Have you ever dreamt of escaping to another era?
For eight magical summers, I volunteered at Heritage Hill State Park and did just that! A band of history enthusiasts, we transformed ourselves into ladies and gentlemen of the past. Stepping through the park gates was like stepping back in time itself.
We spent hours gossiping, giggling, and preparing for another day in 1836,1870, or 1905. Our days were filled with tending fires, cooking authentic meals in hearths and woodstoves, and all the while, educating hundreds of visitors about the lives of those who came before us.
My passion for history wasn’t born in a museum but rather blossomed between the pages of captivating books and on the silver screen. Filling notebooks with tales, my love for storytelling thrived alongside my living history experiences.
These experiences are far more than just background. They’re a wellspring for my novels, providing rich details of time periods and characters – all inspired by our ancestors and their enduring impact on history. Every detail I learned as an interpreter, from the way people spoke to the skills they possessed, fuels the lives of the characters I create.
My writing journey wasn’t linear. Psychology and nursing provided me with a unique perspective on the human condition, skills that now enrich the complexities of my characters.
When I’m not crafting stories, you might find me kayaking or hiking with my children, golfing with my husband, or quietly stitching away at a historical quilt or knitting project – Keeping the past alive in much the same way women before me passed their time.
