I was born in the industrial town, Springs in Gauteng, South Africa. I had an incredibly happy childhood, spending most of my time playing with and learning from my big sister. She, being my absolute hero, and still is.

My parents are the most wonderful people and taught us about hard work, endurance, joy and gave us the gift of faith in the Lord. My love for reading and languages came from my mom (wat ons biblioteek toe gevat het) and I will forever be thankful for this. We were lucky enough to stay in my childhood home and I successfully completed my school career under the same reddish roof.

During my school years, I studied ballet, musical instruments, modelling, sport and drama. This opened my mind to a world filled with art, talents and unique skills widening my horizons to be everything I can be through hard work. I still hold a teacher’s qualification in modelling, but are no longer a bit of a drama queen.

I also got my love for tea from my parents and granny. And I will probably be a little teapot for the rest of my life (normale tee, natuurlik!). I faced the big city in the largest engineering class I have ever seen, but after really taking an internal look at who I am and where I want to be, I changed my course. The best decision at that stage of my life.

I completed my LLB with distinction from the University of Pretoria. During one of my first lessons in law, I realized my love for the academics and wanted to pursue that dream. In the years to come I earned my master’s degree with distinction in Mercantile law, specifically Labour law and Social Protection from the University of Pretoria, while working as an academic associate.

Those were some of the best years of my life – living with my sister and cousin; learning from the top professors and having the opportunity to educate others in the field of law. Me, being the overachiever I am, also moved three times, finished a master’s degree, attended evening classes and passed all four my admission exams.

I will admit, there were times I bit off more than I could chew, but then I always had tea, moral support and red wine of course.

On the advice of my supervisor I took the not so glamorous step to complete my articles as candidate attorney. I was fortunate enough to have a spectacular principle attorney who trained me and provided me with a skillset most candidate attorneys will never receive.

Promoting me to be a well-rounded individual, I completed a certificate in business rescue. I spent some time as an attorney in general practice after being admitted to the practicing roll of attorneys. I am still consulting daily. The academia stayed close to my heart and I channeled my energy into being a full-time lecturer at a private higher institution in Centurion. I presented papers and presentations at numerous international conferences. I am also an accredited mentor. I enjoy various forms of art and as an adult started ballroom and Latin American dancing. All these ambitious endeavors make my life even more colourful. My interest in promoting language and thinking out of the box was further expanded as I judged various university and school debate competitions.

It was during this time that my biggest dream came true and my first manuscript was accepted for publication. After the first publication three books flowed from my pen in one year, while managing a full-time job. Like we say in Afrikaans, die gogga het gebyt, and there was nothing I could do, but to write the stories that filled my mind and heart. As a published writer in the romance genre, I have numerous published books under my own name. I prefer publishing my books in my beautiful mother tongue, Afrikaans. There are just some things that will never be the same for me in a different language and loving in Afrikaans is one of those powerful things.

Most of the inspiration for my writing comes from my work as a divorce attorney and conversations with people I hold close to my heart. I see the sad parts of others in which there is so much potential for a happy ending. My love for writing will never tire for as long as there are hearts out there with a story to tell.

I started my journey as published writer at the age of 26 and will never look back from this wonderful journey. My first titles are published under Romanza as a part of Lapa Publishers who is a division of Penguin Random House SA (Pty) Ltd. Together with my flourishing path I also have a tradition where I photograph the first copies of each book with my Boston terrier.

All books available at good bookstores and as e-books.

Romanza’s under Lapa Uitgewers