Valerie has three main focuses in her writing career: Novels, Screenplays, and Children’s books. Her mystery/thriller Silent Russian, recently took 1st place in the annual Mate E Palmer Communications Contest! She's hoping to take another 1st place at the national level of the competition in September 2012. She is a member of National Women's Press Association and Sisters in Crime. Valerie’s accounting career is with the top Foodservice Buying, Marketing & Training Group in the nation, located in Illinois. Valerie is happily married to Realtor and photographer, Joe Biamonte, and has one grown son.