Photo by Martha Hines Kolko

Welcome to my world of books, women, and words—and thanks for stopping by. Nothing makes me happier than connecting with readers, librarians, and booksellers.

I’m the author of three novels and a memoir: Hester, Stolen Beauty, Blue Suburbia, and Lynlle by the Sea. I’m co-author of the novel The Miracles of Prato. My books have been translated into Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.

I love learning about people and exploring the world, which is an important part of my writing life. I’ve worked in book publishing and journalism, and my travel and general-interest stories have appeared in The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, and elsewhere. I’ve taught creative and formal writing to all ages, from elementary schoolchildren to adults, and currently run a workshop for aspiring and journeying writers.

I adore libraries and bookstores, and each of my books has been chosen for the IndieBound list by independent booksellers. Other awards include a Hadassah-Brandeis Institute Research Grant, NJ State Council in the Arts Fellowship in Fiction Writing, and Catherine R. Dodge Foundation Fellowship to the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

On a personal note, I love to spend time with family and friends. I walk and play outside almost every day and am happiest in nature. Pickleball is my new obsession! I practice yoga and body medicine, bike, swim, kayak, paddleboard, and can't wait to get back to traveling for adventure and research.

I grew up on Long Island, and I graduated from New York University with a degree in journalism. I earned my MFA in Creative Writing from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine in 2016.

I’m lucky to live with my husband in Montclair, NJ, where we raised our two grown children and enjoy spending lots of time with book people and writers.