I love to write about the courage of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges. My protagonists are flawed but ultimately redeemed — at the very least, into knowing who they really are. I hope my characters are people we all recognize because I believe the best stories are about the bravery it takes to be human.

I’ve always written, beginning with my first “novel” at age 10.  A Navy brat, I went to twelve schools across the country before graduating from high school at age 16, then I attended college and law school in Southern California and France. After living for decades in the D.C. area, I now also have a tiny studio in the Hollywood Hills, where I write and paint. I’m a professional painter, an Artist member of the California Art Club.  I’m also an avid hiker, once completing 1500 miles in 12 months.  

A former litigator and trial lawyer, I’ve been admitted to practice in various states and federal courts, including at the U.S. Supreme Court when I was 29. I was elected Chair of both the Litigation Section and the Law Practice Management Section of the D.C. Bar – the first time in that Bar’s history that someone had chaired two sections simultaneously. Law was great. I grew my own law firm, where I got to help people and I got to write. 

But I’m also the late-in-life mom of two marvelous and challenging daughters. I spent 25 devoted years raising them, most of which I did single. When you think about it, isn’t it true that no matter what else we do, being a parent is really the ultimate act of courage?