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One dark and stormy night, George and Lilly celebrated the arrival of
their only child, a daughter whose name teetered on the precarious
balance of Gigi and Pandora. Lucky enough, the weather on that
fateful night left its mark, and the joyful parents turned to their
Lithuanian roots and named her Audra, which translated means "storm."
God bless my mom, her obsession with romantic movies did influence my
life, just not with the moniker she'd fantasized. Rather than
scribble stories in my elementary years or enter high school creative
writing contests, my interests settled in front of the television
where mom and I would watch Errol Flynn and Clark Gable, Gene Tierney
and Lucille Ball light up the small screen with innocent love and high
adventure. Those were the days. . .
Lucky for me, technology gives us the DVD -- color enhanced, fully
restored -- ready to light up my living room whenever I want a good
cry. Escape, too, comes in the form of writing. I love romance, I've
never considered writing anything else. There's something so very
special when you take man + woman + God, and roll them up to together
in a satisfying ending. Makes me sigh just thinking about it. Now,
I'm not talking about sappy, obvious melodrama. Nooo, I want an
impossible relationship with strong characters, filled of stormy
scenes, and when you don't think they have a chance of happiness, the
love of God that's burned in each page ignites a fire within them and
faith, hope and love overcome all.
Along with faith, imagination and love, I've been blessed with my
incredible husband, Gary, our daughter, Kara and son, Martin (aka
Bubby). Also part of the family are Satchel and Sophie, our loyal
hounds, the rest are supporting cast : rabbits, chickens, ducks,
geese, pigs, goats, and the occasional steer. Gary and I are 4-H
leaders and absolutely love the time we get to spend with our kids and
all the members of our club. 4-H is a terrific program and contrary
to popular belief, you don't have to grow livestock to participate.
I'm on the Board of Evangelism where I have the privilege to write a
monthly article on how the everyday, average person can be a witness
by simply being who God created you to be. Our board had the
occasion to participate in Conversations of Grace, an event that
offers workshops and speakers geared toward Evangelism. God blessed
my participation in this seminar by introducing me to Larry and Linda
Merino, Christians by calling and Gypsies by heritage. During this
two day seminar, I had the opportunity to talk candidly with Larry and
Linda about their lives as gypsies and the struggles the gypsy people
have faced down through the years. Larry and Linda influenced the
depth of my series, Lost Causes, a blessing for which I am
immeasurably grateful.
When free moments arise, I fill the time reading, crocheting, sewing,
going to auctions with my family, and of course, watching vintage
movies with a box of tissues.
It's my sincere hope that the essence of swashbuckler tinges each and
every page I write. Read my stories, and if even a hint of an old
time Vivian Leigh and Rex Harrison, or contemporary Meg Ryan and
Pierce Brosnan crosses your mind, I hope you smile.
Please come back and visit often. A bucket of popcorn, a cup of
coffee, and a comfy throw are always waiting to be shared with
friends.
God bless you always,
-Audra
In addition to all the folks who offer their love, help and
inspiration to me along my writer's journey, I'll always cherish the
values my dad, George (1925-2000) and my mom, Lilly (1930-2000)
planted in my heart. I miss you.
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