My novel

My novel is one that invites readers to vicariously experience what it’s like to live and work abroad, in a multicultural setting. The characters, “regular” American teachers, are spending a few years at the Cantabria American School, located on the northern coast of Spain, close to the Basque Country, and we enter their lives and watch them become friends, sworn enemies, advisors and lovers. We observe their wonder as they experience the culture of Spain, a culture I deeply love and admire. We travel with the characters as they explore cities in northern Spain and hike its gorgeous, mountainous countryside. On a darker note, we also witness first-hand the tragedy that comes from living in a society in which certain fanatical groups (in this case, the Basque separatist group, ETA) think that the use of violence is warranted in order to achieve their ends.

          I lived in the Basque Country, (and in Leon), Spain for just over 11 years, and for some of those years I taught at an American International School.  However, I based the acts of terrorism I describe in my book on events which unfortunately became common place in an area that was under the shadow of terrorism. With the recent horrific events of the Boston marathon, I think that a book which tells a story set in modern Europe, in a place where people have had to learn to cope with the senseless tragedies which humans inflict upon themselves, will have a particularly poignant impact at this time.

Before becoming a writer, I pursued a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, for which I received a National Science Foundation grant and a Rotary International Fellowship.  Then I worked as a teacher and administrator in Spain, and later I moved to Houston where I also worked in private schools. Five years ago, I retired from teaching to become a writer. I published a children’s book, (appropriate for 2-4 year olds) called, Grammy and the Wily Raccoon in 2009, (available on Amazon)  and this is my first novel.