I was never a star English student or a Literature buff, but I've always had a creative soul and an active imagination.  Writing was a natural culmination of those two talents. I write what I like to read: romantic suspense.  I write for entertainment and escape--the same reasons I love to read.  I prefer real-life language, so you'll find profanity in my work when it fits the character.  I prefer open-door sex, so my love scenes are typically hot and steamy.  And because my stories involve suspense, you'll often find violence, mystery and an inside look at the intricate world of forensics.  Occasionally, I like to dabble in the lighter side of paranormal as well. I am agented by the fabulous Paige Wheeler, founding partner of Folio Literary Management in New York.  My debut novel, FEVER, releases from Kensington Brava in April 2012.  Book 2 in the series, BLAZE, releases fall 2012. My editor at Kensington is the wonderful Alicia Condon, Editorial Director for Brava. A triple RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a double Daphne Du Maurier finalist, I am a lover of craft and closet-hoarder of writing craft how-to books.  In my day job, I work as a sonographer at UCSF Medical Center, a location with an intensity that makes me slightly insane...which works well with the writer in me.  Not to mention all the character material I have access to--and I'm not talking about the patients (well...mostly). I have been married twenty years to my own personal hero, a veteran firefighter, we have two beautiful daughters and are blessed to live in the heart of wine country on the gorgeous Central Coast of California. Please feel free to email me with questions and comments at:  joan AT joanswan DOT com. Recent family photos: My DH (Darling Husband) Our family fall rafting trip down the South Fork of the American River Our pup, Indie