During my business career, I wore several hats including professional writer, editor, marketing/public relations specialist, Real Estate Director for franchisees, sales, and commercial real estate broker (licensed in Texas, and specializing in restaurants and retail). After at least 30 moves, local and abroad, handling PR for American Mayflower Moving and Storage (17 franchises), becoming a Certified Packer, and writing a Moving Guide, I became an expert about moving. My expertise extends to retirement.
My love of travel culminated in the mystery Greek Ghosts, published by iUniverse in 2003, into which I wove many threads of my personal experiences. A new edition of Greek Ghosts and the second in the series, Wetumpka Widow featuring the same sleuths, (2016) are available on Amazon and Kindle.
In Costa Rica, where I have spent most of my time since 2005, I wrote a nonfiction anecdotal book based on extensive research and my adventure with input from other expats. This should help Baby Boomers to jump- start their due diligence in order to find their paradise for retirement or possibly for a vacation home or investment in Costa Rica. The third edition (2017) of Retiring in Costa Rica or Doctors, Dogs and Pura Vida, and Secrets Behind the Big Pencil, Inspired by an Actual Scandal (2014) also are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. A booklet called Retirement 101 (2017) is available on Kindle only.
My deep appreciation for the value of diverse cultures developed by living in Costa Rica, England, and Germany, traveling to 50 countries. often multiple times, and earning a Master's Degree in Sociology/Anthropology. from New York University. A graduate of the Journalism School at Syracuse University, I have been published in Costa Rica, England, and Germany as well as in the U. S. I have various levels of skills—reading, writing, and speaking-- in Spanish, German, and French.
My articles, columns, and news releases have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and trade publications. Years ago, I wrote a travel column for Ladycom, a magazine targeted to military and diplomatic wives worldwide. The New YorkTimes often printed my press releases verbatim when I was the first woman to be employed on the Public Information staff of Consolidated Edison of New York, Inc., the second largest utility in the world at the time.I have been published online and continue to write guest blogs.