From a sheltered British background to the asphalt jungle of New York and beyond, I’ve experienced upheaval and change. I describe myself as adventurous and cosmopolitan. I grew up in London, attended an all-girl public school, a Swiss boarding school and the French Institute. My conservative education and my family have had a major influence on my life. In my twenties, I moved to Manhattan and worked in international art galleries. Why did I start writing? A chance encounter got me interested. I was in a train returning from Eastern Europe in the late 1990s. Still in shock from my recent experience, I confided in a passenger who was sitting next to me. She said: “Why don’t you write a book?” A few months later I put pen to paper. My writing career began. I was 54. Mostly I write travel and restaurant articles, reviews of cultural events, and short pieces on sexuality. I’ve traveled extensively in twelve countries, lived for long periods in seven major cities and speak French and German. My favorite books are Theodore Dreiser’s “American Tragedy”, because it’s timely, and Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the D’Urbevilles”, because it deals with human relationships, tragedy, love. A few years ago I plunged into the high-tech world and learned how to use a mobile phone, word processor and the Internet. As a result, I was able to take a distance-learning writing course, which I really enjoyed. My hobbies include reading creative nonfiction, weight lifting, hiking, and indoor gardening.

REVIEWS FOR "Slave to a Stranger":
International Woman Magazine www.internationalwoman.net February, 2002.
Vicki Sullivan www.authorsden.com/verasaunders in 2002.
Susie Harrison www.authorsden.com/verasaunders in 2001.

AUTHOR-OF-THE-MONTH:
Ladyfire Authors www.ladyfire.com chose "Slave to a Stranger" for their Exceptional Writers Spotlight in October, 2001. They also listed it in their Newsletter.

EXTRACTS PUBLISHED:
The Lady O Society printed three excerpts from "Slave to a Stranger" in their Newsletter (2002/2003).

ARTICLES PUBLISHED:
“Innate or Learned?” in LOS Newsletter No. 34, 2002.
“SM in Daily Life” in LOS Newsletter No. 32, 2001.
“Hair’s Help.” A reader’s letter in Here’s Health Britain’s No. 1 Alternative Health Magazine, 1999.
“Teaching Adults English One-To-One” in Teaching, 1997.

WORKSHOP:
Dr Linda Savage, a leading sex therapist, included "Slave to a Stranger" as a cautionary tale in her 2003 California workshop Brigid’s Day Celebration.

At the age of 25, headed graphics department at leading international art gallery in New York.
Co-hosting official visitors to the US from abroad.
Adapting fast to foreign cultures.
Speaking out.

CERTIFICATE:
Graduated from Long Ridge Writers Group. Received Diploma March 3, 2005 for their course "Breaking into Print."