I write science fiction and fantasy with romance included in the storyline, whether primary or secondary. Escapist fiction! I also write contemporary and paranormal romance. I have two full novels in the works (see "Manuscripts" page) and several other stories in varying stages of completion. LIke most authors, I’ve been doodling stories in pieces since I could lift a pencil, but aside from a few creative writing courses in college, I only got serious about learning the craft with an eye on publication in 2001. Two of my short stories have been published by The Wild Rose Press.

I hold a BS in Zoology, from Oregon State University. After volunteering with wildlife rehab for a summer,  I worked as a zookeeper for five years. Animals I cared for include porcupines, river otters, birds of prey (I have falconry handling knowledge as well as vet care) fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and spiders (Black widows– I squished them at home and fed them yummy crickets at work...). 

Hobbies: gardening (sort of), knitting, sewing, crochet, quilting, reading and writing. A student of kenpo karate, I'm learning how to use nunchucks, sticks and staves as well as my hands and feet to cause pain…lots of fun. And I'm a darn good shot with a pistol. I was in the SCA in college, a medieval historical recreation society. I helped create armor, hand hammered from sheet metal, and chain mail with hand-turned wire. I was into costuming (any excuse to play dress-up) and watching sword battles from the sidelines. Post-college, I played a live-action version of Vampire the Gathering (Whitewolf Publishing) with a large group of gamer geek friends, and I also played tabletop AD&D, Cyberpunk, and Shadowrun. All storytelling outlets...hmmm.... 

Nowadays, I'm married, raising a daughter, writing and editing, in between learning all about marketing my author self. We live in Oregon on a hill, under trees. 

I haunt the SF/Fantasy aisle. My favorite books include romance as part of the story, but not if it's gratuitous. Movies are different– I’m as much a sucker for a ‘chick-flick’ as the next girl. Both historical and contemporary romances keep me parked on the couch. If the characters and/or story touch me, I remember them. Storytelling is storytelling, and I’m learning my way around the romance prose section now! 

My favorite authors and why (alphabetically):

Sharon Green: Strong heroines who are capable with either weapons or magic, yet are vulnerable emotionally, and muscle-bound heroes who are a perfect match for love– if the heroine can see past her shortcomings. Writes great sex. Has also written regency romance and erotica.  I like her work from the 80's & early 90's. Read: Lady Blade, Lord Fighter, The Rebel Prince, Dawn Song.   

Holly Lisle: Passion for life and the importance of doing what you can to make the world a better place seem to be themes that jump from her work. On her website are volumes of helpful essays and workshops. Read: The Devil and Dan Cooley,  Memory of Fire 

Anne McCaffrey: Worldbuilding. She’s awesome. I want to live on Pern...She builds realistic love into her stories. She also has a contemporary romance, The Lady, set on a horse ranch in Ireland. Her descriptions were so vivid it made me want to take riding lessons. Read: The Ship Who Sang, The Lady, The Rowan, anything from the Dragonriders of Pern series.