Meet a few of our members
Marylou Anderson
Genre: Victorian/Georgian
Barbara Heintz
Genre: Contemporary and Romantic Suspense
Hi, I’m Barbara J Heintz, from Northeast Ohio, where I live with my husband and son and the love of our lives, Lexie. A six-year-old American Eskimo. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, she rules the house.
I write Contemporary stories and Romantic Suspense. Although my Contemporaries tend to be a bit suspenseful, too. I’ve been playing at writing since grade school. At that time, I would write out little plays that my friends and I would act out. As I grew older, I hid my writing from everyone. Keeping my addiction buried.
In 1984, I wrote a handwritten book. Although later I learned that it was only a novella. I did finish it, though. Still I never told anyone. In 2009, I had an epiphany and said, “Why Not.” There were some changes in my life, and I finally came out of the closet (the hidden writer’s closet). I told my family about my writing, and I took a class at the community college, where I met a teacher who took me by the hand and led me to RWA, and their local chapter NEORWA. I found a home and a fellowship of sisters. Occasionally a brother or two.
Since then I’m rushing to finish my third book to send to an agent and an editor. No pressure here. I’m excited and terrified. But I have a lot of support behind me. I’m on my way.
Madeline Hunter
Genre: Historical Romance
Website: www.MadelineHunter.com
Madeline has 27 critically acclaimed historical romances in print. Her books are international bestsellers with appearances on lists like the NYTimes, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. She has received 4 starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. She has won two RITA awards and been a finalist seven times. Her books have been translated into fourteen languages.
Sheridan Jeane
Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian Era)
Website: www.SheridanJeane.com
Sheridan Jeane writes exciting and emotion-packed historical romances set in the Victorian Era that confront issues of trust and conformity.
With the advent of the industrial age, life was changing. Many people tried to cling to the old ways of life while others embraced the new opportunities opening up for them.
Join Sheridan as she explores the clash between the old and the new.
Sheridan is the author of Gambling on a Scoundrel, It Takes a Spy… (Secrets and Seduction: Book 1), Lady Catherine’s Secret (Secrets and Seduction: Book 2), Once Upon a Spy My Lady (Secrets and Seduction: Book 3), and My Spy (April 2016).
Despite naming their daughter Sheridan because they thought it might someday look great on the cover of a book, Sheridan’s parents urged her in a more practical direction for college. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in English.
She grew up outside of Dayton, Ohio and now lives near Pittsburgh, PA.
Sheridan is a member of Romance Writers of America© and co-founder of Three Rivers Romance Writers in Pittsburgh.
Wendy Ann Kelly
Genre: Contemporary; Suspense; Paranormal
Wendy claims that the epitaph on her tombstone will read, “She lived in her right brain, but was never in her right mind.” Artist, art teacher, and singer, this mother of five has reveled in creative pursuits ever since she can remember. A dabbler for years with the written word, Wendy started writing in earnest in 2009 to survive the loss of her oldest child. At her husband’s urging, she joined the Pittsburgh South Writer’s Group, and has been co-moderator since 2011. She’s working on several projects, and hopes to someday earn an MFA in creative writing. When she isn’t staring at the laptop, teaching, singing, reading, or painting, Wendy is spending time with her husband of more than twenty-five years, her children, and her cat.
Heather Knight
Genre: Dark Erotic Romance
Website: http://heatherknight.net/
Heather Knight doesn’t go for billionaires with helicopters or country club fellas who sip Moscow Mules by the pool. She likes her men Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to know. She began reading romance when she was thirteen and apocalyptic fiction during college. She’s combined her love for the two genres in her new adult romance series, which is set shortly after a catastrophic worldwide event. Her books push the boundaries of both romance and erotica and are classified as Dark Erotic Romance.
Heather lives in the Mid-Atlantic with her own bad boy and dreams of one day leaving that snow behind forever.
Colleen S. Myers
Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy Romance and Contemporary Romance
Website: www.csmyersmusings.com
Colleen plays many roles. Not only is she a USA TODAY bestselling author of science fiction and contemporary romances, she is also a mother, a veteran, and a practicing physician. Colleen’s dreams include surviving her son’s teenage years, exploring every continent on this planet, except Antartica, cause that’s way too cold, and winning the Nobel peace prize. Dream BIG! Currently she is working on Each Other’s Only, a contemporary romance that she hopes to see published in the future. In the meantime, look for her at Three Rivers Romance Writers, at www.csmyersmusings.com, Colleen Myers, and at @ColleenSMyers.
