[close] I have always been a voracious reader. My parents encouraged my love of books, a gift more valuable to me than anything else they could have given me. It was no surprise to anyone when I began writing. I dabbled with short stories for years, even publishing a few in small press magazines, until I found and joined a writing critique group, and tried my hand at writing novels. When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, belly dancing and playing a pirate character at the Carolina Renaissance Faire, based on the pirates of the early 17th century. My novel, Mad Kestrel, was born from my fascination with pirates and my love of fantasy. I run the circulation desk in a middle school library, which allows me to keep up with current releases and new authors. I'm married, with one son. [close]