Her romance novel background helped her stand firm in the face of skepticism when she told people she was going to marry the man she had met on Spring Break in Jupiter, Florida. Twelve years and two children later, she is confident that "happily ever afters" do happen to real people.

Susan works at a non-profit child advocacy organization, where she indulges one of her other passions, writing, by authoring an annual report on the status of children in Missouri. She spends many hours in front of her computer and has earned the unofficial title of "data wonk."

Favorite authors include Nora Roberts, Mary Jo Putney, Jennifer Crusie, Justine Davis and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She also enjoys mysteries with strong heroines, a touch of humor and at least a hint of romance, by authors such as Nancy Pickard, Marcia Muller, Gillian Roberts, Joan Hess and Diane Mott Davidson.

Susan's idea of paradise would be a solitary weekend at a secluded bed & breakfast, where she could eat Dove chocolate truffles, sip white zinfandel and read to her heart's content.