As a writer

I write from my heart, blending my love of God, history and romance with the aim of uplifting, teaching and entertaining. I have a particular fondness for the World War I, World War II and Victorian eras. My first novel, Shadow of the Wolf, was published in 2002. It is no longer in print though you can find a listing of it on Amazon. I saw it listed for the exorbitant price of $95.00. Not sure who got that money. I sure didn’t, and fortunately no one is asking that much for it anymore. 

Life took me away from writing for a number of years, but God recently brought me back to it. I have two other novels completed by unpublished, and I’m currently working on a new series I’ve titled Salvaged, inspired by a story my husband told me about his grandmother and her piano. 

As a person

I was born in Brazil to American missionary parents. Being raised in a foreign country, albeit with a strong American community around me, helped make me the person I am today. For me growing up, “home” meant the United States where my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins lived. Yet I discovered, whenever we came “home” for furloughs, I missed the place where my day-to-day life played out. Where my school was, where my friends were. Where my “adopted” aunts and uncles played a much bigger role in my life than my biological grandparents. I was often asked, on both sides of the ocean, where I felt more at home, Brazil or the US. My answer, to be honest, varied depending on my mood and who I was missing at that particular moment. As an adult I’ve come to realize my Home is not of this world. The Home I long for is a place I’ve not yet been. 

I have a degree in Bible and elementary education from the Washington Bible College. Unfortunately, that institution has gone the way of many small Christian colleges in the US, and had to shut its doors a few years ago.

I’ve been married since 1990 to Serge, the love of my life and my best friend. We have two beautiful daughters who are a source of great joy and happiness to us. In September we also gained a wonderful son when our oldest daughter got married.

I was a school teacher for twelve years, two shortly after I graduated from college and ten more recently, from 2008 to 2018. In between those, I homeschooled my girls while we were missionaries in Brazil. My teaching credits include fourth grade, sixth grade, middle and high school English, middle and high school history and geography, and high school drama. No, I did not teach high schoolers to be dramatic. They were already pros at that.  🙂

As a crafter

I craft mostly as a hobby. It’s a creative outlet that usually brings on the satisfaction faster than writing. I dabble in paper crafts, often using my Cricut to make cards or other decorations. I also like to make some of my own Christmas ornaments. And just about anything with burlap. 

Some of my favorite things

Books, Andes chocolates, books, blush-colored roses, peonies and ranunculus, books, a cabin in the mountains (filled with books) or a cottage by the sea (also filled with books), books, Yorkshire terriers, black labs and golden retrievers, books, antique and vintage items. Oh, and books. And a cozy chair to sit in to read books. Next to a fireplace with a crackling fire and a hot cup of cocoa, coffee or tea. And a warm blanket to cuddle up in. Or plenty of AC since I’m a heat wimp who lives in south Florida with no need of a fireplace and blankets.