Catherine Archer has always loved books and reading. Even as little girl, she enjoyed making up further adventures about the characters in the books she read as well as writing stories about her own characters. But it wasn't until she read Jane Eyre at around the age of 12 that she realized she wanted to write...romance novels. Completing a novel, however, turned out to be much more difficult than making up stories in her head! In the years between deciding to become an author, marrying her Canadian husband, having children, enrolling in nursing school twice, she began but never finished many novels. It wasn't until her youngest child was two that she sat down and told herself that she would complete her book or go to her grave trying. That novel, written on an old typewriter that a friend gave her after finding out that she was working on a book, took two years to finish. Her husband, Steve, seeing how determined she was to become a published author, sold his 1965 Mustang to buy her first computer. He remained a constant and devoted supporter through the seven years of rejections. It was her third completed historical romance, Rose Among Thorns, that Catherine sold to Harlequin Historicals. It was the culmination of her all her dreams and hard work. With the August 1998 release of her seventh book for Harlequin, Fire Song, she has lost none of her sense of awe at seeing the names of her characters in print. Catherine still approaches each book with the same excitement of that first one. Bringing the characters and their story to life are some of her greatest challenges and joys. Each time she helps the hero and heroine discover that being able to truly love and trust in another person only makes you stronger, she renews her own belief in the power of love. After a rich and unforgettable stay of 15 years in Alberta, Catherine now lives with her husband of 21 years and her three children in Troutdale, Oregon. Having grown up in Oregon, she has enjoyed being near her family again. She loves meeting and hearing from readers and may be reached at the following address: Catherine Archer, P.O. Box 1216, Fairview, OR 97024-1216. Please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish a reply.