Casey Clipper
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Website: www.CaseyClipper.com
Contemporary Romance Author Casey Clipper is from Pittsburgh, PA. She is noted sports fanatic, chocolate addict, and has a slight obsession with penguins. Like you, she is an avid romance reader and loves to lose herself in a good book. Casey’s novels are known for her sexy mobsters, delicious SEALs, a brood of heavenly brothers, and swoon-worthy detectives. An Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author of The Love Series, Casey writes mid-length contemporary romance novels in standalone series. Casey is the recipient of the 2015 JABBIC HBARWA Readers’ Choice Award in short contemporary romance. Casey is also an active member of the Romance Writers of America, Contemporary Romance Writers, Kiss of Death, Passionate Ink, and ASMSG.
Jen Sako
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Website: http://www.jbsako.wordpress.com
Texas author Jen Sako should have songwriting awards in both rock ‘n roll and country music but she can’t sing. Instead, she uses her storytelling skills to write novels involving a heroine who is a work in progress and usually sets beautiful people around mountains, lakes and oceans. Although she believes folks should always fight for what they want, she also likes peach and quiet. When she is not exercising or eating sugar-free, she can be found with one or more of the following: wine, chocolate, bacon, French fries or a good Spanish cheese. Her romance stories are funny, emotional, sexy and probably contain exotic cars. Her motto is everybody makes mistakes and she strives to give and seek forgiveness. Otherwise, her inner teenager loves a hot rockstar and juicy celebrity news. She wants a maid for her house and is insanely jealous of smart people.
Wende Dikec/Abigail Drake
Genre: YA/Paranormal, Contemporary, NA
Website: wendedikec.com, abigaildrake.com
Wende Dikec has spent her life traveling the world, and collecting stories wherever she visited. She writes in several romance genres, and her books are quirky, light, and fun. Fluent in several languages and married to a man from Istanbul, Wende is a trekkie, a book hoarder, master of the Nespresso machine, and mother of three boys. A puppy named Capone is the most recent addition to her family, and she blogs about him as a way of maintaining what little sanity she has left.
Catherine E. McLean
Genre: Romance, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal
Website: http://www.CatherineEmclean.com
I’m a wife and mother who has ridden and exhibited Morgan Sport Horses. I’m an avid clothing and costume designer, an award-winning amateur photographer, a 4-H leader, and a Red Hatter who loves bling. I live on a farm nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains of Western Pennsylvania.
In the quiet of the countryside, I write fantasy, futuristic, and paranormal stories where a reader can escape to other worlds for adventure and romance. My short stories have appeared in hard-copy and online anthologies and magazines, and my third book, a novella is HEARTS AKILTER, a lighthearted fantasy/sci-fi romance.
Audrey Abbott / Audrey Iacone
Genre: Historical Fiction / Adult Romance / YA
Website: www.audreyabbottauthor.com
Hi, I am a retired librarian, a former teacher, and a lover of books! My favorite pastimes are reading and writing. Of course!
For many years, I devoted my time to local history and genealogy. I authored several journal articles and two non-fiction books on local historical subjects.
Eventually, I changed gears and began to write fiction! In 2018, I published The Lady’s Desire, Book 1 in the Abbey Mead series. I am delighted to announce that Book 2, The Lady’s Prayer, will be released in July, 2019.
I am also working on a YA historical novel, Burnt, set in Pittsburgh in 1845. The story highlights the Underground Railroad, the Great Fire of Pittsburgh, and three friends who make a difference!
I am a member of RWA, TRRW, and SCBWI.
Most days, you will find me in my book nook, reading, writing, researching, and happily ignoring the dust bunnies…
Rebecca E. Neely
Genre: Suspense, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Website: www.rebeccaneely.com
A sucker for a happy ending, Rebecca strives to write the kind of stories she loves to read—gritty, suspenseful and featuring authentic, edgy and vulnerable characters, smack dab in the middle of action that explodes from page one.
Raised on a down home blend of Johnny Cash, Jack London, Sherlock Holmes, the Steelers, and all things small town, she feels blessed to have grown up in a close knit, fun loving and artistic family. Her mother, a voracious reader and scratch cook, and her father, an entrepreneur, English teacher and lover of literature, taught Rebecca and her brother to work hard, aim for the stars, and live life.
With music, books and laughter as constant companions, she grew up working, cooking and eating in the family’s restaurant business. A certified book and hoagie junkie, she thrives on live music, mysteries and the outdoors.
Rebecca is a cheddar enthusiast, lover of cats, teddy bears, hot coffee, cold beer, thunderstorms, the blast of a train’s whistle, the change of seasons, country roads, woodpeckers, spoon rings, cool office supplies, and the Food Network.
