I love to travel. Everyone who knows me understands this. I am not a high end, spa loving, five star traveler. I am more for integrating myself into a culture, walk the town on foot, meet the people, have a drink, hit an open air market for lunch type of of girl. I am also a firm believer in taking my kids places. Not everywhere, because sometimes I need a break with The Big Marine, but my kids are very well traveled. The whole "when the kids are grown" thing never sat well with me. We lived abroad twice and also lived in several states...Granny wasn't around to take the kids. So, even as infants we strapped them on our backs and went. Trains, ferries, planes, mountains, beaches, museums. They are fantastic kids.

My main character, Branna, is a military child that has come of age. She lived the life that my kids have lived. Raised in the duffle bag. She's richer for it.

It was my travel bug that led to this first novel, Raven of the Sea. Ireland was by far my best trip. I loved Italy when I was young, loved the romance and the food and the art. Ireland, though. That stirred my blood. I felt a part of that place. There is magic in those rocky coasts and in the rolling green hills, the ruins, the fairy mounds, the hum of the pubs. Magic. So, that's how this book happened. I was seduced by a place, and the characters came along after.