I hold a Ph.D. in Folklore and History of Religions, but I enjoy writing more than teaching, so now I stay home and write and worship cats, especially my own. I am one of the few women knights in the SCA (a medieval recreation group) and the first woman to win a throne by right of arms. Now I am retired and spend my time writing, being an an avid gardener, kitten rescuer, and cook. I live with my husband Bill, and have three grown children, and just became a grandmother.