About
Me
Welcome to my website. Thank you for stopping by. I hope we’ll find
something in common and become good friends.
I think I’ve been writing stories as long as I can remember. My first pen-to-paper attempt came in the 7th grade. My English teacher required a theme paper every Monday and I loved it. Each week he would give us something different to write – a fairy tale, a scary story, a mystery. As they say in the south, I was in High Cotton. I remember writing a teen romance serial for my friends that was full of longing glances and a heavy dose of angst for the intrepid hero.
Then I grew up, distracted by life and boys – one in particular. Joe Beatty. We dated after high school married and recently celebrated our 45th year together. We have two grown sons, two amazing daughters-in-law and five adorable grandchildren. Are there any other kind?
Joe and I were born and raised in Columbus, Ohio but we moved to Shelton, Connecticut for a short while then down south to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and finally Jackson, Mississippi.
I started writing again when my boys were young. In a household of men, I needed a place to go and hide from all the sports and stuff so the writing became my escape. I had several short stories published, a few news articles, and contributed to a several non-fiction books. When a Silhouette seminar came to town, I decided to attend. I was greatly encouraged and went home and started my first book. Lead With Your Heart was published with Silhouette Special Edition in 1992, followed quickly by Ice Princess – my bestselling book. I had two more books with them before my brief writing career came to screeching halt. Life had tossed our family a curve forcing the writing to the background.
After about five years I realized I missed the writing and decided to give it another try. By this time I’d come to realize I wanted to write for the Christian market. Having published four books I didn’t expect the publishing doors to fly open, but I wasn’t prepared for the long seven year wait before getting published again. Thankfully, the Lord put many talented and supportive people in my path and I signed with agent Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary. Within the first year I’d sold a book to Heartsong Presents. Six months later I sold book #1 of my Dover, Mississippi series to Love Inspired, followed quickly by book #2 and a Christmas novella.
God worked miracles with my first books, using them to display his love and faithfulness during a difficult time. I want my future books to offer hope and encouragement to the readers and showcase how God’s hand can change any circumstance.
In addition to writing I love to read, watch old movies, travel, work in my garden, and spend time with my grandchildren.
