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ALL ABOUT ME!

I have worked in the criminal justice field for more years than I care to remember! It seems like I was forever going to school while I was working full time, but in the end, I received a dual master's degree in Probation and Parole Studies and Sociology from Fordham University.

Unfortunately, the knowledge gained from way too many years in night school, didn't prepare me for what I love to do the most - writing romances and cozy mysteries.

MY FIRST BOOK

My very first book, THE LADY AND THE COWBOY, a short, western historical, was written for beginning adult readers, and I sold it to Laubach Literacy. In 1998, it was chosen by the Publishers Liaison Committee of the Public Library Association's Adult Lifelong Learning Section as one of the "Top Titles for Adult New Readers." Yes!

HARLEQUIN BOOKS

THE COWBOY WAY was released in January of 2005. Since then, I've written eleven books (and counting!) for Harlequin. I love writing about cowboys out west and the southwest, far away from New York State where I live! These are my GOLD BUCKLE COWBOYS (You'll fall in love with them in eight seconds!) I've also written two books set in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, The Hawkins Legacy.

COZY MYSTERIES

A new venture for me (in 2013) was a series of "comfort food" cozy mysteries which I set in a small-town 1950's diner, THE SILVER BULLET.

The first book, DO OR DINER, from Penguin/Obsidian books was released on August 6, 2013. Four cozy mysteries followed until the series ended.

I love this genre, and would like to continue the adventures of Trixie Matkowski in the future.

JUST FOR FUN

I enjoy watching professional bull riding and rodeo with my favorite cowboy, my husband Jim. We put on our cowboy regalia (I look horrible in a cowboy hat!) and have traveled to events in Las Vegas, Florida, Connecticut, and other states.

As a result of our travels, I have met many genuine, personable and polite cowboys, and that's how I get my inspiration for my westerns!

And, of course, I have to do research for my comfort food diner series. That takes me to diners all over the U.S. and Canada for meals. It's a tough job, but I just have to do it!

Best wishes to you, dear reader, and I hope you smile when you read my books!

CHRIS WENGER
CICERO, NY