Stef Ann Holm
Stef Ann Holm was born in Southern California near Hollywood. With the fantasy worlds of Disneyland and Universal Studios at her doorstep, her imagination was stimulated at an early age. She attended Chatsworth High where Kevin Spacey, Mare Winningham and Val Kilmer entertained on the school's stage. As a semester elective, Stef Ann enrolled in drama and played a Fandango hostess in the chorus of Sweet Charity. It was the beginning and the end of her acting and singing career. She got a "C" in Drama and an "A" in Creative Writing.
She sold her first romance in 1987. While waiting for a load of laundry to complete at the laundromat, Stef Ann made up the name for her heroine, Camry, when she saw a Toyota Camry parked outside in the lot. Who knew that model would end up being so popular, making her in-depth research seem so shallow. Stef Ann has had twenty-three novels and one novella published. Her editor calls her contemporary romances, "Slices of life stories about real people."
Stef Ann lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, extended family and beloved dogs.
Major Literary Accomplishments
Two time RITA finalist
USA Today Bestselling author
Waldenbooks Bestselling author
Washington Post Bestselling author
Recipient of the Reviewer's International Organization Award of Excellence for Best Contemporary Romance
National Reader's Choice Finalist in the Historical category
Romantic Times Book Reviews nominee for Career Achievement
Winner of the Romantic Times Book Reviews Storyteller of the Year award
Three time winner of the Emerald City Keeper Award
Amazon.com # 3 Top Pick for Best Romance of the Year in 2002
Fast Facts
Name:
Yes, Stef Ann is my real name. My dad named me after his sister, Stephanie. As a little girl, I wished there was a personalized name plate for my tricycle, but no.
Height:
5'8" but shrinking as I age.
Weight:
My driver's license says 135. I'm sticking to that story.
Birthday:
August 18.
Place of Birth:
SoCal and proud of it. What a great place to grow up back in the '60s and '70s. I didn't move to Boise, Idaho until I was thirty-three years old. It took me about five years to adjust, but now I can't imagine living any place else.
Where I've lived:
I've only lived in three places. Los Angeles, Boise, and for a short two years, the Seattle, Washington area (1999-2000). I thought since rain is conducive to writing, I'd write several books a year. Wrong. The rain, mist and overcast got to me. I couldn't take it. I'm a sunshine and heat girl. I really struggle in the cold, gray Boise winters.
Where I'd like to visit:
Ask my husband and he'll say I'll go anywhere. It's true. I like to travel. I've been to Italy twice, Turkey, Greece, various states in the US. Hawaii and Mexico. I'd love to go to Germany one day. And I think England would be fun to explore. Of course any tropical beach
Pets:
Molly is a Beagle who has been my joy for fourteen years. Cocoa Puff is a two year old Yorkshire Terrier with a goofy personality. She's the princess and she makes me laugh.
Music I like:
My music tastes are always changing. I discovered Bob-FM in Boise. It plays songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Where I work-out, whenever a song comes on, I'm always the one who knows the group and title. My husband claims my mind is a waste-land of discography given I can't remember street names around here. He told me my brain is too cluttered with tunes from The Stray Cats or Wang Chung. What can I say . . . when I was nineteen, I worked at Wherehouse Records.
Books:
I recently read The Cotton Queen by Pamela Morsi. I love her books. Right now I'm reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. On my TBR pile, I have Dan Brown, Ken Follett, and Anita Shreve. I still like true crime novels. Sometime about learning the details behind criminal minds . . .
TV:
I don't watch much regular television as I have a short attention span. Shows I try and tune into are American Idol, America's Got Talent, and dare I admit it, The Real Housewives (my favorites being Orange County and Atlanta.) I walk on the treadmill and have a DVD player to use so I've been watching series. One 50 minute episode is 2.5 miles. Series I've gotten into are/were Lost, Desperate Housewives, The Tudors, Nip/Tuck (can only take in small doses), Mad Men (having a hard time staying interested), Prison Break (great!) and Breaking Bad--which is hands down, one of the best series I've ever watched. Where is Season 3?!
Movies: All time favorite is The Shawshank Redemption. Others I can watch multiple times: Murphy's Romance, The Long, Long Trailer, Titanic, Christmas Vacation, Some Like It Hot, Canary Row, Bandits, The Birdcage, The Big Lebowski and Fargo.
Stuff I like to do:
I love to cook and come up with new flavors and recipes. I'm not much of a baker anymore. My husband can bake me under the table with his rolls, biscuits and breads. And he makes a killer sugar cookie that I can't replicate even if I follow his recipe exactly. I like trying new wines. I actually like cleaning and organizing. Riding our ATVs on our property--around the barn and the pond and into the pasture. I enjoy riding my bike, walking my dogs and being with my family.
