I am married, have three (adult) children, three dogs, a degree in journalism, and a passion for writing. My husband and I like to travel, camp, and take weekend road trips to the many small towns in the midwest with interesting state parks, antique shops, and main-street taverns. I've enjoyed a successful career in communications and marketing, starting as a feature writer for a newspaper, eventually owning a small marketing agency with my husband. I currently work for a large software company, writing thought leadership articles and managing social media. I grew up in NW Indiana, not far from Hegewisch where my novel is set. My great grandparents were from Poland. Visiting their house on weekend was like entering a time capsule from the Old Country. I found it fascinating as a child—and somewhat creepy and frightening. The haunted peach tree in the back yard, the shanty with a dirt floor and moss growing on the walls, and the coal room with bushels of old vegetables and fruits writhing with worms were just some of the details from my great grandparents' house that found their way into the novel. Characters and incidents are also based on family stories. The main character is based on my grandmother. The real-life Helen was just as feisty as the fictional Halina.