Fun Facts


  • I’m the oldest of three children. My younger brothers used to call me “sarge.”
  • Those same younger brothers once chased me around the house with a kitchen knife. This was after they realized they didn’t have to do everything I told them and stopped being my personal slaves.
  • One of my brothers threw an empty beer can at me splitting my eyebrow and requiring stitches. I think I might have been yelling up the attic stairs at him. And, no, he hadn’t been drinking. It was the 70’s when kids started beer can collections of craft beers across the country. You couldn’t get them at any grocery or liquor store like you can now.
  • I once took a personality test for a job and the test scorer told my prospective boss that I could give a drill Sargent a run for his money. (I got the job!)
  • Another personality test I took said that I am ‘results oriented.’
  • My twenty-something son told me a few years ago to stop ‘trying to manage’ him. ~ ~ Do you see a pattern emerging?!?! Now that he’s on his own we don’t have that problem anymore. I’ve really tried to squelch this tendency in myself over the years, but it doesn’t seem to be working!! 🙂 If you want someone to boss you around, I’m your girl!
  • I held the indoor record for the 220 yard dash – so long ago it was before metrics – at my high school for several years.
  • If I suddenly had  free day I would plan out what I wanted to do so I would be sure to do everything I wanted. I would even plan out my relaxation time.
  • I speak a little French from high school and whenever I travel to another country with a different language, no matter what the language is, I have an irresistible urge to speak French.
  • When I was in France years ago I gave a man helping us with a broken down car the okay sign…and he looked at me oddly. Apparently, in French it means ‘you suck’ or better yet ‘you’re an a-hole’. Nice way for me to thank him!
  • I don’t like to sit still and do nothing, so I often bring knitting with me.
  • I have boy/girl twins and when they were little people would ask me if they were identical…nooooo, one’s a boy and one’s a girl. Remember high school biology?
  • My freshman high school biology teacher told me I should be a nurse because I was doing so well in the class. When I came home and told my mom she said “You should be a doctor.” I have her to thank for always believing I could be anything I wanted to be. 🙂 That was the beginning of my love of science.
  • My senior high school Advance Placement biology teacher was what we used to call a ‘male chauvinist pig’. Another girl and I were doing extremely well in the class and he couldn’t deal with it, so he barely acknowledged it. We both scored 5’s on the AP exam. I still remember his face when we told him. Winning is the best revenge.

Here is the Real Bio

I haven’t always been a writer. Many writers kept journals when they were young and wrote stories and dreamed of becoming a writer. That wasn’t me. I don’t journal, I make lists. Lists of things to do, grocery lists, lists of ideas or topics, you name it. I keep a spiral notebook for each project. I also like pretty office supplies, like notebooks, pens and pencils and stickers and file folders. You’d think I’d be very organized, but it’s just a futile attempt to control the chaos!

I’ve always been a voracious reader. I’ve started getting books on tape to listen to while I’m driving – I drive A LOT! I also read books on my iPad, my iphone (in a pinch – its not my first choice) and of course REAL books. So many books, so little time!

I have a degree in biology and thought I would be a doctor at one point. My path didn’t lead that way, but science plays a big role in my writing. I think the author who influenced my writing the most is Madeline L’Engle who’s writing combined elements of science fiction and the spiritual/metaphyscial. All of my novels have an environmental theme and incorporate true science in addition to science fiction.  INDIAN SUMMER has an archeological and historical theme, and also an environmental conservation element. THE FIELD also has the environmental theme and delves into quantum physics and The Universal Energy Field (as well as high school soccer). I know, sounds thick, but it’s a good read! The third book, CATALYST, carries on with the environmental theme as it deals with fracking.

I started writing when my kids began reading and I rediscovered all the books I loved as a child and new books I’d yet to discover. I found myself developing stories of my own so I began writing novels for children and young adults. Images from my childhood growing up on Lake Michigan and the landscape of Indiana feature prominently in my novels.

I live in Indianapolis in a eclectic part of town called Broad Ripple. Lots of shops and restaurants, coffee shops and a few bars. I like traveling, gardening, reading YA novels, knitting, sewing, felting – anything to do with fiber arts – rummaging through junk shops, cooking and dancing!

Edited_Headshot_02 - Copy

Midwestern Beauty – Research for The Field

by with No Comment EnvironmentThe Field

The subtle beauty of the Midwest features prominently in The Field. I love the big sky and clouds arching over the plains. One of the places Eric and Renee visit is an actual place from my childhood – The Skokie Lagoons. Of course it’s fictionalized in the book, but the inspiration is located in Glencoe and Winnetka, IL where I grew up.

