While We Were Watching Downton Abbey novelist Wendy Wax is a bestselling author of contemporary women's fiction exploring friendship, loyalty, self-discovery and the seemingly insurmountable challenges life sometimes presents. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, she grew up on St. Pete Beach within spitting distance of the Gulf of Mexico. Appropriately enough, Wendy attended Sunshine Elementary School where recess and art class sometimes took place on the beach, and the highlight of every school year was the annual fish broil. Not surprisingly, some of her favorite Florida beaches were destined to become settings for her best selling fiction, including TEN BEACH ROAD, OCEAN BEACH, CHRISTMAS AT THE BEACH and her latest summer read, THE HOUSE ON MERMAID POINT.It's hard to be a type-A personality when you grow up in such a laid-back environment, but somehow Wendy managed. Convinced that you were expected to know how to read before you showed up for school, at the age of five she forced a neighbor friend to teach her. She's been devouring the written word ever since. Books, one of Wendy's greatest treasures and best forms of escape, have had a major impact on her life and on her decision to create stories about women, friendship, family and triumph over adversity leavened with her trademark honesty and humor.Wendy's writing has been highly praised. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says she "writes with breezy wit and keen insight into family relations." Her books have been featured in national publications such as USA Today and Woman's World, and at online book sites such as On a Clear Day I Can Read Forever, Luxury Reading, Book Reporter, Night Owl Reviews and Fresh Fiction. In 2011 she was honored by the City of St. Pete Beach when the City Commission declared May 12th "Wendy Wax Day."Prior to writing, Wendy worked in radio, television and film, most notably as writer, producer and host of The Home Front, which aired on PBS station across the country, and as the host of a Friday night radio show called Desperate & Dateless when she was both.The mother of a toddler and a newborn when she first decided to write, Wendy admits it may not have been the best timing in terms of productivity. "I'm still not certain why I felt so compelled to write my first novel at that particular time," she says, "but that first book took forever." Since then, she's written ten others and an e-book original novella. In addition to THE HOUSE ON MERMAID POINT, OCEAN BEACH, TEN BEACH ROAD, CHRISTMAS AT THE BEACH, and WHILE WE WERE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY, they are MAGNOLIA WEDNESDAYS, THE ACCIDENTAL BESTSELLER, HOSTILE MAKEOVER, LEAVE IT TO CLEAVAGE, SINGLE IN SUBURBIA, and 7 DAYS AND 7 NIGHTS.When not writing, Wendy spends much of her time speaking to writers groups and book clubs, enjoying time with her family, visiting relatives in St. Pete and reading. She lives in Atlanta, where she and her husband are adjusting to their new life as empty nesters.Wendy loves to hear from her readers! You can reach her at wendy@authorwendywax.com.