Careers, past and present, include freelance writing, accounting, mother, problem solver, doer and head bottle washer.
Rebecca is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Three Rivers Romance Writers (TRRW) and is pleased to serve as a judge for several writing contests each year.
S. R. Grey
Genre: New Adult Romance, Coming of Age Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Romantic Comedy
Website: http://www.srgrey.com
S. R. Grey is an Amazon Top 100 and Barnes & Noble #1 Bestselling Author. She is the author of the popular Judge Me Not series, the new Promises series, the Inevitability duology, A Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy, and the Laid Bare series of novellas. Ms. Grey’s works have appeared on several Amazon Bestsellers lists, including Top 100 multiple times, as well as #1 on the Barnes & Noble Bestsellers list. Ms. Grey resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams.
Laurel Kerr
Genre: contemporary, historical, time travel/paranormal
Erin O’Brien is a 2016 Golden Heart finalist for her contemporary romance manuscript, “Volunteering Her Heart”. As a lover of history, her childhood dream was to travel back in time. Luckily, her imagination lets her hurtle to whatever period she desires. Sometimes she even sends her modern characters there too. As much as Erin enjoys writing historicals, she enjoys returning to the present day for her contemporary romances about successful professional women playing the knight in shining armor in their down-on-their-luck heroes.
Erin’s husband is willing to indulge her writing bug, while her faithful Cavalier Spaniel does her part by curling up on Erin’s lap as she types away on her laptop. Erin is currently writing under the pseudonym, Laurel Kerr.
Ann Zabo
Genre: contemporary, erotic, paranormal, lgbtq
Website: http://www.annazabo.com
Anna Zabo writes contemporary and paranormal romance for all colors of the rainbow.
While obtaining an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, she fell in with a roving band of romance writers who wrested her from the clutches of writing in only one genre. She also has a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Cheryle Williams
Genre: YA angel paranormal, YA sweet contemporary, YA sweet historical, Cheryle Williams, Inspirational and Chicken Soup-type anthology pieces, Cheryl Elaine Williams
Website: http://www.cherylewilliams.net
Frontier (YA historical 1772 western PA frontier, to be available in e-book September 2016 and in trade paperback November 2016. Cheryl Elaine Williams has ten devotional pieces in Barbour Books’ 3-Minute Devotions for a Dog Lover’s Heart and twenty devotions in 3-Minute Devotions for a Cat Lover’s Heart. She’s also published in Barbour Books’ Heavenly Humor for the Cat Lover’s Soul and in several horror anthologies. Her website is at http://www.cherylewilliams.net. Find her on Facebook as Cheryl Elaine Williams, Pittsburgh PA. Email Cheryl at [email protected].
Renea Mason
Genre: Erotic, paranormal, contemporary
Website: http://reneamason.com/
Multi-award-winning and bestselling author Renea Mason writes paranormal and contemporary erotic romance that challenges the definition of conventional love. As the author of the 2016 Audie award-winning Curing Doctor Vincent, Renea prides herself on bringing readers unique storylines and memorable characters in her tales of love, lust and mystery.
When she isn’t putting her fingers on the keyboard crafting sensual stories filled with intelligent, larger-than-life lovers, she spends time in the Laurel Mountains of Western Pennsylvania with her beyond-supportive husband, two wonderful sons and two loving but needy cats.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION – Curing Doctor Vincent
WINNER – 2016 Audie Award (Audio Publisher’s Association)
3rd Place – 2016 Romance Writers of America New England Chapter – Erotic Romance
1st Place – Ménage Romances Readers Favorite Award – Erotica 2016
1st Place – Book with Most Original Plot – Shameless Book Club Awards 2015
1st Place – Best Ménage and more… – The Romance Reviews Readers Choice Awards 2015
2nd Place – Best Contemporary Erotic Romance -The Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers Choice Award 2015
Symphony of Light and Winter –
2nd Place – Best New Paranormal Series of 2013 – Paranormal Cravings’ Battle of the Books 2013
3rd Place – Best New Paranormal Romance of 2013 – The Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewers Choice Awards 2013
2nd Place – Erotica/Romantica – Write Touch Contest – Wisconsin Romance Writers – Romance Writers of America Chapter
Finalist – Paranormal – The Passionate Plume Contest – Passionate Ink – National Romance Writers of America Chapter
Finalist – Best First Book – National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award – First Coast Romance Writers- Romance Writers of America Chapter
Finalist – Paranormal Romance – Aspen Gold Contest -Heart of Denver Romance Writers of America – Romance Writers of America Chapter