Thanks for stopping by my website! I’m glad you took the time to glance around!

For those of you interested in a little family background and information, here goes: I’m a mother first and that’s what I seem to do best or so my kids tell me ( but they could be trying to entice me to add a few dollars to their allowance) but I’ll just take their word for it.  I have two teenagers, Matthew (15) and Amber (13). They are awesome kids and accept the fact that I’m always going to be in their business (until they turn 18 and I kick them out). Like every mom, I think my children are pretty spectacular!

Matthew plays baseball and golf. Amber plays volleyball and runs track/cross country and would like to play softball too. They both play basketball. My children are good kids or at least, they are today. That of course, is subject to change depending on my mood when I’m writing about them.

My husband, Brent has held that great position of hubby for over 17 years and he has given me the space I need to write so I guess I should feel indebted to him (and I do)! Of course, he gets the same consideration as my kiddies-- that is subject to change based on mood—not mine, but his!

After a mom, writer and wife, I guess you could call me a fanatical football fan (mainly NFL but I love college too) and a proud recreational gambler. In fact, so proud, I’m an advocate for it, in a sense. I see nothing wrong with it and feel sorry for those in our government who have made it taboo because it has done miraculous things for many areas of our country. Look at Mississippi if you have any doubts but while I could get on my soapbox, I’ll save that for another day.

I grew up on a cattle farm in Tennessee and according to many of my friends, lived a pretty exciting life as a teenager. I was spoiled rotten because I was the only girl in the family for twelve years so by the time my sister was born, I must’ve been completely out of hand. This is why; I expect payback ten-fold from my two little darlings (which goes back to why they must move out at 18). All jokes aside, we hope they’ll be in college or on their own by then so we can really start to live. You know, really live with the Harley Davidson motorcycles and RVs… the fun stuff you don’t splurge for when you have children asking the ever present question of "can I have another $50 for….."

Anyway, all jokes aside, I do feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to work from home because it has allowed me to have a lot of freedom with my children. Since I worked on the road for a number of years, I know how important time with your children can be and what giving them time really means to them.

I still live in Northeast Tennessee but dream of living in Mississippi, Arizona or somewhere very warm where the climate is more suitable for my taste all year round!

If life were perfect, I’d live in Mississippi where the majority of the people I have the privilege to call my friends live. For those of you who have never visited, there are so many areas of Mississippi you should see. From the Gulf area to Tunica and everywhere in between, it’s just a different world and the whole state is full of what southerners call “real people".

I know I’m skipping around a bit but I’ll try to stay on track now. I was the oldest of five children and lucky enough to have my parents and my maternal grandmother still very much alive and well! My Dad lives in Texas. Mom lives nearby. Two of my brothers and my sister are in the Tri-Cities too. However, my biggest supporter (and consequently another brother) lives in Nashville. If you will take a look at the photo gallery, you will discover a pretty little girl by the name of Hannah. This is my niece and while I’d love to tell you she’s as angelic as she looks—I can’t now because she acts just like me!

When I’m not at the computer typing away, I like to travel some but not a lot unless it’s to my home away from home or the beach. I still gamble some but not as much as I used to because I write so much on it. I love to watch football and spend time with my family.

Our family time is usually gatherings at a ballpark or gym for a ballgame but that’s the way it’s supposed to be right now. Later in life, I plan to soak up the sun more and live a little (remember the RV—it may end up being a pop-up but who cares). For now, my sandy volleyball court in the yard will have to suffice and instead of an oceanfront view of sandy beaches and relaxation, I have lots of teenagers running in and out which is okay too.

My “second home” is Tunica, Mississippi (or at least it was prior to writing all the time) and I love to play craps and poker so Tunica is a likely hot spot for us when we want some time away!  I’m an avid reader and read a lot of non-fiction titles as well as mysteries.

My first attempt at writing was in the late seventies. I wrote some stories about dogs and horses and when I say stories, there were numerous submissions. I submitted them to Crown Publishing and later a few others. I hope to someday find these stories and rejection letters to post just so you can see how long it took for a kid in the fifth grade to finally come full circle back to the place where childhood dreams can be realized.

After years of chasing what everyone else thought I should do, I’m now doing what I am supposed to do and life is finally good. And folks, it took me from age 22 until age 36 to say that so I’m milking it for all it’s worth. It really does feel good to be able to do what you love. More importantly, life is finally fun again and for those of you who know me—I’m all for having fun.

Writing for me, as a career path, has moved rather quickly. I began working on large freelance projects in the fall of 2005 and discovered a keen interest in many different genres. Call me fickle, but I would be bored with just one or two focuses. Up until recently, I was writing ghost writes for several authors on the internet and stayed busy with the ghost writing.  Now, it seems more of my work is geared toward my own manuscripts which has been very exciting.

My first non-fiction book, How to Buy Real Estate without a Down Payment in Any Market: Insider Secrets from the Experts Who Do It Everyday is now available under the Atlantic Publishing imprint. Three other titles should be released no later than April of 2007. I am forever grateful to Atlantic Publishing for the opportunity they’ve given me and the many doors they’ve allowed to open by simply giving me a contract….and then another 3!

I’m finally busy with a lot of sports and gaming projects which is really where I wanted my writing to be grounded. Growing up with brothers (and a sister), our family always came together on Sundays for football games and if we were lucky enough, our Saturdays and Sundays were a whirlwind of sports entertainment.

It’s one of the reasons I love writing about football now, it brings back a lot of those treasured memories. Of course with three brothers and my father willing to provide quick facts, I don’t think I’ll ever be short on resources!

I hope you will have the chance to read some of the upcoming books planned for the rest of this year. While the books under the Atlantic Publishing imprint are based on my experience as a real estate agent and loads of research, the books coming up in 2007 are diverse.

Murder Games is a suspense novel based on a story I think you’ll like. Gamblers will love it and those who like a good mystery should be kept on the edge of their seat as well. Friends Unlikely is a book for young adults and is just beginning to take form. The other non-fiction books should have something posted soon in the “purchase” area.

I hope you’ll keep stopping by from time to time. For those of you who write frequently, I appreciate your insights, comments, and letters. I’m glad each and every one of you took the time to browse the site! With over 3000 hits to this website last month, I’ve received numerous e-mails and made friends from around the world which has been the neatest part about writing!

Thanks again for stopping by, I hope you enjoy the site and will come back often. In the meantime, remember, live your life like there’s no tomorrow and have a blast doing it!

Susan