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Janet
grew up in a family that cherished the past and had
a strong creative streak. Her Social Studies/Art
teacher father was a storyteller, like his father.
The yarns her father and grandfather told instilled
in Janet a love of the past and the desire to tell
stories on paper. At twelve Janet wrote her first
“novels,” even illustrating her little books, but
when it came time to choose a career, she wanted to
teach.
Janet
attended Indiana University and graduated with a BS
in Education. She married her college sweetheart,
then taught first grade before leaving teaching to
rear two daughters. During those early years
together, Janet and her husband found the church
they still attend, joined Bible studies and
developed a love of scripture and a closer walk with
God. |
As her
daughters grew, Janet joined them in front of the television
set to watch Little House on the Prairie. Janet read books
that reawakened her love of American history and the tales
of the strong men and women of faith who built this country.
She volunteered in her daughters’ schools, taught Sunday
school at her church, and pursued creative hobbies until one
day she could no longer ignore her girlhood dream of being a
writer. As soon as she put pen to paper, she knew she was
meant to write historical romances. Only later did she
understand her fiction could also honor God, and she eagerly
turned to Inspirational historical romance.
Janet’s journey
toward publication took nine exciting, sometimes painful
years of learning her craft and dealing with rejection.
Her stories of maintaining faith in trying circumstances
show the power of God to strengthen families. Fascinated by
history and the role of strong women in our nation's past,
Janet brings both together in her faith-based love stories.
Two of her manuscripts were 2005 and 2006 Golden Heart
finalists. One of those manuscripts was a 2006 Genesis
finalist. Today Janet writes inspirational historical
romances for Steeple Hill. Her first novel, Courting Miss
Adelaide is a Steeple Hill Love Inspired historical to be
released in September 2008. She is working on the third
book in the Indiana town. The Second book in the series,
Distant Hearts, w/t, will release in 2009.
When she isn’t
writing, Janet enjoys making hand-crafted greeting cards,
playing golf and bridge, and reading. The Deans enjoy travel,
but love to spend time with family, spoiling their four
grandchildren.
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