An American Writer of drama, romance, and mystery fiction featuring lesbian protagonists, she is best known for her Gun police series and for her Public Eye mystery series. She also published several short story collections and a World War II-themed novel.
After graduating from Lewis and Clark College and Hamline University, she taught writing at The Loft Literary Center.
Her 2006 war novel, Snow Moon Rising, won a Golden Crown Literary Award.
She grew up in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon as the oldest of five daughters.
She and Martin Smith are both mystery authors.
