Sherri Leigh James was born in Berkeley, California while her father was a student there. She grew up on the Central Coast of California. Her stories are inspired by a desire to see women succeed in life. Her characters are all strong women making their way in a man’s world. Her SAGA OF A LADY historical romance series begins during the California gold rush and moves on to early San Francisco. Her childhood was entertained by tales of legends and journals of early California settlers, including accounts of heroic women who have immigrated to California over the last two centuries. Her debut mystery novel, GIRL WITH A PAST, is set in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the UC Berkeley campus in 2008 and the sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll age of the 1960’s. This story was inspired by Sherri’s own years at Cal in the 60’s and by her children’s years as Cal students. Her upcoming mystery novel, BLOOD RED, the first of a new series of murder mysteries featuring interior designer to the rich and famous, Cissy Huntington is set in contemporary California. This novel is loosely based on Sherri’s career as an interior designer. Sherri Leigh James lives in Southern California with her husband, near their children and grandchildren.