I was born in San Jose California and is the oldest of two brothers, and a sister. I attended several high schools but graduated from Gunderson High School. I enjoyed volunteering at school events, was active in cultural exchange club, tutoring, marching band, and drama club, but my true love was writing. After graduating high school I attended San Jose City college for awhile before joining the US Army. I met my husband in the army and when we got out we settled in Memphis Tennessee. In Dec. 1989 I graduated from Memphis State University with a B.A in Education, and one month later on January 4, 1990 my only child James Robert Golden was born. I became a stay at home mother and was very active as a room mother, library volunteer, and cub scout leader.   Sadly on New Years Eve 2008 my son J.R was killed in a motorcycle accident, and in a blink of a eye all the dreams I had for the future died along with him. All except one. The one dream I always carried with in my heart kept me moving forward, kept me from getting lost in my grief. And that was writing and becoming a published Author. I lost myself in writing a story that was full off life, full of action and adventure, full of love and acceptance and discovery and let my son live on in the character of J.R Black. Giving him the life that I always wanted him to live.     Besides writing I love traveling, cooking, gardening, walking, crafts of all kinds. I love animals and have several cats and a male sugar glider named Peanut. The character of Helaina Unity has a pet sugar glider named Peanut, but her's is a female.  What inspired me to write this book? The world around me inspired this story. Everywhere I would look I saw violence, and hope disappearing. I saw how books, and movies told stories of violence, and despair and wanted to tell a story where there was hope for the world, where there was action and adventure without intense violence that lead to death, and horror. I wanted to tell a story that parents, grandparents, and children of all ages would enjoy together. A story that would teach about the world around us, and open minds to all the possibilities the world had. And go back to a time where stories made you think, ask questions, and a story that wasn't like all the others out there, one that was unique and different from all that was out there.   What books have influenced my life most?   The list is endless. Reading has always been a great joy in my life. Each book I read, be it anywhere from a Harlequin romance to a cookbook left a impression on me.   If I had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? There are two talented and creative individuals that come to mind. J.K Rowling who created a magical world, and who's personal story taught me that anything is possible, and that I can create my own mysterious world of my own. And Clive Cussler whose stories of action and adventure and romance I have enjoyed, and whose style of short chapters filled with content that I used to entertain, and keep the attention of my young readers.