Linda Frank

Nine years between the first and third Lily Kovner novels, and she has only aged five. I like doing this math, but it is one case where truth is not stranger than fiction. I've aged the nine.

Lily is a journalist, she swims almost daily, she cooks for therapy and sends CARE packages to her far-flung children. Some people who know me say she reminds them of someone they know!

My stats:

Born in Milwaukee, WI

Graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (BA)

Graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison (MA)

Worked in journalism, financial services (securities broker), public relations/marketing, owned staffing business

Committed volunteer, especially HIPPY USA (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), which I served as board chair

Lives in hometown Milwaukee when not traveling, have also lived in Los Angeles, Denver, and the San Francisco Bay Area

Married, with one son fulfilling my one-time ambition to be a journalist abroad (Beijing) and a stepson

"Nainai" (paternal grandma in Chinese) ) to one extraordinary granddaughter born in 2017

Lily stats:

Born in Vienna, immigrated to London on the kindertransport in 1938

Educated in Britain (university not specified)

Lives in New York City, has other homes in London and Jerusalem

Widowed, married MD son living in San Francisco, married journalist daughter living in London

Grandmother of twins (girl and boy) and another granddaughter

We both like to travel, but so far I haven't embarked on any quests that would qualify me to be called the "Jewish Miss Marple," like Lily. Unless you count crafting these tales in the context of history I find fascinating.

I hope you enjoy them!