I am a creative soul, as a little girl, I could rarely calm the howling imaginative thoughts racing in my mind.

From my earliest recollection, I began a lifelong journey satisfying my inner self by chivalrously attempting to bring home every animal I saw in need of care, in need of love. I first discovered my passion for telling stories as my sister and I would stay up past our bedtime and conjure up make-believe trips around the world. I was the one riding horseback and she was almost always in search of a handsome prince. Together, our whimsical and adventuresome spirits traveled to countless fantasy worlds. It was here, when I began creating fictional animals with endearing flaws, who are stronger than they look, travel into worlds of exuberance as they win over the hearts of a reader. Writing a children’s book was always on my long to-do list, and eventually, with Comfortable In Her Shell, it became a reality. Stay tuned for my next book in this series. 

I self-proclaim to have a serious case of OTD, Obsessive Turtle Disorder. Yes, this is a condition!  Quick lesson – turtles and tortoises are different. This does depend on who you talk to. Tortoises are exclusively land animals. Most other turtles live in the water much of the time, but tortoises do not. Tortoises are actually a type of turtle. So you can say that all tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. Regardless of diversifications, I am enthralled with the species evolutionary history, morphology, ecological traits and calm nature. 

I am happiest being in my yoga clothes. I attempt to cook, struggle playing my vintage German Pfretzschner Antonius Stradivarius cello, memorized by willow trees, love being referred to as a “yogi,” and often spend far too much time binge watching a mini series I have seen before. I easily become obsessed with any creative art project I get my hands on and work to the wee hours of the night like a mad scientist until every facet is close to perfection.

I live and work in the Chicagoland area along with my four children, a few scruffy dogs, two moody (but oh-so wise) cats and a myriad of misfit farm animals.

That is kinda my story.