I grew up in a Texas suburb, and after college, hightailed my way to the big City! I've lived in the same area for a long time.

At age 9 for extra credit, the assignment was to write a poem. So I did! And wrote poetry for a long, long time.

And I was a voracious reader. My mom tells the story about taking me to the library and when I presented my stack for check-out, the librarian said I couldn't have that many. Mom saw my downcast face and took matters into her hands, saying I would read them all in two weeks, probably twice, and read what my sisters checked out as well. The staff handed them over. Happy camper me!

As a kid, I read lots of mysteries. Give me a Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I moved from them to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, Mary Stewart, and Agatha Christie. After my son's birth, I discovered DICK FRANCIS. I gobbled his work like M&Ms. When Handsome asked me why, I told/confessed I wished I could write like him. It took me twenty years to try.

In my early teens and in the doldrums of summer break, my mom gave me Emilie Loring books--my first sweet romances--to read. I love these books! After college, I discovered Kathleen Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers. Romance has so many genres. Sigh.

I begin each day with a workout. And nothing is better than a good one with a class of good friends. The love and support there is priceless. From these friendships, I am involved in Mah jongg, needlepoint, yoga, and a book club.

Reading! Isn't that where most writers evolve from??

I love to do needlepoint. The rhythm of doing the stitches is mighty fine. And I make something useful!

I practice yoga 2-4 times a week. And thanks to yoga, I have lean muscles and strong ones.

I Jazzercise. Take long walks.

And write!

Because I am involved in the writing community, this group is active in publicizing new releases, sometimes, for free reads. Knowing a particular author and they're captivating writing style sends me back for more. And more!

Yes, it is Temporarily Employed, a romantic mystery. If I am lucky, it will be published next year.

I don't remember the first story I ever read. I do have a memory of a pivotal book, one which thrust me into reading more adult books.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. In eighth grade English, I had to read a book and do an oral book report. Back then, I was incredibly shy. Putting my in front of the class---shudders. I read CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, gave my report, and afterwards, the teacher reprimanded me in front of the class, saying I should have picked something harder. I went huh? I asked the girl sitting in front of me what she read. Rebecca. I gave it a try and it proved to be a winner.

Madam, Will You Talk by Mary Stewart. A romantic mystery. She has a way of combining the story elements. I want to be the heroine.

Come to Grief by Dick Francis. A mystery set in the English horse racing industry. There is a scene in the book which brings me to tears. An Edgar winner, too.

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux. A historical time travel. When I finished this book, I closed the cover, sat for a bit, and reread it. That has happened few times in my life.

Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. Contemporary romance. A funny book gets me every time.

anything by Emilie Loring. Now, vintage contemporary romance. Quick sweet reads.

It's a beauty-lovely wooden top, with scrolled metal legs. Two drawers on each side of the keyboard tray. A new wide screen monitor squarely in front of me. New small, very small, CPU to my right. Next to the CPU is a lamp, the base made from a large silver pitcher. To my left is a date book and small to-do notebook. On the tabletop I have a stack of do not throwaway papers. Behind those is a stack of books to enter reviews for. Then there's the odds and ends. In front of the monitor are sticky notes with important due dates and my trusty Papermate mechanical pencils I can't live without! Next to the CPU is always-always-always a can of diet Coke with a plastic straw.

I began by writing books--specifically, romantic mysteries. Then after critiquing short stories for a friend, I've written and sold 23 of those!

Writing shorts is a challenge that I treat like writing a book. Because my works are funny, I have to find the perfect word or phrase or incident to relay the humor.

Then there's the very sexy one.... Yes, it's very sensual. It came to me in a dream and friend insisted I write this! I follow directions well and included a poem I'd written for Handsome. There's a sprinkling of magic and a touch of humor too.

I always have short stories I can develop. I'm writing two more in the magical paranormal series. And am hoping to have my book, Temporarily Employed, published in 2014. Cross fingers!!

Oh Lordy, the story behind this question.

Returning home from a girlfriend trip, one gal wanted to play her version of car games. She would pose various and hilarious questions and the three of us would answer.

Question 1: Pick one-Englebert Humperdink or Tom Jones?

I picked EH, they picked TJ.

Question 2: Write the opening paragraph of a book using the word "window."

I've never found out if my friend posed this question on purpose or not. But I took it to heart. Like I've said, I had wanted to write for many, many years. To answer would reveal a truth I wasn't sure I wanted to share. So when noticing my hesitation, she said to go home and email the group later on in the week.

Two days later, I KNEW I had to answer. So I wrote my paragraph and kept returning to add. Eventually, I showed her eight chapters. She handed them back with "keep on." I did. VBG.

A true variety.

I love to read mysteries. Historical romances. Contemporary romance. Funny stories.

I write author interviews for a review site and read a book for that.

I read the designated book for book club every month.

I have a Kindle. The joy of it is being able to load with a bunch of stories and carry one small thing when traveling, not load my suitcase with tons of paperbacks.

Sometimes, I take a paperback and when finished, leave it in an obscure spot, hoping someone else finds it and reads.