Bio
I am the author of the Star O’Brien Irish cozy mystery series set in County Mayo, Ireland.
My passion for Ireland grew out of my love for my parents and their families. My father was from Cork; my mother was from Mayo. I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone twice! When I was sixteen, my parents sent me to St. Joseph’s Convent of Mercy boarding school in Castlebar, Mayo for two years. I fell in love with the people, especially all the cousins, my aunts and uncles, the lush and moody landscape, and the culture.
In the early 1980’s, my parents purchased a cottage from my grand uncle, John Nolan. My mom and dad had several wonderful years in French Hill, doing up the place as they say in Ireland. The Nolan Cottage as everyone calls it, even today, serves as the setting for French Hill cottage in the Star O’Brien books.
Before turning to writing, I taught sixth, seventh, and eights graders at Lincoln School in Hawthorne, New Jersey. My subject was Spelling, Grammar, and Composition. After attaining tenure, I left teaching for many years and went to work in an international consulting firm as a management consultant. And then, I decided to go for my doctorate (while also traveling the globe consulting to telecommunications’ companies). Once I graduated with my Ph.D., I turned back to teaching at a university and eventually became the dean of the College of Business at Kutztown University.
Whew! I have quite a resume. However, I always wanted to write fiction. During my doctoral program, I was required to undertake a developmental project which could have nothing to do with my doctoral studies and research. So, I wrote a mystery novel, attended writing workshops, and ultimately left the manuscript in my top drawer until 2017 when I decided to pull it out, revisit, and revise. Thus began my Irish mystery series.
Additionally, in 2010, I wrote a non-fiction women’s leadership book, “Bring your Spirit to Work: One Woman at a Time”.
I was born in New York City but lived in New Jersey beginning at the age of eight. In 2017, my partner, Bill, and I moved to Florida where I enjoy cooking, reading, swimming, and our Schipperke puppy, named Turlough. Turlough and I compete in canine agility trials where he often leaves me in the dust.
I graduated with honors from William Paterson University (WPU) with a degree in English and certification as an English teacher. I was granted a fellowship from WPU during which time I earned my M.A. in English. In 2004, I earned a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the Union Institute and University.
I am a member of Sisters in Crime and the Alliance of Independent Authors. I’m currently working on my next Irish mystery series set in the upper most corner of County Mayo.
