This award-winning author and poet will be releasing her third story, "Cool Critters," in January.

Geiger published her first novel, for pre-teens, called "Trouble at the Blueberry Patch" in 2002. Her second story, "A Wild and Wooly Night," is a picture book for ages 3 to 8.

Having 16 grandchildren gave her a very good reason to start submitting to publishers the more than two dozen stories she has been crafting since she was 13. Her busy life had kept her from being able to work on her writing full time.

Geiger is the former co-owner of Swampy Acre Alligator Farm, which produces belts, wallets, hat bands and other products, some of which she still sells on eBay. She currently works with her husband, Kenny, who invented the Next Generation Filtration System, an eco-friendly oil/hydraulic fluid filter being used in trucks and manufacturing equipment to reduce engine wear, remove contaminants and water, and increase fuel efficiency.

"We've been married 46 years in February," said Lorraine Geiger of the relationship that began on a blind date. Stationed near St. Johns when he was in the Navy, her husband joked about getting snowed in and having to sleep in his Volkswagen bus because the roads to her home were blocked.

Her mother took pity on him and finally let him come into the house. Since that first date they have been inseparable. They moved to Central Florida to be near his family in 1966.

With relatives in Newfoundland, the United States, one daughter-in-law from China and another from Puerto Rico, Geiger said, "We really are an international family."

And with the seven foreign exchange students she hosted while her own family was growing up, she has young people who call her "mom" living all over the world.

The Geigers travel extensively in their 45-foot motor coach on business trips and to visit family. They have been in 49 states and have flown to China, France, England and Norway.

With a broad smile, Geiger said Norway is her favorite for two reasons — it reminds her of home, and her favorite exchange student, Magne, lives there.

Geiger, who has citizenship in both the U.S. and Canada, owns homes in Florida, Pennsylvania and Newfoundland.

Showing off the rich wood cabinets and handcrafted furniture that her husband made, Geiger said their residence in the Harder Hall area is home base. Because she dislikes the North's cold weather, they spend the fall and winter here in Sebring.

The house in Pennsylvania is a two-story home built over several years by her husband. North of Pittsburgh, their place is a wooded retreat close to daughter Renee and nine of their grandchildren.

Their small summer vacation home on Hodgewater Pond, in Newfoundland, is a scenic get-away and a great place to write. With her 102-year-old mother still living near St. Johns, Geiger enjoys her time with her family.

As a member of the Florida Poet's Association, Geiger has been awarded more than 75 prizes in national and state contests. She loves writing for all age groups and hopes to include some of her poetry in upcoming books.