PINKSTON, Tristi 1976-

PERSONAL: Born March 8, 1976, in Ogden, UT; daughter of Joel W. (an office machine field technician) and Ruthe (in sales; maiden name, Clark) Norton; married Matthew Pinkston (a customer service representative and iridologist); children: Caryn Camille, Ammon Josiah, Joseph Erin. Education: Attended Brigham Young University. Politics: Republican. Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon).

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Granite Publishing and Distribution, 868 North 1430 W., Orem, UT 84057. E-mail—mattandtristipinkston@juno.com.

CAREER: Homemaker for eight years; writer. Worked as demonstrator for Stampin' Up! and as a florist. Past trustee of local Friends of the Library.

WRITINGS:

Nothing to Regret (Lhistorical novel), Granite Publishing and Distribution (Orem, UT), 2002.

Strength to Endure (historical novel), Granite Publishing and Distribution (Orem, UT), 2004.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Faith beyond Fear, a contemporary romantic suspense; Test of Time, historical fiction; Forgive, Not Forget, an historical novel, a sequel to Nothing to Regret; Season of Sacrifice, an historical novel, all with Mormon themes.

SIDELIGHTS: Tristi Pinkston told CA: "My main goals in writing are to entertain, enlighten, and uplift the reader. If someone walks away from one of my books saying 'I learned so much' or 'I feel like a better person for having read that book,' that's my ultimate payoff. I'm a stay-at-home mom with three small children, so most of my writing takes place really late at night.

"I've been influenced in my life by so many great authors; I'm reading something almost constantly. Some of my favorites are Catherine Marshall, L. M. Montgomery, Ann Rinaldi, and Robin McKinley. As far as authors who have influenced my writing are concerned, I feel that my style is my own. I don't believe I've emulated my favorite authors except in regard to their love of the written word."