Romance

Willhoff, Jude

Willhoff, Jude
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1950
Birth City
Waynesville
Birth State
MO
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Realtor and Author
Biography

I've lived in the Colorado Springs area for over 40 years in a downtown Victorian home. We had fun updating and remodeling our home while keeping it to the original standards. We love the people and the community of Colorado Springs. Working in real estate, I've gotten to know the area and can't say there's anywhere else I'd like to live.

I work in real estate during the day and write in the evenings. I like to write stories that have a happy ever after so you'll find me on the shelves in under contemporary romance, paranormal romance, romantic comedy and romantic suspense. Also, I write some nonfiction as well. I am an award-winning, bestselling author on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com.

Awards/Honors
Winner of the Colorado Independent Publisher's Award for Living Well With Chronic Pain.
Numerous awards for other books and a bestselling author on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
Education/Training
Associate Degree in Business Manangement and Marketing
Organizations
Romance Writers of America - Pikes Peak Writers - Pikes Peak Romance Writers - Colorado Romance Writers - Heart of Denver Romance Writers
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Living with chronic pain - Writing romance

Fischer, T. R.

Fischer, T.R.
Pseudonym
T. R. Fischer
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1964
Birth City
Boulder
Birth State
CO
Current Location
Elbert, CO
Occupation(s)
Buffalo rancher - writer
Biography

T. R. grew up in and around Boulder, Colorado. After moving to California and sampling life in San Diego, San Francisco, and L. A., she and her husband moved back to the wilds of the Denver area. That didn't satisfy, so the city dwellers took up raising buffalo, along with their four rowdy children. Each day is an adventure, on and off the page. T. R. now resides near Black Forest. Before moving to Elbert County, we lived in Colorado Springs for two years.

Education/Training
I have always been a storyteller. Just ask my mother. As for writing them down, that has come by participating in classes and workshops, reading about writing fiction, but mostly from writing and getting critiqued by fellow writers. I have been in several critique groups. The one I am currently involved with formed through the Pikes Peak Writers nearly two years ago.
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
Pikes Peak Writers - South Denver Critique Group
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
* The road to self-publishing
* Writing suspense/romantic suspense
* How to learn what you don't know through research and networking with specialists

Bergren, Lisa T.

Pseudonym
Lisa Tawn Bergren
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Writer and editor
Biography

I came to Colorado Springs as an editor on the team that founded WaterBrook Press/Random House. After four years with the company, I decided to go freelance, but we had fallen in love with Colorado--it's home now.

Speaker Availability
No

Purl, Mara

Purl, Mara
Birth City
New Haven
Birth State
CT
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Author & Speaker
Biography

Best-selling author Mara Purl lives in Colorado Springs and in Los Angeles, and writes the Milford-Haven Novels & Stories, set on California's Central Coast. A former journalist who wrote for the Associated Press, Rolling Stone and the London Financial Times, she was also an actress best known for her role of Darla Cook in "Days of Our Lives." Her radio drama "Milford-Haven U.S.A." was a hit on BBC Radio with 4.5 million listeners throughout the U.K.. Mara served on the Community Board that raised funds to complete renovation of the Colorado Springs Carnegie Library, has been a guest professor at Colorado College and UCCS, and is a former president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association.

Awards/Honors
ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist Award (2)
USA Book News Best Book Award (4)
Indie Excellence Award (3)
EVVY Award (2)
Benjamin Franklin Award
L.A. County Woman of the Year Award
Education/Training
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Literature and Music, Bennington College
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
Authors Guild - Writers Guild of America West - Women Writing the West - Author U
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
The Writing Process - Creativity - Fictional World Building - Living from the Heart - Integrity of Brand - Publishing Process - What Matters Most - Story Research

Major, Michelle

Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Writer
Biography

Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She's grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings.

Education/Training
Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism, Ohio State
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
Romance Writers of America - Colorado Romance Writers
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
The writing craft - Work-life balance

Stockton, Tiffany Amber

Stockton, Tiffany Amber
Birth City
1976
Birth State
MD
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Author, Speaker, Brand Partner with Nerium International
Biography

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author, speaker, and brand partner with Nerium International, who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. Originally from the East Coast, she now makes Colorado Springs her home. She has sold fourteen books so far and is represented by Sandra Bishop of MacGregor Literary Agency. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Awards/Honors
2009 Reader's Choice Award for Promises, Promises
2008 Favorite Debut Author, voted by readers
Education/Training
Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Messiah College
Local Authors Genres
Organizations
Member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) - HRW (Historical Romance Writers) - RWA (Romance Writers of America)
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
How to Keep Your (Writing) Focus When Life Gets Busy - Your Story and You: How Your Personality Helps and Hinders Your Writing - Character Personalities - Character Conversations: 10 Ways Dialogue Can Define Your Characters - From Premise to Published: 6 Steps That Will Get You There - Killing History or Bringing It to Life - The Training Wheels of Writing - Web Sites, Blogs, and Social Media ... Oh My! -

