More About My Life and My Work

       For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800's and feature vividly-described, historically accurate settings that span the US from Missouri to California, from Canada to Mexico. Many of my books portray the poignant history of our Native Americans, and though the characters are my own, I use real historical locations and events in all my novels. I must be doing something right, because more and more men are writing to tell me how much they enjoy my westerns, too. Louis L'Amour has always been one of my favorite writers, and I am very flattered that my male readers compare my books favorably with his!

       Recently we lost an icon of TV westerns, James Arness, better known as Matt Dillon of the longest-running TV western ever, GUNSMOKE. I was very saddened to hear this, partly because Matt Dillon was my hero in my teens, and also because there are so few TV heroes left — actually, none that I can think of. TV sets no good examples of a strong line between "good" and "bad" any more. The old westerns did that. Cheesy sometimes, but kids understood that if you did something "bad" you had to pay for it. Respect, honor, manners — very little of any of that on TV any more. GUNSMOKE survived as long as it did because it had several characters with whom one could identify and empathize — like Doc Adams, Chester Good, Festus, and Matt Dillon's long-time "girlfriend" Kitty. The only western hero left as far as I can see is Clint Eastwood. When he is gone it will be a HUGE loss for quality movies as well as another icon of western movies and also TV (remember Rowdy Yates of RAWHIDE?). I always wanted to be able to meet James Arness in person, but now that will never happen. Still, he remains "alive" to me through continued re-runs of GUNSMOKE, which I watch every evening.

       As for myself: I live in rural Southwest Lower Michigan, about five minutes from Lake Michigan. My husband Larry and I have been happily married since October 2, 1965. We purchased a condo in Las Vegas in 2005, and now spend as much time as we can there. I've added a page of Las Vegas photos, for anyone who is interested.

       Here is a recent photo of my husband, Larry (center) and our two grown sons, Brian (l) and Brock (r). We are very proud of our boys. Both are now married, with families of their own! Brian purchased the family business, Michigan Mold, Inc. from us and is now President/owner of tMichigan Mold and its partner company, M&M Polishing, Inc. Both are service businesses related to the mold-making, tool & die industry. Brock is a CNC programmer for Michigan Mold.

       I do a good deal of book work for both companies and my office is located on the second floor of the Michigan Mold building.

       My three handsome grandsons stopped by to see me at a book signing in June 2010. Left to right, they are: Brennan and Connor, Brock's sons; and Blake, Brian's son. They are the light of my life!

       The Queen of the household, my little white dog, Lashon, left us on 16 April 2007 at the age of 16-1/2 years old. Lashon was a Bichon Frise, angel soft and as sweet as can be. Lashon was my best friend. We walked together every day, and she went just about everywhere with me, including to the office. She was sized just right to sleep on my desk. .

       Lashon was also a writer. In fall, 2000, her short story, "A Day in the Life of Lashon the Bichon" was published in a book of pet stories called "TAILS" TO TELL to benefit two wonderful animal organizations in our area. I've put her story right here on my website.

       Bichons are smart, loyal, fun, clean, obedient, easy to train, and have great personalities. We still miss Lashon terribly, but I feel she'll be with me in spirit forever, as she'd been at my side night and day her whole life. All of you who have had a pet companion will understand exactly how I feel. You can read my Tribute to Lashon here..

     I am a member of the Coloma Lioness Club, a service organization here in my hometown. Every year, as one of their fund-raisers, the Lionesses put on a Fashion Show and salad luncheon. I usually model for them and write all the clothing descriptions. Funds raised by the Lioness Club are used to help needy families in the area and also to contribute to good causes, like new equipment for the Coloma Fire Department. Members also buy gifts every year at Christmas for children of poor families. We wrap them up and deliver them, along with food. It's a wonderful organization, and I have many good friends among Lioness members.

       This is Jessie Florentine (Boussum) Williams, my half-Potawatomi grandmother. As a child, I often "stayed over" in her small house with no running water or modern conveniences. She cooked with a wood-burning stove and her refrigerator was an old ice box. When she finally got electricity, we would sit and listen to stories on the radio, including "Gunsmoke" and "The Lone Ranger," which instilled in me a love of westerns and the pioneer spirit. I learned to love listening to a good story, and from that, later grew a desire to write my own. I often feel her guidance as I write, and I know I owe much of my success to the things Grandma taught me.

       I am excited and pleased to announce that I am the winner of the 2011 Mid-Michigan RWA Angel Award, "for devoted service and inspiration to other writers." Though all of my awards are special to me, this is a very special honor, voted on and presented by my fellow MMRWA members!

       I also owe much of my success to my readers, whose encouragement keeps me going through seemingly endless rewrites, who write my publishers when they hear my books are going out of print, and who send me poems and letters and photographs--some of which provide inspiration for future projects! You are what makes long hours at the computer worthwhile.

       You can find a full listing of my books, and ordering information, elsewhere in my website, as well as being able to take a peek at the numerous foreign translations of my books. Don't be shy about sending me email, either. And if you would like to receive a bookmark and hard copy of my newsletter (and add your name to my mailing list for occasional special mailings), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope every six months to: