About
I am a mother of four and a grandmother of ten. I have written eleven published rhymed children’s stories and two poetry books which have won 90 awards. Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, The Magic Word, Santa's Birthday Gift, Gimme-Jimmy. Manner-Man, My Fingerpaint Masterpiece, Mice & Spiders & Webs...Oh My!. The Golden Rule, My Little Angel, A Penny for Your Thougts, A Dime is a Sign, David's ADHD and Peter and the Whimper-Whineys Coloring Book which has just been released. I also have written seven published and internationally performed musical plays for elementary school children. I love to write. My friends and family ask me if I think in rhyme and meter, and I have to admit that sometimes this is true! A former teacher, all of my books are in rhyme and all try to teach something like good manners and caring for others. I have had a varied career. I grew up in the Willard Hotel in Washington DC (my Dad was the manager) and lived in the DC area where I was a teacher and coach for ten years; and then became a professional newspaper sports photographer and columnist for several years. Later, I became a Dinner Theatre Company Stage Manager, and finally became a Business Administrator. My husband and celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary in June! We are now retired, and we travel in our RV from the east coast to the west coast each year to spend time with our children and grandchildren... sharing my books along the way!
Godwine Kingmaker: Part One of The Last Great Saxon Earls
Description
<p><span><span>Harold Godwineson, the Last Anglo-Saxon King, owed everything to his father. Who was this Godwine, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.</span></span></p>
Story Behind The Book
Santa’s Birthday Gift was written in response to a grandchild’s question, after reading the story of the Nativity. She asked, “But where’s Santa?”
Reviews
<p><span style="color:#000000;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;">Midwest Book Review: "Santa's Birthday Gift" is a charming children's Christmas book that explains origins of Santa's role in connection with the birth of the Christ child. "Santa's Birthday Gift" is beautifully written in a gentle versed narrative and illuminated with starlit illustrations of the Nativity including the jolly angel-elf in red known as Santa. Written in answer to a child's question about the traditional Nativity, "But where is Santa?", "Santa's Birthday Gift" is the perfect explanation of mysterious Christmas customs and traditions for young children. "Santa's Birthday Gift" will enchant inquisitive children of all ages</span></p>