Fox, Karen

Birth Year (-Died Year)
1956
Birth City
Jackson
Birth State
MI
Current Location
Fountain, CO
Occupation(s)
Technical Support Specialist - Author
Biography

Who says dreams don't come true? Though it took her almost thirty years, Karen Fox managed to make her childhood dream of becoming an author a reality. After selling her first book in 1996, she has gone on to publish eight novels, one short story, and one novella. Born and raised in Jackson, MI, Karen married a boy from the country, John Fox, who then joined the Air Force and took her on a trip around the world. While living in locations such as Tacoma, WA; Charleston, SC; Mons, Belgium; Biloxi, MS; and Colorado Springs, CO, Karen experienced many different cultures and country-sides providing a vast pool of knowledge for stories. Her second novel, Somewhere, My Love, was nominated for the prestigious RITA Award by the Romance Writers of America. Following her husband's retirement from the Air Force, Karen settled in Colorado Springs, CO. Though currently working as a Technical Project Support Specialist for The MITRE Corporation, she hopes to one day be able to devote herself to a full-time career in writing.

Awards/Honors
1998 Finalist, RITA/Paranormal Category for Somewhere, My Love
2001 Finalist, National Readers' Choice Award for Prince of Charming
2001 Nominee, P.E.A.R.L./Best Fantasy/Magical for Buttercup Baby
2001 Winner, Award of Excellence/Paranormal Category for Prince of Charming
2002 Finalist, PRISM Award/Light Paranormal Category for Buttercup Baby
Winner, Booksellers Best Award/Best Paranormal/TT/Futuristic for Buttercup Baby
Finalist, Affaire de Coeur's Reader/Writer Poll, Best Supernatural Romance for Cupid's Melody
Finalist, Affaire de Coeur's Reader/Writer Poll, Best Supernatural Romance for Impractical Magic
Finalist, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence/Paranormal Category for Buttercup Baby
Finalist, Friends of PPLD Golden Quill Award for Prince of Charming
Honorable Mention, Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence/Best Paranormal for Buttercup Baby
2nd Place, PRISM Award/Best Fantasy for Cupid's Melody
3rd Place, Bookseller's Best Award/Best Paranormal for Cupid's Melody
Winner, Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence/Reviewers’ Choice Award for Buttercup Baby
Education/Training
A.A. in English from Fort Steilacoom Community College, WA
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover for Buttercup Baby by Karen Fox
Organizations
* Member of Romance Writers of America since 1992
* Board member of Romance Writers of America for four years
* Member of Pikes Peak Romance Writers/Pikes Peak Romance
* Member of Pikes Peak Writers
Speaker Availability
No

Kessler, Amy

Author Amy Kessler, also known as A.L. Kessler
Pseudonym
A.L. Kessler
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1987
Birth City
Colorado Springs
Birth State
CO
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Paranormal Romance Author - Stay at Home Mom
Biography

A.L. Kessler is best known for her Here Witchy Witchy series and can be found on her couch working hard on her next work. She lives in Colorado Springs with her family and her fur babies. She can be bribed with coffee and chocolate if need be. 

Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover for In The Light of the Moon by A. L. Kessler
Image
Book cover for Midnight Symphony by A. L. Kessler
Image
Book cover for The Touch of Night by A. L. Kessler
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Indie publishing - Writing as a craft - Writing and balancing a family life - Paranormal romance

Marts, Jennie

Marts, Jennie
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Biography

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.” She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends. Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances . Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.

Education/Training
Bachelors Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
Pikes Peak Writers - Romance Writers of America - Pikes Peak Chapter of Romance Writers of America - Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Topics include book clubs, writing, the craft of writing, and the occupation of writing. Jennie loves guest speaking at book clubs that have read her book

Keller, Jan

Author Jan Keller
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1948
Birth City
Greeley
Birth State
CO
Current Location
Peyton, CO
Occupation(s)
Publisher of The Country Register of Colorado and The Country Register of New Mexico
Biography

I moved to the Pikes Peak Plains Region in 1967 when I married my husband. We presently live near Peyton, Colorado, and we operate a ranch with cows and calves south of Rush, Colorado.

Awards/Honors
Best Serious Column Award winner, Colorado Press Association, 1993
Various CPA & NPA advertising awards
Education/Training
Some college and on-the-job training
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Book cover for Pieces From My Crazy Quilt by Jan Keller
Image
Book cover for The Tie That Binds by Jan Keller
Organizations
Past member and officer of The Pikes Peak Branch of The National League of American Pen Women
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
I try to adapt to the requests of different organizations