My name is Joan Leotta. I was born in Pittsburgh, PA and lived most of my adult life in the Washington DC suburbs. I've been a writer and performer for as long as I can remember. From school plays and newspapers, my path eventually led to a career in government. Not quite what I had envisioned. Along came marriage, two children and a new career. Motherhood inspired me to begin to perform folklore and to write for local papers; mostly business, parenting, food and travel. Over the years I have been blessed to find my focus using writing and performing to encourage others. My non-fiction books include a history of Massachusetts (Scholastic) and a guide to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia (Norton). Since moving to North Carolina, I have returned to my first lovecreating fiction on paper as well as on stage. I've been fortunate enough to have stories accepted by St Anthony's Messenger, OMDB, Crimestalker and others. My contract with Desert Breeze for my Legacy of Honor series is my first fiction book contract and there are four of them!