The dry facts: Small-town girl goes to big university, marries her true love, and is lucky enough to live in the country and be a full-time mom to two daughters. Ho-hum. But a nagging desire to write stories kept her up late, filling page after page with what excited her most – smart women, dangerous situations, and men who were both smart and dangerous – yum! As her life got busier, schlepping kids and horses to local horse shows, taking in stray dogs and cats, the after-hours pages kept adding up. At first, publishers were not interested. Then moderately interested. Then interested enough to offer a book contract! Writing became the best full-time job a girl could have, every day filled with exciting people, enviable adventures, and guaranteed happy endings. The kids grew up and moved out, but the animals strayed. When cats litter the computer desk and dogs warm the author's feet, that's called career perks. They have their own stories, which are duly recorded at www.dirtroaddiaries.blogspot.com .