SMRW
has 14 published members in a variety of subgenres including Historical Romance,
Contemporary Romance, and even in Science Fiction & Fantasy Romance. Our
members' works also represent a variety of sensuality levels from sweet to
erotic. For Current Releases, visit our
Bookshelf
Ever since I first discovered pencil and paper I wanted to be a writer. After years of writing and editing student newspapers and magazines, I finally attained a degree with a dual major, English and Journalism from Syracuse University. Diploma in hand, a funny thing happened on my way to becoming a writer. I got waylaid by the small market radio business. Twenty years later I escaped from this zany world and instead of pencil and paper, sat down in front of a computer and finally wrote something besides thirty second commercials and please pay your bill letters! At first I wrote newspaper and magazine articles, even produced a newspaper monthly double page feature before turning full time to fiction. My first book, DRIVE TIME, a satire on small town radio with much romance and adventure within the pages, was published in 2000. With three more finished novels and on work in progress, Pet continues her search for a major publisher. She did connect with a world-wide publishing company which printed her essay in their October, 2008 volume, CUP OF COMFORT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS.
Fiction writing had always been a dream for Carolynn, one that stayed a bit out of reach until she decided to become serious about learning the craft. Joining the Romance Writers of America (RWA®) and then the Smoky Mountain Romance Writers chapter of RWA® provided the encouragement and assistance she needed. In the last few years, she has finaled three times in RWA's prestigious Golden Heart contest for unpublished writers, and in 2004 she won her own chapter's Laurie in the short contemporary unpublished category. Later that year, her winning manuscript sold to Avalon Books and was published as A Summer Sentence in 2005. A sequel, Falling for Dallas, followed in 2006. Compromising Situations, one of her Golden Heart finalists, is now available from Cerridwen Press.
I'm one of those writers who always knew that she wanted to be a writer. It took me a while, however, to figure out precisely what I wanted to write. Reading Kathleen Woodiwiss’ “A Rose in Winter” sealed the deal for me and I’ve been reading and writing romance ever since. I should have known I was destined for this when my Barbies insisted on hosting elaborate masquerade parties, complete with stolen kisses in the moonlight. And now the writing dream is complete. My debut historical, COURTING CLAUDIA, was released from Avon Books in August 2005, and I've had two other releases, A STUDY IN SCANDAL (March 2006) and DELICIOUSLY WICKED (Oct. 2006) since then. Oh, and I love to hear from readers, so feel free to drop me a line or you can snail mail me at: Robyn DeHart, PO Box 4354, Cleveland, TN 37320-4354.
By day, Jennifer Estep is an award-winning features writer and page designer. She has a bachelor's degree in English and journalism, and a master's degree in professional communications. She works for a daily newspaper. By night, Jennifer is an author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next super idea. She's a member of Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and several other writing groups. Karma Girl and the sequel, Hot Mama, are available from Berkley Books.
Lauren’s been reading her whole life and is thrilled to be on the other side of the book, with her name on the cover. Romance and suspense novels became a big part of her life in high school and college, and she had a stash of them with her on many journey’s—counseling Girl Scouts at a summer camp, studying abroad in Italy, and while obtaining a B.S. degree in Communication. After a few years reporting and at the anchor’s desk and one bad experience working for a bad politician, Lauren decided to write her own stories—the ones continually floating around in her head. Her life became like the romances she so loved when a childhood friend reentered, grown-up and handsome and taking her heart. She and her husband, Michael, live in the mountainous air of east Tennessee in a small house with a big yard and an even bigger love. Check out her blog at http://laurenhope-booknews.blogspot.com/
Cheryel Hutton was born in a tiny hospital located above the drug store where the infamous Scopes Trial had been hatched and plotted many years before. Cheryel's childhood was traumatic, filled with painful and terrifying hospital visits and scarce emotional support. To escape the trials and tribulations of her life she built herself an elaborate fantasy world. Unlike the real world, in this one any danger or pain could be fought and defeated with the help of imaginary, but supportive, friends and family. Cheryel has had articles, humor pieces, and short stories published in local newspapers, small press, and online magazines and in an anthology to benefit the American Red Cross. She just signed a contract with Samhain Publishing for her first book, a paranormal romance. Cheryel is a member of Romance Writers of America, Smoky Mountain Romance Writers, and the Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal chapter of RWA. If you would like to find out more about Cheryel, click here for her online journal.
