About Me

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My literary taste runs the gamut from Shakespeare, Poe, and Austen, to Elizabeth Lowell, Toni Morrison, and Jo Nesbo. Though I often read tales that plumb the inner demons of tortured souls, I prefer to write lighter books that my readers can have fun with.

Growing up, my sister and I lived next door to three French girls, who were like sisters to us. It was our friendship that gave me the idea of writing a book series about a group of five girls, plus the wonderful time I spent in Santa Barbara in my 20s.

Set in Santa Barbara, the Cota Club books tell the stories of each of the five friends and reflect the genres that fit each of the characters. That’s why Kristi’s story in Love and Money is a mystery, whereas Carla’s story in The Offering is romantic suspense. Tate’s story in Love and Hate is a thriller. I don’t know yet about Izzy’s, but Gwen’s will turn to the world of the supernatural.

Indigo Ridge (2021) Devney Perry

Indigo Ridge (The Edens, #1)Indigo Ridge by Devney Perry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This came up as a recommendation on TikTok as a fun read. It was a cheesy quick read that was way heavy on "romance" and very light on the mystery. The author seemed to think that referencing actual # of orgasms added to the story, but personally, I found much of the tale not very romantic (or erotic or mysterious). Begs the question in my mind... did AI help write it? However, I did enjoy the relationship between the heroine and her grandfather, as well as the descriptions of Quincy as a small Montana town full of cowboys and tourists. The mystery and its solution I found (SPOILER) -- ridiculous to believe...

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Devil in the White City (2003) Erik Larson

The Devil in the White CityThe Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An exhaustive tale of what went into the making of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, interwoven with the disturbing activities of one Mr. H. Holmes (born Herman Webster Mudgett), who was a fraudster and mass murderer that used the events of the Expo to help facilitate his activities. I enjoyed Larson's dynamic style, though I admit I did start to skim over some of the details leading up to the Expo, since the minutiae were a bit too much for me. I'd never heard of H. Holmes, and Larson did a good job conveying how creepy and deadly the guy was.

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The Road to Roswell (2023) Connie Willis

The Road to RoswellThe Road to Roswell by Connie Willis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book for a trip to HI by accident, mistaking the author for someone else. As I started reading the Road to Roswell, guffawing over the hilarious turn of events, I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that the book was so much fun. I'd assumed erroneously that Willis was a first-time author and I was impressed at the quality of writing. It was only later when I googled the author that I discovered Willis is quite a well known and lauded sci fi writer. Makes sense. The book was a quick page-turner and fun way to spend the 12 hr total roundtrip to HI, trapped in a flying metal winged tube filled with people.

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