I grew up on the eastern coast of North Carolina, the middle child of two of the best parents on earth (May you rest peacefully in heaven, Daddy). I was a precocious kid, the one who always asked, “Why?” I loved reading because it was the perfect escape from my small hometown, and with each page I turned, I was able to meet interesting people and travel to exciting places, all without leaving the confines of my bedroom. During my undergraduate years at Winston-Salem State University, (Go RAMS!) I continued my love affair with books, and I dreamed about writing a novel, envisioning myself at the top of the New York Times best-sellers list. But upon graduation, and with the next month’s rent looming, I put that dream on hold and chose a more practical route…getting a 9 to 5 to pay the bills.

I spent the next several years in a rewarding career in higher education, but I continued to dream about writing a book. Occasionally, I’d dabble—creating characters and plots in my head that never made it past a few frustrating pages. Fast forward through earning a Masters Degree from Wake Forest University (Go DEACS!), and working in a variety of management positions for corporate and non-profit organizations, I still held on to my love of books and the dream of one day writing my own. Then something happened that left me numb…I got laid-off from my job. But in retrospect, that lay-off was a blessing because when my 9 to 5 door closed, God opened my literary window! One morning instead of beginning my daily routine of job searching, I sat at my computer and let all those years of ideas come rushing out.

Instead of the writer’s block that I’d experienced in the past, I put my fingers to the keyboard and watched the words flow like sweet water. By one o’clock the next morning I had written the first chapter of, Unexpected Interruptions, and five months later the novel was complete. Ironically, shortly thereafter, I landed a job. Over the next two years, I worked my 9 to 5 while researching the next step—how to get published. I submitted my manuscript to dozens of agents and publishers, but they all turned me down. Let me tell you, rejection is a very hard thing. But I was determined not to let anything stop me from my dream. I had faith, and I believed in the story I had written. So, after careful thought and planning, I resigned from my job and formed my own publishing company, Platinum Books, and in November 2007, I published Unexpected Interruptions myself.

Unexpected Interruptions, went on to garner rave reviews, win literary awards, and top several bookstore and online bestseller lists. My books that followed, Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies and Playing the Hand You’re Dealt, were both received with equal praise and recognition. After accomplishing those literary achievements, Kensington Publishing Corp. (Dafina Books), offered me a book deal to purchase all three of my originally self-published novels. Kensington re-released my books, giving my work broader distribution, both online and in retail stores, and consequently, the book that had originally been rejected received a Starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. My story isn’t unique, but it is an example of what can happen when you refuse to give up on your dreams, no matter what.

In addition to a career that I love, I’m blessed to have a great support system through my wonderfully loving husband, my terrific children, my sweet mother (who has been there for me my entire life), and a host of family, friends, and readers. I’m humbled and appreciative, and with God’s steady hand to guide me, I can’t wait to see what’s next!