About the Author

I have always loved spending hours curled up in a favourite chair, sipping a cup of tea, and being transported into story by wonderful authors who like to write series. Long series. Or long novels. Think of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander romantic historicals, Sue Grafton’s Alphabet mysteries, or David Weber’s Honor Harrington universe. 

 

Eclectic? Yes. My reading career includes books with many words, a wide range of genres, and a central theme of strong protagonists who live their lives with grit, courage, vulnerability, and compassion. My writing follows the same themes: adventure, a touch of magic, and a deep desire to see good in the world, which invariably means touching the darker corners of human experience.

 

In my spare time I love travel that includes hiking: Taking a gondola up the Swiss Alps and spending hours coming back down (ok, so we got lost, who ever said I was good at following directions?), or walking through vineyards towards the small villages that line the Route des Vins in Alsace (that one took a little longer than planned because when we set out on the “walk” I hadn’t realized the map showed the “driving” times.  A very kind local offered us water when he found us, shoes off and rubbing our feet, sitting on a bench above his vineyard. And, hey, walking 12 hours in a day is good for you, right?) 

 

I also like slowing down: I worked in a fast-paced children’s mental health centre for most of my paid career. There I had the honour of connecting with inspiring clinicians and caregivers whose deep care for others helped make lives better on a daily basis. Amidst the sometimes chaotic or crisis driven work, I learned to savour the slower moments and to value stillness, connection, and creativity.

 

What is a perfect day? A good book. A fireplace. A puppy curled up at my feet on the couch. I’m okay with a little snow falling outside as long as it doesn’t need shovelling.