It started with Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames and young adult biographies.  Books – unending sources of excitement, drama, laughter and, yes, life lessons. By age ten I’d moved on to Scarlett O’Hara, Mrs. de Winter, Jane Eyre and the desire to create my own characters and stories.

Even then historical romance drew me. I began writing the story of a young girl, kidnapped and raised by the Konotoshe (not a real Indian nation), who is befriended by a cavalry trooper. I self-published using construction paper, lined notebook paper, traced pictures and brass prong fasteners. My fifth grade teacher told my mom, “I just don’t know what to do with Sheri. She doesn’t pay attention in class. Instead, Sheri is writing a book.”

By age fifteen I’d progressed to Harold Robbins, James Michener and Irving Stone. My writing tended towards short sci-fi and – you guessed it – historical romance. As much as I dreamed of being an author, writing wasn’t a profession I ever seriously considered. Instead I turned to nursing, which brought many challenges and rewards.

I feel privileged to have been present at the most critical moments of people’s lives. I’ve seen humans in their most honorable and their most dismal states. You will get an idea of the deep connection a nurse can have with her/his patient or patient’s family member in “My Most Memorable Nursing Moment” on my Extras page.

When I decided to start writing again, it was this connection between a nurse and her patient that I wanted to describe for my reader. With my love of historical romance, it’s not surprising the story that eventually took shape was the story of a Victorian nurse who finds herself adrift after returning from service in the Crimea. 

As an experienced ER nurse, I am confident while facing medical emergencies in a high-tech, well-stocked emergency department, working alongside a team. I had no idea what a lone Victorian nurse might do or how she might react in an emergency. Being a member of the Fresno State University Alumni Association gave me access to the CSUF library. I started there, researching Florence Nightingale, the Crimean War, and medical practices in Victorian England. I ended up becoming a mini-expert on Florence Nightingale and sharing her story at several nursing conferences.  I invite you to discover a little bit about this phenomenal woman on my Extras page.

After years of nursing a lot and writing a little, I’m now able to write a lot and nurse a little. I live in central California with Pepper, a Miniature Schnauzer, and Lucy, a Jack Russel-Dachshund mix (I’m guessing here). Since you now know I’m a dog person, you won’t be surprised to find dogs residing within the pages of my books. Thanks for visiting my web site and sharing my journey to publication.