I love to read. No, I think love isn’t strong enough. It’s more accurate to say reading is my passion. I read everything. In fact, my husband says I even read the ingredients on the cereal box at breakfast. I’ve been this way since early childhood. And yes, I was one of those flashlight kids reading under the covers. The summer I turned twelve I went to my local library (don’t you love the smell of all those books) and checked out Gone with the Wind because I’d heard my mother talk about it. The librarian told me it was too much for me and I should put it back. I read it twice before I returned it. Now, I call that determination, but there is also a good bit of plain, old- fashioned Texas stubbornness mixed in there.

Over the years at the end of many of the books I read I would say to myself, “I would have ended that differently”, or “I would have changed that character slightly”. So, for me, it wasn’t a big leap from reading to writing. That’s how it all started and soon I found myself joining a newly formed writers’ group. By the way, if anyone is thinking about writing I highly recommend joining a writer’s group. The connection to other writers is awesome.

While I started my career writing contemporary romances, I usually managed to throw a bit of intrigue into my stories. Eventually, I reversed the format and started writing mysteries with a splash of romance. Must be the residue from reading all those Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, and Victoria Holt novels.

Reading has always been my window to the world. It’s been my entertainment and education. Besides love, I believe the best gift you can give any child is a book.

Contact: sandysteenwrites@gmail.com