Member Profile

Maria Jose Marin

I was born and raised in the Mediterranean town of Alicante, in southeast Spain. Before I moved to the U.S. in 2001 I visited Paris and London, but never had a chance to make it to my dream destination, Ireland, where my book The Book of Mhor Rioghan takes place. I hope one day I'll be able to walk the same streets my characters do in my book, and visit the same wonderful places.

I am an avid reader of History, especially ancient and classic, but I read any topics from XIX dynasty Egyptian pharaohs to my favorite American history period, the Revolution. I love visiting ancient and medieval towns like Avila, Segovia and Toledo in central Spain and I'm fascinated by ancient architecture.

I have been writing since I can remember. From short stories in elementary school, to human interest essays as a pre-teen, poetry, and the required academic writing in college and graduate school.

I currently live in San Diego, California, with my spouse, Mel, and our 3-year old miniature poodle-mix, Josie. I work full-time for the California Department of Consumer Affairs.