[close] As I sit here, trying to put into words who I am, I can't help but think of hats. I know it's an old, time-worn cliche, but hats fit (no pun intended). Like everyone else, I wear many hats; daughter, sister, wife, mother... teacher and student, philosopher, dreamer... and now - officially - romance writer.
I began as a daughter, born in northern Maine, the last of five children. Over the years I picked up several new hats, each of them adding warmth and texture to my life. In 1977 I became a wife, in 1981 a mother (I liked it so much I did it again in 1984). And as each new hat was added, I found that I've became stronger, more comfortable with the fit, and happier.


Teacher and student, dreamer and philosopher are life-long hats silently grown like a second skin. And it is from this foundation that I write my novels.

I have no idea what compels me to write, I only know that I must. I have always spun stories in my head, even as a child. But something - who knows what lurks deep in our subconscious - sat me in front of a blank computer screen one day and made me put those stories into words.

That was eight books ago. Charming the Highlander is the first one published. The others, like valued friends, exist only to keep me humble.

And so now, when asked what I do, I smile and say I'm a romance writer. There is the occasional raised eyebrow in response, and my smile widens. I tell them I'm a Mainer, so what else is there to write about? I'm living smack in the middle of a romantic landscape, nestled between an invigorating ocean and embracing mountains, all cloaked in a mantle of wilderness. The people of Maine are stalwart, independent, and willing to meet life head-on. They probably don't think of themselves as romantic, but they are its very essence.

This is why my stories are set here. And why I wish to share them with the rest of the world.
I live in a log home on a lake in central Maine. I've been married for twenty-five years and have two remarkable sons. We own more boats than we have people to run them, but it's a diversified group. I own a kayak, which is just my speed. My husband owns a fishing boat, two sailboats, a canoe, and an ice sailboat.

We spend a lot of time outside. Heck, I often write outside (kudos to the inventor of laptops). When I feel the need to go to the mountains or the ocean (depending on what book I'm working on) my husband hooks up the camper, packs up his boat, and takes me there. He fishes - I write. He cooks - I write. He vacuums, does laundry, mows the lawn - I write. It's a very nice routine we've worked out, don't you think? He takes care of the details of life and I write.
I can't tell you how thrilled I am that Pocket Books is publishing my stories. It truly is a dream come true, and a validation of years and years of hard work. But most rewarding, I think, is that I will get to share this special corner of my world with the rest of you.

So check back with me from time to time, and let me know what you're thinking. I'll write Letters from LakeWatch to keep you up to date on what's happening, and previews and excerpts from upcoming books.

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