One of the reasons I love what I do is because I am always available for my family. I love writing, but my family is truly my first love.

I am married to Marquis, a firefighter, and we have four children: Christian, Naomi, Eli and Rock.

This is a picture of my beautiful sister, Yelena, who died when she was 24 years old. After being misdiagnosed repeatedly, Yelena died of complications from Viral Encephalitis, a treatable disease. We said goodbye December 14, 2005, following her three-week-long battle with the illness. She leaves behind a 7-year-old daughter. I remember her in all that I do - both personally and professionally.

In this photo, dated March 2001, Yelena is holding my daughter shortly after her birth.