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Although Irene can't remember a time when she didn't write, her career was "officially" launched at the age of 10 when she was one of the winners in a complete-the-story contest for a national children's magazine.
As an adult, writing became her vocation. After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in journalism, she entered the field of corporate communications, rising to the executive ranks in a Fortune 500 company. In her "spare" time she penned her heartwarming, uplifting novels.
For many years Irene juggled her two demanding careers. But in 2003 she decided to give up the daily rush-hour commute, the stress and the politics of the corporate world to write full-time in her home office. Coincidentally (or is it?), her 16th book — titled Crossroads — came out the same month she made this dramatic career shift.
Irene's decision to leave the corporate world was made easier when her 15th book, Never Say Goodbye, won the RITA® Award (the "Oscar" of romance fiction) for Best Inspirational Romance of 2002. In addition, other books by Irene have been nominated for Romantic Times awards.
At least once a year, Irene hits the boards at local community theaters, where she has sung such classic romantic roles as Nellie in South Pacific, Fiona in Brigadoon, Laurey in Oklahoma and Anna in The King and I. She is also a church soloist and choir member.
When not otherwise occupied, she and her own romantic hero — her husband, Tom (an ordained cleric who juggles ecclesiastical duties with a full-time marketing career) — enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop, and spending time with family.
An avid gardener and "from-scratch" cook, Irene sometimes wonders if she is the only person in America who doesn’t own a microwave!
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