Ms. Peyton grew up in the Chicago suburbs and lived there until she retired to a lake community outside Knoxville in Loudon, Tennessee. Her earliest encouragement to write came from her mother who was an editor of trade magazines and Young Adult fiction. Cheryl was a founding member of the Authors Guild of Tennessee and makes appearances either by herself or with group members at book signings during the year around the state. She lives with her husband Jim and their Havanese dog, Casey.