and speechwriter, and now I'm writing romantic suspense novels. When I'm not at the keyboard cranking out nail-biting stories about strong women with big dreams and even bigger passions, I work as a public relations consultant and free-lance writer. Sunny Arizona is my home, which I share with my husband and three children. Some of my hobbies…reading, sewing, inline skating and baking cheesecakes.

And now for the non-standard stuff. Here's what you'll find in the top drawer of my bedside nightstand: EB White's Elements of Style (such a kind and gentle soul); Reviving Ophelia (I have THREE daughters); Gary Chapman's Love Languages (because great relationships are hard work); a worry stone; a heart-shaped piece of coral my husband found for me on a beach in Hawaii; three pens; one notebook; and a box of matches (because almost everything is better by candlelight!).

And what's dear enough to you that you keep it in the top drawer of your bedside nightstand?

Awards

2008 Kiss Of Death Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence, Single Title Finalist -- Don't Look Back
2008 Golden Heart® Finalist -- The Lost
2008 Editor's Choice Award (SDSU Writer's Conference) -- Don't Look Back
2007 Golden Heart Finalist -- Twilight’s Children
2007 Finally A Bride First Place -- Twilight’s Children
2006 Golden Pen Fifth Place -- Through the Shadows
2005 Maggie Finalist -- Through the Shadows
2005 Sheila Finalist -- Through the Shadows