A Bed of Roses

A romance about the love-hate relationship between patient and physical therapist, and the tragedy that keeps them apart.

After three surgeries on a knee injured in a car accident, journalist Dana Whitaker would give anything to walk normal again - anything but face another physical therapist and his torture chamber, that is. And yet, her strong need for independence won’t let her give up. But she’s doing it for herself, not because she cares what some good-looking, overbearing physical therapist thinks of her.

Michael Gordon knows his new patient’s dark sunglasses and sharp attitude are defense mechanisms to keep people from seeing the pain and fear in her eyes. The willful tilt of her chin challenges ... and charms. But he isn’t looking for a relationship. Especially with a patient. And especially with a journalist. He will treat Dana like any other patient, and forget for the time being that a reporter damn near destroyed his career.

I got my break in publishing when I ＂jumped from a perfectly good plane＂ and wrote about the experience in a community college workshop. The Oregonian bought the essay, even though it was 200 words too long. I haven’t jumped out of anymore airplanes, but have gone on to publish and win awards in romantic fiction, and contributed a monthly newsletter column, ＂Working the Web,＂ for the local Romance Writers of America. When my Mt. Hood Community College mentor retired, I stepped forward as the part-time instructor for the Professional Novel & Memoir Writing Workshop program. I divide my time between mentoring the latest group of writing talent and working on the next novel. Currently a member of Willamette Writers, I live in Oregon with my husband and four-legged friends.