Tech Savvy Storyteller

The threads running through my life are technology, teaching, and writing. From teaching software to professionals to helping people preserve their memories through scrapbooking and digital slideshows, I have always found ways to integrate the things I love. My latest venture is no different. While writing the books in the Heart Like Mine series, I am working on a curriculum to teach other writers how to use AI to tell their stories (stay tuned for more information in early 2027.)

My husband Matt and I have been married for almost 37 years. We have two wonderful children, Sarah and Luke. Sarah and her husband Daniel have blessed us with four amazing grandchildren: five-year-old twins Reed and Logan, three-year-old Hattie, and 18-month-old Shep. And I have to mention my Mo—our sweet Golden Retriever and Newfoundland mix, who is constantly by my side.

Right now, I can honestly say I am living my best life. I get to spend my day focusing on the things that matter to me most: my writing, memory preserving, taking Mo for walks, and, of course, spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren.

Matt and I always knew we wanted to retire in North Carolina. We started our search in Wilmington, an area we love, but something kept pulling me toward Albemarle Plantation. The crazy part? I only knew about the community because of my book, Forbidden Fruit. I knew my main character, Lyn, belonged in a small North Carolina town, and my research had pointed me to Hertford—which led me directly to Albemarle.

Matt was reluctant, but he agreed to take a look at it. It didn’t take much for me to convince him this was the place for us when we drove through the gated community with tree-lined streets, perfectly manicured green spaces, and all the amenities we could ever want.

But what really gave me goosebumps was learning that right next to Hertford is a little town called Edenton. Forbidden Fruit is a modern-day retelling of Eve’s story, which began with her being kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Building our real-life home right next to a town with “Eden” in the name was just too much to be a coincidence.

Our new home will be ready in July. I am spending the summer editing, rewriting, and polishing Forbidden Fruit while dreaming of my new writer’s sanctuary, a stone’s throw away from Edenton.

But Forbidden Fruit is just the beginning. I have a bunch of other stories in my head that explore the lives of today’s modern women through the stories of women from the Bible. When it comes down to it, we really aren’t that different from each other. By exploring the realities of living a faith-based life, maybe we can learn a little something from their journeys—and their mistakes. At least I hope so.”

FYI: All of these images were created with AI.