LAMB, Joyce (L.) 1965-

PERSONAL: Born March 27, 1965, in Rockford, IL; daughter of Joe N. (a journalist) and Patsy J. (a homemaker) Lamb. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Northern Illinois University, B.A., 1990. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, board games, music, tennis.

ADDRESSES: Offıce—USA Today, 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, VA 22107. Agent—Katharine Kidde, Kidde, Hoyt & Picard Literary Agency, 335 East 51st St., New York, NY 10022. E-mail—joyce_lamb@msn. com.

CAREER: Rockford Register Star, Rockford, IL, copy editor, 1989-93; Fort Myers News-Press, Fort Myers, FL, features editor, 1993-94; Rockford Register Star, Rockford, IL, news editor, 1994-98; USA Today, McLean, VA, operations projects editor for money section, 1998—.

MEMBER: Romance Writers of America, Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

WRITINGS:

Relative Strangers (romantic suspense novel), Five Star (New York, NY), 2002.

Caught in the Act (romantic suspense novel), Five Star (New York, NY), 2003.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Found Wanting and Point and Shoot, romantic suspense novels.

SIDELIGHTS: Joyce Lamb told CA: "I write for fun. There are some people who would say I shouldn't waste my talent on writing romantic suspense novels, but the truth is, for me, writing is about escapism. I imagine that's what my readers are looking for when they pick up my books. It might not be literary work, but it serves a purpose. These days we can use as much escapism as we can get."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, April 1, 2002, Megan Kalan, review of Relative Strangers, p. 1306.