The most important part of my life has always been my family, both the one I was born into and the one formed by my marriage. My father was an Oakland firefighter for thirty-five years while my mother stayed home to care for their six daughters. With five sisters, it was quite the challenge getting six strong women in one household to agree about almost anything. Therefore, it should be no surprise that the theme of all my novels is relationships. I weave tales of men and women and their loved ones, sprinkling my books with intriguing characters who struggle to find balance in life. Whether an unwed teenager, desperate widow, abandoned father, disconnected sisters, or a troubled couple, my characters form relationships impacted by their desire to create a cohesive family.I live with my husband on the picturesque, man-made island of Alameda, across the bay from San Francisco. We have two kids, a son at home and our daughter in the state of Washington. Our two chocolate labs-UJE and Remy-provide endless entertainment. When I'm not writing, you'll find me on the back of my black-and-white Gypsy Vanner horse, Zemra, in the hills of Oakland.