Welcome! I am a children's author, retired nurse, and proud grandmother living in beautiful West Michigan. Guided by my faith and a lifelong love of learning, I craft imaginative adventures that celebrate teamwork, curiosity, and family bonds. When I am not collecting fresh eggs from my eleven chickens or planning my next family cruise, I am bringing heart-centered stories to life for young readers. Through every book I write, my mission is to inspire kindness, spark joy, and use a portion of the proceeds to help support teens in crisis.
My storytelling journey is deeply rooted in my family and faith. I have been married to the love of my life, David, since 1980, and together we share three wonderful daughters, Natalie, Missy, and Hillary, along with four beautiful grandchildren: Trent, Kinslee, Noelle, and Eddie. Our family has walked through challenges, but our shared Christian faith and our wonderful church community have been our foundation through it all.
I have always loved the challenge of trying new things and keeping my brain stimulated. Before pursuing my dream as an author, I enjoyed a diverse career that included working as a Licensed Realtor, a school registrar, and primarily as a Registered Nurse. From 1979 until my retirement, my nursing career took me from the Emergency Room and Labor & Delivery to serving as a camp nurse and working in a Teen Parent Program designed to help high school girls graduate. My mother and sister were also nurses, and my husband worked in healthcare, making a life of caring for others a true family tradition.
The inspiration to finally take the plunge and write these books for publication came from a very special place. Years ago, I began making up imaginative bedtime adventures for my youngest daughter, which eventually became the foundation for the upcoming Princess Bethany stories. My father, whom I affectionately called Papa Eddie, was my greatest encourager. He constantly reminded me to write my stories down so other children could enjoy them. After he passed away in 2020, I decided to take a chance on myself, honor his memory, and actively work to bring those characters to the page, alongside a heartfelt upcoming story about our beloved family dog, Ginger.
As I prepare to launch these first books, I write to entertain and inspire, but I also write with a specific mission. A portion of all future book proceeds will go toward helping young men and women afford faith-based programs for teens in crisis. Having seen firsthand how a supportive, faith-based school in Florida transformed a struggling family member's life, I want to help other families receive that same life-changing support.
When I am not writing and preparing these stories for young readers, you can usually find me tending to my raised garden beds, mentoring women in my community, or dreaming about trading the snowy Michigan winters for a few months in the Southern sun.
