Christine continues to hone her writing craft by attending monthly meeting, conference, and reading. She is currently working on proposals for three books set on the Isle of Skye.

She says; I’ve always been a dreamer. Early in life I learned that if I were to be successful I would have to stop dreaming all the time and pay attention. The combination of the two is what helped me to become an author. I dream up my stories and I listen to my teachers. I pay close attention to the rules and use them, but I’m not afraid to stray a little if my intuition warrants it.

I grew up in Washington Township, a small town in Bergen County, New Jersey. One of the northern most towns that border New York State. My mostly charmed and happy childhood consisted of lots of imaginative play. But most of all I loved to read. I grew up reading romance novels, science fiction, and mainstream—really anything my Mom had on her bookshelf.

At the age of ten my Mom took me to Europe to visit relatives and explore, my first experience with castles. I’ll never forget how we mischievously eluded our guided tour and became lost in the dungeons of a castle in Italy. We visited Holland, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. Europe intrigued me then and it’s why I write about it now.

I also toured Europe the year I graduated with my high school band and choir. I lugged my guitar every step of the way and sang in wonderful cathedrals throughout Germany, Austria, and Italy. I’ll never forget the pride I felt when our marching band marched out of the arches in St. Marcs Square, Venice playing our national anthem. It raised many an eyebrow. I gathered more of the magic of Europe and we flew home to Operation Sail, on July 4^th, 1976.

I attended William Paterson College in Wayne, New Jersey and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in music teaching. I then set out on my own in my little green Subaru with my golden lab, Joshua. In the next twenty years I learned a lot about life.

I never consciously chose to be a writer. I just listened to my teachers. Teachers, being all the people in my life. I’ve always needed some kind of project to be working on in my spare time. Whether it be making teddy bears or learning Tai Chi.

Having run out of interesting hobbies, my mind started creating a story. Wouldn’t it be interesting if...wouldn’t it be fun to be this kind of person in this time period and oh yes, living in a castle. Pretty soon the story was so intricate I just had to write it down.

After a while I had the beginnings of a few contemporary-type books written in a notebook but not a whole lot of interest in them. Then I started a historical romance. I could feel the people and picture the places—hey, maybe this was a past life? So I went with it and couldn’t stop. My mother had told me about books she’d been writing but I never really connected with the idea that I could write a romance.

My turning point was when my Mom invited me to a Tampa Area Romance Authors meeting. I sat there in awe and whispered, "Which ones are published?" and I diligently wrote their names in my trusty notebook.

I’ll never forget how elated I felt when people started to read my work and thought it was great. I had to hear that a lot before I was convinced. I would write this book. Fortune smiled on me that day because I also met a fellow Brandonite—best selling author Cheryl Anne Porter who was announcing the beginning of her Writing Fiction that Sells course in Brandon.

So I took the class and learned wonderful things about writing and about myself. Cheryl’s encouragement gave me the guts I needed to pursue my newfound dream. By the next TARA meeting I was a member and I came home with a signed Cheryl Anne Porter book in my clammy hands and exclaimed to my husband, "See this book? The woman who wrote it is going to be my mentor. And I’m going to write a romance novel."

It took me about two years to write Wild Highland Rose. I’ll always think of it as the book I learned on. A book that morphed along with me as I learned the craft of writing. I’ll never loose touch with writing as a craft and learn more every time I sit at the keyboard, at a seminar, or in class. My mind is always open to new ideas and what’s going on in the world of writing. Being contracted to write my Christmas novella for Christmas Kisses (coming out Nov.’99) was such a blessing and the easiest story I ever wrote. It too is very dear to my heart.

I never miss an opportunity to dine with visiting authors and go to seminars. The Orlando conference is what helped me meet Ann LaFarge who would later buy my book. Attending the Chicago conference this year was exciting and full of learning experiences.

Most of all I’ll never limit myself. This whole experience has taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to. It may not always be easy and I may not always get the praise I crave, but I’ve learned more and more to keep on striving. All you need is the desire to succeed and the passion to drive you forward.

I’m ever thankful for my husband’s skill at computers and his endless support of my writing goals. My stepdaughter, Janelle, is eighteen and always a source of pride to me. We married when she was eight. She lives with us—except weekends. She’s very musical and has learned to play a mean piano, violin, and French horn. We’re definitely kindred souls.

I hope you’ll read my books and enjoy the spirit in which they where written. Mostly and foremost take your dreams seriously and reach for them!

Here’s to my next sale. I’ll keep you informed.

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