Author and Illustrator

I grew up in a peaceful farming community in Ohio, where the clucking of chickens often served as my morning alarm. I am happily married to Tom, whom I lovingly call the "Greatest man on earth". Five grown children and six grandchildren joyfully outnumber me. Home often feels like a perpetual family reunion, only much more fun, with no one wanting to leave. I'm the kind of woman who can juggle freshly picked tomatoes in one hand while proofreading a manuscript in the other, all while calling, “Don’t touch that!” to a determined toddler on a mission to reorganize my bookshelf.

My career path has been nothing short of an adventure. I've worked as a paramedic, saving lives before most people have their morning coffee. Ran childcare operations, skillfully negotiating with toddlers and brokering snack-time peace treaties. Artist and illustrator, I can paint a perfectly proportioned alpaca while simultaneously answering a five-year-old’s questions about why clouds don’t fall. On top of it all, I teach Sunday school, making Bible stories so engaging that kids think they’re cooler than Disney.

In the world of literature and art, I'm best known for my heartfelt children’s picture books, including Popcorn—The Wandering Little Lamb, Popcorn Meets Caramel, and Popcorn Meets Salty. Inspired by the 23rd Psalm, these charming tales prove that even stories featuring characters with snack-inspired names can teach kids valuable lessons about faith, kindness, and why it’s never a good idea to wander off without telling your grandmother.

With Seven Spirits, I shift my focus to an adult audience. But rest assured, the same humor and heart that have delighted children (and occasionally outsmarted unruly chickens) are still very much present. When I'm not writing, teaching, or washing paint from my hands, you’ll find me in Ohio’s heartland, likely offering a cupcake bribe to a grandchild in exchange for five minutes of peace to jot down my next idea.