Marliss Moon

Marliss Moon has recently burst onto the market as a new romance author. She is strongly recommended by veteran writers, Rexanne Becnel and Patricia Ryan. Her stories, she claims, are inspired by her extraordinary life. The fourth daughter of an American diplomat, Marliss grew up in exotic countries like Loas, Thailand, France, and...Texas. Her love for books was sealed in those early days, as there was no such thing as television. She wrote her first book, The Emerald Castle, when she was 13. "It was an awful book," she admits. "But those were the early 80's, when heroes were dominating jerks and heroines were submissive idiots. I much prefer modern-day romances where the hero and heroine are equally matched." Blessed with many talents, Marliss first thought she would be an actress. (As the fourth daughter, she had to work hard to get attention!) Yet language lured her in, not only because her father speaks seven languages, but because writing provided an outlet for her fertile imagination. With a Masters degree in Linguistics, she has taught English, Spanish, English as a Second Language, and now teaches Linguistics at the College of William and Mary, her alma mater. Marliss lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with her husband, two sons, three stepchildren, her basset hound, Bambam and her cockatiel, Peaches. Look for her sequel to Danger's Promise: Passion's Fire in Fall 2003. She writes inspirational romance as Marliss Arruda and is presently penning a modern romantic suspense entitled Unforgettable. "I've never been able to do just one thing," she comments with a shrug. "But variety is the spice of life-I firmly believe that." What does the future hold in store for her? "More teaching, more writing," she answers. "I could never give up either one. I predict more travel in the future. I'd like to take my children to Europe and Asia, so they can see some of what I saw as a child and understand how fortunate they are to be American." Marliss supports various charitable efforts with her writing. A portion of her profits from Danger's Promise are rewarded to an organization in Williamsburg offering free English language instruction to Internationals. In the future, she hopes to increase contributions to World Visions, an organization relieving hunger and providing hope to children all over the world.