Mandatory Stats: Bachelor's degree in Communications, loves to read and write, wife, mother, experience in journalism and freelance writing, hoping to find my place in traditional publishing, bla bla bla . . . 

Now for the FUN stuff: 

 In high school I won first place at the state science fair by drugging spiders. 

 I have a three octave range and sang in Notre Dame while touring Europe with the Utah Ambassadors of Music.  

 I used to be a redhead, but after having kids, my hair turned brown, now I use henna and pretend.  

THE WATERMELON APOCALYPSE

48,000 word MG fantasy

For as long as she can remember, ten-year-old Chloe has been waiting for Grandma to teach her Plant Magic, but then cancer rips Grandma away like a weed plucked from the garden. 

Now, the only way to learn magic is by following Grandma’s instructions. Except, Chloe can’t find where Grandma hid them. . . and the family is moving. . . and magic only works when you’re happy, which Chloe definitely isn’t, or maybe she is.

Happiness is a lot more complicated than Chloe ever realized, but when she uses Grandma’s magic seeds to grow a winning entry into the town’s watermelon-growing contest, she thinks she's finally figured it out... until the fruit turns people into watermelon zombies!

Chloe has a lot to learn about magic, grief, and zombie battles, and she’d better learn it quick before the zombies spread their seeds and take over the world!

TROLLING CASSIE

60,000 word MG Fantasy

Ever since the accident that took her dad's life, all twelve-year-old Cassie wants is to be a brat online. Not because she enjoys torturing people, although the reactions are pretty funny, but because trolling is the only thing that distracts her from racing thoughts, looming panic attacks, and memories of her dad. 

Then, a magic troll curses her with the ability to read minds. Cassie is even more convinced that people suck, until geeky do-gooder Savannah decides to be her friend. Savannah’s friendship changes everything. Maybe trolling isn’t so great. Maybe therapy is worth a shot. Cassie knows she’ll never be the same, but maybe she can heal. Then, the girls discover that Savannah was one of Cassie’s online victims, and not even Savannah wants to be friends with a troll. 

Now, unless Cassie finds a way to earn Savannah’s forgiveness and break the curse, she’ll go back to being a miserable bratty troll forever. 

 ONE SMALL STEP FOR BEVERLY ANNE RYAN

50,000 word MG historical fiction

Inspired by the first lunar orbit, 11-year-old Beverly Ryan desperately wants to grow up to be a scientist, but even on days when she remembers to do her homework she has to work and ask questions in school. She’s not sure she’s smart enough to stand alongside Marie Curie and other genius women who broke tradition to join men in the field of science. 

Beverly’s uncle tells her she needs to do two things to achieve her dream; get good grades in advanced math and win science fairs. If she does that, she’ll prove she’s smart enough to call herself a woman scientist. But when she fails to place in her first science fair, Beverly questions whether or not she has what it takes. She’s not the only one questioning her worth. The junior high math teacher says he doesn’t want girls in his advanced class. Now, Beverly will have to find the grit to fight the math teacher and take another crack at the science fair, all while battling a propensity to forget her homework, and her own self doubt.  

Inspired by my mother, who conquered the evil math teacher, won the science fair, and became the first woman to graduate with a bachelor's degree in physics from the local college.

Working Title: PRINCESS FROGGY

47,000 word MG Fantasy

 Emmie's grandmother proved to the kingdom how tough princesses really are by founding the Save Yourself Trials. For the last fifty years, princesses have proven their worth and their kick-butt skills in the trials.  Now that it's Emmie's turn, she's not sure she can cut it. How will she prove herself worthy when she's too little to wield a sword and too awkward to notch an arrow? She might end up stuck in the dragon's lair forever.