I'm first and foremost a servant of God, and from that relationship all the other hats I wear fall into place. I'm a wife, mother, Nana (of the world's cutest grandson!), teacher, pianist and writer. I learned to read at an early age and have fond memories of childhood trips to the library where I devoured books. The transition from reader to writer was a natural progression for me. The Lord made me with an active imagination, so stories flow easily. During my childhood and youth, I participated in several interscholastic contests involving storytelling and writing. My high school after-school job was at the town newspaper working for a lovable curmudgeon who encouraged me to write articles in addition to setting type and other newspaper chores.

Though my love of stories and writing never diminished, during college I pursued a music education degree. (I also received my MRS. degree and MAMA degree during those years!) During the early years of our family, my husband and I were public school teachers. During the summer break I would write. I have at least seven manuscripts I started and never finished, because I ran out of summer before I ran out of words. Around 2007-2008, I experienced several things in my life which made me realize how fleeting life can be. It was a wake-up call. I knew if I were ever going to pursue my dream of writing a novel that I'd better get started. I joined ACFW and started reading every how-to book I could find on the craft of writing.

Texas Roads, book one in the Miller's Creek, Texas series was my first completed novel. I thought it was at least a decent story, so to receive professional feedback I entered it in the ACFW Genesis contest. You can imagine my utter shock when I received a call saying the story had made it to the finals. It's still one of those "pinch me" moments in my memory. Looking back, I believe the whole process was a God nudge. As much as I don't like to admit it, I needed that recognition in order to keep going. As a recovering perfectionist, I think I would have eventually given up on the whole idea of writing a book had it not been for ACFW and the Genesis contest.

As I type these words, my husband and I are getting ready to move to Arkansas (to be near our adorable grandson!) No doubt the hardest part of the whole process for me is leaving my Texas family behind and moving from a place that is such a HUGE part of who I am. I've lived my entire life in small-town Texas, so it seemed like an appropriate setting for my novels.

When I was still a girl, I received a Bible from one of my grandmothers with the inscription "Read it everyday." I can't begin to tell you how that simple message has impacted my life. God's Word is a revelation of who He is, and I want to know Him. In addition, I believe so strongly in the truth of His Word as Good News of peace and hope that I want to share it with others in whatever means possible. One of the ways I share is to write devotional articles. When I feel God's Spirit speaking to me from His Word, I write an article and post it online. I hope those posts help others in their journey through this life.