Cooling off on the Dock I'm a baby boomer. My mother spent World War II in the Marine Corps in California, fighting off the men. My father spent his time during the war as a sergeant with the Air Force in the Phillipines. They met each other in New Jersey after the war ended and were soon married. However, some things about the military life never left them--as a child, I woke up to loud, rousing Sousa marches on the phonograph. With a brother and two sisters, I was never lonely. Dad was a journalist and Mom was an artist--so language and creativity surrounded me as I grew up. In addition, Dad's father was a genuine leprechaun, which is probably where Dad inherited his wit. Mom's family was extensive, a rather noisy bunch of table bangers. Every time they wanted to make a point, they would slap or pound the table. They also liberally embellished every story they ever told. With a background like that, it was no wonder I started writing stories of my own at the age of nine. I never attempted to publish anything until several decades later. First, I had to finish my education. Then I had to see the world, or at least part of it. I finally settled down with my hero, a transplanted New Yorker. But after I had spent a considerable amount of time at home raising my own children, I thought my mind had turned to mush! I dragged out my old manual typewriter, banged out a story, and sent it off to a publisher. Then I found out just how difficult it is to sell a book. Fortunately, I also discovered the New Jersey Romance Writers who provided me with tons of useful information and support during the long, long road to publication. Subsquently, I joined the Faith, Hope, and Love, Inc. chapter of RWA, and EPIC. Writers are great at sharing knowledge and all of them helped me to become a published author--the kind of author who loves to write books about two people falling in love. To me, nothing is quite as wonderful as that! I enjoy hearing from fans. You can contact me anytime at penelope marzec at verizon dot net--just close up all the spaces in that address and use the appropriate symbols :^). Thanks for visiting. Love, Penelope