Growing up in San Diego, California, I developed a passion for the printed word with my very first Dick and Jane reader. As soon as I figured out that somebody must create those words, I knew I wanted to be a "book maker" when I grew up. I wrote my first story, "Judy and the Fairies," when I was six. My love of books also led me to an MLS degree from UCLA and a career as a reference and collection development librarian at the San Diego Public Library. Retirement allowed me to put writing front and center. In addition to the three R’s—reading, writing, and research—I enjoy Scrabble, movies, and travel. My stories have been published in numerous journals, including Eclectica, Thema Literary Journal, and The Avalon Literary Review. The Wild Rose Press has published nine books, ranging from sweet romance to gritty suspense, and a tenth will be released in 2025.