Valley, Jody: - Growing up, Jody Valley wrote poetry and short stories to bare her teenage rebellious soul--in lieu of a journal. She wanted to be either a spy or a reporter, and to never give up her skepticism. When her family frowned on her entering the field of espionage, she settled for becoming a clinical social worker -- fulfilling her need to spy -- and writing columns and feature stores for newspapers, as well as fighting for social justice. Jody has combined her years as a journalist with her years as a clinical social worker and a social activist to write her first suspenseful mystery novel. She lives with her wife, of 1 1/2 years, and her committed relationship--to the same wonderful woman--of 26 years. Together, they have two dogs, one granddog, and four adult children and three adorable granddaughters She does much of her writing at her cabin on a lake in northern Michigan.