About Deanna

Although I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, I did not grow up there. My dad’s Air Force service led him from Texas to Nebraska, where he met my mom. Moving is common for military families, and as a result, I've lived in multiple places. The most exciting place was Japan. Too bad I was too young to enjoy or remember the experience. Living in Texas for a huge portion of my life means I consider myself a regular Texas gal. 

I was always the new kid, so I had to be outgoing. People who know me will tell you I’m not shy at all. I love meeting people and making new friends wherever I go. My aunt hooked me on the classics - Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Black Beauty, Heidi, Charlotte’s Webb, Alice in Wonderland, and more. As I lost myself in the pages of any book, my vivid imagination brought the story to life, drawing me into the book, and I became part of the story. After the classics, it was on to mysteries, Nancy Drew, and The Hardy Boys, graduating to the love stories of Harlequin and Silhouette. Now I read whatever captures my attention no matter the genre. 

Way before Internet and personal computers, I typed or wrote longhand. My penmanship stinks (perhaps I should have been a physician). I had problems reading my handwriting. You’re laughing now, me too! Onward to an old fashion typewriter, now it was legible. After  time passed, I had enough of a manuscript; I was ready query; I sent it by snail mail to Harlequin. With their stacks and stacks of slush piles, my only wish was they’d take a quick look at my work before trashing it.

Snail mail takes forever and replies even longer. I went about my life and wrote when I found the time. Months later, I received an unexpected phone call from New York. A representative from Harlequin was calling. My heart was racing. Could my dreams of becoming a published author come true? No. My dream was still a dream. But the call was better than a canned letter; and uplifting, because she told me I had an earthy writing style, I had 'something', and to keep writing. I was disappointed and exhilarated, but I would not give up.

Years later, a chain of events happened, giving me ample time to write, and I pounded the keyboard, publishing my first children’s book. Afterward, my first crime novel published. I’ve now finished three more Jack West Novels, A new FBI Novel and two YA Fantasy/ Adventures with time-travel, magic, and a Native America backdrop. 

My life brought me full circle to a dream that began years ago. It’s an exhilarating feeling to knowing that I have the chance to engage and entertain readers.