Growing up in Michigan, Jan McDaniel acquired her love of books from her parents, both avid readers who took her on biweekly trips to the public library. A former newspaper reporter, she has a master’s degree from Texas A&M University and currently lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband. She is the author of more than 30 books. Her current release is now available from The Wild Rose Press.
Kate McKeever grew up in the mountains of the Southern Highlands. After college, several tries at careers, and a lot of soul searching, she works with special needs children and has returned to her first love, writing. She lives in the south, surrounded by the crepe myrtle, dogwoods and lilies she loves so much. You'll find Kate in front of her computer most evenings, surrounded by her pets, remains of chocolate and coffee. Her first book, The Single Life, is available now from Avalon Press. The second book in the series, The Single File, is also available from Avalon Press.
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Teresa is a writer, an artist, an art teacher and she also sings. She teaches at a small school in southeastern Kentucky where she has six hundred and fifty students and is also a part time college professor. She has a Masters Degree in Education and is certified in Art Education K-12 and 9-12 in English. She's a member of The National Education Associations and the Kentucky Education Association. She's a member of RWA®, KOD the Mystery Suspense chapter of RWA, and Hearts Through History Romance Writers. She's served for four years as Treasurer of the Kentucky Romance Writers and two years as President. Her hobbies include writing, painting, singing, crocheting, quilting, making cards, and traveling. She has recently signed a publishing contract with The Wild Rose Press for her Medieval Romance Highland Moonlight. |
Dr. Lin Stepp is a writer, business woman, and Tusculum College faculty member. Her Smoky Mountain series of warm-hearted, contemporary, regional romances are being published by Parkway Publishers of Boone, NC. The first novel The Foster Girls, debuts in July 2009 - and the second, Tell Me About Orchard Hollow, will be available in Spring 2010. Website address:
www.linstepp.com
Leanne Tyler lives in the South and her writing reflects her heritage. Leanne writes sensual southern romances whether historical or contemporary. Step into her world and enjoy the passion. She's currently published with The Wild Rose Press.
Jessie Verino writes what she terms as "sci-fantasy." Her stories will take you to an alternate dimension and range from ultra-sensual to red-hot erotic, but they are always a romance. The beautiful Smoky Mountains and sultry southern nights inspire her, and when she isn't writing, she's winding her way through East Tennessee on her motorcycle, a silver and teal Suzuki Volusia. (One scene in Lord Night is based on a favorite motorcycle road on the border of Tennessee & North Carolina, the Tail of the Dragon.) She's published with Phaze and Samhain Publishing.
A Tennessee gal at heart, Donna spent her childhood in a Jersey shore town, not far from the Big Apple. In love with Donny Osmond since the age of 12, she began to write love stories about him*. Lots of them. Then, she discovered romance novels. After she married, (not Donny, by the way) her husband encouraged her to continue to write and try her hand at actually getting published. Finishing her first novel with a friend in 1989, she'll tell you, it had every mistake in it known to the writing community. All of them. She didn't leave one out, from craft to industry.
After finding the Smoky Mountain Romance Writers® she won several writing honors and became RWA® Pro. All because she found people who all wanted the same goal. In 2003, Donna attained two wonderful things. She was honored with the Ellie Service Award by the Smoky Mountain Romance Writers, and saw her dream came true. The 2002 Sweet, Spicy, and Spooky Award sponsored by SMRW had a final round read by Erin Cartwright-Niumata at Avalon Books. Excited to final, Donna waited on word for the winners, like any contest finalist would. Astounded to not only win, but to be requested, she didn't believe an editor was serious about her work. That's why she waited until October of the next year to send in the manuscript. (Of course, she also had to write it.)
Now Donna lives in East Tennessee with her husband of 24 years and teen-aged son. She is an active church member and believes in Jesus Christ as Salvation. Donna is available for speaking engagements regarding both her writing and her faith.