Jeanmarie Anaya grew up on the shores of New York, where surfing, skateboarding, swimming, and sitting on lifeguard chairs after dark are the best ways to spend your teenage years. She was one of those kids who read books with flashlights under the covers, long after her mom and dad told her to turn out the damn light. Her fifth grade teacher once told her she'd make a wonderful writer, but she didn't believe it until much later in life.

Jeanmarie attended the University of Michigan. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and, ironically, very little understanding of college football. When a guidance counselor told her that a career practicing law would compliment her love of reading and writing, Jeanmarie fell for the trick and became a lawyer. She's been bored to tears reading and writing contracts ever since. Eventually, she traded her heels for flip flops and went to work in her family's surf and skate business.

Jeanmarie writes contemporary romance for young adults. Her three daughters provide an endless well of story inspiration. Jeanmarie’s stories involve girls with heart. Some are tough, some are weak, some are funny, and some only think they are. There's a little bit of you in every one of them.

 

Photo credit: Shanna Kreza Photography