Inspirational Romance Author and Speaker
My Secrets Revealed!
Isn't that what we really want in a bio page? No? Whoops, guess that's just me!
Location, location:
Let's see. I was born in Michigan, moved to various parts of the mid-west with a
short stay in Virginia, and now we’re back in Michigan. I love this state. I don't
love winter, though, so having a fun family helps me stay sane through the cold months.
These people put up with me:
My husband has made me laugh ever since we started dating our senior year of high school, and if I'm being completely honest, he made me laugh for years before that too. What can I say? He’s a funny guy.
We have two amazing (doesn't everyone think their kids are amazing?) children. It's funny the interesting traits they've inherited, like my obsession with M&Ms and the "colorful" side of my personality. Or maybe the “color” is from my husband? I’ll blame it on him.
My “I should write” moment:
When I was twenty, I remember finishing a romance novel and chucking it across the room, muttering, “I could write better than that!”
The thud of it hitting the wall must have clicked something in my brain because I
decided I would write a romance, and none of my characters would have those pesky
problems prevalent in the books I'd been reading. Fast-forward five hours and twenty-three
handwritten pages–I realized the pesky problems were the whole point!
And so began a long quest to write excellent books in my favorite genre, romance...
And now?
I write inspirational contemporary romance novels, and I’m represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Agency.
Tidbits:
- Every morning I get excited to brew a pot of coffee. You’d think it would get old,
but it doesn’t.
- I have stashes of M&Ms around the house.
- Before becoming a stay-at-home-mom, I graduated magna cum laude with a BSEE from
Saginaw Valley State University and worked as a Control Systems engineer--that's
code for an electrical engineer who designs the machines used in factories to make
parts. I was the first and only female engineer in the electrical engineering departments
at two of my workplaces.
- I enjoy volunteering at my kids' school, whether it's serving sloppy joes, teaching
fiction workshops, choreographing the cheerleading dance routine, or organizing holiday
parties as a room mom.
- I have a soft spot for cats, dogs, bunnies, and most small, fuzzy animals. I cry
at animal shelter commercials, and I brake for squirrels.
- Magazines and I? We go together. I subscribe to an embarrassing amount, and yes,
I read them all. My favorite? UsWeekly.
- My tastes are all over the place in music. I love bluesy jazz, top 40, country,
and contemporary Christian music.
- I read mostly romance novels, classics, non-fiction, and magazines with the occasional
novel in a wild-card genre thrown in for good measure.
- I spoil our miniature dachshund Sophie, and I have to restrain myself from purchasing
her cute little jerseys, coats, and costumes.
- My favorite movie is The Cutting Edge. I watch it every fall.
- One of my favorite books is an early eighties Harlequin Presents, Man of Power,
by Mary Wibberly.
Favorite Spots in Michigan:
- Anywhere along the coast of Lake Michigan
- Frankenmuth (German charm, fudge, and cheese!)
- Traverse City (Cherries, wineries, and gorgeous scenery)
- Mackinaw Island (Adorable vehicle-free island, picture perfect summer cottages)
- Ann Arbor (Home of University of Michigan–Go Blue!)
Home -
About Jill
Happiness Is: