Coming in February 2009

The Mommy Makeover
The O'Briens
Book 4

Check out my latest newsletter for information
on THE MOMMY MAKEOVER and a new upcoming O'Brien book!

If this is your first time here, it’s great to see you! If you’ve been here before, welcome back! In case you’ve stumbled across this site by accident, here’s a little info about me. I am an author of women’s fiction and romance. I’m entering the ninth year since I sold my first book, and I’ve published twenty-six more to date, all of which you’ll find listed on the books link above. I’ve actually written a few more that will not see anything other than the dust balls beneath my bed.

You may wonder what it’s really like to be an author. Do I eat bon-bons stretched out on a satin chaise? Do I have a personal masseuse? A driver? A cabana boy? Well, yeah…in my dreams. Needless to say, the writer’s life is oftentimes misunderstood, and for that reason, I’ve decided to share a few particulars of my life, strange as they might be, and to the average person, strange might be a colossal understatement.

From the inner sanctum…
I work from home in an office that’s somewhat chaotic, although I do plan to clean it up at some point in the next decade. I wear a uniform of sorts—shorts and T-shirts in warmer weather, sweats and sweatshirts when it’s cold. If I put on makeup, my husband wants to know where I’m going. Most likely I’m heading to buy a rather large latte so I can keep my made-up face off the keyboard due to my sleep-deprived state.

Keeping healthy…
Breakfast is important. I’ve been known to eat it at 4 a.m., and I haven’t even been to bed yet. Yes, I tend to write into the wee hours of the morning, particularly when I’m working on a deadline, which I learned several years ago does not mean suspended phone service. I do take an afternoon nap, and early evening is reserved for family dinner, where I tend to hold my fork like a mouse (the computer kind, not the furry kind). Weather permitting, I take a nightly two-mile walk with the family dogs that I sometimes call by my current characters’ names. Amazing how dogs will answer to anything, as long as you give them a treat. Fortunately, I have yet to call my husband by one of my heroes’ names. That might require some serious explaining the next time I apply makeup.

Insanity anyone?
Okay, I do talk to myself occasionally, or so it seems to others. Actually, I’m carrying on a conversation with imaginary people who delight in disturbing what little sleep I get. I’ve been known to cry and laugh with my characters for no apparent reason and refer to them as if they would top the invitation list at a dinner party hosted by me. In my mind, they do exist, otherwise they don’t translate well on the page. If that makes me crazy, I’m greatly enjoying my insanity.

In all seriousness…sort of
I love what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s not always the perfect job, but it’s pretty darned close. I can’t think of anything better than building a world around two people falling in love, running full speed on four hours’ sleep, or eating oatmeal before the crack of dawn. And if by chance I receive one email or letter from a reader telling me they’ve enjoyed one of my books, the challenges are worth it.

While you’re here, feel free to look around and get to know some of the people who’ve become my best friends—or perhaps I should say my best figments—the characters in my stories. And the next time you hear someone on the street muttering to no one in particular, remember, you could be in the presence of a writer. Be kind.

All the best!

** Special note: Due to my private mailing center going out of business without notice, I no longer have access to a P.O. Box. In the interim, please contact me by email through the website contact form, and my sincerest apologies to those of you who’ve recently sent correspondence. I have no idea if any mail will be forwarded to me, returned to you or if it will end up in some postal abyss, never to be seen again. I’m honestly sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Believe me, I’m as surprised and frustrated as you are.

Printable Booklist