The Skokie Lagoons

It’s a marshy area that was turned into lagoons by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930’s and is now a wooded recreation destination area. It’s such a beautiful area I wanted to include it in my book.

What do you love about the Midwest scenery? What is one of your favorite places?

The Field Publishes April 23rd!

by with No Comment Science StuffThe Field

The Field pub date is April 23rd! Pre-order your copy today!“


 “We have to set aside what we think we know about the world around us and open our minds to new discoveries…Just because you can’t see it and you don’t understand it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”

Can we really all be connected by the same energy field, the same power, the same consciousness? As Eric Horton learns more about these concepts – in his science classes, from the experiments his girlfriend’s father is conducting, even through his own bizarre experiences on the soccer field he still finds it all hard to believe. But he must open his mind to all the possibilities before him if he is to succeed in saving what he could never forgive himself for losing.



Small Things I Do For The Environment – Straws

by with No Comment Environment
Reusable camping straws

My books all have environmental themes. I’m passionate about protecting the environment. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, like there is little we can do as individuals. So I do small things that if we were all to do them, would have a tremendous impact.

You’ve probably read about straws showing up on beaches and in the stomachs of sea birds and whales. A few countries and US cities have banned straws. In the Midwest, we’re WAY behind the curve. You get a straw with your water at a restaurant every time and by the time you remember to request NO STRAW, it’s too late. The straw is out of the paper wrapper and in your drink.

A friend turned me on to these camping straws that I found at Target. They’re metal with a rubber tip and for those of you concerned with cleanliness, even come with a tiny brush for cleaning!! I keep one in my purse. It was a four-pack, but I forgot one at a restaurant – easy to do. 🙁 I even request paper cups instead of plastic for my to-go cold drinks and no plastic lids which is a spill hazard, but worth not having the plastic lid. It’s surprisingly hard to remember to do and the sales people give me strange looks, but its a small thing that I can actively do.

What are you doing for the environment? I’d love to hear and incorporate your ideas.

60 Books in 2019

by with No Comment ReadingThings That Occur to Me

According to the list I try to keep on this website I’ve read 30 books in 2018, but I know I’ve read more. There are at least 5 middle grade books that somehow didn’t get counted.

For 2019 I’ve set a goal of 60 books. That means I really have to keep track, and own up to every title even if it’s an embarrassing bodice ripper! Didn’t your teacher always say it didn’t matter what you read as long as you were reading?

What’s your reading goal for 2019? Do you have a favorite book of 2018? Mine is Firebrand by Kristen Britain.

Friend me on Goodreads so we can share our passion for reading!

Oku Releases Debut Album

by with No Comment Things That Occur to Me

I’m thrilled to share that my son, Alex Katsaropoulos, has just released his debut album – Oku!!

The genre is best described as Alternative Rock similar in some ways to Radiohead and Bon Iver.

Check out the music and download your free copy of the album at VerlunaMusic

Here’s an excerpt from the Verluna website:

Oku is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Alex Katsaropoulos originating from the poetic journal of Matsu Basho and other eastern concepts in the lyrics and imagery. It combines minimalist Americana writing with much more experimental ideas such as layers of harmony, colorful samples and dynamic use of drums.

Want to know more about the creative process in writing a song?

  • Read the article in Anchr Magazine about album cut The Wild What released July 13th.
  • Read the article in Scapi Magazine about album cut Luscinia released August 10th.

Check Verlunamusic.

444 and Other Messages from the Universe

by with 2 Comments The Field

Do you see number sequences repeated over and over again? Find feathers or pennies on the sidewalk? Are visited repeatedly by cardinals, hummingbirds, dragonflies or butterflies? Hear a song on the radio that eerily relates to something you were just thinking about? Do street lights blink off or on when you walk under them? I believe you’re receiving messages from the Universe, God Signs or connections from departed loved ones.

In The Field, street lights and parking lot lights blink on or off when Eric walks near them. The explanation in the book is that he has some sort of electrical energy that interacts with the lights. Like how some people can’t work with electronics because the machines always go haywire in their presence. This topic was taken directly from my own experience. Lights blink on and off for me all the time. The first time I noticed it was in college. Almost every time I went under a street light on the road I usually walked to get to class, it would blink on or off. I even confirmed it with my boyfriend. I was never entirely sure if there was any meaning behind the blinking.

Another time I was at a writing conference walking out to the parking lot with another author. I was telling her about my mother’s recent death and how supportive she’d been of my writing when all of a sudden, all the lights in the parking lot blinked on. We both got goosebumps. Was it my mom telling me she’s still got my back?

