So entertained was I by popular fiction, particularly mysteries and suspense, I began, almost unconsciously, to plot the outline for a thriller of my own. Sustained by self-determination and the promise to my brother, Bob, to bring my idea to fruition, I developed my budding story into my debut novel, Blow Dart.   From early childhood I  enjoyed self-expression through the arts. Fiction writing is the most recent in a series of creative activities which began with drawing and progressed to piano, greeting card design, unique Christmas décor and painting. My appreciation of the beauty found in nature has influenced all my works, including the setting for my novel, the Colorado Rocky Mountains. To relax and retreat from the rest of the world, I established “The Dragonfly Studio”, where I create my unique greeting card designs and oil paintings. Among my favorite activities are nighttime dips in the pool, horseback riding and spending time with family and friends. Another constant in my life is my love of animals. Having rescued and adopted countless strays, my husband of twenty-two years, Roger, and I, now share the companionship of three dogs and five cats in a cedar log chalet, of our own design and construction, tucked away in the secluded hills of Tennessee where I am presently at work on the sequel to Blow Dart.    

Blow Dart the Abduction won BooksandAuthors.net's Best Fiction for 2010 Award and Patricia Gayle won Best New Author for 2010.