You can only be an under-motivated overachiever for so long. Over the past year, I've reached the end of that road and have found my way to a place I always suspected existed but never had the gumption to explore for myself.

I am now an author. Allow me to introduce you to Make or Break, a romantic suspense in search of a home.

Make or Break wasn't supposed to exist. Not really. My first novel, often started but never completed, was intended to be a mystery, set in rural northern West Virginia and centered around a young woman involved in golden retriever rescue.

Then one day last fall I began a self-assigned writing exercise. It was one or two scenes, with two characters who had been forming in my mind. The next thing I knew, the characters decided they were real and took my brain hostage. They refused to leave until I wrote their story.

"Is it a short story?" I asked.

"We'll let you know," Abby replied. "Just get writing."

"And don't forget the sex scenes." That was Seth. He was speaking, but I think Abby made him promise to remind me. They're always ganging up on me.

In January, they informed me that if I was going to write their story, I'd better give some thought to having a plot. Demanding characters. I began formulating one, and started writing. Then I scrapped it, started over, scrapped it again, and started over.

With the help of a course at the Loft Literary Center, I finally got on track. By March, I had a good start, and by mid-June I had a complete manuscript.

Writing Make or Break was an adventure, and it's not over yet. I love Seth Caldwell and Abby Delaney. Other characters showed up and refused to do what I wanted them to do, but it turns out they were usually right and I was just being stubborn. I can't wait to share these people with all of you.

In order to do that, I must find an agent to represent my work. I've started that process, and am hopeful that someone will give this book the chance it deserves. Otherwise, I have no idea what Seth and Abby are going to do.

I invite you to use the links on this page to read the summary (proposed jacket blurb), the first two chapters, and to visit my blogs. You are also welcome to email me. Seriously, I can talk about this book for hours. Ask my husband. And everyone who has crossed my path in the past eight months.

Hope to see you again soon... at a book signing near you!