The numbers I see ALL THE TIME are 444 or 44. According the Doreen Virtue’s Angel Numbers 101, the numbers 4, 44 and 444 are messages from the angels telling me that they are helping me and reinforcing our connection. I’m not psychic, and while I do have a well-developed intuitive sense of things, I’ve yet to receive actual messages that I can perceive. I believe this is the way my angels and guides remind me that they’re all around me and always with me. Here are some examples of 4’s that I’ve seen:

I was visiting with my sister-in-law and my niece and telling them how I regularly see the numbers 44 and 444. I grabbed my phone to show them pictures I’d taken of some of them and the time displayed was 2:44. Kind-of freaky!! Was the Universe providing confirmation for us? I regularly see the time as 11:44, 12:44, 1:44 etc. Occasionally I wake up at 4:44 in the middle of the night. On the drive home from the visit, I saw this license plate:

license plate 444 Becky and Sophis

On another drive I saw this license plate:

License plate 744

Eeeww! Is that bird guts on my windshield?!?!

This past summer I was traveling in Europe with my daughter. I booked a train ticket before leaving for the trip and upon boarding the train found that I was in seat 43 – with the number tag for seat 44 right above my head. Even more remarkable was the time stamp on the ticket for when I purchased it in the US – 4:44!! I was totally unaware of this until I happened to glance at the time on the ticket. Who even does that anyway?!? Were my eyes drawn to it so I would see the numbers?

train seat 44

train ticket 444

While sightseeing and shopping in London on the same trip, my eye was drawn to  a bright yellow door. The street address? You already know – 44. That’s how it usually happens. For some reason, my eye is drawn to a highway mile marker – 344, an exit # – 244, the clock on my dashboard or on my bedside table – 5:44.

London door 44

Usually when I see 4’s, it’s in response to something I’m thinking about. A sort of confirmation that I’m on the right track.

What numbers do you see? Do lights blink on and off for you? What signs repeatedly pop up for you?

Choose Your Big Rocks

by with No Comment Things That Occur to MeWriting

Choose Your Big Rocks First

See the source image
Do you ever waste time doing unimportant things and find there’s no time left for what you really want to accomplish? Remember the analogy we learned in that class about setting our priorities and managing our time? It pays to revisit it.
Put your big rocks in your container first then fill it up with sand and water. Your big rocks are your goals and priorities. The container is your life. If you focus on your goals first you’re more likely to accomplish them and the rest will fill up around them.

Focus on Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses

People are often told to work on improving areas where they are “weakest’ to better themselves. That never made sense to me. Focus on your strengths, accentuate the positive, grow to your highest potential.

Wishing that you achieve your highest goals.

I Love Fiction!

by with No Comment Reading

I am a fanatical reader. You know how it is if you’re one too. I can’t go into a bookstore, library or even a drugstore, without wanting to buy more books! While I read a little of everything, fiction is my true love.

No automatic alt text available.   Seen in a London bookstore!

There are stacks of books on my bedside table and coffee table, in baskets and on shelves, that I’m currently reading or waiting to be chosen next. I get a little panicky if I finish a book and I don’t have another one waiting in the wings to start. If I’ve particularly loved a book or series, I’m often sad that its over and will go back to re-read sections before starting the next one.

The best way to read is a real book, but I also LOVE audiobooks. I spend a lot of time driving and doing creative projects while listening to books and my vivid imagination and the incredible talent of the audiobook’s reader/performer brings it all to life. I lost my e-reader several years ago and haven’t replaced it, but they can serve a purpose, too. Instant gratification if you purchase and download a new book.

I’ve recently discovered some FANTASTIC books that I’d like to share with you.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen  I know I’m late to the party here, but I’ve never read any of her novels! I was browsing at Half Priced books and saw a book by PD James, one of my favorite murder mystery writers that I hadn’t read – Death Comes to Pemberley. Of course I was dying to read it, but never having read about Elizabeth, Darcy and Pemberley, felt I had to read P&P first. It was delightful and now I have to read more of Miss Austen’s works. I’ve started the PD James novel and it doesn’t disappoint either!

Pride and PrejudiceDeath Comes to Pemberley

Green Rider Series by Kristen Britain  I LOVE these books! It’s a series of six fantasy novels and a novella about a young woman who against her own wishes is magically called into King Zachary of Sacaridia’s Green Rider messenger service. Beautifully written with amazing world building and complex characters and relationships, I recommend these books to all lovers of YA fantasy. I’ve been listening to them on audiobook and find myself wanting to continue listening after I leave the car. I’ll be very sad when I finish the series. I may have to buy them in paperback so I can go back and read select passages. 

Green Rider

What new (or old as in my case) books have you discovered? I’d love to hear about them so I can add them to my list!