About Me

 

Photograph taken by Kat Ocean of Owl Eye Photography (February 11, 2023, Canmore, AB)

 

A little about me, I’m a first generation Filipino-Canadian and if you’re wondering if my family dynamic stayed the same way since 1979, it did not. My parents divorced in the early 90s, along with everyone else’s, remarried, pro-created some more, and even de facto adopted a mostly adult son, because needing parents isn’t something that stops at a certain age. Today, I’m part of a hella blended family and it’s huge. Marrying a man whose parents hail from Newfoundland, a place where the size of families rivals that of the good old Catholics. My mom’s last name is Mierzurak, my daughter’s is Whelan and yes, family dynamic figures prominently in all of my stories.

Writing-wise, I write contemporary romance. I’ve written in big cities and small towns, and prefer to write sweet heat, along with romantic suspense, political intrigue and medical romance. Anything with action. My debut series from Tule, The Dorseys of Conception Bay features the post-hockey life of a trio of brothers.

Life-wise, it’s been a ride. In university, I worked as a banker in a bank and a casino, as a finance manager at Coca-Cola, owned and operated my own yoga studio and school, and finally landed in the Rocky Mountains, doing what I love—writing and also working part time at the public library, because I just love books. Somewhere along the way, I got married (12 years ago) and birthed a child (8 years ago).

Why the mountains where it’s winter eight months of the year? My family and I love to ski, both downhill and cross-country, ice skate, sled, tube, build snowmen and snowwomen, and have snowball fights. In the summer it’s hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping and floats on the lake. And all of this is right in our backyard, walking distance.

When I’m not outside, I’m curled up in front of the fireplace with a book. I’m a mood reader and recently finished demolishing Fonda Lee’s Jade Bone series in three weeks. I love movies, but sadly I am somewhere like a decade behind on TV. Though I did binge Euphoria in three days (very intense, do not recommend), and loved a little Netflix series called The End of The Fucking World.

Anyway, I can talk about myself forever, I’m a Virgo. So, I’ll sign off here and thanks for reading!

 Upcoming Appearances and Events

Resuming September 2023

Past Blog Appearances and Interviews

December 18, 2022 – Chippy Chicks

December 7, 2022 – Tule’s Holiday Party

November 10, 2022 – Publishing AMA

October 16, 2022 – Chippy Chicks

October 16, 2022 – Reader Entertainment Radio Interview: Holiday Romances and HEAs with Fortune Whelan

October 13, 2022 – MY CHRISTMAS WITH YOU: Release Day blog post featuring Fortune Whelan!

October 13, 2022 – Harlequin Junkie Author Spotlight

October 12, 2022 – Author Spotlight: Fortune Whelan Takes Over with a Giveaway

October 9, 2022 – Readings From Revenge Garden

October 6, 2022 – Stronger Together Virtual Conference

September 25, 2022 – The Inclusive Authors of Romance Association

August 4, 2022 – A Word For New Writers 

July 31, 2022 – Readings From Revenge Garden

June 6, 2022 – Getting Steamy on the Ice with Author Fortune Whelan on Book Lights

June 5, 2022 – Dime Grinds

June 2, 2022 – Romance In Colour S3E31 Stuck With You (A #WritinginColour Interview ft. Fortune Whelan)

May 29, 2022 – Chippy Chicks on YouTube 6p MST

May 16, 2022 – Publisher’s Weekly

May 11, 2022 – Marigold Workshops 11a MST

April 30, 2022 – Café Books Celebrates Indie Authors

April 24, 2022 – Chippy Chicks on YouTube 6p MST

April 10, 2022 – Café Books Local Author Book Signing

April 10, 2022 – Readings From Revenge Garden

April 6, 2022 – Bow Valley Crag and Canyon from Post Media

April 6, 2022 – Harlequin Junkie Q&A

April 5, 2022 – Tule Book Club Drop In 4p MST

April 5, 2022 – Instagram Live with Best Selling Author Mia Heintzelman 12p MST

April 5, 2022 – Tule Blog

March 31, 2022 – Rocky Mountain Outlook from Great West Media

March 27, 2022 – Chippy Chicks on YouTube 6p MST

March 26, 2022 – Rae’s Corner on Instagram 10:45a MST

January 10, 2022 – Publisher’s Weekly

December 31, 2021 – Love Notes From Paradise

December 29, 2021 – Nan Reinhardt, Author Blog

November 1, 2021 – Canmore Public Library, Newsletter

September 29, 2021 – Nan Reinhardt, Author Blog

August 18, 2021 – Denise N. Wheatley’s Book Nook

November 20, 2022 – Chippy Chicks

December 14, 2022 – Jane Porter’s Friends & Fans Drop In