I was born in northern Ohio, grew up in Miami, Florida, and now live on the "Space Coast" near Cape Canaveral, where shuttle launches visible from my front yard set the stage for Alpha Rising. Fascinated by space exploration and discoveries since childhood, my wildest dream would be to experience zero gravity at NASA's Space Camp. On the earthly plane, I love learning from children, caring for animals, appreciating nature, cooking, artistic pursuits and frivolous fun. The proud mother of one grown son and one grandchild, my strong faith carries over in witness to God's miracles. At one point in my life I was given two weeks to live during treatment of a softball-sized cancerous tumor on my pericardium (the protective sac around the heart). I consider that difficult year a gift. My hope for the future is that many medical conditions will be successfully treated and cured in space station laboratories.

Alpha Rising--National and International Awards:

San Francisco Book Festival 2009--Honorable Mention--Science Fiction

London Book Festival 2008--Honorable Mention--Genre Fiction

Hollywood Book Festival 2008--Honorable Mention--Science Fiction and Wild Card

Writer's Digest 15th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards 2008-- Alpha Rising scored perfect 20 out of 20 in Plot, Grammar, Character development and Cover design

DIY Convention--6th Annual Book Festival--Hollywood, CA 2007--Honorable Mention--Genre-based Fiction