Born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I spent the first eight years of my life on an island. With no children nearby to play with, I depended on imaginary people for company until the much anticipated summer months when my cousin and best friend, Barbara, came to visit. Together, we created a world of exciting and ominous characters, often scaring ourselves silly in the process.

I attended the University of Washington, received a B.A. in English, and spent the next twenty-plus years, teaching middle school language arts, social studies and drama before retiring "early." Now I am happy to indulge my wild imagination and passionate love of history by writing. My retired engineer husband, humongous family, devoted friends, and one rescue dog and stray black cat are my audience.

I have made my home in Missouri, Georgia, and North Carolina but currently reside in South Carolina--a world away from my home state of Washington. When not at the computer or vacuuming pet hair, I enjoy traveling and poking my nose into strange and mysterious places, here and abroad.