Even when I was a youngster hooked on writing stories and plays, I never dreamed that one day I’d be a novelist. Not because I didn’t think I had it in me, but because I already knew, with bone-deep certainty, that I was destined to be an archaeologist. I spent countless hours scouring the library stacks for books on the subject and can recall taking exhaustive notes on a book about Pompeii, which fascinated me. I was eight and my version of note taking was copying virtually the entire book in longhand. For the record, I did take archaeology courses in college and even got to visit Pompeii a few years ago, but ultimately I decided I needed a career that could actually support me. So I chose writing. Har.

In truth, I chose writing after dutifully following a corporate career path for a few years after college. Then my babies came along and I had a long, serious sit-down with myself. What kind of work did I really want to do? My practical side argued that actually getting a novel into print was a long shot–statistically, I had little chance of being published. That might be true, my reckless side answered, but if you don’t at least try, you’ll have zero chance of being published. My reckless side can be so logical at times.

What I’ve discovered is that writing novels is the hardest, most frustrating and mentally exhausting work I’ve ever known. It’s also the most addictive and rewarding.

From the All in the Family Department: My twin sister, Patricia Ryan, aka P.B. Ryan (yes, identical), is also a published author. She’s the Good Twin, and yeah, I know what that makes me. Maybe I like being the Evil Twin. My daughter and nieces have been bitten by the writing bug as well. My husband and son are damn good writers, too, but they’ve chosen practical careers. Boys are silly.

After publishing fourteen romantic suspense and contemporary romance novels, I decided to indulge my love of mystery. Writing a mystery novel is like crafting a complex puzzle, and I love everything about the process. The first eight installments in the Jane Delaney mystery series are available as ebooks and paperbacks at most retailers, and as audiobooks at Google Play Books. The latest book is Scrapping Scarlett.

I’m a member of Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Sisters in Crime, and Long Island Romance Writers (LIRW). I’m very proud to be the founder and past president of LIRW. Happily, My books have sold millions of copies and received multiple awards.

All of us need an occasional escape from our hectic, demanding lives. My goal as a writer is to provide you with a heaping helping of entertainment and good, old-fashioned reading pleasure. Let me know if I’ve succeeded. I love hearing from readers. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also follow me on Amazon and Bookbub.