Falling For Fortune

Judy always loved reading romances, but never thought of herself as a writer.

"English was my least favorite subject in school, but I was always a storyteller," she admits. "Growing up, I was the kid in the neighborhood who decided what roles we would play and the pretend situation were in."

As a single mom with four children, Judy returned to school and graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a degree in social ecology. The new direction helped her confidence grow, and when a hero she could believe in came into her real life, she was even more inspired. Determined to do something about her love of writing, Judy joined Romance Writers of America and met her two critique partners. The trio have worked together and encouraged each other ever since.

Judy likes to take ordinary characters and put them in emotionally compelling situations that make them grow. "It takes some of the stubborn and hurting characters a while to learn there is always a way out," Judy maintains, "but when they realize their options, there's no stopping them."

Her unpublished stories won not only the coveted Emily and Orange Rose Awards, but also earned her the status of a double Golden Heart finalist in 2001. Her first book, Cowboy Courage, sold to the Silhouette Special Edition line, where she seems to have found her niche. "I credit a large part of my success to my critique partners, Crystal Green and Sheri WhiteFeather, who also write for Silhouette," she says.

On those days when a stubborn hero and a headstrong heroine claim her undivided attention, she and her family are thankful for fast food, pizza delivery, and video games. When she's not at the keyboard or in a Walter-Mitty-type world, she enjoys traveling, romantic evenings with her personal hero, and playing board games with her kids.

Write to Judy at P.O. Box 498, San Luis Rey, CA 92068.

Jeanie has always loved to read and write. School years were spent sneaking romance novels into school when she should have been learning algebra and biology. College years were spent taking electives such as journalism and creative writing classes when she should have been taking algebra and biology.

Nowadays, she's still reading and writing. She writes romances because she believes in happily-ever-afters. Not the "love conquers all" kind, but the "two people love each other, so they can conquer anything" kind. The commitment and monogamy of romance are strong values she's passing along to her daughters, who'll search for their own heroes someday.

Jeanie's own romance hero is a very supportive guy, who reads fantasy and watches football and doesn't mind eating the same meal three nights in a row while she's writing. She spends her days caring for her family and her menagerie of strays, or being involved in any number of other family activities. She's got an enormous extended Italian family. Those who aren't related by blood have been adopted by love!

And she writes: red-hot romances for the Harlequin Blaze series, romantic suspense for the Signature Select line and dark fantasies for Tor. Her books have earned accolades, including a Rendezvous Rosebud, Holt Medallion, CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, Readers and Booksellers' Best Laurie Award, National Readers' Choice Award and RT BOOKClub Reviewers' Choice Award.

As far as Jeanie's concerned, she's blessed with the very best job in the world.

This USA TODAY bestselling and RITA ® Award-winning author has written more than two hundred books for Harlequin Books and Silhouette Books, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website at www.marieferrarella.com.

USA Today bestselling author Michelle Major loves stories of new beginnings, second chances and always a happily ever after. An avid hiker and avoider of housework, she lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two teenagers and a menagerie of spoiled furbabies. Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com.

Award winning author Nancy Robards Thompson holds a degree in journalism. She worked as a newspaper reporter until she realized reporting "just the facts" bored her silly. Much more content to report to her muse, Nancy has found Nirvana writing contemporary and historical women’s fiction and romance full-time. Critics have deemed her work, “…funny, smart and observant.” She resides in Florida with her husband and daughter. For more details, please visit her website at NancyRobardsThompson.com.

A frequent name on bestseller lists, Allison Leigh's highpoint as a writer is hearing from readers that they laughed, cried or lost sleep while reading her books.  She’s blessed with an immensely patient family who doesn’t mind (much) her time spent at her computer and who gives her the kind of love she wants her readers to share in every page.  Stay in touch at  www.allisonleigh.com and @allisonleighbks.