Obviously, I always wanted to be a writer.

Are my stories based on my life? In some small ways, I think they are. I did work at an RV campground during the summers. And one summer two of the campers I met were guys camping along the coast right before they went into the army (Island Girls and Boys). My sophomore year in college, a guy who was dating my roommate would call to talk to me, because he liked my voice. I do have a roller coaster phobia, something my roller coaster enthusiast husband and sons don't understand. Only another phobe could. Strangely, though, I love going to amusement parks (Thrill Ride). During the summer I enjoy watching the collegiate league play baseball (The Boyfriend League). I did go skiing and stay at a condo with friends (Love on the Lifts). But going on a cruise is still on my list of things to do (Caribbean Cruising). Like readers, writers can experience through stories what they don't in real life.

Official Bio:

Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, is the daughter of a British beauty (her mother won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero-who played the Joker on the old Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Herts, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan. She enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.

When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.