I was born and raised on a peanut farm outside of Dothan. I taught English at several small colleges. I was previously married to a minister (yes, a real Sunday Wife!) and we lived in various places in Alabama. I began writing at an early age, but in many ways was a 'closet' writer. I wrote mostly because I loved it and had always done so. After I published a poem, I got braver and had my first short story published, then another, then my first novel, Making Waves.

The book that will be released next month is The Same Sweet Girls. Since college, I've belonged to a group of women who call ourselves 'the same sweet girls,' and I've always said one day that I'd write about us. However, this is highly fictionalized!

I recently signed a two-book contract with Hyperion, and I've started a new book I’m calling The Queen of Broken Hearts, about a divorce therapist. At a signing in Atlanta, I met a woman who conducts divorce recovery seminars on the weekends, and I thought to myself, "Now there's a character for a book!" Imagine the stories that she has! In my book, she's a very together, capable woman who helps everyone with his/her heartbreak. But when her own life is shattered, she finds that her carefully developed techniques fall short, and she turns to her extended family for support. The book is set in and around Fairhope, Alabama.

The Jefferson County Public Library Association honored and presented 2004 Library Champion awards to community volunteers and professionals for service to public libraries at the annual Holiday Luncheon, December 14, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Left to right: Albert Herbert, Chief of Staff/City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office, (nominated by Birmingham Public Library (BPL); Ryan Yeager, Mtn. Brook Creamery, (nominated by Emmet O’Neal Library); Yolando Prevo, Regions Bank (nominated by BPL, Five Points West Branch); Bob Cruthirds, Crown Pontiac (not shown, nominated by Homewood Library); Randy Jones, Executive Office Supply (nominated by Homewood Library); Scott Courier, Walmart/Hoover (nominated by Hoover Library).

Left to right: Juliette Watts, Volunteer (nominated by BPL, North Birmingham Branch); Robert Gilmore, Volunteer, (nominated by BPL, North Birmingham Branch); Joe Robertson, Magic Glass Company (nominated by BPL, Pratt City Branch); Ruth and Donna Russell, Piggly Wiggly/Warrior (nominated by Warrior Library); Julia M. Baker, Volunteer, (nominated by Warrior Library).