I write YA romance (so far sans vampires or werewolves). I think there is a lot of great YA fiction out there now, so much more than when I was a YA myself! But I think we need more true-to-life YA where the heroine is strong, and rises above the obstacles or troubles she may have had in her life, the hero is someone worthy of being cheered for, and no one is cutting or sticking their finger down their throat. (I know there's plenty of that going on in the real world, but I don't think girls dealing with those things want to read about it. I speak from personal knowledge - not me, just someone I love very much.) I want my books to be completely compelling and enjoyable while promoting values. I have two teenage daughters, and I work with teen girls ages 12-18. I've learned to listen and observe, and I'm amazed at how much I can hear by doing just that. I feel an obligation to write books that I am not embarassed or ashamed to have these girls read - and that they could read aloud to their grandma's, if they wanted, without embarassment. 

Honorable Mention for the short story version of Geek Girl in the Writers Digest 78th Annual Short Story Award.

It started as a short story, and turned into a novel! My next book, Heart on a Chain, should be available by the end of the year.

Geek Girl
“Think I can turn that boy bad?” High school junior Jen inadvertently turns her life upside down when, out of boredom, she makes a bet that she can turn school geek Trevor into someone bad, someone like her. His complete opposite in every way, the sarcastic goth-girl tries pulling him into her world of partying. Instead she finds herself sucked into Trevor’s world of sci-fi movies, charity work and even – ugh! – bowling. If that weren’t bad enough, she desperately wants to become a permanent part of the foster family she currently lives with, even if it means having a cheerleader for a sister. What’s up with that? But Jen must come to terms with her past, including her now-dead abusive father and her imprisoned mother. Jen’s journey will lead her to discover the true meaning of friendship. family, forgiveness, and above all, love.