I’ve wanted to be a romance writer ever since I devoured my first Harlequin at age 11. The book? Wild Goose by Mary Wibberley. Iconic. Before that, I was pretty sure I was Nancy Drew—minus the roadster, boyfriend, or sense of direction.

I write (and read) romance because I’m an unapologetic sucker for a happy ending. That magical moment when you finish a book and the world feels just a little more sparkly? That’s what I live for—and what I hope to give my readers, too.

When I’m not writing about broody heroes and the women who refuse to put up with their crap, I moonlight as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at a small-town gym in the Pacific Northwest. Yes, I get paid to work out. No, it does not cancel out my Cheetos habit.

I’ve been married for almost 40 years (to the same guy—go us!), and we’re lucky to have two grown kids nearby, two hilarious grandkids, one murder-minded cat, and more dust bunnies than should be legally allowed.