Born in Brussels, Belgium, I’m a bilingual Christian writer with a Comparative World Literature background who wrote my first poem at seven years of age. Besides Brussels and the SF Bay Area, I’ve lived in Paris, France, and spent time in Jerusalem.

My latest historical fiction novel Jayida, set in sixth century pre-Islamic Arabia, is the fruit of years of research and the project that first made me want to write historical fiction. I’ve also authored the historical fiction novel The Well-Loved Demon on the French King Louis XV, and the novella Nicola’s Leg, about my Russian grandfather and family’s relocation to Jerusalem. My short fiction include the short story collections Our Lives Are Fairy Tales and Twisted Reflections. I’m currently at work on more hist-fic of various lengths.

As a follower of Jesus and influenced by my German, Russian, and Christian Palestinian heritage, the Bible is central to my life. While I generally lean non-denominational, I’m grateful for my connection to Russian Orthodoxy and deepening interest in Eastern Orthodoxy overall. Jeanne d’Arc has also figured in my spiritual life since my Brussels childhood, and I appreciate Jakob Lorber and Emmanuel Swedenborg. I’m also dedicated to bringing attention to oft-neglected Christian Middle Eastern communities, whether through writing, art, or otherwise.

In the spirit of childhood Brussels memories, and shocked by the horrendous architectural (and other) changes occurring in the nation (and globally!), I also appreciate such historical online hubs as La Belgique d’autrefois and La Belgique des Quatre Vents. All the better if it inspires one, two, and hopefully more stories, too 🙂

*Portrait image courtesy of Tara Nicole.