“Author” page which is not as easy to compose as
you might think. The question you’re probably asking is,
“What does this writer have to offer?” Let me try to entice
you with a brief background sketch.
I’m a woman of the 60s, 70s, 80s – and beyond. Raised in North Carolina, I headed west to pursue my undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona. There, I was seduced by the colors and serenity of a desert. Determined to complete my formal education, I accepted an opportunity for postgraduate work in the former Soviet Union after which I earned my Master’s Degree in International Relations at the University of London.
With a head full of ideas, a teased-out Afro, and a discarded bra, I put my thumb out – Europe became home for several years. When young, traveling rough is never a hardship. Succumbing to parental pressure, I returned to America, flitting about from New Orleans to San Francisco until I was again uprooted by insatiable curiosity. Fearlessly, I embarked on a lengthy sabbatical from London to Nepal in a rickety Welsh school bus so slow camels effortlessly lumbered past our vehicle. Life as a rolling stone suited me.
Returning to the splendors of a desert, I accepted a position as tutor within the Saudi Royal Family in Riyadh. It was a thoroughly life changing experience, one full of fond memories, deep friendships, and intriguing stories despite the challenges I encountered.
Eventually, I moved to London and proudly accepted dual citizenship. It was there that I discovered the joys of writing for pay as editor of a business publication and freelance contributor to several glossy lifestyle magazines. My checkered past provided humorous material for enough articles to keep me employed.
In a serendipitous move, I left the paving stones of London for the green pastures of the English countryside, a region no less strange than many of the countries I had visited. To the MANOR drawn, published by Murdoch/Pier One Books, placed a spotlight on the complexities and oddities of two countries – U.K. & U.S. – inextricably bound together by language, customs, history, and humor. My book was endorsed by an English Duchess and featured on the BBC.
Most recently, I have added enrichment lecturer to my portfolio. Cruising the great waterways of Europe – the Rhone and Danube – I have delivered talks on the post-impressionist, Vincent Van Gogh, the tragic life of Empress Elizabeth of Austria, and fascinating tales associated with stolen art. Along the way, I acquired a private pilot’s license, a functional ability to speak Arabic and French, modest cooking skills, and two husbands, one of whom sadly passed away – and, yes, I bought a bra.
After thirty years in England accumulating friends and memories, I now live in America which leads me to Flying Solo, a wickedly romantic novel featuring an impressive collection of fascinating characters and misadventures.
If you would like to know more, please visit “Questions” and rummage through a selection of personal opinions and random thoughts.
Thank you for your interest. I hope you have enjoyed this ramble. I know I have.