Born in Kansas, raised in Wisconsin, Debra is a child of the American Midwest. Surrounded by books from an early age, she became an avid reader. Soon she began verbally weaving her own stories. Eventually she realized she could, just possibly, write her own books. A dream took root.

At age 21 she married her true love. Within a few years she went from a Milwaukee insurance secretary to stay-at-home mom for one, then two, then three (brilliant) sons. Her husband’s career took their family to Indiana, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. During those years she read often – to her sons when they were young, and always for personal pleasure. She also wrote – poetry, short stories, and slice-of-life essays.

Soon after settling in Pennsylvania, Debra spotted a news article about a woman starting a writer’s group for those who wanted to write and sell a novel. Her dormant dream sprouted. She joined, and learned how to critique. Within a year she’d completed her first novel – a 417 page time travel romance set in post-Civil War America. A Time to Dream placed first in a respected contest and garnered brief attention from an editor and a few agents.

But sometimes when one is having the most fun, reality intrudes. Circumstances called her back to work, this time as a school district secretary. Her manuscript, like her writing, was shelved. A few years later she found herself organizing a support staff union. Contract negotiations, grievances, and countless meetings followed. Seven more years flew by until she realized that if she was ever going to achieve her dream of publication she must do what writers do – write.

That’s what she does now. Although by day she works in a school administration office, on nights and weekends she huddles over her home computer and enters another world. She’s a proud member of Romance Writers of America and several of its Chapters. RWA provides contact with fellow writers, and a lifeline of support. But more than anything Debra writes. It’s what writers do.

Since returning to the pursuit of her passion she’s completed more manuscripts and is working on marketing them. Her stories are usually set in another time because those are the voices she hears. She writes about everyday people – often about men coming home from war and the women they come home to. She writes about good people and bad ones, and those who can’t quite decide. Her genre is historical romantic suspense. Often, when she’s not looking, mystique flies in – just to keep life interesting.

Contact Debra via email at debrakmaher@gmail.com.