I grew up in a small blue-collar town in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I pedaled my bicycle to the local park to collect discarded soda bottles to pay my way to the Saturday matinee, read Nancy Drew mysteries, met with friends for bowling and roller skating excursions, and buried my nose in my school books. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would become an internationally published author who has appeared on national television in the United States and Canada.

I entered the world of writing quite by accident; it was the result of my husband trying to murder me by ether asphyxiation. As I helped the homicide detective prepare my case for trial, I decided to write a book to help others understand the crazymaking world of psychopaths and how their cleverness can trap the most unsuspecting victim who has been raised in an environment of trust. I also made the decision to change an unjust divorce law that had me give my attacker half of my retirement fund and alimony.

My story has been featured on Dateline NBC, the Lifetime Television show "Final Justice" hosted by Erin Brockovich and the Canadian network VIVA in their series "The Devil You Know." In 2009, I won the prestigious Paul H. Chapman award from the Foundation for the Improvement of Justice in Atlanta, Georgia, for my role in changing the divorce law. I believe I am one person who can make a difference and I field numerous emails from victims who thank me for writing my book while they tell me how it has positively affected their lives.

I willingly share my experience whenever the opportunity arises. I am a motivational speaker who has spoken to audiences numbering from ten to five hundred for such diverse organizations as the American Association of University Women, Soroptimists, the International Women's Writing Guild, St. Mary's University, Children's Advocacy Program and Diablo Valley College and was part of an all day seminar titled "Dream It, Do It."

I'm retired after 39 years in the business world and have found that I enjoy writing. I am now a lifetime member of the California Writers Club and served as secretary for seven years for my local branch. Writing interests include authoring and illustrating a fairy tale trilogy, putting together a book on success based on what I discovered about myself as I wrote my first book, and penning an historical novel about a strong Irish woman.

I live in Northern California with my husband of nineteen years, and our cat Sierra. My husband and I are award-winning home wine and label makers who love to travel extensively around the globe. Please visit my website www.adancewiththedevil.com to help others learn about psychopaths, recovery, advocacy, and writing.