Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Growing up on a small farm in rural Western New York where cows outnumber people fostered a love for the great outdoors and the magical world of books. A good book for me usually had a horse or a dog as the main character, or even better, a mystery to unravel. These books inspired writing my own tales of adventure in notebooks stashed under my bed.

When marriage, raising two daughters, and a career in administration became priorities, writing faded into the distance. As a paralegal, administrative assistant, and manager, writing skills were honed on legal pleadings, policies, and all manner of business documents. Then an opportunity to finish my BS at Houghton College, NY came along in 1999. The research and term papers surprisingly got me excited about writing again.  
 
Once our nest was empty, my husband, David and I left New York for sunnier skies and warmer weather in southeast Arizona. The high desert with its beautiful mountain views and independent spirit seemed to encourage risk taking. Since 2005, I’ve been writing for magazines and websites on a variety of topics. Throwing caution to the wind, the real fun began when the Gracie Andersen mystery series was conceived. 

Gracie is a new kennel owner, attempting to reinvent herself after the death of her husband. She struggles socially and emotionally to find solid footing for her new life. Her hometown of Deer Creek is inhabited by some colorful characters who keep life interesting. Haley, Gracie's Labrador supplies plenty of canine antics as the pair insert themselves into murder investigations and a few dangerous situations. Humor, a mystery, and a little romance are in each book.

Two other books were written in the midst of the Gracie series, a Christian novel following the lives of three estranged sisters, and a devotional book focused on gardening Scriptures. 

Now that I've retired from the day job, more escapades with Gracie are planned, and a new suspense series which I hope to introduce soon. 

I am a member of Sisters in Crime (national), Sisters in Crime - Tucson, Upper San Pedro Writers Group, and John 3:16 Author Network.  I am a grateful recipient of multiple Poets and Writers grants. (2013 and 2015)

Publishing Credits:  Guideposts, The Upper Room, PROfile, Christian Devotions, Mature Living, The Sierra Vista Herald, and Portraits.