I have been reading and writing since I can remember. I was terrified of the dark as a child. I would create characters in my head at night to keep me company, then I would write about them in the morning. I spent many of my days in elementary school in the library. The teachers couldn't keep me busy in class, so I'd sit in the biography section of the library and devour the stories. The librarian told me she needed me to give her reviews on the books. Of course, now I know she likely just enjoyed seeing me read, but I faithfully reported in on every book I read. At home, I created my own little library in the corner of my bedroom closet. Books have defined me and I know I was put here to write. It's all I've ever wanted. I simply write because I must. Writing action/adventure suspense stories helps me create worlds into which I hope readers will be able to disappear for just a while.

In my "day job" as a nonfiction writer, I am the author of more than 75 textbooks, technical training manuals, and business books. I am the author of The Nature Directory: A Guide to Environmental Organizations (Walker and Company, New York, 1990) and The Ecology of War: Environmental Impacts of Weaponry and Warfare (Walker, 1993). The Nature Directory was a book club alternate selection and was chosen on of the "Top 20 book of 1991" by the New York Public Library. I no longer write technical manuals and textbooks. Instead, I write about luxury destinations, resorts, and gourmet cuisine for such publications as Western Lifestyle Retailer, So Scottsdale, View AZ Higlife, Design & Architecture Magazine, Rocky Mountain News, Countryside Magazine, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, Oasis for Educators, Home Education Magazine, Western Horseman, Persimmon Hill: The Magazine of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, International Journal on World Peace, Steamboat Magazine, American Cowboy, Mountain Living, ActiveTimes Magazine, Phoenix Home & Garden, and Cowboys and Indians. You can find out more about my nonfiction writing at my business web site (http://www.thotinfo.com).

I was born in Virginia, raised in the Colorado mountain town of Steamboat Springs, and have lived in Arizona for the past 15 years. I share a home with my husband and my beautiful 10-year-old cocker spaniel, Lizzie. My son Patrick, daughter-in-law Kami, and 3 grandkids (Nathan, John and Zoe) are never far away. In my spare time, I love to read, spend time with my family, and travel. I love hanging out on the beach in Mexico and visiting anyplace where there's a beach.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers, Phoenix Desert Rose, Phoenix Valley of the Sun, and Kiss of Death Mystery-Suspense Chapter. I have served in a variety of positions in my various chapters, including website administrator for both FTHRW and Desert Rose, Desert Dreams Conference Chair, newsletter editor for FTHRW and Desert Rose, Vice-President of FTHRW, and FTHRW workshop coordinator.