Author Susan Elizabeth Phillips studied theater in college, but became a teacher after graduation. She taught high school drama, speech, and English before deciding to become a stay-at-home mom. She wrote her first novel with a friend, but soon started a solo career. Some of her novels have made the New York Times bestseller list and she teaches writing workshops. She received the Romance Writers of America's Favorite Book of the Year award twice and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She currently lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and has two grown sons.