Meet Diane
I'd like to share a little about myself and the inspiration behind the stories and characters I've grown to love as they take shape on the pages of my novels.
A little about myself
Having been raised in the Chicago area, I am a lifelong Cubs fan. If you know anything about the Cubs, you know that I've been well-schooled in dealing with disappointment—perhaps the original source of my own resilience. After a wonderful career as an elementary school teacher and a university professor, I retired and became inspired to write about the strength and fortitude of women who meet pivotal moments that arise in the "second act" of their lives with wisdom and grace.
My novels are meant as fun ways to explore, reflect upon, and celebrate the profound personal growth that takes place as women navigate life's challenges, heal past wounds, and discover their true selves. I hope readers find my characters to be lovable, frustrating, complex, and relatable as they confront changing family dynamics and other personal issues that come about as they mature.
Besides being a long-suffering Cubs fan and writer, I am a committed meditation practitioner and am fascinated by psychology. I also enjoy yoga, reading, watercolor painting, Mahjong, and an occasional game of poker.
Inspired by the Florida coast
I moved to beautiful Southwest, Florida in my thirties and continue to find endless inspiration in my surroundings. The "Souls by the Sea" series is set in fictitious communities nestled along the southern gulf coast of the state. If you have ever lived or visited a coastal community, you will appreciate the blend of vibrancy, warmth, unique charm that bring forth a sense of calm, even in stressful times,
If you love these authors, you may enjoy my novels too.
If your reading taste leans toward the engaging narratives and heartfelt character development found in the works of authors such as Emily Giffin, Lianne Moriarty, and Maggie Miller, then you may resonate with the familiar themes of strength, connection, and self-discovery in the Souls by the Sea novels.